Tuesday, November 14, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Graft Fight Holds Key to Development, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Tells ASEAN Summit

Posted: 14 Nov 2017 04:22 AM PST

YANGON — State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi emphasized combating corruption and the development of human capital as key to achieving sustainable economic growth in Myanmar during a speech at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, while also stressing the important role of women in the economic sphere.

During her keynote speech at the meeting in Manila on Nov. 12, the state counselor told the delegates that "we depend for economic development on the enhancement of integrity … a better way of saying getting rid of corruption.

"I couldn't help mentioning the fact that some of those who had been engaging in business in Myanmar previously said that it was much easier then because then you knew who you had to bribe. It is a lot more difficult now, because now you have to know how to do business in the right way," she said, prompting applause.

In the early months of the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi-led civilian government, some business sources made a similar point, but they also noted the lack of direction from the new administration as detailed economic policies weren't announced until October 2016, seven months after it took office.

Combating the country's deep-rooted corruption has been one of the National League for Democracy's (NLD's) stated priorities since assuming power. The NLD's civil service reform strategic action plan (2017-2020) is also focused on tackling corruption.

Despite some improvements, critics fault the slow pace of progress in the graft fight, with corruption reportedly still rampant in the lower levels of government.

During the summit, Myanmar's de-facto leader said Myanmar had been growing rapidly as it rolled out rigorous reforms and structural changes in every sector, while reminding the audience that the country had only recently emerged from decades of economic and political isolation and still faced many challenges.

The most notable reforms have been in the investment sector with visible progress being made to ensure a level playing field to strengthen competition and to create a favorable, predictable and friendly investment climate, including reducing bureaucratic red-tape, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said.

A former long-time political prisoner as well as pro-democracy leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said "Myanmar, as a young democracy, started with many, many challenges and has become fully aware of the need for development of people as human beings not just economic powerhouses."

She said human capital development is central to achieving sustainable economic growth and development and thus empowering women is also a form of human capital development as women are an important part of human capital.

"I would like us to think more about what we mean by power and what we mean by capital. Are we thinking only in material terms — that power is economic power? And that capital is economic capital? The material capital that will give us clout?"

"This may seem old-fashioned these days to think of developing ourselves as better human beings rather than as materially more powerful countries. But perhaps it is about time we think about these things," Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said.

The post Graft Fight Holds Key to Development, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Tells ASEAN Summit appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Myanmar Army Replaces Rakhine Commander

Posted: 14 Nov 2017 03:38 AM PST

NAYPYITAW — Myanmar's military on Friday replaced Maj-Gen Maung Soe, the head of the Western Command responsible for Rakhine and Chin states, with Supply and Transport Directorate chief Brig-Gen Soe Tint Naing.

The major-general, a graduate of the 27th Intake of the Defense Services Academy, was transferred to the Defense Ministry. He was not given a new assignment, but has been placed on a reserve list.

The Tatmadaw gave no reason for the transfer, but it coincides with the disclosure of US plans to impose targeted sanctions on Myanmar's military leadership. It is also believed to be partly in response to ongoing clashes with the Arakan Army (AA) in Paletwa in southern Chin State.

A Tatmadaw investigation team said in a statement released on Monday evening that it would continue "to take action against those who show weakness in administration and the collecting of information necessary for maintaining security in the region."

"I heard that it was because of the Paletwa case. Before that, there were also problems related to the Rakhine issue. These are the causes," according to a retired military officer who is now a Lower House lawmaker, and who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Tatmadaw has not released an official statement about military casualties sustained in an ambush by AA troops on a vessel carrying troops in Chin State's Paletwa Township on Nov. 8, but according to unconfirmed sources, 11 Myanmar Army personnel — two officers and nine other ranks — were killed.

The Tatmadaw also replaced Maj-Gen Min Zaw, the director-general of the Directorate of Supply and Transport, with Brig-Gen Zaw Lwin Oo. Maj-Gen Min Zaw was also put on the reserve list.

On Oct. 23, the US State Department announced sanctions against senior figures in the Myanmar Army, citing alleged human rights violations in military operations in Rakhine State that followed militant attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in Maungdaw on Aug. 25.

A spokeswoman for the US State Department, Katina Adams, said the United States was aware of reports of the Rakhine State commander's replacement, Reuters reported.

"We remain gravely concerned by continuing reports of violence and human rights abuses committed by Burmese security forces and vigilantes. Those responsible for abuses must be held accountable," Adams said.

The Myanmar Army denies the atrocities and use of excessive force against Rohingya Muslims during clearance operations that sent more than 600,000 fleeing to Bangladesh.

In its report, the Tatmadaw investigation team, led by Inspector-General of Defense Services Lt-Gen Aye Win, said that "all security personnel abided by the orders and directives of superior bodies, especially the rules of engagement — ROE — in connection with the rights of self-defense and in discharging duties during the armed conflicts and anti-terrorist operations."

The post Myanmar Army Replaces Rakhine Commander appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Nationalist Monk Denied Bail Over 2016 US Embassy Protest

Posted: 14 Nov 2017 03:07 AM PST

YANGON — Kamayut Township court in Yangon on Tuesday denied bail to U Parmoukkha, a Buddhist monk who was disrobed and detained on Sunday for staging a protest without permission last year.

U Parmoukkha was one of three Buddhist monks who were charged alongside four nationalists in August last year under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code and Section 19 of the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law for staging a protest in front of the US Embassy over the embassy's use of the term "Rohingya."

The nationalists, and many in Burma's government, refer to the Rohingya as "Bengali," implying they are migrants from Bangladesh.

The court granted U Parmoukkha bail of 2 million kyats for the charge under Section 19 of the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law, but refused it for a related charge under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code.

Violations of Section 505(b) are punishable by a maximum of two years in prison, a fine, or both, while Article 19 carries a maximum sentence of three months' imprisonment.

"We'll appeal to the district court to get bail," said U Aung Myaing, a lawyer acting for U Parmoukkha.

As of last week, U Parmoukkha and two other monks — U Pyinnya Wuntha and U Thuseitta of the Patriotic Monks Union — had still not been arrested for their role in the protest even though four nationalists who participated in the protest were sentenced to six months in prison under the same two charges in September by the same court.

U Parmoukkha was finally detained on Sunday when he went to North Dagon police station to seek permission to stage a protest over the alleged confiscation and sale of a land plot by Yangon municipality to a third party.

"Before this, Sayadaw [U Parmoukkha] had appeared at many events including the court before the very eyes of the police, but they didn't arrest him," said Ko Sithu Mayint, a disciple of U Parmaukkha.

"Sayadaw was not hiding. Police have only just arrested him, and I think it is because authorities were concerned that their [alleged] wrongdoing in issuing the land permits would be revealed," he said.

As of yesterday, it was not clear whether the police would arrest the other two monks. The court hearing for U Parmoukkha was set for Nov. 21.

After the arrest, police brought U Parmoukkha to the Sangha Maha Nayaka Committee, the regional Buddhist authority in Yangon, and asked him to leave the monkhood, which he refused to do.

The post Nationalist Monk Denied Bail Over 2016 US Embassy Protest appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

USDP-led Coalition Accuses NLD of Abusing Religion For Political Purposes

Posted: 14 Nov 2017 02:15 AM PST

YANGON — A coalition of 27 political parties headed by the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) accused the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) of abusing religion for political purposes by organizing interfaith rallies around the country.

The coalition is led by main opposition party the USDP—the previous ruling and current military proxy party started by former generals—and comprises 26 other parties, the majority of which are currently unrepresented in Parliament, including the Democratic Party Myanmar, National Democratic Force, the National Development Party, and some small ethnic parties.

The coalition issued a joint statement on Monday stressing that the usage of pictures of NLD leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the party's flag and logo at interfaith rallies organized in different cities across the country last month violated the military-drafted 2008 Constitution and the Political Parties Registration Law and called for action to be taken against the NLD.

"Interfaith rallies organized by the NLD can be considered as gatherings that showed support for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and political assemblies that would only promote image of the party's leader," the joint statement read.

"We strongly oppose the act of involving political deception in the interfaith rallies organized by the NLD," it continued.

Interfaith rallies were organized in the wake of communal divisions after August attacks and subsequent clearance operations in Rakhine State. Thousands of people including NLD-appointed chief ministers of Yangon, Mandalay and Irrawaddy divisions and regional parliamentary speakers attended the rallies.

Article 364 of the 2008 Constitution forbids the abuse of religion for political purposes. Any political party shall be forced to dismiss if there is such act of abuse according to the Political Parties Registration Law.

The USDP and several other small political parties issued multiple joint statements in recent months, expressing criticism of the government's action surrounding the Rohingya crisis and the need for the government to hold a National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) meeting in order to lay down a security policy for Rakhine State.

U Nyan Win, a member of NLD secretariat, told The Irrawaddy that interfaith events were organized with an intention for harmony and cannot be considered as abuse of religion.

"We have a different concept from them—organizing interfaith events is not an abuse of religion," he said. "It's also up to us whether we use pictures of our [party's] leader at the events or not."

The statement also mentioned that the coalition would try to submit parliamentary proposals and discussions concerning the issue in the near future.

The post USDP-led Coalition Accuses NLD of Abusing Religion For Political Purposes appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

AA Disputes Tatmadaw’s Account of Deadly Chin State Ambush

Posted: 14 Nov 2017 01:44 AM PST

In an interview with The Irrawaddy, a spokesman for the Arakan Army (AA) has claimed the group was defending its territory during an attack on a vessel that killed at least 11 Myanmar Army troops in Chin State last week. The army has described the attack as an ambush.

At least 11 Myanmar Army troops were killed and 14 wounded during a clash with the AA in the western township of Paletwa in Chin State.

The troops of the Tatmadaw, Myanmar's military, were ambushed while traveling by boat along the Kaladan River, which flows into Myanmar from eastern India and runs through Chin and Rakhine states. A university student on board the vessel was killed in the attack and three women traveling with the group were injured, according to local sources.

Paletwa is an ethnic Chin township that borders Rakhine State. The AA uses the area as a base, crossing the Kaladan River to enter Rakhine.

Fighting between the two sides has escalated since the first week of November, forcing over 300 villagers from their homes. The AA said in a statement on Nov. 5 that the Tatmadaw had stepped up its offensive activities in the area and warned people to avoid unnecessary travel.

The AA is a member of the Wa-led Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), which has called for political negotiations with the government outside the NCA (Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement) framework.

The Tatmadaw, however, considers the AA an insurgent organization threatening the country's sovereignty, and has refused to hold talks with it.

U Khaing Thu Kha, an information officer for the AA, recently talked to The Irrawaddy's senior reporter Nan Lwin Hnin Pwint about the clashes in Paletwa.

What is the latest information you have regarding the clashes in Paletwa?

The most recent clashes occurred from Nov. 1 to Nov. 10 in the upstream areas of the Kaladan River. There were fierce clashes on Nov. 7 and 8. The Myanmar military has been launching large-scale attacks in the areas we control. The clashes erupted when they attempted to penetrate our strongholds.

How many locations have seen fighting so far?

Three or four. In the Maung Bu and Saman Talan mountain ranges, the military hit us with heavy guns day and night. They also brought in reinforcements around the mouth of Kalet Creek, which led to fighting. There were also clashes near Nom Bu village. On Nov. 8 near Nom Bu, hundreds of Tatmadaw troops arrived in three vessels, and our special combat forces intercepted them. During the attack, the Tatmadaw suffered heavy casualties and many wounded.

Which AA battalion fought with the Tatmadaw?

The clashes broke out when they advanced into an area controlled by our Brigade No. 3.

The Tatmadaw says its troops were ambushed, but the AA says the fighting started when Tatmadaw troops entered an AA-controlled area. What is your response?

The answer is simple. We're not attacking their military bases; we have been defending ourselves against large-scale attacks on our bases. With peace being discussed, the Tatmadaw should not be launching serious attacks against armed ethnic groups. The government should seek to negotiate from an honorable position. Military destruction [of the groups] is not the right course.

How many casualties did the AA suffer in the Paletwa clash? 

A few fighters were wounded; we have not sustained heavy casualties so far.

In its Nov. 5 statement, the AA urged local people to resist human rights violations by the Tatmadaw. But Paletwa locals told me they disliked AA because it had planted land mines, forced them to work and seized their cattle since entering the area. How do you explain this contradiction?

We've told locals that if our troops kill their livestock without paying them, we will compensate them twice the value of the cattle. On a previous occasion when clashes occurred, we did have to slaughter villagers' cattle because we were short of food. But we paid them double compensation.

In some cases, Myanmar troops pretend to be AA fighters and seize cattle. This is common practice for the Tatmadaw. We never do things that burden local people. But the Myanmar Army does, and has been forcing villagers in and around Nom Bu to do physical labor.

Do the recent clashes pose a threat to the peace talks between the two sides?

We always keep the door open for peace. The fate of the peace talks rests entirely with the Myanmar Army. They are using force to fight their compatriots while chanting "annihilation." But we always seek to solve political problems though political negotiations.

Regarding the allegations on social media that AA is killing civilians, this is just Tatmadaw propaganda.

A student was killed and three women injured in our attack on the Tatmadaw's Light Infantry Battalion 563 near Nom Bu on Nov. 8 because they were on board a military vessel carrying food supplies.

The owner of the vessel, Aye Shwe, is married to a lieutenant in the Myanmar Army. That vessel is owned by them, and it is a military vessel. But some people said a civilian vessel had been attacked.

We issued a notice on Nov. 5 warning civilians to avoid traveling along the Kaladan River and the Kaletchaung and Pe creeks. It was not a civilian vessel, but a military vessel; they were on board and we attacked.

The post AA Disputes Tatmadaw's Account of Deadly Chin State Ambush appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ten Things to Do in Yangon This Week

Posted: 13 Nov 2017 10:57 PM PST

Back to Millennium | Nov. 18

Famous hip-hop bands from the 2000s including Acid, Theory, Examplez, Too Big, and Teens will perform at this event.

Nov. 18, 6 pm. Thuwunnabhumi Event Park, Tickets between 10,000 and 70,000 kyats at 09-250064667 and 09-455573442.

 

Lethwei Nation Fight | Nov. 19

Myanmar, Thai and Laotian fighters will compete in this event.

Nov. 19, 1 pm to 5 pm. Theinbyu Stadium, Tickets between 5,000 and 50,000 kyats at 09-964400215, 09-43164850.

 

Musical Concert | Nov. 18

A concert to mark the 97th anniversary of the University of Yangon will feature dozens of singers.

Nov. 18, 7 pm. National Theater, Tickets between 10,000 and 50,000 kyats at City Mart shopping malls and Tony Tun Tun beauty parlors.

Sunset Boat Party | Nov. 18

A number of Yangon DJs spin the latest music while the sun sets over the Yangon River.

Nov. 18, departure time: 5:30 pm. Botahtaung Jetty. Tickets at Union Bar and Grill on Strand Road.

 

Pieces of Mind – A Puppet Theater Performance | Nov. 18

Pieces of Mind is a kind of figure theatre developed by Myanmar and German puppet artists, which features a scenic kaleidoscope, where materials are shaped into figures and moments, which mirror human consciousness and feelings.

Nov. 18, 7 pm to 9 pm. Chin Chaung Palace, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road, Booking here.

 

Music for Myanmar Charity Concert | Nov. 18

Lisa Lambe and Simon Morgan, two of Ireland's accomplished singers, make their Myanmar debut to raise funds for deaf, orphaned and underprivileged children.

Nov. 18, 6:30 pm. Chatrium Hotel, Ticket price US$50 available here or 01-544500.

 

Japanese Movie Night: A Tale of Samurai Cooking | Nov. 17

This movie is about a housewife who married a Samurai cook.

Nov. 17, 6 pm to 8 pm. Japan Culture House, Room 322B, 2nd Floor, Building C, Pearl Condo, Kabar Aye Pagoda Road. Free Admission.

 

Documentary Film and Photos | Nov. 17-21

This event will feature documentary films and photos on the landscapes and cultures of ethnic people across the country.

Nov. 17-21. Gallery 65, Yaw Min Gyi Street, Dagon Tsp. Free Admission.

Kin Maung Yin Remembrance | Nov. 11-17

An art exhibition in remembrance of late artist Kin Maung Yin will showcase more than 50 of his modernist works.

Nov. 11-17, Moon Art Gallery, 35th Street, Kyauktada Tsp.

 

U Thu Kha Commemoration | Nov. 11-18

Hundreds of paintings will be showcased at this exhibition held in commemoration of late artist U Thu Kha.

Nov. 11-18. No. 84A, Thanlwin Road, Golden Hill Avenue, Golden Valley, Bahan Tsp.

The post Ten Things to Do in Yangon This Week appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Myanmar Army Denies Abuses Against Rohingya After Investigation

Posted: 13 Nov 2017 10:33 PM PST

YANGON — The Myanmar Army denied atrocities and use of excessive force against Rohingya Muslims during clearance operations that sent more than 600,000 fleeing to Bangladesh.

The international community has condemned the army for arbitrary killing, rape, torture and the torching of Rohingya homes during the counter operations in northern Rakhine State in response to Muslim militant attacks on 30 police outposts in the area. The US and EU have reimposed sanctions against army leadership while the UN Security Council called for the army to stop all violence against the minority group.

The report came before the visit of the US Secretary of the State Rex Tillerson, who will arrive in Myanmar on Wednesday.

The report on an internal investigation led by Inspector-General of Defense Services Lt-Gen Aye Win was released on Monday evening, stating that a team spent nearly a month on the ground gathering information and interviewing nearly 3,000 people, including Rakhine, Hindu and 'Bengali' [the term used for the Rohingya in the report and many others in the country implying they are interlopers from Bangladesh].

The findings of the investigation state "all security members abided by the orders and directives of superior bodies, especially the rules of engagement-ROE in connection with the rights of self-defense and in discharging duties during the armed conflicts and anti-terrorist operations."

"……the security forces opened fire with the use of small arms only without totally using heavy weapons, launchers and grenades. As such, the security forces abided by laws related to the wars in conducting area clearance operations. So, it is found that those security forces did not perform the use of excessive force," it read.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Tuesday that the army's claim is contrary to a growing body of evidence to the contrary, calling again for a UN fact-finding mission to be permitted in the region.

"The Burmese military's absurd effort to absolve itself of mass atrocities underscores why an independent international investigation is needed to establish the facts and identify those responsible," said HRW Asia Director Brad Adams. "The Burmese authorities have once again shown that they can't and won't credibly investigate themselves."

The report states that 114 people have been arrested related to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), the Muslim militant group that claimed responsibility for the August attacks and was later denounced as a terrorist group by the government.

"Members of security forces did not commit persecution against those persons in arresting. It was found that those Bengalis were exposed and arrested under provisions of the Geneva Convention and the law of wars," the army statement said, while claiming denial of the arbitrary killings, rapes and arson based on interviews with the Rohingya. The statement continued with the spurious claim that members of the ARSA torched Rohingya homes before fleeing to Bangladesh.

Regarding the exodus, the investigation claimed that villagers were lured to Bangladesh by ARSA promises of aid and resettlement or fear of being labeled traitors if they chose not to flee.

The statement concluded that security forces would continue to seek information regarding the ARSA attacks and take action.

On Friday, Maj-Gen Maung Maung Soe, the head of Western Command in Rakhine State, was replaced by Brig-Gen Soe Tint Naing, formerly a director in logistics. But the army hasn't provided any reason for the replacement yet.

The post Myanmar Army Denies Abuses Against Rohingya After Investigation appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Bob Geldof Calls Daw Aung San Suu Kyi ‘Handmaiden to Genocide’

Posted: 13 Nov 2017 08:02 PM PST

DUBLIN — Irish musician and activist Bob Geldof called Myanmar leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi “a handmaiden to genocide” on Monday as he returned his Freedom of the City of Dublin award in protest over his fellow recipient's response to the repression of Rohingya Muslims.

"I don’t want to be on a very select roll of wonderful people with a killer," Geldof told state broadcaster RTE. "Someone who is at best a handmaiden to genocide and an accomplice to murder."

More than 600,000 Muslims from Myanmar's Rakhine State have fled to refugee camps in Bangladesh after military operations described by the United Nations as ethnic cleansing.

Their plight has drawn outrage around the world. But Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, long seen as a champion of human rights, has been criticized for failing to speak out against violence. There have been calls for her to be stripped of the Nobel Peace Prize she won in 1991.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was given the Freedom of Dublin in 1999 while she was held under house arrest by Myanmar's then military government. She received her award at a reception in Ireland in 2012, two years after her release.

"Her association with our city shames us all and we should have no truck with it, even by default. We honored her, now she appalls and shames us," Geldof said in a statement.

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Micheal Mac Donncha, said the city council had discussed taking away the honor and the matter was still under review. Last month she was stripped of a similar honor by the British university city of Oxford, where she was an undergraduate.

But Mac Donncha, a councillor for the Irish nationalist Sinn Fein party, also criticized Geldof’s gesture, saying it was ironic as Geldof held a British knighthood despite "the shameful record of British imperialism across the globe."

The former Boomtown Rats singer was given an honorary knighted in 1986 in recognition of his charity work, including organizing the 1985 Live Aid concert to help those suffering from starvation and disease in Ethiopia.

Other foreign recipients of the Freedom of Dublin include John F. Kennedy, Nelson Mandela and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Irish rockers U2, who had campaigned for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's release while she was a political prisoner, also voiced disappointment and said her silence was "starting to look a lot like assent."

"Who could have predicted that if more than 600,000 people were fleeing from a brutal army for fear of their lives, the woman who many of us believed would have the clearest and loudest voice on the crisis would go quiet," the band said in a statement.

"For these atrocities against the Rohingya people to be happening on her watch blows our minds and breaks our hearts."
The Myanmar military says it launched the crackdown in response to attacks by Rohingya militants.

The post Bob Geldof Calls Daw Aung San Suu Kyi 'Handmaiden to Genocide' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

‘They Beat Him With Sticks,’ Says Villager of Killing of Myanmar Land Rights Defender

Posted: 13 Nov 2017 07:55 PM PST

MUMBAI — Campaigners demanding the return of land to villagers in northern Myanmar said their fight would go on, days after an activist was beaten to death by a mob while visiting the disputed territory on the invitation of local officials.

Htay Aung was attacked by a mob of more than 20 people in northern Shan state. He died of his injuries on Nov. 1.
A police investigation is ongoing.

"We were waiting for the officials, when about 20 villagers [of the disputed village] approached and started shouting and swearing at Htay Aung," said a man who was with him on the day.

"They beat him with bamboo sticks and sugarcane stems. We shouted at them to stop, but it was too late," said the man who asked not to be identified because he fears for his safety.

Local officials took Htay Aung to a local hospital, from where he was moved to Mandalay Hospital, where he died, the man told the Thomson Reuters Foundation through a translator.

Calls and messages to the police and government officials seeking comment were not returned.

About 70 percent of Myanmar's population lives in rural areas and depends on agriculture for a living. Few have formal titles for their land.

Disputes over land have increased significantly since Myanmar eased political and economic restrictions after 2011, which led to a rush of foreign investments and greater demand for land for industrial use.

Government officials say these projects, including mining, hydropower and large-scale agriculture, are essential for development in one of the world's poorest countries.

In 2012, Myanmar introduced new laws that permitted farmers to obtain land-use certificates aimed at according them greater security. Four years later, the country adopted a national land-use policy and introduced dispute resolution mechanisms.

Still, land deals are often marred by a lack of consultation, inadequate compensation, the absence of a resettlement policy and a lack of judicial remedies.

Alongside, arrests and prosecution of protesters and land activists have risen.

"The laws don’t protect the small farmer, and they don't adhere to international human rights guidelines," said Jennifer Horan, a researcher with Amsterdam-based advocacy group Transnational Institute that focuses on land issues.

Campaigners said government officials have said they are considering amendments to one of the laws.

But activists say the proposed amendments will further undermine the rights of ethnic communities and women, and make it harder to resolve disputes.

Htay Aung's fight will go on, despite his death, said the villager. "We will keep demanding our land back," he said.

The post ‘They Beat Him With Sticks,' Says Villager of Killing of Myanmar Land Rights Defender appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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