Wednesday, October 28, 2015

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Rights Group Concerned over Arrest of Burmese Migrants in Thai Murder Case

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 10:45 PM PDT

migrant pic

Burmese migrant workers suspected of murder during a crime reenactment in the southern Thai border town of Ranong on Tuesday. (Photo: Foundation for Education and Development)

CHIANG MAI, Thailand — A Thailand-based migrant rights group has expressed concern over the arrest of four Burmese migrant workers in the border town of Ranong last week in connection with the brutal murder of a Thai teenager.

The four migrants were led through a crime reenactment by Thai police on Tuesday, accompanied by scores of Thai soldiers and police and a crowd of onlookers.

The migrants, who are all fishermen, are suspects in the stabbing murder of a 19-year-old Thai woman on the evening of Sept. 28 in the southern Thai province of Ranong.

Min Oo, a migrant rights advocate at the Foundation for Education and Development (FED), said one of the accused was arrested on Oct. 20 and the three others on Oct. 24. He said Thai police had been arresting and interrogating many Burmese migrant workers since the murder took place.

Two migrants, who were subsequently released, reported mistreatment during their interrogation, according to Min Oo.

"As this kind of abuse was reported, we are suspicious as to whether the migrants are the real criminals," said Min Oo, who witnessed the crime re-enactment in Ranong on Tuesday.

On Thai commercial broadcaster Channel 3 on Tuesday night, Thai police claimed that one suspect had confessed to the murder.

Min Oo said his team, along with representatives from the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok, had sought to meet the detained suspects, Wai Lin, Moe Zin Aung, Kyaw Soe Win, and Sein Kadone, thus far without success. Two of the migrants are reportedly under the age of 18.

"[Thai police] asked us to come and meet the suspects [on Tuesday]. But when we arrived, they wouldn't let us meet them. Our group included lawyers and officials from the Burmese Embassy. We had all the official documents from the embassy showing that we represent migrant workers, but we were not permitted," Min Oo said.

In a separate case, the defense team representing two Burmese migrant workers accused of the murder of two British backpackers on southern Thailand's Koh Tao last year, issued closing statements to the court in Koh Samui on Monday. A verdict is expected on December 24.

The case gained widespread attention after the two accused, Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, alleged they were tortured into a confession. It also shone a light on Thailand's treatment of its vast migrant workforce, many of whom labor in dangerous industries for little pay and without access to legal recourse.

The post Rights Group Concerned over Arrest of Burmese Migrants in Thai Murder Case appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Philippines Says it Can’t Permanently House Aussie Refugees

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 09:14 PM PDT

President Benigno Aquino gestures while answering questions during a Foreign Correspondent Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) annual presidential forum in Manila October 27, 2015. Aquino says he "sees no issue" in a U.S. warship's patrol in the disputed South China Sea that he welcomes a balance of power in the region.  REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

President Benigno Aquino gestures while answering questions during a Foreign Correspondent Association of the Philippines annual presidential forum in Manilaม October 27, 2015. (Photo: Romeo Ranoco / Reuters)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is unable to permanently resettle refugees from Australian-run detention camps as it attempts to provide for its own people, President Benigno Aquino III said Tuesday.

Aquino said his government is seriously studying an Australian proposal that it accept refugees now in Australian-run camps in Nauru and Papua New Guinea, but there are limitations to what it can do as a developing county.

Australia refuses to accept refugees who attempt to reach its shores by boat.

Aquino noted that the Philippines agreed to host Indochinese refugees after the Vietnam War in the mid-1970s with the understanding that it would only be a transit point. But it was swamped with hundreds of thousands who stayed for 15 years, including some who became permanent residents, he said.

"I think Australia can recognize that we do have a significantly bigger population than they do," he said. "We have challenges to meeting the needs of our people right now. We would want to assist but there are limitations as to how far we can assist."

"If this proposed agreement… is not one of just being a transit point but actually relocating these people here, we think we are not in a capacity at this point in time to afford a permanent residency to these people," he added.

Australia has a multi-million dollar deal with Cambodia to resettle refugees from an Australia-run detention camp on the Pacific nation of Nauru. But only four refugees have so far taken up the offer of cash, free health insurance and accommodation to move from Nauru to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. That has prompted critics to dub the deal an expensive flop and has sent the government looking for another solution.

Following reports of talks to relocate the refugees, Sarah Hanson-Young, a senator with the minor Greens party, has said Australia was once again passing its responsibility to care for refugees on to another poor country.

Renato Reyes, secretary-general of the left-wing Philippine group Bayan, said it was "shameful" for a wealthy nation like Australia to refuse the refugees and instead relocate them in a developing country like the Philippines.

The post Philippines Says it Can't Permanently House Aussie Refugees appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Indonesia Leader Calls for Restraint in South China Sea

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 08:18 PM PDT

U.S. President Barack Obama and Indonesia's President Joko Widodo (L) deliver remarks to reporters after their meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, October 26, 2015. Widodo will return earlier than planned from his official trip to the United States due to a haze crisis at home, a palace official said on Monday. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

US President Barack Obama and Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo deliver remarks to reporters after their meeting in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, October 26, 2015. (Jonathan Ernst / Reuters)

WASHINGTON — Indonesia's president called Tuesday for all parties in the disputed South China Sea to exercise restraint and for China and Southeast Asia's regional bloc to start discussions on the substance of a code of conduct to manage tensions there.

President Joko Widodo was speaking in Washington, hours after a US Navy warship sailed past one of China's artificial islands in the Spratly Islands archipelago in a challenge to Chinese sovereignty claims, drawing an angry protest from Beijing.

Widodo, who met President Barack Obama on Monday, did not directly refer to the US action. He said Indonesia supports freedom of navigation but also underlined his nation's neutrality.

Indonesia has islands that may fall within China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea, but doesn't count itself as one of the claimants to the disputed islands and reefs.

"Indonesia is not a party to the dispute but we have a legitimate interest in peace and stability there. We call on all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from taking actions that could undermine trust and confidence and put at risk the peace and stability of the region," he told the Brookings Institution think tank.

He said Indonesia, the largest nation in Southeast Asia, is ready to play "an active role" in resolving the dispute.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, and China have made little headway in the past decade on negotiating a binding code of conduct in the South China Sea, which is a major conduit for world trade.

China says virtually all of the South China Sea belongs to it, while Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam claim either parts or all of it. Since 2013, China has accelerated the creation of new outposts by piling sand atop reefs and atolls then adding buildings, ports and airstrips big enough to handle bombers and fighter jets.

Tuesday's sail-past was Washington's most significant effort to date to demonstrate that China's manmade islands cannot be considered sovereign territory with the right to surrounding territorial waters.

Beijing, however, said the move damaged US-China relations and regional peace.

The post Indonesia Leader Calls for Restraint in South China Sea appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ex-Teacher Charged With Sedition for Thai Protest Support

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 08:02 PM PDT

A military policeman stands guard before Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha arrives at the Education Ministry in Bangkok, Thailand, May 21, 2015. When Thailand's army seized power in a bloodless coup, much of the business establishment quietly cheered them on. A year on, the captains of Thai industry remain firmly behind the junta, despite a lacklustre economy and a delayed return to democracy. Coup leader and Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha has talked much about healing Thailand's deep political divisions. Reconciliation is a mantra in his weekly televised Friday evening address "Returning Happiness to the People". To match story THAILAND-POLITICS/ Picture taken May 21, 2015. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom

A military policeman stands guard before Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha arrives at the Education Ministry in Bangkok, Thailand, May 21, 2015. (Photo: Chaiwat Subprasom / Reuters)

BANGKOK — A 77-year-old retired schoolteacher in Thailand was stopped as he was leaving the country on vacation and arrested on sedition charges for giving flowers to an anti-military protester earlier this year, officials said Tuesday.

A lawyer for Preecha Kaewbanpaew said his client gave flowers to, and briefly walked with, one of four demonstrators who staged a peaceful protest in March against the use of military courts to try civilians. The practice, mainly for political offenses, began last year after the army overthrew an elected civilian government.

The broadly defined sedition law provides for up to seven years in prison for inciting unrest. Preecha was arrested Sunday and released on bail by a military court on Monday after spending the night at a police station, police Col. Rangsan Praditpol said.
Thailand's ruling junta has clamped down on dissent, saying it is restoring order after almost a decade of sometimes-violent domestic political conflict.

Preecha was also charged with violating a law established by the junta banning political gatherings of more than five people, even though he was just one of a small crowd that watched the protesters. The ban is inconsistently enforced.

Winthai Chatmontri, a lawyer for Free Thai Legal Aid, said Preecha said he just gave flowers to Pansak Srithep, a pro-democracy activist and father of a man who was fatally shot during anti-government protests in 2010, and was following the crowd when a policeman convinced him to give him his phone number.

Preecha only learned about the charges and an arrest warrant against him when he was stopped by immigration police before leaving the country for Laos on vacation, Winthai said.

The post Ex-Teacher Charged With Sedition for Thai Protest Support appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

National News

National News


NLD claims voter list massively inflated

Posted: 28 Oct 2015 07:35 AM PDT

Nearly half the names on the voters' list of a Mandalay city township should not be there, the local National League for Democracy candidate claimed after a door-to-door survey of the constituency found 5248 voters fewer than the 13,973 names on the voters' list.

Pressure builds over advance voting

Posted: 28 Oct 2015 07:30 AM PDT

As advance voting kicks off tomorrow – officially at least – the Carter Center has reiterated its recommendation to the Union Election Commission to allow groups to "fully" observe the voting process, which remains one of the major points of concern among political parties.

SNLD claims commission misled on security

Posted: 28 Oct 2015 07:25 AM PDT

The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy has hit out at the Union Election Commission's decision to cancel voting in two townships, accusing it of being misled by a rival party.

Ministry recovers K4 billion in debts

Posted: 28 Oct 2015 07:20 AM PDT

Relatives and cronies of the former regime still owe the government about K27 billion (US$21.1 million) in unpaid loans, according to the latest announcement by the government.

‘Rotten boroughs’, packed townships leave a confusing electoral landscape

Posted: 28 Oct 2015 03:16 AM PDT

Blame it on the British colonialists: from "rotten boroughs" with populations of barely 1000 to Yangon's heaving townships with several hundred thousand, Myanmar's electoral system results in a highly uneven representation in parliament that makes predictions of the outcome on November 8 far from certain.

Kayah State: Will history repeat on Nov 8?

Posted: 28 Oct 2015 02:00 AM PDT

In 2010. micro-constituencies, improbable 100-percent turnouts and thousands of advance votes put tiny Kayah on the electoral map

‘We will vote using the Braille system’: Ma Naw Htee Ywar Mue

Posted: 28 Oct 2015 01:50 AM PDT

Ma Naw Htee Ywar Mue has been with the Khawechan School for the Blind in Mayangone township for 16 years. On the sidelines of the 24th Mayor's Cup – held on October 15 to mark International White Cane Day, promoting better awareness and support of people with visual impairments – she spoke to Zayar Lin about democracy, disability, and the pros and cons of touching words

First results posted two days after vote

Posted: 28 Oct 2015 12:37 AM PDT

The preliminary results of the election will be posted two days after votes are cast on November 8, the Union Election Commission said at a press conference yesterday.

UEC cancels voting in two more Shan townships

Posted: 28 Oct 2015 12:37 AM PDT

Voting has been cancelled in two more Shan State townships because of fighting between the Tatmadaw and armed ethnic forces, bringing the total number of townships where no elections will be held on November 8 to seven.

USDP tops poll for election handouts: watchdog

Posted: 28 Oct 2015 12:37 AM PDT

All parties bribe voters, but the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party bribes the most, according to an election watchdog. A report released yesterday by the People's Alliance for Credible Elections said the USDP had surpassed its electoral rivals in its distribution of treats such as key chains, foods, drinks, stickers, pins and party flags – and cash.

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News


Tatmadaw's offensives might derail peace process and disrupt elections

Posted: 27 Oct 2015 07:30 PM PDT

The quasi civilian regime of Thein Sein might have wanted it to look like isolated, accidental clashes between the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) and the Tatmadaw or Burma Army, but as the battles raged on employing hundreds of troops, commanded by Lt-General Yar Pyae from Tatmadaw's Defense Chief of Staff (Army), it becomes clear that it is a systematically planned, executed actions and more than a neglectable, isolated armed engagement.

The Tatmadaw offensive that has started on the 6 October, which is still ongoing, begs the question if it would derail the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) and also disrupt the elections in parts of the Shan state.


As the Tatmadaw reinforced it's troops and widened the armed confrontation with the SSPP/SSA, the latter has officially written protest letter to the regime's organ, Union Peace-making Working Committee (UPWC), questioning whether it has abandoned the peace process altogether and has opted for an all-out war instead of peaceful negotiation and political settlement.

On 21 October, SSPP/SSA has written a five point letter to Sai Mauk Kham, Chairman of the Working Committee for the Building of Peace in the Union, with cc to Lt. Gen. Soe Win, Dy. Chairman, Working Committee for the Building of Peace in the Union; U Aung Min, Dy. Chairman, Working Committee for the Building of Peace in the Union; U Thein Zaw, Dy. Chairman, Working Committee for the Building of Peace in the Union; and U Khin Maung Soe, Member, Working Committee for the Building of Peace in the Union.

Working Committee for the Building of Peace in the Union that the SSPP/SSA mentioned is officially known as UPWC.

The letter, with the subject titled "Request for coordination on the Burma Army's Military Operations in the SSPP/SSA area near the Headquarters" stated that the SSPP/SSA has out of good will, on 15/10/2015 generously withdrew from the strategic place of Ta Sarm Poo Jetty at 17:00 hours, according to the Tatmadaw's request. An area which it had controlled for over decades.

Furthermore, in an answer to the Tatmadaw's accusation that the attack with small arms on the Burma Army garrison in Vieng Kao near Mong Nawng were not ordered by the SSPP/SSA headquarters and  it was in no way involved in this incident.

In addition, as the Burma Army has been holding military operations around the Ta Sarm Poo jetty and areas very close to Wan Hai, the SSPP/SSA headquarters; and the military operations near the SSPP/SSA headquarters are being directed and personally commanded by Lt. Gen. Yar Pyae of the Defense Chief of Staff (Army); and thus, the SSPP/SSA presumed that it is trying to solve political problems by military might, which instead should be resolved through peaceful negotiations.

The final paragraph that begs the question, if the Tatmadaw is on war path writes: "Therefore, to enable to solve political problems by political and peaceful means we humbly request the immediate halting of the military operations near the SSPP/SSA headquarters. In the case that if you (the Tatmadaw) prefer to use military force to solve political problems you can also inform that you have chosen so."

The bomb explosion in Mong Hsu, which killed one and wounded three others was  condemned by the SSPP/SSA through a statement released on 21 October.

The SSPP released three point statement stated it's regret of the four wounded civilians - where an elderly woman of 72 years died later, due to the caused injury.

The statement reasoned that a group of mean people might have tried to disrupt the elections, scheduled for 8 November, and condemned the group for its action against innocent civilians.

The Shan Nationalities Democratic Party (SNDP) has meanwhile asked the Union Election Commission (UEC) to postpone the election in Mong Hsu, Khesi and Tangyan Townships, where fighting are raging, while the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) has urged to keep on with the election schedule as it is, for fear that there won't be representatives in the parliament for the said areas and also not sure when the by-election could take place, if postponed.

On 19 October, SNDP, in a letter addressed to Chairman of the UEC said as Mong Hsu, Khesi and  Tangyang Townships are fleeing to various places, due to the battles, the people are said to have requested that the elections be postponed until peace is restored at an appropriate time.

The letter stressed "Because of this, SNDP according to the agreement of its committee petitioned the UEC to  tackle (the problem) as it sees appropriate."

On 26 October, SNLD Chairman Hkun Htun Oo, on the 27th founding anniversary day of the party, where the party's candidates were introduced,  said: "The other party (SNDP) asked the elections in Khesi, Tangyan and Mong Hsu to be postponed, which it thought will lose, but when we practically looked at it, there is only in Khesi that battles are occurring, not at other places."

He said that only if all ethnic armed groups could sign the peace treaty, a system of federal union could be established.

SNLD spokesman Sai Leik also explained that if the election is postponed in the said areas, there will be no representatives in the parliament for the people in these places and won't be able to air their their opinion on peace related discussions. Besides, the postponement of said three areas could   tremendously affect the Shan state's peace process.

Sai Leik stressed that it could create an opportunity for the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) and its alliance parties – meaning: SNDP - for postponing the elections in areas the military decided not secure, without asking the political parties. The USDP alliance parties could ask to postpone elections in places they are weak and cannot win the elections.

However, the UEC, on 27 October issued an announcement signed by Chairman U Tin Aye, that in Mong Hsu, Khesi, Tangyan and Hopang Townships elections would not be held, due to the impossible situation to conduct free and fair elections.


According to it, the whole Townships of Mong Hsu and Khesi; 8 village tracts in Tangyan Township; 37 village tracts and 5 quarters in Hopang Township will not be able to vote in the elections.


The polling body cited Article 10(f) of the Union Election Commission Law, which grants the UEC the authority to cancel or postpone elections in constituencies where either a natural disaster or regional instability inhibits election officials' ability to hold of free and fair elections.
Earlier, the UEC said it would cancel voting in villages in conflict-hit ethnic areas of the country owing to security concerns, an additional threat to an inclusive election. The UEC said elections could not be held in more than 400 village areas, mostly in Kachin, Shan and Karen state.

Meanwhile, the US and UN have urged and called on the military to deescalate the tension and exercise restraint regarding the armed conflict with the non-signatory ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) and that it should not pressure but look at them as partners essential to achieving a lasting peace.

"We made a point that it's important the government and military show some restraint in those areas where groups did not sign the ceasefire," Ben Rhodes, the U.S. deputy national security adviser, told reporters in Yangon on 20 October.

Echoing the same line of argument, Vijay Nambiar, an adviser on Myanmar to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, told Reuters "There's a danger that if that escalates, that can be interpreted as putting pressure." 

Recently, the military has heightened the armed engagement in Kachin and northern Shan states, targeting the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Army (MNDAA), and Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

In Kokang area, where it has been relatively quite for months, battles have again erupted recently at least in four places, along the China-Burma border, employing infantry forces and firing heavy artillery, according to the MNDAA spokesman Tun Myat Lin.

He said: "I think they (Tatmadaw) hasn't change their grand strategy of total annihilation. It seems they are trying to solve political problems with military might, like in the past."

The Tatmadaw has been conducting offensives on the SSPP/SSA, which is one of the ethnic armed groups that did not sign the deal. Reportedly, 37 times of armed engagements between October 6 and 19, have occurred, according to military-run newspaper Myawady. Seven Shan troopers were said to have been killed, while the SSPP/SSA said that some 30 government soldiers had met their death.

Parallel to these development, United Wa State Army (UWSA) has invited 11 non-signatory EAOs, Karen National Defence Organization (KNDO) and Kayan Newland Party (KNLP) to Pang Kham (also known as Pang Hsang, the Wa capital ) on how to view the elections and how to handle the peace process with the incoming new regime after the elections, on 1 to 3 November.

According to The Irrawaddy, Zhao Xiaofu, a UWSA spokesperson said: "The meeting will focus on the views of ethnic armed groups on the election and how we, ethnic armed groups, should engage with the new government." 

Meanwhile, S.H.A.N. reported that the regime, in an attempt to save face and also to put public pressure on the SSPP/SSA and other non-signatory EAOs, held public support rallies from October 23-24, in Kengtung, Lashio, Loilem, Tachileik and Taunggyi in support of its partial-ceasefire, dubbed NCA.

The largest of the pro-NCA rallies was held at a public recreational facility in Taunggyi, Shan State's capital. Four thousand people attended the event.

But some attendees at the pro-NCA peace events told S.H.A.N. that they came because they were summoned by their township administration.

"They called us from the village," said Sai Khun Aung, 24, a local resident. "Only when we got here did we know that it was to support the NCA."

Looking at the chain of political development, it seems that the regime, in its desperation to whip the non-signatory EAOs into line, according to its desire of signing the treaty, has pushed them further aback by applying military pressure.

It is not clear, if the recent announcement of no election in SSPP/SSA operational and influence areas, where the SNLD has an edge over SNDP and other parties, to undercut the former's electoral success and lessen its opportunity to gather more representative seats in the parliament, make sense in conducting a free and fair elections. Many already are accusing the USDP-Military regime to be killing two birds with one bullet. That is, pressuring the SSPP/SSA militarily to sign the NCA and at the same time, undercutting the SNLD political power base, which is well known to be backed by the SSPP/SSA.

Furthermore, the escalation of war in non-signatory EAOs' areas would likely be met with stiff resistance and could even result in a wider armed conflict, if regional power and super power would get involved, one way or the other.

UWSA is seen as China proxy, while the USDP-Military regime is keen to be seeking the US and West backing to free itself from the Chinese clutch.

Other than that, this military adventure of the Tatmadaw could derail the regime's much touted NCA and even disrupt the election nationwide by widening the scope of no-vote areas, through armed attacks and provocation on a wider scale in ethnic areas.

But whether the Tatmadaw will tighten the military screw more in ethnic areas and disrupt the elections or loosen it to let the elections run its course is a question that only time could answer.