Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Criminals walk free – activists remain behind bars
• Permit denied for journalists seeking justice for Ma Khine
• Embassy plotter Taufik sentenced to 7 years in Jakarta
• KNU meet for talks with Thein Sein, Min Aung Hlaing
• Rangoon protestors show support for constitutional reform
• Suu Kyi calls on govt, military to help amend constitution
• Timber merchants, China must cooperate if export ban is to succeed

Criminals walk free – activists remain behind bars Posted: 06 Jan 2014 05:34 AM PST More than 13,000 inmates have walked free from various prisons across Burma since the president declared an amnesty on 31 December in honour of the 66th anniversary of Burma's independence. However, only a handful of those released have been political prisoners. "I was in for prostitution and I'm very happy to be released", said a young female prisoner released from Insein prison in Rangoon who served one year. "I am very grateful for the amnesty allowing us to reunite with our families on humanitarian grounds", said a male prisoner from Hlegu township who was sentenced to one year but only served eight months. Related Stories I beg your pardon – amnesty for political prisoners? Will all Burma’s political prisoners taste freedom? Seven political prisoners released On 1 January the government announced that there were no more political prisoners in Burma. And on Monday state media claimed that 13,274 prisoners had been set free. However, it remains unclear how many political activists are being further detained under criminal charges. The presidential pardon meant that death sentences was reduced to life imprisonment; life sentences were reduced to 40 years; and inmates serving sentences of less than 40 years had their sentences shortened by one-quarter. Many of those who had already served two-thirds of their time were released. The Burmese government claims that their jail-cells are now devoid of political detainees. The question now remains whether the international community is buying it.

Permit denied for journalists seeking justice for Ma Khine Posted: 06 Jan 2014 04:53 AM PST A bid by journalists and activists in Mandalay for permission to protest against the detention of Eleven Daily reporter Naw Khine Khine Aye Cho was rejected by local police on Sunday. The reporter, who writes under the pen-name Ma Khine, was sentenced in mid-December by Karenni state's Loikaw township court to three months in prison on charges of trespassing, criminal defamation and using obscene language. The charges were filed by a local lawyer who was upset by the journalist during an interview. Min Din, chief editor of Mandalay Khit (Mandalay Era) weekly news journal, organised the protest, planned for 7 January in Aungmyay Tharzan township. Min Din said that the township police have officially denied permission for the protest. "The local authorities said permission was denied because the application states that the objective was to highlight the divergence of the judicial sector. They said that the judicial system is free and transparent, as the defendant can file an appeal at a higher level court against the verdict, and the government has been taking action against corrupt judges," said Min Din. "Lastly," he added, "they said the protest could not be permitted because it was planned for a busy, public location." Related Stories Five gold mine protestors to be charged with sedition Feel like it's all going downhill? Eleven Media hit back at jailing of reporter He added that the organisers expressly planned for the protest to be held between 10am and 12 noon on Tuesday, to avoid busy school and office hours. Organisers expected around 200 participants to convene on the south side of the Mandalay moat. An official at Aungmyay Tharzan police station confirmed that the permit was denied. "We denied permission because the protest was planned on a busy and crowded road," said the official. Meanwhile, journalists in Rangoon were granted permission for a similar protest denouncing the sentence of Ma Khine. Lawyer and legal expert Aung Thein argued that citizens of Burma have a constitutional right to protest, and criticised the authorities for bending existing laws to prevent freedom of assembly. "Peaceful assembly and procession is a right provided to the people by the constitution. Restricting that right may make our country's path to democracy seem dubious," said Aung Thein.

Embassy plotter Taufik sentenced to 7 years in Jakarta Posted: 06 Jan 2014 01:54 AM PST A district court in Jakarta on Monday sentenced Achmad Taufik to seven years and six months in prison for his role in a failed plot to bomb the Burmese embassy in Indonesia, according to a report in Jakarta Globe. The report said that a panel of judges declared Achmad guilty of conspiring to bomb the embassy in Menteng, Central Jakarta, on 3 May 2013. The Indonesian anti-terrorism squad, Densus 88, acted to thwart the plot before it was launched and arrested Achmad and another man identified as Sigit Indrajit. Police reportedly seized five homemade pipe bombs carried inside a black backpack from the two suspects. Since then, five others have been arrested in connection to the plot. Indrajit, believed to have masterminded the plan, is being tried separately in relation to the case. His verdict was supposed to be handed down on Monday as well, but judges rescheduled the hearing for 21 January without giving a reason. Some terrorist cells in Indonesia have started targeting the Burmese embassy and local Buddhist temples in what they claim to be acts of solidarity with Rohingya Muslims suppressed by the Burmese authorities, said the Jakarta Globe report. Related Stories Living in limbo, but ready to risk death at sea Burma embassy plot – Six killed in Jakarta shoot-out Govt minister says Taungoo bomber did not confess under torture

KNU meet for talks with Thein Sein, Min Aung Hlaing Posted: 06 Jan 2014 01:18 AM PST A delegation of representatives of the Karen National Union (KNU), led by Chairman Mutu Say Poe, met with Burmese President Thein Sein and military Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw on Sunday to discuss the ongoing effort to implement a nationwide ceasefire. KNU spokesperson Saw Kwe Htoo Win confirmed that the delegates included himself, Mutu Say Poe, and KNU Central Executive Committee members Saw Roger Khin and Mahn Nyein Maung, who met with Thein Sein on Sunday morning. "We discussed the nationwide ceasefire agreement, and plans regarding another conference of ethnic armed groups [to be held] in February, as well as the upcoming meeting in Hpa-an [between ethnic armed groups and] the government's Peace Making Committee," said Saw Kwe Htoo Win. Related Stories Karen rivals unite for New Year President's Office downplays 'Cars for Peace' controversy Japan signs investment protection deal with Burma After meeting with the president, the KNU representatives met with the Burmese army chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing. "We spoke with the commander-in-chief about the ethnic groups' endeavours. He also stressed that peace is necessary for the country's development, and that he will continue his efforts with no reversal," said the KNU spokesman. Prior to Sunday's meetings with the president and military chief, the representatives convened on Saturday in Rangoon with Union Ministers Aung Min, Soe Thein, Khin Yi, Ye Htut and several officials from the Myanmar Peace Centre. The KNU have met with the president and the military chief four times since the start of the peace process. Saw Kwe Htoo Win said that the level of understanding between the two sides increases with each convention. "As we understand each other more and more, discussions about our differing opinions are becoming much more convenient," said the KNU spokesperson. "Peace is based upon trust, which we need to build with very careful consideration."

Rangoon protestors show support for constitutional reform Posted: 06 Jan 2014 12:56 AM PST Hundreds of demonstrators rallied in Burma's former capital Rangoon on Sunday, calling for an amendment to the military-drafted constitution that would allow Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to become eligible to run for president. The rally was organised by former student activist leaders of the 1988 pro-democracy movement. Under the current constitution, the opposition leader is ineligible for the top post because she had been married to a foreigner and her two sons are British citizens. The charter was drafted and adopted under the stewardship of Burma’s previous junta government, which paved the way to the first general election in 2010 after decades of military dictatorship. Suu Kyi has publicly suggested that constitutional charter in question was deliberately designed to bar her from the presidency. Several well-known Burmese activists took part in the demonstration, including parliamentarians, artists and former political activists. “All we need is unity. Unity among civil societies, artists and artisans, prominent public figures, ordinary people, monks and so on. If we all participate when it’s necessary, not only the constitution but any law can be amended,” said Min Ko Naing, a former student leader who took part in the pro-democracy movement in 1988. Related Stories Suu Kyi calls on govt, military to help amend constitution Women lead protest against 'discriminatory' articles in constitution Thein Sein indicates support for constitutional amendment An article of section 59(f) in the constitution says that anyone whose spouse or children owes allegiance to a foreign power cannot become president or vice president. Suu Kyi was married to the late British scholar Michael Aris, and her two sons are foreign citizens. Critics complain that many other provisions are also undemocratic. “All necessary sections should be amended so that our country can move forward smoothly. Not only Section 59(f), but also all other sections should be amended,” said Khaing Muang Yee, a parliament member who took part in the rally. Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party announced last weekend that it would contest the 2015 general election, whether or not the constitution is amended to allow for her nomination. The NLD boycotted the 2010 election, but successfully contested by-elections in 2012 after electoral reforms were implemented, with Suu Kyi winning a seat in the lower house. The opposition party expects to do well enough in the 2015 polls to offer its own presidential candidate, and Suu Kyi has expressed an interest in running. Burmese president Thein Sein said in a monthly-televised address to the nation on 2 January that he supports amending the constitution to allow Suu Kyi to be eligible to lead the country. The president stated his hope that changing the constitution could help national reconciliation.

Suu Kyi calls on govt, military to help amend constitution Posted: 05 Jan 2014 10:01 PM PST In a speech to mark Burma's 66th Independence Day on Saturday, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi stressed that both the government and the military should play important roles in amending the constitution and urged them to cooperate in the process. "The Tatmadaw [Burmese armed forces] should not be ambiguous about its role in amending the constitution as they absolutely do have a very crucial role to play in the process as does the ruling government," said Suu Kyi, speaking at the National League for Democracy (NLD) headquarters in Rangoon. "Likewise, the government should not act as if the constitution is not their concern – the constitution is a concern for everyone in the country and so it should be for the government, too.” "We should not be uncertain about the fairness of the 2008 constitution – the constitution is unfair and not in conformity with democratic standards," she said. "We have to openly and manifestly accept that it carries no bright future for our country." Related Stories Rangoon protestors show support for constitutional reform Women lead protest against 'discriminatory' articles in constitution Thein Sein indicates support for constitutional amendment She also warned about the challenges ahead on the path to national reconciliation, asserting they should be dealt with through honest and open dialogues. "When we look for a future based on national reconciliation, we need to be open about discussing certain necessary issues," she said. "For the sake of national reconciliation, we should courageously and incisively face the challenges and problems ahead." The event was attended by most of the NLD leadership, including Suu Kyi, Win Tin, Tin Oo and Than Tun, as well as members of the party's Central Executive Committee, and members and guests from other political parties and civil society organisations including 88 Generation Peace and Open Society leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi. President Thein Sein marked the 66th anniversary of Burma's independence from British colonial rule by addressing the nation in a statement carried by the national press in which he urged the Burmese public to live together "through thick and thin" and to support non-disintegration of the Union. He also called on all Burma's nationalities to participate in the peace process to end armed conflicts in the country.

Timber merchants, China must cooperate if export ban is to succeed Posted: 05 Jan 2014 09:31 PM PST Burma's Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry announced six months ago that a ban on the export of raw timber will go into effect on 1 April 2014. As that date nears, the Myanmar Timber Merchants Association (MTMA) has requested that foreign timber merchants cooperate with government policymakers to avoid the illegal export of timber. "Transporting raw timber from one place to another in Burma is not allowed without permits from the Ministry of Forestry. But those are not required in China; the Chinese authorities do not ask to see these papers," said Bar Bar Cho, secretary of MTMA. "As long as the tax is paid then it is all legal." Bar Bar Cho said that after a series of criticisms about deforestation in Burma by environmental organisations, the president held discussions with relevant government departments last year and ultimately came to a decision to prohibit the export of raw timber. While the policy is welcomed by the MTMA and industry analysts, both have warned that there are several serious impediments to its success. Related Stories NLD delegation departs for China China defends human rights record at UN panel Burma and China affirm 'strategic partnership' Bar Bar Cho said that not only must Burmese timber merchants cooperate, but those in neighboring countries must also comply by not purchasing the goods; while the sales are illegal in Burma they are legitimate by current regulations in some neighboring countries. "Cutting down trees is prohibited in China, but not in Burma," said Bar Bar Cho. "So the Chinese buy freely from Burma." "That must be stopped," he continued, "If the Chinese authorities had acted responsibly by saying: 'We won't buy timber from Burma unless it has official documents from the [Burmese] Forest Ministry', then it would have been different." Kevin Woods, a Rangoon-based analyst for the INGO Forest Trends, said that foreign demand is largely for raw timber – as opposed to value-added processed woods – because investors are not yet inclined to create processing plants in Burma's underserviced and undeveloped areas. This creates a win-win situation for importers; they can buy cheap unfinished hardwoods from Burma and develop processing industries within their own borders. Woods contended that the ban could actually lead to an increase in illicit trade. "The log export ban could indirectly increase pressure for cross-border trade in logs to get around Yangon [Rangoon] regulations," said Woods. Woods suggested that further reforms are necessary to create conducive conditions for the policy's success, which would make forested areas better suited for development that benefits the country. "Good land and forest governance is also needed in addition to the log export ban in order to achieve positive results," he said. Estimates vary, but most environmentalists agree that during British colonial times some 80 percent of the country was covered by forest, diving to 60 percent in the 1960s. However, once military rule prevailed and corruption became endemic, deforestation accelerated, leaving just 24 percent of the country forested as of 2008. Bar Bar Cho noted that previous Burmese governments, especially under the military regime, relied heavily on exporting logs for foreign income. Some estimates say that 90 percent of all foreign currency at that time came from logging exports – some US$600 million per annum. The illegal export of logs via the Burma-China land border alone is today valued at more than US$200 million per year. However, in recent years, international organisations have suggested that environmental disasters are imminent inBurma due to its policy of mass deforestation. "We must adhere to a policy of forest management to preserve our forests," said Bar Bar Cho. It has been estimated that in recent years 300,000 tons of teak and 2 million tons of hardwood are cut per annum in Burma. Starting from 2015, Burma is hoping to produce 60,000 tons of teak and 1.2 million tons of hardwood each year for the domestic market alone.

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