Democratic Voice of Burma |
- Ta’ang army claim govt offensive in Kyaukme
- Hunger strikers released from prison
- Kachin IDPs sentenced to 5 years under Explosives Act
| Ta’ang army claim govt offensive in Kyaukme Posted: 24 Dec 2013 02:48 AM PST An intense firefight broke out between Burmese government forces and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in Kyaukme, northern Shan State, on Sunday. Farmland in the surrounding villages was damaged but no casualties were reported. Tar Aik Bone, the general-secretary of the TNLA, said the Burmese army's 17th Light Infantry Battalion launched a heavy artillery attack against the TNLA 717th Battalion camped in the Pankwe village on Sunday afternoon, prompting the ethnic armed group to return fire and engage in a clash that lasted for about 15 minutes. He said several farms in the village were damaged by the artillery shelling but no individual was reported hurt. Based around Lashio in northern Shan state, the TNLA has an estimated fighting strength of 800 Ta'ang men, also known as Palaung. It has not signed a ceasefire with the Burmese government. In August, the TNLA announced it would not continue with peace talks with the Burmese government because of continued military assaults. Related StoriesMeanwhile, state-run media said that a clash occurred in central Shan state's Mongkaung township on 22 December as a team of government officials and police, accompanied by a Burmese army column, were working on destroying poppy fields in the area. They apparently came under fire by an unknown militia of about 50 fighters, according to Myanmar Ahlin daily newspaper on Tuesday. |
| Hunger strikers released from prison Posted: 24 Dec 2013 01:36 AM PST Burmese activists Myint Myint Aye, Khin Mi Mi Khine and Thant Zin Htike were released from Paungde prison in Pegu division on Tuesday morning after the regional high court upheld their appeal against charges they were facing at a township level court. Speaking to DVB on Tuesday shortly after her release, Myint Myint Aye, whose health was seriously in question during the strike, said the Pegu divisional court on Monday accepted the three defendants' appeal and dropped the charges at the Nattalin Township Court that they faced for helping farmers in Nattalin and Paungde townships protest against land grabs by the army and the police – under the Law Relating to the Forming of Organisations. "During our 11-day hunger strike that began on 13 December, we were given regular medical check-ups by prison doctors and they suggested giving us glucose drips which we refused – we turned down all medical assistance from them," said Myint Myint Aye. Related Stories"On [Monday] afternoon, the regional high court's chief justice accepted our appeal against the charges at the township court and decided to drop the case – we decided to accept intravenous drips after being informed of that." The group began their hunger strike in Paungde Prison demanding a verdict by the high court on their trial which had been ongoing for over six months and saw around 20 court hearings. They initially filed an appeal at a district level court but decided to take it to the regional high court after being rejected. They began their hunger strike on 13 December after the high court failed to make a ruling on their appeal. Myint Myint Aye said she believed she and her colleagues were released as a result of their hunger strike. "I don't think the case would have been settled so soon if we didn't stage the hunger strike – the court was postponing hearings again and again," she said. "Despite claims that Burma is now heading towards democratic reforms, the process is progressing rather slowly," she said. "I don't buy the claim that there is democracy in Burma unless workers and farmers are granted freedom and decent livelihoods." |
| Kachin IDPs sentenced to 5 years under Explosives Act Posted: 24 Dec 2013 12:06 AM PST Two Kachin IDPs sentenced to two years in prison last month under the Unlawful Association Act have now been handed an additional five years, charged under the Explosives Act by the Myitkyina township court on 19 December. Lahpai Gun and Brang Yone were previously sentenced along with two co-defendants under the Unlawful Association Act for allegedly making contact with the Kachin Independent Army rebel group, but were also charged under the Explosives Act in June 2012 following their arrest. They are being detained in Myitkyina Prison in the Kachin state capital. Mar Khar, the lawyer representing the two, said the latest trial was unfair, and said his clients were subjected to torture and human rights violations during interrogation by the army's Military Affairs Security (MAS) intelligence branch. Related Stories"The two were subjected to horrendous human rights violations including insulting their religion and torture," he said. "Moreover, there was no prevalence of rule of law by the Myitkyina court – the verdict was in complete neglect of the law. There was no evidence to support the information the MAS provided, however the court assumed otherwise and jailed the two. "The defendants gave sworn testimonies at the trial but the judge completely disregarded their statements and passed a verdict based only on the information provided by the MAS which they obtained while torturing the defendants." Lahpai Gun and Brang Yone still face at least more charge under the Explosives Act for allegedly plotting a second bombing. The lawyer said the trial was repeatedly postponed as the government prosecutors often did not show up for court appointments. |
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