Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Few trafficking arrests for Kachin task force
• Bullet Points: 24 September 2014
• Opposition party ‘did not say’ it would support Shwe Mann
• NLD member killed in Mandalay
• Student group demands release of accused Wanbao kidnapper
• Rangoon expansion plan brought before regional parliament

Few trafficking arrests for Kachin task force Posted: 24 Sep 2014 05:43 AM PDT Inadequate training, funding and a lack of political will continues to limit Burma's frontline fight against human traffickers. On Burma's northern border with China, an inability for authorities to identify potential victims contributes to hundreds of women being trafficked over the borders every year as forced brides and prostitutes. At an event in the Kachin capital of Myitkyina on Tuesday, Burma's anti-human trafficking police unit said they have had just five human trafficking cases in Kachin this year. "In 2013, there were six cases reported in Kachin state," Maj Aye Myint of the police Anti-Human Trafficking Division told the workshop. "Including trafficking of women to sell in China as brides – five cases – and force prostitution in Hapakant – one case. However in 2014, there have been already five cases reported as of August.” “All of the cases involved selling women to China as brides against their will." The United States government's 2014 trafficking in persons report cites inadequate prevention methods as a factor in Burma's continued presence on the “tier-2 watch list.” Tuesday's workshop was facilitated by the International Organisation for Migration, which hopes to begin coordinating with Burma's police and social welfare department. Related Stories KIO denies Rohingya army training, suggests foul play Population shortfall forces rethink Burma reveals initial census data Maj Myint Myint Aye suggested that forced marriages were currently the most pressing issue. "Most cases involved trafficking young women to sell them as brides across the border. There is no case in Kachin state linking to Thailand but only cases with links to China.” She added that there were also instances of forced prostitution in Kachin State itself, with the mines around Hpakant being a focus for police investigations. With over 100,000 displaced by a now three-year war between the Burma army and rebel groups, women in northern Burma remain deeply vulnerable.

Bullet Points: 24 September 2014 Posted: 24 Sep 2014 05:21 AM PDT On today's edition of Bullet Points: Opposition member murdered NLD deny that they back Shwe Mann for president IOM fight traffickers in Kachin You can watch Bullet Points every weeknight on DVB TV after the 7 o'clock news.

Opposition party ‘did not say’ it would support Shwe Mann Posted: 24 Sep 2014 04:26 AM PDT Burma's leading opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), has refuted reports suggesting that it might support former military strongman and current house Speaker Shwe Mann as a presidential candidate in general elections scheduled for 2015. "One senior member of [Aung San] Suu Kyi's party [the NLD] said it might give its backing for Shwe Mann," read a report published by London-based Reuters late Tuesday. The article soon after cited NLD central committee member Han Tha Myint explaining that the party does not have a fitting number-two choice if Aung San Suu Kyi cannot run. The juxtaposition appears to have led other reporters to the assumption that the official supported the Speaker, with international headlines booming the likes of "Suu Kyi's party looks outside its ranks to a former general for president". Han Tha Myint's phone was soon ringing off the hook as he and several other NLD members denied the suggestion that the party had made any official endorsement of the Speaker, who is also the chairman of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). "All I said was that there are many options, among which could be a candidate from outside our party," Han Tha Myint told DVB by phone on Wednesday. When asked if he told Reuters that his party would back a Shwe Mann bid for presidency if the NLD does not have a suitable candidate, he replied that, "I did not say anything like that." Related Stories NLD member killed in Mandalay Suu Kyi reiterates call for national reconciliation Magwe protestors charged with trespassing Burma's Constitution forbids anyone with a foreign spouse or children from seeking the presidency, in a controversial clause which some think was drafted specifically to keep Suu Kyi out of the office. The opposition leader was married to a British man and has two sons holding UK passports. As explained in Reuters' article, the NLD does not currently have a candidate lined up as a potential successor for incumbent Thein Sein of the USDP. "We believe there is no number two position in our party," Han Tha Myint told Reuters. He later explained to DVB that if they cannot find a suitable candidate and achieves a majority of parliament in the upcoming election, the party may look elsewhere. Among the possibilities, Han Tha Myint said in a letter addressed to Reuters reporter Paul Mooney on 24 September, was the option of "Proposing somebody outside our party who has the same objectives as us and who thinks like us." Reiterating that position to DVB, Han Tha Myint said that while backing another party is conceivable in the absence of a popular and eligible contender, the media may have jumped the gun. "It's a hypothetical situation right now and I don't want to speculate," he said.

NLD member killed in Mandalay Posted: 24 Sep 2014 02:26 AM PDT A member of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) succumbed to injuries on Saturday after being brutally beaten by two Burmese soldiers and the son of a lieutenant, sources within the party confirmed. Sithu Htet, a local member of the NLD's Maha Aungmayay chapter in Mandalay, was attacked by the three men at around 11pm on 19 September. He died in Mandalay General Hospital the following morning and funeral services were held on Tuesday. The motivation for the attack remains unknown. Two of his assailants, both from the Burmese Army's 33rd Infantry Division in Sagaing, have been ordered to return to their mother unit headquarters. The third suspect, a civilian son of an army lieutenant, is being detained by police in Mandalay. A member of the victim's family said that they are demanding a full and fair police investigation but have not yet received a visit from local officers.   Related Stories Opposition party 'did not say' it would support Shwe Mann Student group demands release of accused Wanbao kidnapper Thai cops get fresh evidence of Burmese suspect in tourists’ murder

Student group demands release of accused Wanbao kidnapper Posted: 24 Sep 2014 01:48 AM PDT Dozens of protestors gathered outside Sagaing Division's Yinmarpin district court on Tuesday to demand the release of a student activist on trial for her alleged involvement in the kidnapping of two Chinese workers in May 2014. Phyu Hnin Htwe, a second year student in Mandalay's Yadanabon University, was arrested on 13 September and his since been detained in Monywa Prison. The young student, who is a member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), has supported farmers' rights activities in the area near the controversial Latpadaung copper mine — where the kidnapping occurred — though doubts remain about her involvement and even her presence at the time of the incident. Phyu Hnin Htwe is being tried on two counts of kidnapping under Burma's penal code article 364 (kidnapping with intent to murder) and article 368 (wrongful confinement of a kidnapped person). On 18 May, one Burmese and two Chinese employees of Myanmar Wanbao Mining Company Ltd were abducted by about 20 villagers in Seté, near the copper mine site. The villagers said that the employees were seen on disputed land and appeared to be surveying the property. As it has happened many times before, the villagers feared that the Wanbao staff were preparing to fence off the land, so they detained them. The Burmese driver was shortly released, while the two Chinese men were held for about 30 hours. Related Stories NLD member killed in Mandalay Sagaing students protest controversial Education Bill Over 1,000 in Mandalay protest mining activities The villagers demanded a complete halt to the project, which has been one of Burma's most contentious developments. The company initially released a press statement claiming that the two had been beaten and threatened, but a spokesperson later told DVB that they were released unharmed. Wanbao pressed charges against seven suspects in late May, five were later acquitted. Phyu Hinin Htwe is the only suspect to have been detained and tried to date.  Since her arrest earlier this month, the suspect has been forbidden to confer with other ABFSU members, friends and family, but some fellow student activists were allowed to meet briefly with her after Tuesday's hearing. "Initially, the authorities kept her hidden away from the public," said ABFSU spokesperson Thiha Win Tin. He said that colleagues had reached out to the police to find out her whereabouts, but officers wouldn't answer any of their inquiries. Kyaw Ko Ko, the group's central committee chairperson, was also present at Tuesday's demonstration and the post-hearing meeting with the accused. "She [Phyu Hnin Htwe] maintained her innocence, claiming she was fighting for justice for the people in Latpadaung and that the arrest was unfair," said Kyaw Ko Ko. Following the hearing and meeting with her supporters, Phyu Hnin Htwe was returned to detention in Monywa prison where she will remain pending further court proceedings.

Rangoon expansion plan brought before regional parliament Posted: 23 Sep 2014 10:58 PM PDT A controversial urban expansion plan for Burma's former capital, Rangoon, was brought before an emergency session of the regional parliament on Monday. Presented by Rangoon Mayor Hla Myint on behalf of the region's Chief Minister Myint Swe, the proposal would affect three township along the west bank of the Hlaing River. Regional parliamentarians have repeatedly asked the mayor and other stakeholders to slow down, claiming that they have been left out of what appears to be a shady business deal. The expansion plan was revealed to the regional parliament in August, as Hla Myint announced that the development will be implemented in partnership with a previously unknown company, Myanma Saytanar Myothit Company. Little is known about the company, which was formed in late 2013. The mayor said that the company was chosen "because it is financially strong", according to The Irrawaddy. Related Stories Thilawa shares to go on market this year Labour Ministry orders Korean footwear firm to pay compensation 20 injured in clash with police at closed Korean factory Investigative reports have concluded that the company may be owned by Chinese businessmen with close ties to Myint Swe. Hla Myint promised during Monday's remarks that the regional government will begin a tender process for the project in response to accusations of nepotism and complaints about lack of transparency. Project costs have been estimated at around US$8 billion. The development is meant to extend Rangoon's city limits over 30,000 acres of land that are now mostly used for farming in Kyimyindaing, Tontay and Seikgyi Kanaungto townships.

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