Democratic Voice of Burma |
- Rakhine Action Plan a ‘blueprint for segregation and statelessness’
- Bullet Points: 3 October 2014
- Respect the rule of law – and the citizenship act
- Two Burmese arrested in Koh Tao murder case
- BUSINESS WEEKLY 3 OCTOBER 2014
- New amendment limits politics to Burmese citizens
- Burmese army launches ‘unprovoked attack’, say Shan rebels
- Tokyo considers investing in Dawei deep-sea port
- Thai police say Burmese man has confessed to Koh Tao murders
| Rakhine Action Plan a ‘blueprint for segregation and statelessness’ Posted: 03 Oct 2014 05:45 AM PDT The government's action plan for Arakan (Rakhine) State, which was drafted under a shroud of secrecy and hasn't yet been released to the public, was roundly criticised by Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Friday, which warned that it would "entrench discriminatory policies that deprive Rohingya Muslims in Burma of citizenship and lead to the forced resettlement of over 130,000 displaced Rohingya into closed camps." "It is nothing less than a blueprint for permanent segregation and statelessness that appears designed to strip the Rohingya of hope and force them to flee the country," said HRW's deputy Asia director Phil Robertson. The Rakhine State Action Plan draft is intended to be a comprehensive policy covering development, humanitarian, security, and ethnic issues in Arakan, including – most controversially – the thorny issue of Rohingya citizenship. Under Burma's 1982 Citizenship Law, most Rohingyas were rendered stateless despite claiming ancestry in the region dating back generations. Related StoriesHRW warns that the government's relocation plans will result in permanent segregation, entrenching the systemic persecution to which the Rohingya have been subjected. "Moving the Rohingya further from urban areas to isolated rural camps will violate their basic rights, make them dependent on outside assistance, and formalise the land grab of Rohingya property," Robertson said. A pilot citizenship verification programme was recently concluded in Myebon Township, where 40 Rohingyas were reportedly determined to be "naturalized" citizens. Under Burma's stratified citizenship laws, this status provides them with fewer privileges than individuals with "full" citizenship rights. According to the draft plan, the government intends to wrap up the citizenship verification process by October 2016. The plan also says that Rohingyas seeking "naturalized" status must officially repudiate their Rohingya identity and register as "Bengalis", a term which Rohingyas perceive as derogatory. According to the draft plan, people "who reject definitions in the existing laws" will be ineligible for citizenship on grounds that the word "Rohingya" doesn't appear on the list of 135 officially-recognised "national races". In the case of individuals who refuse to give up their ethnic identity or are otherwise deemed ineligible for citizenship, the plan claims they "will be handled according to Myanmar Laws and Procedures," adding—ominously—that "sheltering illegal immigrants is a chargeable offense under applicable laws". The plan also calls for the construction of "temporary camps in required numbers for those who refuse to be registered and those without adequate documents," a measure which HRW denounced as amounting to "arbitrary, indefinite detention with the possibility of deportation". The government appears ready to approach the UN refugee agency UNHCR for assistance with resettling Rohingyas denied citizenship in third countries, which the government claims is within its rights "on the basis that Myanmar [Burma] as a sovereign state has its own immigration laws," adding that "Myanmar is granting appropriate documentation only to those who qualified according to its Citizenship Law". But as the UN's special rapporteur to Burma, Yanghee Lee, pointed out in a July speech, Burma's 1982 Citizenship Law is "not in line with international standards." UNHCR spokesperson, Medea Savary, told DVB earlier this week that the government has not as yet made a formal |
| Posted: 03 Oct 2014 05:13 AM PDT On today's edition of Bullet Points:
You can watch Bullet Points every weeknight on DVB TV after the 7 o'clock news. |
| Respect the rule of law – and the citizenship act Posted: 03 Oct 2014 05:10 AM PDT
Dr. Aye Maung was appointed chairman of the newly-formed Rakhine National Party (RNP) at the party's first conference this week—an event that turned out to be controversial because several leading figures were sidelined from executive positions, including Aye Thar Aung, the former chairman of the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD). The RNP, founded in June 2014, was created by a merger of the ALD and the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, a party that Aye Maung previously led as president. DVB spoke to Aye Maung on Wednesday following his appointment as RNP chairman. During the interview, Aye Maung discussed his political stance and the RNP's new strategy. The new RNP chairman also addressed his views on the status of Rohingyas (or Bengalis) in Arakan State.
Q: We understand this was the first time a RNP congress was held by the two combined parties. Did the representatives from both sides engage in tactful discussion? How did it end? A: We still have this matter to resolve. Since we are attempting to merge two parties that have their own unique frameworks there are several matters that need to be negotiated to ensure the combined RNP can cooperate, foster unity and create common policies that serve the country's interests. In order to implement this merger we set a seven-month organising period after disbanding the former parties. The process is being supervised by two chairpersons who are tasked with designing a new party structure and common policies for the first congress. Throughout this seven-month period the two parties laid the groundwork for the new party through various forms of cooperation. In addition, we established an interim Central Committee with 45 people from each disbanded party and a Central Executive Committee (CEC) with 15 people from each party. We tried discussing the organisational structure with regard to the CEC chairperson, deputy chairperson and secretary. However, since the old parties' policies and ideologies are still influential, the RNDP turned out to be the stronger force in the new leadership structure, while the ALP's share of responsibility is rather weak. The structure we proposed envisions a former RNDP member as chairperson and a former ALP member as deputy-chairperson, along with two secretary positions. Yet this approach didn't work out, so we have to figure out how to proceed in the future on these issues. Q: What are the main policies of the RNP? A: We aim to work for the security of Arakan State and maintain peace and development in our region. This is highlighted in our manifesto. The full details will be discussed at an upcoming RNP central executive committee meeting and then submitted to the party's central committee for approval. Q: What will your party do to ensure there is no more religious or communal conflict in Arakan State? A: We will mostly focus on expanding our party membership. In doing so, we will build a stable and peaceful environment. During this process, adherence to the Constitution is important. We are still trying to draft a constitution that comports with the expectations and desires of the people. We hope that all ethnic nationalities will be afforded the right of self-determination. Q: The government is now working on a pilot project with regard to nationality verification. What is your party's stance on this issue? A: We insist on following the rule of law and the Constitution. Similarly, when abiding by the rule of law, we must enforce the 1982 Citizenship Act. We assume the nationality verification project will be implemented jointly by the Arakan State government and the Union government. Those who qualify for citizenship should be granted it. Then, we must design a plan for the settlement of verified citizens in Arakan State. But the aim must always be to maintain the rule of law and promote security and development. Q: Many observers around the world are interested in how you will handle the Bengali/Rohingya issue as the main political party in Arakan State. How would you respond to them? A: First, we call Bengalis by their correct name: Bengalis. This is a historical fact. Second, I don’t want this ongoing problem to become a regional problem. There should be a thorough analysis of the current problem and a policy should be implemented to resolve the matter in a way that creates a stable and peaceful environment. The Bengali problem must be viewed in light of the 1982 citizenship law. Those who qualify as citizens should be given citizenship and freedom. Similarly, for the sake of stability and peace in our state it's important to develop a good policy for individuals who aren't eligible for citizenship. To resolve this issue, an international policy should be jointly created and enforced by the international community, the Union government and foreign governments. This joint international policy should include protections for the indigenous Rakhine people in northern Arakan State and an effective means of addressing the high birth rate in Bangladesh.” "Similarly, we need a policy to develop Arakan State's economy. If we can successfully implement these two policies, Arakan State will be stable for both Rakhines as well as Bengalis, and we will be able to survive on our own without depending on international assistance. In other words, regardless of whether the majority in northern Arakan State is Bengali or Rakhine we will be able to use manpower effectively and establishing economic zones or garment factories with the help of international investment. Q: Al-Qaeda has announced its intention to target Burma. What is your position on this? A: We don’t accept terrorism and we will not bow to any terror threat. We reject all extreme beliefs. To be frank, we need to create institutions in Burma to protect against religious extremism. We should also have security measures to ensure a stable and peaceful environment. In setting up these security measures, Burma should seek cooperation between international organisations and the Union government. It is also important to involve the public in these campaigns. |
| Two Burmese arrested in Koh Tao murder case Posted: 03 Oct 2014 05:04 AM PDT Two Burmese men were arrested on Friday on the Thai island of Koh Tao. The men have been charged with murder, alongside two other criminal counts related to the September killing of two British tourists. |
| BUSINESS WEEKLY 3 OCTOBER 2014 Posted: 03 Oct 2014 03:03 AM PDT
P&G joins US Chamber of Commerce in Burma Procter & Gamble, the American consumer goods conglomerate, has become the 100th member of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in Burma. The acting director of AMCHAM, Judy Benn, said, "With 100 companies now on board, we have a great platform to facilitate the future success of our members as well as promote our ethics and business values in Myanmar," reported Myanmar Business Today. P&G' s products have a worldwide presence with their products ranging across personal care, health, snacks and cleaning agents among few.
Telenor turns on its network in Burma Norwegian telecom giant Telenor became an active mobile network service provider in Burma on Saturday, 27 September. The network, currently active only in Mandalay, will expand to Naypyidaw and Rangoon over the next two weeks. More regions will be connected gradually as the towers are set up. Telenor, with SIM cards priced at 1,500 kyat (US$1.50), is the third mobile network to begin operations in Burma, after Qatari Ooredo and state-owned MPT.
PTTEP to increase Burma investment by US$3.3bn Thailand-based oil and gas company, PTT Exploration and Production Public Company (PTTEP), which has been operating in Burma for the past 25 years, is set to invest an additional US$3.3 billion in the country. The energy producer is keen to develop infrastructural capacity in Burma with projects including refineries, gas pipelines, petrochemical and power plants. The increased investment will go towards seven exploration projects in Burma: Myanmar M3, M11, MD-7, MD-8, PSC G, EP 2 and MOGE 3 blocks.
9 foreign banks awarded licenses Japan's three largest banks—Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation; Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ; and Mizuho Bank—were among the nine foreign banks awarded licenses by the Burmese government. The other five banks are; Thailand’s Bangkok Bank; China’s Industrial and Commercial Bank of China; Malaysia’s Malayan Banking (Maybank); Australia & New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ); and two Singaporean banks—United Overseas Bank and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation.
No tax exemption for INGO workers The International Revenue Department recently announced that International Non-Government Organisation (INGO) workers in Burma will now be required to pay income tax if they are not tax-exempted under the 1954 United Nations Privileges and Exemptions Act, the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, or the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. Previously, INGO workers in Burma engaged in education, religion, health, religion, charity and welfare sectors were exempted from tax payment under the Commercial Tax Law and Income Tax Law.
Hotel zone construction to begin in Chin State The Hotels and Tourism Ministry is to construct a hotel zone in the Kanpetlet region of Chin State, announced Aye Kyaw from the Tourism Federation. The hotel zone was initiated after a growing number of tourists expressed interested in visiting the region since it was officially opened for tourism in 2013. Of two natural forests in Burma, Natmataung is located in Chin and has become a popular attraction.
Tokyo views Dawei deep-sea port investment The Japanese government has proposed trilateral talks involving itself, Burma and Thailand to kick-start a Japanese investment plan in the Dawei deep sea port project. The proposal came after Japanese deputy-foreign minister Minoru Kiuchi and Ambassador Shigekazu Sato visited Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in Thailand.
Burma's new stock exchange to list 3 companies in 2015 The Yangon Stock Exchange (YSE), which will replace the Myanmar Securities Exchange Centre (MSEC), is set to launch in Burma by October 2015. Three public companies will be listed initially: the Asia Green Development (AGD) Bank, First Myanmar Investment Co Ltd (FMI), and the Myanmar Agribusiness Public Cooperation Limited (MAPCO) established by the Myanmar Rice Federation.
130 firms to exhibit at October oil & gas fair. One hundred and thirty firms from 22 different countries will exhibit a range of services and products at Burma's inaugural oil and gas trade fair, which is to be held at the Myanmar Convention Centre on 15– 17 October. The event – known as Oil & Gas Myanmar 2014 – will showcase a number of international exhibitors, including strong representations from Singapore and the UK, as foreign companies look to launch themselves into Burma's potentially lucrative energy sector.
Burma budgets US$110 million for education Burmese Education Minister Dr Khin San Yee announced last week at an educational seminar in Rangoon University that 110 billion kyat (US$110 million) is to be allocated for educational reforms. She said that the Ministry of Education will appropriate a budget for the fiscal year 2015-16 to: improve the status of schools in the border region; to set up kindergartens and preschool classes in remote areas to enforce compulsory education; and to set up digital libraries. |
| New amendment limits politics to Burmese citizens Posted: 03 Oct 2014 01:10 AM PDT Burmese President Thein Sein on 30 September signed into law a second amendment to the Political Parties Registration Law stating that only Burmese citizens are allowed to form political parties. Thein Hlaing, director-general of the Union Election Commission, said that, "The law previously provided that citizens, guest citizens, naturalized citizens and temporary ID card holders are allowed to form political parties, but according to the amendment only full citizens are now allowed to do so." Thaung Hlaing also noted that the Political Parties Registration bylaws will be rewritten in accordance with the new amendment. Related StoriesRangoon-based Supreme Court lawyer Ko Ni questioned whether the new amendment will be comprehensive enough to cover all the various categories of citizen described in the 1982 Citizenship Law. "There are various citizenship categories specified in the 1982 Citizenship Law, such as citizen by ethnicity, citizen by law, guest citizen, naturalised citizen and individuals who claim to be citizens," he said. "Moreover, Article 120 of the Constitution divided citizens into two categories—those who are eligible to run for elections and those who aren't. The article also distinguishes between citizens who are eligible to become president and those who aren't. "We are concerned about whether the new amendment signed by the president covers all these categories." The 2010 Political Parties Registration Law is based upon an existing law passed in 1989. |
| Burmese army launches ‘unprovoked attack’, say Shan rebels Posted: 03 Oct 2014 12:07 AM PDT Fighting broke out between the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) and Burmese government forces in Ta Pha Saung, an area located in Shan State's Kaese Township. At least five battles took place starting early on Thursday morning, according to SSA-N spokesperson Col. Khun Sai. "The government troops launched an attack at 5:45am on two of our jungle outposts, including the Ta Pha Saung outpost, after which they began attacking three more outposts. As of now we are still having sporadic firefights," he said. The government forces involved in the attack belong to the Northeast Regional Command, and included troops from the 247th and 248th Light Infantry Battalions, as well as the 248th and 523rd Infantry Battalions. Altogether, a combined force of eight battalions attacked four SSA-N military posts, said Col. Khun Sai. The SSA-N colonel speculated that injuries were sustained on both sides, although he said there were no immediate reports of causalities. Related StoriesCol. Khun Sai accused the government of undermining the ongoing peace process by intentionally attacking the SSA-N outposts. "We've seen the Burmese army intentionally launching unprovoked attacks against us because they don't want to see peace," he said. The SSA-N colonel added, "We have been very patient because we're engaged in the peace process, and we have even accepted their demands to withdraw from certain areas, but the Burmese army has been eager to keep picking fights. We didn't start this conflict and demand that the government forces show some dignity by withdrawing their troops." He said he believed the attacks were likely carried out because SSA-N troops refused a previous order from the Burmese army to leave the Ta Pha Saung area. Despite the order, the SSA-N told the government at a meeting in Naypyidaw in July that Shan troops could not be withdrawn from their Ta Pha Saung posts. |
| Tokyo considers investing in Dawei deep-sea port Posted: 02 Oct 2014 09:08 PM PDT The Japanese government has mooted plans to invest in Burma’s Dawei deep-sea port project. Thai Foreign Ministry permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow yesterday accompanied Japan’s deputy-foreign minister Minoru Kiuchi and Japanese ambassador Shigekazu Sato on a courtesy call to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at Government House. Speaking after the meeting, government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said the officials had passed on a message from the Japanese prime minister congratulating Gen Prayut on becoming prime minister. They also proposed that trilateral talks be held with Thailand and Burma to kick-start a Japanese investment plan in the deep-sea port project. Mr Yongyuth said Japan is ready to help develop the Dawei zone alongside Thailand and Burma, while Mr Kiuchi proposed that trilateral talks are the best way to speed up Japanese investment in the scheme. The government spokesman said Gen Prayut has pledged to promote and protect Japanese investment in the country, insisting the benefits of investments will be shared fairly and equally between all contributing stakeholders. The prime minister also urged Japan to invest in special economic development projects at five Thai border checkpoints with Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. Such investments would be a good opportunity for Japan to build ties with ASEAN and open the way for Japanese trade and business in the countries, he said. Investment opportunities in areas surrounding industrial estates in 18 Thai provinces were also on the agenda. Gen Prayut said Japanese involvement in developing the areas would help distribute growth and generate income for local residents. Mr Yongyuth added that Gen Prayut had explained the political situation in the Thailand to the Japanese minister. Related StoriesThe premier told him about the National Council for Peace and Order’s role and said the interim government will move Thailand towards the final phase of his national reconciliation “road map”. During the meeting, the prime minister expressed his condolences over Japan’s worst volcanic eruption last Saturday that left scores of people dead and injured. The officials also discussed the 127-years of diplomatic relations between the two countries and their cooperation at all levels. Gen Prayut called on Japanese people to visit Thailand, particularly during the tourist high season and festivals. Japan has promised to coordinate with relevant agencies to promote Thai tourism in the country, Mr Yongyuth said. The Japanese prime minister has invited Gen Prayut to pay an official visit to Japan, the spokesman said. The premier is considering a suitable date for the trip and might visit the country by the end of this year. Gen Prayut has meanwhile accepted the Burmese government’s invitation to visit the country on Thursday and Friday next week. The premier said the Dawei deep-sea port development project will be up for discussion during the official visit. The prime minister has also confirmed he will attend the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting in Milan, Italy from October 16-17. Leaders from 51 Asian and European member states will attend.
This article was originally published in the Bangkok Post on 3 October 2014.
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| Thai police say Burmese man has confessed to Koh Tao murders Posted: 02 Oct 2014 08:00 PM PDT One of three Burmese nationals detained for questioning in connection with the murder of two British tourists on Koh Tao in Surat Thani has confessed to committing the murders, Thailand's deputy national police chief Chakthip Chaichinda says. Police were waiting for results of DNA tests on the three suspects, he told the Bangkok Post in a telephone interview. National police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang reportedly flew to Koh Tao on 2 October. A formal press briefing is expected once the DNA test results on the three are obtained. Pol Gen Chakthip said the three were detained after a police investigation into the murders of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24. Police inspected video footage from security cameras on Koh Tao and became suspicious of their activities. One of the three suspects identified only as Cho, who was about 25 to 27 years old, was detained at the main wharf of Nakhon Surat Thani Municipality at 6am on Thursday after he left Koh Tao on a ferry at 9pm on Wednesday. The man was taken to Provincial Police Region 8 investigation centre where he was questioned for five hours. Members of the press were barred from approaching the investigation centre and prohibited from taking pictures. Police officers also refused to talk to reporters until Pol Lt Gen Decha Butrnamphech, commissioner of the Provincial Police Region 8, emerged from the investigation centre at 3pm to say the case was expected to be solved soon. “I’m very satisfied with the investigation,” he said. A source said Cho admitted he been captured on a surveillance camera but insisted he had nothing to do with the murder of the two Britons. Police then collected DNA samples from Cho and sent them for testing, the source said. Cho was being detained by the police on Thursday on illegal entry charges. The source did not clarify whether or not Cho was the man of Asian appearance caught on a security camera at the AC Bar near the crime scene on the night of the murder. Another informed source, meanwhile, said police on 30 September began paying special attention to 10 people of interest after discovering one of them was captured on a security camera at a convenience store on Sairee beach while buying a packet of L&M cigarettes. The man was recorded on the camera at 11.12pm on 14 September. DNA samples taken from cigarette butts of the same L&M brand, which were found near the crime scene, matched those extracted from semen retrieved from Witheridge, the same source said. The police previously learned from a number of staff at a resort near the crime scene that a group of three Burmese nationals, who were believed to be close friends, liked to hang around together playing guitars on the beach, the source said. Two of the three Burmese men were identified as employees of a restaurant near the crime scene while one was confirmed to be Cho who hurriedly left Koh Tao shortly after he was released after being questioned earlier by police, the source said. At 9pm on Wednesday, a police investigation team, detained the other two Burmese nationals and took them to a safe house on the island. No further information about the questioning of the two has been obtained. Meanwhile, British ambassador to Thailand Mark Kent met with Pol Gen Somyot on Thursday morning at the Royal Thai Police Office in Bangkok. During his visit, Mr Kent asked Pol Gen Somyot about the progress of the investigation into the Koh Tao murders. Pol Gen Somyot told Mr Kent he could not confirm when the suspects would be charged but assured him Thai police were painstakingly compiling evidence to ensure the case would not be rejected in court later due to insufficient evidence. Mr Kent offered to have British specialists work with Thai officers in inspecting the security cameras to find more clues about the suspects, Pol Gen Somyot said. He said the UK was not asking to jointly investigate the murder, nor was it attempting to interfere with the Thai police investigation. The UK only had offered to help do what was possible at the request of Thai police, Pol Gen Somyot said. I’ve expressed my sincerity by extending an invitation for the British ambassador and some British police to observe the murder investigation on Koh Tao, which he agreed to,” Pol Gen Somyot said. Pol Maj Gen Kiattipong Khawsamang, former Surat Thani police chief, who is one of the investigators, yesterday denied telling foreign media two workers from Burma had confessed to the murders.
This article was originally published in the Bangkok Post on 3 October 2014. |
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