The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• EU Pledges to Continue Supporting Education Despite Calls for Ties to be Cut Over Rakhine Crisis
• Pope Francis Arrives in Bangladesh in Shadow of Rohingya Crisis
•  ‘I Prefer Women Participate Not Because of a Quota but Because of Their Ability’
• DASSK’s China Trip Expected to Focus on Security, Development
• ‘The Umbrellas’ Exhibition Turns Everyday Objects into Art
• Surin Pitsuwan Dies at 68
• AA, Myanmar Army Clashes Likely to Intensify: Arakan Army Spokesman
• Rakhine Lawmakers Call for Maungdaw to be Segregated Along Religious Lines
• Farmers Arrested in Shan State Facing Four Charges
• Vatican Defends Pope’s Avoidance of Term ‘Rohingya’ in Myanmar
• Indonesia Reopens Bali Airport as Wind Clears Volcanic Ash
• KIA Reports Frequent Clashes with Tatmadaw Throughout November 

EU Pledges to Continue Supporting Education Despite Calls for Ties to be Cut Over Rakhine Crisis Posted: 30 Nov 2017 06:00 AM PST YANGON—The European Union will continue investing in Myanmar's education system to help bring about change and to support the country's democratic transition, the EU ambassador to Myanmar said on Thursday. "The European Union recognizes that education for all, without discrimination, is an indispensable prerequisite for Myanmar to succeed (in) its democratic transition," Ambassador Kristian Schmidt said at a regional conference on cooperation in higher education held in Yangon to promote the EU's Erasmus+ academic exchange program. The European Union has allocated more than 240 million euros to support the Myanmar government in its effort to reform the education sector, the ambassador said in his speech. In early November, the London-based weekly Times Higher Education reported that international universities were being pressured to cut ties with Myanmar universities due to the recent crisis in Rakhine State, where militant attacks and a subsequent military clearance operation led to the displacement of more than 600,000 Rohingya Muslims to neighboring Bangladesh. Myanmar academics and educators responded to the news with appeals that cutting international ties would worsen the situation in Myanmar while bigotry and prejudice would not go away. "We are going ahead with the mutual understanding that investing in education is the only way to achieve structural change, better living conditions and ultimately a sustainable democracy in this country," Schmidt stressed at the conference. The Danish diplomat also emphasized that Myanmar needs its own human resources to improve its economic fortunes and the EU is planning to provide support to ensure Myanmar children even in the most remote and undeveloped areas of the country had access to good schools and the opportunity to learn a profession. Ambassador Kristian Schmidt of the European Union to Myanmar/ Photo: Supplied by Delegation of the European Union to Myanmar) Myanmar Education Minister U Myo Thein Gyi, who was present at the conference, said that his ministry had been investing in youth to help them build sustainable futures and to create life-long opportunities for continuous professional development, adding that internationalization had to be enhanced in the country's higher education sector. "Our country needs human resources with a solid work ethic … who take responsibility and accountability for the work they do and who are globally collaborative and competitive," the minister said. In an interview with The Irrawaddy, Professor Dr. Aung Kyaw, pro-rector of the University of Yangon, Myanmar's oldest university and at one time one of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in Asia until the 1962 coup by Gen. Ne Win, expressed his personal opinion that cutting educational ties won't resolve any problems. "Education is a national issue, not individual. [People in] the country have been facing different kinds of challenges due to a lack of education. There won't be such challenges if they are all well-educated," the professor said. Yangon University was closed for undergraduate study for 26 years, reopening only under the administration of the previous U Thein Sein government in 2013. The post EU Pledges to Continue Supporting Education Despite Calls for Ties to be Cut Over Rakhine Crisis appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Pope Francis Arrives in Bangladesh in Shadow of Rohingya Crisis Posted: 30 Nov 2017 05:06 AM PST DHAKA — Pope Francis landed in Bangladesh on Thursday after a diplomatically sensitive trip to mainly Buddhist Myanmar, where he made no direct reference to the plight of Rohingya Muslims who have fled to Bangladesh in their hundreds of thousands. The pope’s trip to mostly Muslim Bangladesh is likely to be less sensitive though his words will be closely watched following his decision not to use the word “Rohingya” in public during his four-day Myanmar trip to avoid a diplomatic incident with the country some have accused of ethnic cleansing. On Friday, the pope is expected to meet a group of Rohingya refugees from among the roughly 625,000 who have fled to Bangladesh from neighboring Myanmar since the end of August. “He did not even pronounce the word ‘Rohingya’ in Myanmar,” H.T. Imam, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s political adviser, told Reuters on Thursday. “Here we would be looking forward to what he says.” Bangladeshi President Abdul Hamid welcomed the pope at Dhaka airport. Hamid and the pope were both due to make speeches later in the day and to raise the refugee crisis. The Vatican on Wednesday said the pope’s moral authority was unblemished by his failure to refer to the persecuted Myanmar Muslim minority by the name they chose to identify themselves by, and his mere presence drew attention to the refugee crisis. But a Vatican news conference in the Myanmar city of Yangon to wrap up the visit only served to highlight the diplomatic minefield that the issue had presented for Francis. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said the pope’s decision not to refer to the Rohingya did not take away from anything he had said in the past — he had mentioned them and their suffering before his Myanmar visit — but added that Vatican diplomacy was “not infallible” and others were entitled to their views. ‘WORLD INFLUENCE’ The exodus of Rohingya people from Rakhine state to the southern tip of Bangladesh was sparked by a military crackdown in response to Rohingya militant attacks on an army base and police posts on Aug. 25. Scores of Rohingya villages were burnt to the ground, and refugees arriving in Bangladesh told of killings and rapes. The United Nations has accused Myanmar of ethnic cleansing and last week Washington said the military’s campaign included “horrendous atrocities” aimed at “ethnic cleansing”. Myanmar’s military has denied accusations of murder, rape and forced displacement. The government blames the crisis on the Rohingya militants, whom it has condemned as terrorists. Many people in Myanmar regard the largely stateless Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. They are excluded from the 135 “national races” recognized by law, and even using the name is considered inflammatory. Although Francis avoided the term, following the advice of local Church officials who feared it could turn Myanmar’s military and government against minority Christians, his calls for justice, human rights and respect were widely seen as applicable to the Rohingya. Francis held talks in Myanmar with government leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel peace laureate and longtime champion of democracy who in 2016 formed Myanmar’s first civilian government in half a century. In Bangladesh, several Rohingya told Reuters they hoped the pope would use his influence to help them go back to Myanmar and to get rights. Myanmar and Bangladesh signed an accord last week on terms for the return of Rohingya, though rights groups have expressed doubts about Myanmar following through on the agreement and have called for independent observers for any repatriation. There are concerns about protection for Rohingya from further violence if and when they go home, and about a path to resolving their legal status — most are stateless — and whether they would be allowed to return to their old homes. Bangladesh hopes the pope’s intervention can help, the prime minister’s adviser said. “The general perception is that he is a man of peace and he has world influence,” Imam said. “The pope internationally has his own image and that is something that could perhaps influence events." The post Pope Francis Arrives in Bangladesh in Shadow of Rohingya Crisis appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

‘I Prefer Women Participate Not Because of a Quota but Because of Their Ability’ Posted: 30 Nov 2017 03:58 AM PST The ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) formed a Central Women's Committee on Aug. 21 with a view to promoting women's empowerment and capacity building. Dr. May Win Myint, chairwoman of the committee as well as a lawmaker representing Mayangone Township in the Lower House, recently talked to The Irrawaddy's May Sitt Paing about the objectives and activities of the committee What has the Central Committee done since it was formed two months ago? Though the committee was formed [officially] on Aug. 21, it has been in existence for a long time before that. The committee was reformed with 11 members to engage in public works. Firstly, it went to camps for internally displaced persons [IDPs] in Myitkyina, Waingmaw, Mohnyin, and Mogaung townships in Kachin State. There, women and children are suffering the most. Some camps are well run and some aren't. Camps supported by Christian associations were good, I mean, they helped IDPs get jobs. The [situation in] camps in Mohnyin was not so good. What are the main concerns of the women and children in the IDP camps? They are worried about two things. They have been in the camps for more than six years. They have left behind their farms, and they are worried they will lose them. But they dare not go back because of landmines. So, we told them that they could ask the authorities to get back their land. And as for the landmines, it has been on the mind of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for a long time. But it will take time. We also visited Buthidaung and Maungdaw in Rakhine State recently. Displaced persons have already gone back to their villages from camps. We plan to open a clinic in an ethnic village in Maungdaw. I heard that the committee is planning to form women's committees at the district, township, ward and village levels. Has there been any progress on that? We'll invite any female member healthy, willing and able to perform assigned duties, regardless of their educational background and age, to join the committee. We plan to form committees at the ward and village levels by January, township level by February, and district level by March. The Central Committee will appoint district and region/state level committees. You are also a lawmaker in the Lower House. What legislation do you plan to submit to Parliament to promote women's rights? It is the responsibility of Parliament. A draft law to prevent violence against women has been in the making for over three years. But, it has not yet reached Parliament. The Upper House has a Women and Children Protection Committee, but the Lower House still does not have such a committee. So, we will form one as quickly as we can. And we are also amending the Child Law to further protect young girls. We'll also try to change certain laws like the Suppression of Prostitution Act in order to protect women. I heard that civil society organizations are discussing those laws and draft laws. But if they can do it quickly and forward them to Parliament, the bill committees will be able to start discussion soon and the process will be accelerated. What do you think of the efforts being made under the new government to empower women? Women lawmakers accounted for only 3.8 percent of lawmakers in the previous government. The percentage has increased under the new government, but it is still relatively low. According to CEDAW [Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women], women should have a 30 percent representation [in politics]. Our party doesn't practice a quota system. But our policy favored woman candidates when they had the same abilities as their male counterparts [in selecting candidates for the 2015 election]. As a result, the NLD has the largest female representation among political parties in parliament. Some women are too timid to take a lead role. What would you say about that? Some women are afraid to do so, and some prefer men to take the lead role. So, we have to mobilize women to come out to the front. Only by doing this, will more women gradually come out to contest elections. Previously, there were no female administrators, but now there are 87. This is in the administrative branch. We also plan to rally women to obtain greater representation in the legislative branch. In Parliament, we will try to get women to take lead roles in the legislative, executive and judicial branches. How would you respond to criticism that some women's rights activists have been less active since they entered Parliament and that female representation is low in the Parliament? It depends on the policies of the concerned parties. It is important that political parties have a large number of female candidates, and they have policies that favor female candidates. But at the same time, women have to build up their capacities. So, we will form women's committees at the ward and village levels and provide capacity-building training. Only then, will women's voices rise. People are talking more about gender equality these days and there have been greater calls for legislation that promotes gender equality. What are your suggestions? Much remains to be done in that regard. When it comes to gender equality, most activists talk in international terms. I won't say they are wrong, but different countries have different situations. International norms call for a 30 percent participation rate for women [in politics]. But I prefer that women participate not because of a quota system but because of their ability. Women have to try to improve themselves. Women account for 51 percent of the total population of our country. We'll empower women at the ward and village levels and help enhance their capacities. Hopefully, there will be more female lawmakers in 2020. There are rigid attitudes and stereotypical views about women. Will it be easy to change certain things? Such attitudes are entrenched more deeply in ethnic areas, and they may be less prevalent in lower Myanmar. Some people simply can't shed such conservative attitudes. But as there are more ethnic parties, perhaps they will be able to help them get rid of those attitudes. We will carry out educational campaigns because there are cases in which women are sexually exploited because they have been misguided and such cases happen not only in rural areas but also in areas close to urban areas, for instance, the case in Mon State. The post  'I Prefer Women Participate Not Because of a Quota but Because of Their Ability' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

DASSK’s China Trip Expected to Focus on Security, Development Posted: 30 Nov 2017 03:53 AM PST YANGON — State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi left for China on Thursday at the invitation of the Chinese government to deliver a speech "as a special guest" at a forum of world political leaders in Beijing hosted by the Communist Party of China. The forum will run from November 30 to December 3. A news release from the State Counselor's Office says the trip is both a working and goodwill visit during which she will have a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. With the ministers of electricity, energy and construction and other government officials in tow, the trip marks the second time the state counselor has visited Myanmar's large neighbor to the north. In May she attended the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. She held separate talks with President Xi and Premier Li Keqiang at the time. Yangon-based political observer Yan Myo Thein said the visit was significant as few of the country's previous leaders visited China twice in one year. He said given the ministers accompanying Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, bilateral discussions would likely focus on projects related to China's One Belt, One Road initiative. During their private meeting, the two leaders are also likely to discuss efforts to stabilize border areas where some of Myanmar's largest ethnic armed groups have been fighting with the national army; China's continued support for Myanmar's reconciliation and peace process; and the crisis in Rakhine State, where China has large business projects including a deep-sea port and a crude oil pipeline connecting western Myanmar's Kyaukphyu Township and Kunming, the capital of China's southern Yunnan Province. Since the recent instability in Rakhine State, where the army has faced international condemnation for clearance operations that have triggered an exodus of more than 600,000 Muslim Rohingya to Bangladesh, China has expressed its support for Myanmar. When the issue was raised at a meeting of the U.N. Security Council in September, China voiced support for the army's efforts "to uphold peace and stability" in Rakhine. On a trip to China in mid-November, Myanmar military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing also met President Xi, who said the general's goodwill visit to China was significant, that relations between the two countries had reached their highest point and that China would continue providing necessary assistance to Myanmar. The post DASSK's China Trip Expected to Focus on Security, Development appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

‘The Umbrellas’ Exhibition Turns Everyday Objects into Art Posted: 30 Nov 2017 03:48 AM PST Have you ever noticed how umbrellas are used in Myanmar? Perhaps, you have seen umbrellas as sacred objects atop glittering pagodas or used by roadside vendors to create shade or shield their customers from the rain. Umbrellas are an everyday objects, which not many artists would use as the subject of their exhibitions. But Maung Thiha showcases his show 'The Umbrellas' at Lokanat Galleries in Yangon. Maung Thiha showcases his show 'The Umbrellas' at Lokanat Galleries in Yangon. On canvas, Maung Thiha has painted colorful umbrellas that were stored in his memories. His exhibition reminds us of all the ways umbrellas are utilized in Myanmar. Of course, umbrellas are used to cover oneself against sun and rain. But parasols made in Irrawaddy's capital city are known for their flowery patterns and decorative purposes. Gold-colored umbrellas are used in Buddhist novitiation ceremonies, and are typical of them. Small paper umbrellas are used as offertories at pagodas as well as for astrological purpose to avert bad luck. And stationary parasols are used by street vendors. Maung Thiha showcases his show 'The Umbrellas' at Lokanat Galleries in Yangon. "Umbrellas are necessary in Myanmar society. I always see students and novices walk past my house holding umbrellas. And there are also umbrellas in markets. In my trips across Myanmar, I also saw umbrellas bearing local crests. So, I got the idea of organizing an umbrella series," said Maung Thiha. A graduate of the Mandalay State School of Fine Arts, he has participated in group exhibitions since 1975 and showcased his paintings in foreign countries like Hong Kong and Thailand. From 1999 to 2016, he organized five solos, and his sixth solo 'The Umbrellas' showcases 26 paintings priced between US$150 and $450. Maung Thiha showcases his show 'The Umbrellas' at Lokanat Galleries in Yangon. "I have a lot more umbrellas that I can think of but haven't painted. Umbrellas are used differently in different places. It will take time to paint them all," he said. His paintings will be on display until Monday. Maung Thiha showcases his show 'The Umbrellas' at Lokanat Galleries in Yangon. The post 'The Umbrellas' Exhibition Turns Everyday Objects into Art appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Surin Pitsuwan Dies at 68 Posted: 30 Nov 2017 02:51 AM PST Former foreign minister and Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan died of an acute heart attack on Thursday. He was 68. Surin collapsed while preparing to speak at the Thailand Halal Assembly 2017 at Bitec in Bang Na. He was rushed to Ramkhamhaeng Hospital and later pronounced dead. Surin was born on Oct. 28, 1949 in Muang district, Nakhon Si Thammarat. He graduated from Claremont College in California in political science in 1972 and earned a master’s degree from Harvard University. He entered politics in 1986 as a Democrat Party candidate and won a seat in his hometown in Nakhon Si Thammarat in all contests from 1986 to 2005. Surin was the deputy foreign minister from 1992-95 and rose to become the foreign minister from 1997 to 2001 under the premiership of Chuan Leekpai. He was the first Thai to become the Asean secretary-general during which he served in Jakarta in 2008 for a five-year term before rejoining the Democrat party. A former Bangkok Post columnist, Surin was a speaker at the Bangkok Post Forum on Nov. 16 this year. He was expected to run for Bangkok governor when elections are allowed. The funeral will be held at the Tha It Mosque in Pak Kret district, Nonthaburi province, on Friday. The post Surin Pitsuwan Dies at 68 appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

AA, Myanmar Army Clashes Likely to Intensify: Arakan Army Spokesman Posted: 30 Nov 2017 12:34 AM PST NAYPYITAW — The ongoing clashes between the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army (AA) are likely to intensify in the coming days, said Khaing Thukha, a spokesperson for the AA, alleging that the Myanmar Army recently launched a large-scale assault utilizing more than 30 battalions in Chin's State Paletwa Township near the Myanmar-India border. On Wednesday, he said, there were clashes in six places for the whole day and the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Army) used two helicopters to attack. "Fierce clashes are ongoing in Paletwa at the border of India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Clashes are quite fierce, and the Tatmadaw suffered casualties," Khaing Thukha told The Irrawaddy. "If they continue fighting like this, we will inevitably have to defend ourselves, and the clashes will only intensify," he added. The AA has suffered at least five casualties and some injuries in clashes that broke out in early November, said Khaing Thukha, suggesting that the Tatmadaw might have suffered many more casualties and injuries. He refused to disclose, for security reasons, when the AA started its military activities in Paletwa. Around 350 Paletwa locals fled across the border to India out of fear after the Tatmadaw bombed AA troops on Wednesday evening, said U Pinnya Jota, a Buddhist monk living in India. The monk told The Irrawaddy on Thursday, there are now around 2,000 Paletwa residents taking shelter at the border in India including some 1,500 people who fled last week. "Arakanese villages are providing as much aid as they can. The Indian government has given some rice to them. Around 350 people arrived yesterday [Nov. 29]. They fled after [the Tatmadaw] bombed, around 4:30 p.m. yesterday," said U Pinnya Jota. Military leaders have repeatedly said that the Tatmadaw would not hold peace talks with the AA unless it disarmed because it was established only after Myanmar had elected a quasi-civilian government, under former President U Thein Sen in 2011. [The AA, which took part in fighting by allying with Kachin, Ta'ang and Kokang troops in the Kachin Independence Army controlled areas in northern and northeastern Myanmar, has said its troops have been mobilized since 2009.] Locals speculated that the Tatmadaw's ongoing attacks were retaliation after it lost 11 troops—two officers and nine other ranks—in an AA ambush on Nov. 18 in Chin State's Paletwa Township. According to the AA, clashes have been ongoing near Myeik Wa, [a border village near India], since Nov. 25, and there were also clashes at the triangle area at the border of Myanmar, Bangladesh and India on Wednesday. The AA said it seized two 60 mm launchers, 70 pieces of 60 mm mortar shells, some ammunition and military equipment [of the Tatmadaw] in clashes on Wednesday. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.  The post AA, Myanmar Army Clashes Likely to Intensify: Arakan Army Spokesman appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rakhine Lawmakers Call for Maungdaw to be Segregated Along Religious Lines Posted: 30 Nov 2017 12:23 AM PST YANGON – Rakhine State legislators on Monday urged visiting Union Minister for Social Welfare Dr. Win Myat Aye to ensure Muslim and Rakhine communities in the conflict-torn Maungdaw region would be segregated before the repatriation of refugees begins from neighboring Bangladesh. The informal consultation marked the first time Union government and state-level lawmakers from the Rakhine Parliament had met since the National League for Democracy assumed power in 2016. According to lawmakers, the meeting lasted for half an hour. One of the attendees, independent lawmaker Than Maung Oo, told The Irrawaddy that the meeting was led by Chief Minister U Nyi Pu, Dr. Win Myat Aye, who also serves as chair of the Union Enterprise for Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement and Development (UEHRD) in Rakhine, and State Parliament Speaker San Kyaw Hla. The Myanmar Army launched an offensive against the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in reprisal for a series of attacks on Maungdaw border outposts by ARSA units in late August. However, the harsh response by the army resulted in more than 600,000 Rohingya refugees fleeing to neighboring Bangladesh. Last week, Myanmar and Bangladesh signed a memorandum of outstanding (MoU) on refugee repatriation although the details have yet to be released. During the meeting, regional lawmakers raised questions regarding the repatriation timeframe, the resettlement process and the central government's plans for infrastructure development in the region. However, Dr. Win Myat Aye was unable to provide precise answers to their queries. The regional lawmakers then discussed their opinions on refugee relocation. "We asked the Union minister where they would relocate the Bengali [Rohingya] Muslims but he could not answer us," Than Maung Oo said. The lawmaker said he made four suggestions to the union minister concerning the repatriation and rehabilitation project, stressing that the government needed to make law enforcement its top priority by reserving southern Maungdaw for non-Muslims and settling the Rohingya Muslim refugees in the northern part of the district. "No one wants to live with Bengalis in the same location. It's impossible," Than Maung Oo said. He said that keeping the two communities apart would prevent conflicts as well as future attacks on security forces, adding that the government needed to specify precise locations for internally displaced non-Muslim people as well. Moreover, he demanded the Union cabinet create agricultural and livestock zones for poor ethnic Arakanese as part of a rehabilitation project to stop them from leaving Maungdaw. In addition, state parliamentarians advised the chief minister and Union minister to ensure 40 billion kyat contributed by Burmese tycoons and the international community to the UEHRD was used effectively for rehabilitation of northern Rakhine State — as corruption was widespread in the area. U Mya Than, deputy speaker of Rakhine State Parliament, said that the Union minister also raised the issue of domestic businesses seeking to invest in infrastructure projects, including housing and apartments in northern Rakhine State, although no firm details were provided by the minister. "There is a lack of collaboration not only between the state government and the Rakhine parliament on the ground but between the union government and elected Arakanese lawmakers as well," U Mya Than said. On Monday Chief Minister Nyi Pu posted explanations to the lawmakers' queries on his Facebook page, stating the government had established four working committees for resettlement and socioeconomic development to come up with a plan to address the devastation caused in northern Rakhine. Under the oversight of the UEHRD, the government also formed nine working committees with local businesspeople to manage development projects. Nyi Pu's statement says, "As a member of the United Nations, we (Myanmar) cannot ignore related international procedures" and "(the government) will prioritize the public interest practically." The Union minister, Dr. Win Myat Aye, and the chief minister could not be immediately reached for comment. The post Rakhine Lawmakers Call for Maungdaw to be Segregated Along Religious Lines appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Farmers Arrested in Shan State Facing Four Charges Posted: 29 Nov 2017 10:54 PM PST CHIANG MAI, Thailand – Eight of nine farmers, including a 12-year-old boy, arrested by the Myanmar military four months ago in Ho Pong Township in southern Shan State are facing trial over a combined four charges, according to their lawyer. The eight appeared at the Ho Pong Township court on Wednesday, their latest appearance since their arrests in July and August. "They are charged under the Communication Law for possessing walkie-talkies, the Export and Import Law for driving an unlicensed vehicle, the Arms Act for possession of hunting rifles, and the State Protection Law for trespassing in a military operation zone," Sao Mya Wadi, their lawyer, told The Irrawaddy. She said the charges were filed in September. "The court has finished hearing from the witnesses in some cases, because each [suspect] is charged with two to three charges mentioned above. But there need to be more hearings for the remaining cases. The accused will have to appear before the court again on Dec. 6," she said. The Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF), a rights group based in Thailand, says the farmers were wrongly arrested and called for the charges to be dropped. In a statement issued Tuesday, the SHRF said the eight adults and one boy were arrested by the Light Infantry Battalion 424 and Infantry Battalions 225 and 249 between July 15 and August 4 on suspicion of links to a Shan armed group, the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army South (RCSS/SSA-S). The arrests came a day after a clash between the RCSS/SSA-S and Tatmadaw troops in July; the RCSS is a signatory of the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA). The boy was released on bail on Aug. 5, three weeks after his arrest. The adults are being detained by Ho Pong police. One of the eight adults, Lung Aw Na, remains in police custody but has yet to be charged, according to the SHRF. "We would like to request that the cases be dropped because they are innocent farmers," said Sai Hor Hseng, the SHRF spokesman, adding that such arrests should not occur while the country is in the midst of a peace-building process. "The nine farmers were arrested for possession of items such as walkie-talkies, mobile phones, hunting rifles and bullets, even though these items are used by local villagers for everyday purposes," the group's statement says. Their lawyer said that if her clients were convicted for possessing walkie-talkies and hunting rifles then many more innocent villagers could also be arrested. "They [the Tatmadaw] could have arrested thousands of them, because almost everyone in the villages possesses hand-held communication devices and villagers can make these homemade hunting rifles and gunpowder," said Sao Mya Wadi. "It is important that the judgments are made based on good conscience. There must be justice and equity for all human beings," said added. The SHRF says the court proceedings are being delayed by the Tatmadaw's plaintiffs' lack of cooperation, frequently failing to show up in court because, it says, they lack the evidence to prove their case. There are currently no clashes in the area. But Sai Hor Hseng said locals have witnessed the deployment of more Tatmadaw troops. "More and more Burma soldiers have gone into the areas and have taken positions," he said. The post Farmers Arrested in Shan State Facing Four Charges appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Vatican Defends Pope’s Avoidance of Term ‘Rohingya’ in Myanmar Posted: 29 Nov 2017 09:12 PM PST YANGON — The Vatican on Wednesday defended Pope Francis's decision not to use the word "Rohingya" in public during his visit to Myanmar, saying his moral authority was unblemished and that his mere presence drew attention to the refugee crisis. But at a news conference, the Holy See's spokesman also acknowledged that Vatican diplomacy was "not infallible" and that others were entitled to their views. The pope leaves on Thursday for Bangladesh, where about 625,000 Muslim Rohingya from predominantly Buddhist Myanmar have fled following a military crackdown in Rakhine State. He is due to meet Rohingya refugees there. Since he arrived in Myanmar, Francis has studiously avoided the highly charged term, following advice of local Church officials. They feared it could set off a diplomatic incident and turn Myanmar’s military and government against minority Christians. Even though his calls for justice, human rights and respect were widely seen as applicable to the Rohingya, who are not recognized as citizens or as members of a distinct ethnicity, rights groups such as Amnesty International said they were disappointed. "I think it was pretty clear from the local concerns that the pope was going to take the advice very seriously in public," Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said at the news conference, which was also with several Myanmar bishops. "That doesn’t take away from anything the pope has said in the past, or from anything he says in private," Burke said. "The fact of the matter that the pope is here and draws attention to the country itself is an incredibly positive thing." Scores of Rohingya villages were burnt to the ground, and refugees arriving in Bangladesh told of killings and rapes. Washington said last week that the military's campaign included "horrendous atrocities" aimed at "ethnic cleansing." Myanmar's military has denied accusations of murder, rape and forced displacement. The government blames the crisis on the Rohingya militants, whom it has condemned as terrorists. Vatican Diplomacy Not Infallible "Everyone's entitled to their own opinion here. Nobody ever said Vatican diplomacy's infallible," Burke said when asked if the Vatican had any second thoughts about the decision for the pope not to use the word. He said the aim of Vatican diplomacy was "building bridges" and seeking discussions as "brothers, which often take place behind closed doors." This suggested the pope, who has defended Rohingya by name before in Rome, may have used the term in private during meeting in Myanmar. The pope, Burke said, was "not afraid of minefields," but he could not just "parachute in" to areas to solve crises. "I find it really hard to think that the moral authority of the pope has somehow diminished. People are not expected to solve impossible problems," Burke said. "The morals of the pope stand. You'll see him go ahead and you can criticize what is said and what is not said, but the pope is not going to lose moral authority on this question," he said. Asked about the accusations of ethnic cleansing, Bishop John Hsane Hgyi said "I did not see it with my own eyes. I don’t know if its true or not." When she came to power in 2016, Nobel peace laureate and longtime champion of democracy Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said her top priority was ending ethnic conflicts that have kept Myanmar in a state of near-perpetual civil war since independence in 1948. That goal remains elusive and, although Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains popular at home, she has faced a barrage of international criticism for expressing doubts about reports of rights abuses against Rohingya and failing to condemn the military. Although Daw Aung San Suu Kyi formed Myanmar's first civilian government in half a century, her defenders say she is hamstrung by a constitution written by the military that left the army in control of security and much of the apparatus of the state. The military's power was clear on Monday when its leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, demanded to meet the pope before Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, upending the planned schedule, which had her meeting the pontiff first. "I'm sure the pope would have preferred meeting the general after he had done the official visits," Burke said. The post Vatican Defends Pope's Avoidance of Term 'Rohingya' in Myanmar appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Indonesia Reopens Bali Airport as Wind Clears Volcanic Ash Posted: 29 Nov 2017 09:05 PM PST DENPASAR, Indonesia — The airport on the Indonesian holiday island of Bali reopened on Wednesday as wind blew away ash spewed out by a volcano, giving airlines a window to get tourists out while authorities stepped up efforts to get thousands of villagers to move to safety. Operations at the airport – the second-busiest in Indonesia – have been disrupted since the weekend when Mount Agung, in east Bali, began belching out huge clouds of smoke and ash, and authorities warned of an "imminent threat" of a major eruption. "Bali's international airport started operating normally," air traffic control provider AirNav said in a statement, adding that operations resumed at 2:28 p.m. The reopening of the airport, which is about 60 km (37 miles) away from Mount Agung, followed a downgrade in an aviation warning to one level below the most serious, with the arrival of more favorable winds. "We really hope that we actually get a flight, maybe today or tomorrow, to get back home," said tourist Nathan James, from the Australian city of Brisbane, waiting at the airport. A large plume of white and grey ash and smoke hovered over Agung on Wednesday, after night-time rain partially obscured a fiery glow at its peak. President Joko Widodo begged villagers living in a danger zone around the volcano to move to emergency centers. Sutopo Purwo Nugroho of the disaster mitigation agency said about 43,000 people had heeded advice to take shelter, but an estimated 90,000 to 100,000 people were living in the zone. The decision to resume flights followed an emergency meeting at the airport, when authorities weighing up weather conditions, tests and data from AirNav and other groups. Flight tracking website FlightRadar24 later showed there were flights departing and arriving at the airport although its general manager said if the wind changed direction the airport could be closed again at short notice. Agung looms over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). Its last major eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages. Ash coated cars, roofs and roads to the southeast of the crater on Wednesday and children wore masks as they walked to school. 'Unpredictable' Singapore Airlines Ltd said it would resume flights while Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd said it and budget arm Jetstar would run 16 flights to Australia on Thursday to ferry home 3,800 stranded customers. Singapore Airlines and SilkAir were seeking approval to operate additional flights on Thursday, while budget offshoot Scoot said it would cease offering land and ferry transport to the city of Surabaya, on Java island, as it resumed flights to Bali. Virgin Australia plans to operate up to four recovery flights to Denpasar on Thursday. "As the volcanic activity remains unpredictable, these flights may be cancelled at short notice," it said on its website. The head of the weather agency at Bali airport, Bambang Hargiyono, said winds had begun to blow from the north to south, carrying ash toward the neighboring island of Lombok. He said the wind was expected to shift toward the southeast "for the next three days," which should allow flights to operate. As many as 430 domestic and international flights had been disrupted on Wednesday. Authorities are urging villagers living up to 10 km (6 miles) from the volcano to move to emergency centers, but some are reluctant to leave homes and livestock. "Those in the 8- to 10-km radius must truly take refuge for safety," Widodo told reporters. "There must not be any victims." The post Indonesia Reopens Bali Airport as Wind Clears Volcanic Ash appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

KIA Reports Frequent Clashes with Tatmadaw Throughout November  Posted: 29 Nov 2017 08:30 PM PST CHIANG MAI, Thailand — Fighting resumed between the Myanmar military, or Tatmadaw, and the Kachin Independence Army in Kachin State's Tanai Township in early November, with frequent clashes continuing throughout the month, according to a KIA spokesman. "Clashes resumed early in the month and continued up until Tuesday, Nov. 28," Colonel Naw Bu of the KIA told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday. "It may represent a follow-up to the Tatmadaw's military clearance operation [in Tanai]," he said, referring to June clashes that forced local villagers to flee their homes. The Tatmadaw attacked the KIA's Battalion 14 area [a 10-mile radius within Tanai Township] with heavy artillery, but there had been no reports of casualties as of yesterday, Naw Bu said. The fighting, while not daily, was frequent and usually involved barrages of more than 30 artillery rounds. "It usually starts in the morning after 6 a.m. and continues until the afternoon," he said. As fighting erupted again in the amber-rich areas, the return of already internally displaced villagers is still uncertain, said local relief workers. Naw Tawng, a Catholic priest from Kawng Ra village of Tanai told The Irrawaddy on Thursday, "Some displaced villagers of N'Ga Ga and Nam Byu villages are still sheltering in churches and others are with their relatives in Tanai." The KIA spokesman said they were unable to help those who fled to towns such as Tanai or Myitkyina. Naw Bu said there had been no ceasefire talks between the KIA and the government or the Tatmadaw. "We will just follow the FPNCC's principles regarding peace talks," he said, referring to the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee, an alliance of seven northern armed groups including the KIA. Earlier, the KIA and Tatmadaw were involved in intense clashes in June and July following the second session of the Panglong Peace conference in May. In May, the FPNCC demanded an alternative approach to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). The FPNCC is led by the United Wa State Army. Four of its members – the KIA, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Kokang's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA) – are currently engaged in active fighting against the Tatmadaw in Kachin, northern Shan State and most recently in Rakhine and Chin State's Paletwa Township. The post KIA Reports Frequent Clashes with Tatmadaw Throughout November  appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Pope Francis, Senior Buddhist Monks Stress Religious Leaders’ Role in Fostering Peace 
• NLD’s Stiffest Opposition in Parliament Not Who Many Expected
• Gender Trumps Ability in Myanmar’s Patriarchal Society
• Parents Demand Govt Take Action Against Religious Cult
• Cambodia PM Leaves for China to Seek More Aid
• Eight Die in Magwe Coal Mine Blast
• Thai Police Arrest 16 Protesting Against Coal-fired Power Plant
• Pope Calls for Peace in Myanmar on Diplomatically Fraught Trip

Pope Francis, Senior Buddhist Monks Stress Religious Leaders’ Role in Fostering Peace  Posted: 29 Nov 2017 06:19 AM PST YANGON—In a meeting with the Sangha Maha Nayaka, the country's highest Buddhist authority, in Yangon on Wednesday, Pope Francis joined Myanmar's leading Buddhist monks to stress the role of religious leaders in fostering peace and harmony. Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, arrived in Myanmar on Monday for a four-day visit, becoming the first pontiff to visit the Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian country, where Christians make up less than 6.2 percent of the population and Muslims less than 5 percent. The pope emphasized that Buddhism and Christianity shared the aim of surmounting all forms of intolerance, prejudice and hatred, quoting from both St. Francis of Assisi and the Dhammapada, a collection of Buddha's sayings. Francis said, "The words of the Buddha offer each of us a guide: 'Overcome the angry by non-anger; overcome the wicked by goodness; overcome the miser by generosity; overcome the liar by truth' (Dhammapada, XVII, 223). Similar sentiments are voiced in a prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: 'Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, let me bring pardon…  Where there is darkness, let me bring light, and where there is sadness, joy.'" The pope added, "May that wisdom continue to inspire every effort to foster patience and understanding, and to heal the wounds of conflict that through the years have divided people of different cultures, ethnicities and religious convictions." He told the meeting that to ensure that every voice is heard, such efforts are the responsibility of state officials, civil society and religious leaders. He also commended the ongoing work of the Panglong Peace Conference and prayed for the promotion of greater participation of all people who live in Myanmar. "If these efforts are to bear lasting fruit, greater cooperation between religious leaders will be required," Francis said. "Opportunities for religious leaders to encounter one another and for dialogue are proving to be a notable element in the promotion of justice and peace in Myanmar," he added. Dr. Buaddanta Kumarabhivamsa, chairman of the State Sangha Committee, said leaders of all religions must strive to act as builders of a harmonious human society through their respective religious teachings in consolidating peace and security. "We, members of different faiths, urgently need to build mutual understanding, respect and trust among ourselves, in order to obtain a peaceful, secure and prosperous human society." Denouncing and condemning all kinds of hate speech, false propaganda, conflict and war, and those who support such activities, the head monk urged religious members to cooperate in building bridges for world peace and to speak out publicly against the misuse of religion. The chairman of the State Sangha also rejected "terrorism and extremism" in the name of religious belief, saying original religious teachings had been manipulated by "some religious followers." "We firmly believe that terrorism and extremism arise out of misapprehension of original teachings of the respective religions, because some religious followers introduce amendments to the original teachings, being dominated by desire, ill-will, dread and delusion: the four wrong courses," the leading monk said at the meeting. The pope made his appeal at an open-air mass in Yangon on Wednesday morning. He will conclude his visit and head to Bangladesh on Thursday. The post Pope Francis, Senior Buddhist Monks Stress Religious Leaders' Role in Fostering Peace  appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

NLD’s Stiffest Opposition in Parliament Not Who Many Expected Posted: 29 Nov 2017 04:31 AM PST YANGON — When the National League for Democracy (NLD)-dominated Parliament convened in early 2016, many expected its main opposition to come from the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which led the prior government as a proxy of the country's powerful military. The USDP, which won only 41 of 664 seats in the 2015 general election, has not emerged as such. Instead, the NLD's main opposition in Parliament has from the start come from elsewhere: the military appointees. The military holds 110 seats in the Lower House and 56 seats in the Upper House— reserving fully 25 percent of the seats in all parliaments nationally and regionally— under the military-drafted 2008 Constitution. It also controls three key ministries: Defense, Home Affairs and Border Affairs. The commander-in-chief chooses the military appointees, a vice-president and the three ministers. The second-day session of the second Lower House Parliament at Naypyitaw on Feb. 4, 2016./The Irrawaddy Tensions between NLD lawmakers and the military appointees started to arise only days after the NLD government was sworn in on March 30 last year. In Parliament on April 4, 2016, all military representatives stood up in an apparent sign of protest against the passage of a bill that created a key new post of state counselor for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is barred from becoming president under the Constitution. Military lawmakers called the bill "unconstitutional." Before that, the military appointees had objected to the NLD's nomination of a vice president and constitutional tribunal members and to an NLD lawmaker's remarks on the controversial Letpaduang copper mine in Sagaing Division. "Before, the military and the USDP-led government were on the same side. The military agreed in most cases. But now the military has shown the most opposition to the NLD government and to proposals from NLD lawmakers," said U Ye Tun, a former lawmaker from Shan State's Hsipaw Township. The military's objections in Parliament have failed to stop the passage of bills and amendments by a legislature dominated by the NLD. But the appointees have used their allotted seats to signal their discontent. They have expressed their disapproval, for instance, with remarks by the ruling party that they deemed disrespectful of the military, the extension of a government commission's term, and proposals to amend laws. Most recently, the entire bloc of unelected military representatives in the Lower House stood up in unison to oppose an NLD motion to place the image of the country's late independence hero General Aung San — the father of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi — on future bank notes. Lieutenant Colonel Kyaw Min Hlaing said animals — including peacocks, lions and elephants — were rightly featured on the notes because all of Myanmar's ethnic groups valued and acknowledged them as national symbols. The military's objection went viral on social media and met with an angry response from the public. The proposal was passed with a majority of votes from the NLD and ethnic parties. Crucially, however, while the military appointees cannot amend or make laws on their own, they hold veto power over proposed amendments to the Constitution. Article 436 of the Constitution says any major changes to the Constitution must have the support of more than 75 percent of both houses of Parliament, making such changes impossible without the appointees' support. And as the country's most powerful institution, the military sees its main duty as safeguarding the charter, which guarantees that it maintains an important leadership role. Here, The Irrawaddy lists some of the military's most significant confrontations with the NLD in Parliament over the last one year and nine months. Copper Mine On Feb. 26, 2016, military appointees in the Lower House stood up to protest remarks by an NLD lawmaker about the controversial Letpadaung copper mine in Sagaing Division, a joint venture between a Chinese firm and a military-run conglomerate. NLD lawmaker U Kyaw Aung Lwin, representing Magwe Division's Sidoktaya Township, brought up the copper mine while speaking in support of a proposal tabled by NLD lawmaker Khin San Hlaing calling for scrutiny of an apparent quick-fire sale of state-owned land and projects during the country's transition period. Vice President On March 14, 2016, military representative General Than Soe objected to the NLD candidate for vice president, Henry Van Thio, questioning his eligibility for living abroad. Constitutional Tribunal On March 28, 2016, military representative Lieutenant Colonel Tun Lin Oo submitted a proposal opposing the nomination of two of nine Constitutional Tribunal members put forward by President U Htin Kyaw. Lawmakers voted not to discuss the proposal. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and senior military officials attend the official power transfer ceremony on March 30, 2016 at the presidential residence in Naypyitaw. / The Irrawaddy State Counselor On April 5, 2016, military lawmakers refused to cast ballots and stood up to register their protest against a bill creating a key new post of state counselor for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is barred from becoming president under the Constitution even though her party won the supermajority it needed to form a government in the 2015 general election. Military lawmakers said the bill was "unconstitutional."  Brigadier General Maung Maung labeled the vote "democratic bullying," referring to the NLD's dominance in the legislature. Overnight Guest Registration On June 3, 2016, military representatives claimed that revoking provisions of Myanmar's colonial-era Ward or Village Tract Administration Law, which requires citizens to register overnight guests, would jeopardize the country's national security in both the Lower House and Upper House. NLD lawmakers argued that the amendments to the law were drafted in line with democratic norms. Democratic Federal Union On Aug. 30, 2016, when Union Parliament Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than announced Parliament's support for the first Union Peace Conference under the NLD government, military lawmaker Major General Than Soe objected to the phrase "democratic federal union" in the statement, claiming the wording violated the Constitution. Special Cases Assessment Commission On Feb. 27, 2017, military officials objected to extending the term of the Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission, chaired by U Shwe Mann, arguing that it was not formed in line with the 2008 military-drafted Constitution. Ex-General U Shwe Mann, a close ally of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was a former Parliament speaker and served as USDP chairman until he was removed from the post during a reshuffle in August 2015. 'Dictatorship' Remark On, Aug. 22, 2017, military representative Major General Than Soe objected to remarks by NLD lawmaker Daw Ei Ei Pyone describing the problems in Rakhine State as a "legacy of dictatorship" and criticizing the military for not doing enough to protect local people despite its huge budget. "What did she mean 'bad dictatorial regime?' Who did she mean? We want to know clearly. We don't accept the branding of successive governments as bad dictatorial regimes," he said. At his request, Daw Ei Ei Pyone's comments were struck from the record. Fiscal Year On Oct. 23, 2017, military representatives joined USDP lawmakers in calling for reconsideration of proposed changes to the fiscal year by the Union Parliament. Military representative Major Thaung Htike Soe argued that the current fiscal year had been used for the past 40 years and that changing it would cause inconvenience. The Union Parliament endorsed the NLD's proposal to move the start of the fiscal year to October staring in 2018. Currency Design On Nov. 17, 2017, the entire bloc of military appointees in the Lower House and one lawmaker from the USDP stood up in opposition to a motion to reinstate the image of the country's late independence hero General Aung San on the country's currency. Military appointee Lieutenant Colonel Kyaw Min Hlaing said the proposal should not be considered while the country's economy was growing slowly, citing the cost of redesigning and printing new notes. The post NLD's Stiffest Opposition in Parliament Not Who Many Expected appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Gender Trumps Ability in Myanmar’s Patriarchal Society Posted: 29 Nov 2017 03:24 AM PST Less than two months before 2017 comes to and end, Myanmar is expecting a change in administration. This time, it will not be at the top level but on the ground, as new village and ward administrators will be elected with terms lasting until 2020. According to Yaung Chi Thit, a community-based organization engaged in the promotion of human rights, while Myanmar has 16,743 ward and village administrators nationwide at present, only 87 of them are women—only about 0.5 percent. The eligibility criteria laid out in Chapter 3 of the Ward and Village Tract Administration Law 2016 does not discriminate on the grounds of sex. Either men or women, 25 years of age or older are eligible to contest. But even for qualified and capable women, a glass ceiling still exists. This is the case for a woman administrator in Karenni State. She served as the administrator of her village for years on behalf of her busy husband who was officially elected the administrator. The village likes her as their upstanding and outspoken administrator but when she says she wants to contest the upcoming election to take the position herself, villagers shake their heads. "My villagers don't want people to think that they had to elect me, a woman, because no man in the village was capable of doing the administrator's job. So they asked me to register with my husband's name [for the village administrator election]. But I want to serve as an administrator under my name," said the woman. This case is a prime example of gender taking precedence over ability in Myanmar's patriarchal society. The eligibility criteria further requires that the administrator be respected by society, serve with dignity and possess the ability to perform the assigned duties with willingness and enthusiasm to the benefit of the community and the Union. Ability, willingness and enthusiasm are key attributes of an administrator. But even women who possess these attributes in spades are overlooked in a male-dominated society. Daw Mon Mon Aung, the administrator of Ward (E) in Yangon's North Okkalapa Township, is one of a few women whose ability is appreciated by her community. But still she is confronted with challenges because of her gender. "Though the job is about performing the assigned duties well, people support male administrators and say they are fit for the job while they doubt women's ability," she said. "So, I have had to try to harder to win their trust and of course, there are more challenges," she added. This reminds the author of what a woman administrator said at an event titled "May Toh Kabar" [Women's World] to raise public awareness about women's rights in Yangon some two years ago. "The job is two times harder for women than men. There are people who are watching whether we do the job well, and we have to prove that we can. At the same time, we have to do household chores so that the family members do not get annoyed with us," she said. While people would praise a male administrator who neglected his family in the name of community service, they expect female administrators to handle community work and household chores at the same time. As the job involves going out with men at night for checks on unlawful activities, female administrators also have to preserve their modesty to prevent their morals being questioned by others, the administrator continued. "Only when there is community and family that support and understand us, will we be able to truly serve the public interest," she said. When it comes to serving the interests of the community and the country, there is a dire need for Myanmar to distinguish between actual inability and a stereotypical perception of women's inability. In a 2016 forum on women, peace and security in Karenni State, discussions included increasing the participation of women in politics. It was not until 2012 that women's forums could be held across the country, in part because it was difficult to get permission from authorities and also because of people's attitudes toward women's issues. While these forums used to be difficult to organize, today they demand greater female participation in politics and the peace process. Women's voices are their strength, and it is important that these voices be heard by concerned authorities, in particular those in the legislative and executives branches. Otherwise, gender equality will remain an illusion. In Karenni State, people often give rice to local administrators as a gesture of gratitude for their service. But this token is not granted to female administrators, locals say. "People have yet to learn to respect female administrators. Much remains to be done in this regard," said a local. Generally, the law allows both sexes to stand for ward and village administrator elections, but there are unwritten rules and norms that bar women. There is a lot to be done to empower women, change the laws, and most importantly, change people's attitudes toward women. Women's forums seek to increase women's participation in politics, as well as guarantee their safety. The safety of women in conflict zones is a pressing issue, which has led to an increase in female administrators in Karen State, where serious clashes have occurred throughout decades. "Following armed conflicts and clashes, women filled administrator posts. Not because women were prioritized, but because male administrators were subject to investigation by both sides [Tatmadaw and non-state armed groups]. Male administrators were often threatened and tortured. But, they were less likely to do the same to female administrators," said a participant at a women's forum in Karenni State in 2016. "We had to take on the role of administrator in order to stabilize the community. And we also have to give appropriate answers to questions from both armed sides. We were always worried about the prospect of being detained," said a female administrator from Karen State. The ward and village tract administration law also requires that an administrator not be a member of an armed organization or in communication with an unlawful association. So, there is a likelihood that there will be more female administrators in conflict areas. Women have called for a 30 percent quota in parliament and government, but there must be greater efforts to link international conventions on women's rights with the country's strategies in order that that vision can become a reality. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which Myanmar ratified in 1997, mandates gender equality. Women's rights organizations and activists in cooperation with the government and parliament are obliged to link CEDAW and the National Strategic Plan for Advancement of Women (2013-22) in order that Myanmar's glass ceiling is shattered for the benefit of women as well as the country. Nan Phyu Phyu Linn is a women's rights activist. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. The post Gender Trumps Ability in Myanmar's Patriarchal Society appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Parents Demand Govt Take Action Against Religious Cult Posted: 29 Nov 2017 02:05 AM PST PATHEIN — Parents have urged the Irrawaddy regional government to abolish a Christian cult after their children who joined the group refused to return home for no apparent reason. Parents of 14 families from the Yangon, Bago and Irrawaddy regions and Karen State and three ministers of the Irrawaddy regional government, the regional advocate-general and the chief of the regional police force met at Sakaw Karen Baptist Church in Pathein on Monday. The Christian cult, called Soul Family, led by Mahn Kyaw Soe, has reportedly conducted 40-day classes for "would-be" disciples, most of who are around 20. Moreover, the leader also allegedly urged his young followers to shun their parents and relatives, and arranged marriages for them without the consent of their parents. Naw Htoo Say from Thandaunggyi Township in Karen State, who met the Irrawaddy government officials, said: "Our children refused to go back with us. After we went to take them, Mahn Kyaw Soe moved them to other places. Some parents don't even know where their children are." "I requested the regional government abolish this group, which has been sowing discord between parents and their children, and help us get back our children," he told The Irrawaddy. Irrawaddy Region Municipal and Religious Affairs Minister U Kyaw Myint promised to present the case to the regional cabinet meeting and take action against the cult on criminal and religious grounds. "Many people have been affected by this cult, which is based in around nine places in Myanmar. It is likely that the more the cult expands, the more people may be affected. So, we'll gather enough evidence to charge the cult for criminal and religious offences," he said. According to the accounts of those who have left the cult, it asked members to do unpaid jobs locally and even in Singapore on the pretext of making offerings to God, in a way that appears to be human trafficking and forced labor. Naw Thay Hla, a former member of Soul Family, quit after attending the 40-day induction course. "I attended the 40-day class in Kyonpyaw because my daughter encouraged me to do so. After the training, one of the group leaders, Daw Nilar Tun, said we had to make an offering [to God]. She chose six or seven people from each group. "So, I asked her what the offering was, and she said we had to work. The cult sent young members to a shoe shop in Yangon's Sanchaung Township as well as building materials shops in Pauk Khaung. And they are not paid for their work," Naw Thay Hla told The Irrawaddy. The cult, which has six leaders including Mahn Kyaw Soe, has branches in Singapore, Thailand's Mae Sot district, and the townships of Thandaunggyi in Karen State, Loikaw in Karenni State, Taungoo and Pauk Khaung in Bago Region, North Dagon and Sanchung in Yangon Region and Kyonpyaw, Kyaunggon, Kangyidaunt, Myaungmya and Pathein in the Irrawaddy Region, according to the Myanmar Council of Churches. The Myanmar Baptist Convention and Myanmar Council of Churches have also distanced themselves from the group, saying that its sermons do not conform to the teachings of the Bible. U Nyan Tun Kyaw, who is in charge of the Soul Family branch in Hlel Seik village in Kyonpyaw Township, said the group pays homage only to God in line with the freedom of religion bestowed to citizens, and denied it was a Christian cult. The group has not registered with the government as a religious organization and has no plan to do so, he said. The wages earned by the members are used to buy food, which is shared among members, he added. "Members share labor and food as a community," U Nyan Tun Kyaw said. Regarding the parents' claim that their children are refusing to return home, he said, "It is nothing to do with us. It is their personal freedom." The Irrawaddy regional government has banned gatherings for prayers at the house of U Nyan Tun Kyaw in Hlel Seik village, and warned it would take legal action if the ban were violated. Parents also sent letters on Monday to Union Religious Affairs Minister Thura U Aung Ko and Irrawaddy Region Chief Minister Mahn Johnny, urging them to outlaw the cult. The post Parents Demand Govt Take Action Against Religious Cult appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Cambodia PM Leaves for China to Seek More Aid Posted: 28 Nov 2017 11:41 PM PST PHNOM PENH — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, under Western donor pressure over a crackdown on his critics ahead of 2018 elections, will seek more aid and investment from China during a visit this week, his aide said. Hun Sen's aide, Sry Thamrong, said the prime minister will attend a special summit on Nov. 30-Dec. 3, which will be held by the Communist Party of China (CPC) with other political parties under Chinese President Xi Jinping's theme, turning the world for the better and without interference. Hun Sen will also meet President Xi and Chinese investors to talk aid and investment with the aim of creating more jobs in Cambodia, Sry Thamrong said. "Especially, we need more bridges on the Mekong River. We also need many more roads, trains, sky trains. These are the things that we need in the future," Sry Thamrong told reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport before the departure. China is already the biggest donor to Cambodia and its support has bolstered Hun Sen in the face of criticism of what his opponents say amounts to the destruction of democracy. The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was banned earlier this month by the Supreme Court at the government’s request. That followed the arrest of its leader Kem Sokha for plotting to take power with American help. The United States has stopped election funding ahead of next year's general election and threatened further concrete steps. The European Union has raised a potential threat to Cambodia's duty free access. China has supported Cambodia's crackdown, making no criticism of the government, which is one of Beijing's most important allies in Southeast Asia after more than three decades in power. The post Cambodia PM Leaves for China to Seek More Aid appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Eight Die in Magwe Coal Mine Blast Posted: 28 Nov 2017 11:11 PM PST YANGON — Eight people were killed in a coal mine collapse in Minbu Township in Myanmar's central Magwe Region on Monday, while four others—two Chinese supervisors and two Myanmar miners were injured and are still receiving treatment at a local hospital. The accident happened after a pipe used for injecting oxygen into the tunnel of the mine exploded, chief of the regional fire services department U Aung Win Sein told The Irrawaddy. The blast took place at a depth of about 45 to 90 meters in a tunnel of the coal mine, which is owned by Han Htet Co. "They died for two reasons, some were deprived of oxygen, and some were killed in the collapse," he said. Five bodies were recovered on Tuesday and rescue operations were ongoing to retrieve three others, he added. The inside of the Han Htet coal mine after the collapse. (Photo: Yan Aung Htun / Facebook) U Hsan Tun, the administrator of Ngape Township, said: "It seems that the oxygen pipe blasted and the vibration resulted in the collapse. According to the photos taken by firefighters, it seems that the mine collapsed inside." Firefighters, police, departmental personnel and locals have joined the rescue efforts. Among those killed were a Chinese supervisor, an interpreter and Myanmar miners, he said. The Magwe Region government permits 40 coal mines in the region and imposes a tax of 3,000 kyats per ton for production. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. The post Eight Die in Magwe Coal Mine Blast appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Thai Police Arrest 16 Protesting Against Coal-fired Power Plant Posted: 28 Nov 2017 09:32 PM PST BANGKOK — Thai authorities have arrested 16 people who were protesting against the construction of a coal-fired power plant, drawing criticism of the military government from rights activists and environmentalists. The planned power plant in the southern province of Songkhla will consist of two 1,000-megawatt units, and is part of a power development plan to 2036, but activists object to its expected environmental and health impact on communities in the area. The 16 protesters were arrested on Monday as they travelled from Thepa district, the site of the plant, to the provincial capital to present a petition to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who was due in the city on Tuesday for a meeting. "This incident shows the true face of Thailand's military dictators, who have committed a long list of abuses and repressions since the May 2014 coup," Sunai Phasuk, Thailand researcher for US-based group Human Rights Watch, told Reuters. Six protesters were injured in a scuffle with police, said anti-coal activist Supat Hasuwannakit. "The use of force was uncalled for," Supat told Reuters. A few police officers were injured, police said, adding that the 16 had been charged with blocking traffic, assaulting authorities, and resisting arrest. Police have requested that a court detains them. Tara Buakamsri, country director for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, said in a statement the action against the protesters reflected a "complete failure" by the government to promote a peaceful and inclusive society. "The Thepa power plant has no legitimacy to be built," the group said. The first unit of the power plant is due to begin operating in 2021. Its environmental health impact assessment was completed in August and is pending approval by the National Environment Board. The post Thai Police Arrest 16 Protesting Against Coal-fired Power Plant appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Pope Calls for Peace in Myanmar on Diplomatically Fraught Trip Posted: 28 Nov 2017 09:24 PM PST YANGON — Pope Francis called on the people of Myanmar on Wednesday to embrace peace and reconciliation as their country emerges from nearly five decades of military rule still riven by ethnic conflicts and communal strife. The pope made his appeal at an open-air mass in Yangon on the third day of a visit fraught with diplomatic risk over a military crackdown that has triggered the flight of about 625,000 Muslim Rohingya from the predominantly Buddhist country. In a speech on Tuesday, he did not use the highly charged term 'Rohingya,' following the advice of Vatican insiders who feared it could set off a diplomatic incident and turn Myanmar's military and government against minority Christians. However, his call for justice, human rights and respect for all were widely seen as applicable to the Rohingya, who are not recognized as citizens or as members of a distinct ethnic group. The mass exodus from Rakhine state to the southern tip of Bangladesh began at the end of August when the military launched a counter-offensive in response to Rohingya militant attacks on an army base and police security posts. Scores of Rohingya villages were burnt to the ground, and refugees told of killings and rapes. The United States said last week that the military's campaign included "horrendous atrocities" aimed at "ethnic cleansing." Myanmar's military has denied all accusations of murder, rape and forced displacement. 'Wounds of Violence' Only about 700,000 of Myanmar's 51 million people are Roman Catholic. Thousands of them travelled from far and wide to Yangon to see the pope, and many attended Wednesday's mass on the grounds of what had been racecourse during British colonial times. Among the tens of thousands there were priests, nuns, diplomats, leaders of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy, and members of ethnic groups in traditional garb who sang songs and waved Myanmar and Vatican flags as they waited for the pope. "We may never get such a chance again. The pope lives in Rome and we can't afford to go there," said Bo Khin, 45, a teacher who travelled on a truck to Yangon with a group of 15 relatives from the city of Mandalay. "We feel very happy, joyful that he visited us in Myanmar." Bells chimed as Francis arrived. Standing in the back of a white truck, he smiled, waved at the crowd and looked relaxed as he headed to a pagoda-style canopy to celebrate mass. In his homily, he called on the country’s people to "anoint every hurt and every painful memory" and promote "the reconciliation and peace that God wants to reign in every human heart and in every community." "I know that many in Myanmar bear the wounds of violence, wounds both visible and invisible," he said, urging them to shun temptation to seek healing from anger and revenge. Myriad Ethnic Conflicts Prayers were then read by members of the congregation in the Shan, Chin, Karen, Kachin and Kayan languages. The prayer in Karen read: "For the leaders of Myanmar, that they may always foster peace and reconciliation through dialogue and understanding, thus promoting an end to conflict in the states of Kachin, Rakhine, and Shan, we pray to the lord." When she came to power in 2016, Nobel peace laureate and longtime champion of democracy Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said her number one priority was ending multiple ethnic conflicts that have kept Myanmar in a state of near-perpetual civil war since independence in 1948. That goal remains elusive and, although Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains popular at home, she has faced a barrage of international criticism in recent weeks for expressing doubts about the reports of rights abuses against the Rohingya and failing to condemn the military. Although she formed Myanmar's first civilian government in half a century, her defenders say she is hamstrung by a constitution written by the military that left the army in control of security and much of the apparatus of the state. Vatican sources say some in the Holy See believe the pope's trip to Myanmar was decided too hastily after full diplomatic ties were established in May during a visit by Daw Aung san Suu Kyi. Francis leaves on Thursday for Bangladesh, where he will meet a group of Rohingya refugees in the capital, Dhaka. The post Pope Calls for Peace in Myanmar on Diplomatically Fraught Trip appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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