Wednesday, December 6, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Civil Society Organizations Seek Greater Participation in Panglong Peace Conference

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 07:10 AM PST

YANGON—Civil society organizations (CSOs) specializing in conflict resolution have asked that they be allowed to send delegates to the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference and called for an equal opportunity to participate in discussions on all topics related to peace.

The CSOs made the request in an open letter to leaders of the peace process including State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

Some 145 representatives of 92 CSOs participated in the 17th Civil Society Forum for Peace (CSFoP) in Yangon on Dec. 4-5. They discussed key developments and challenges facing the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference, including women's and security affairs, as well as the current conditions faced by people living in the country's various states and regions.

In the open letter published Wednesday, the representatives made more than a dozen recommendations concerning the 21st Century Panglong Peace Conference, military affairs and joint monitoring of ceasefires.

Mi Kun Chan Non, a spokesperson for the Mon Women's Organization and a delegate to the CSFoP, told The Irrawaddy that CSFoP representatives should be entitled to delegate status at the Panglong conferences, rather than their current role as observers

"CSO members include many resourceful individuals with expertise in different sectors. They are able to provide input and suggestions for all five sectors — political, economic, social, security, and land and environmental affairs — of the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee," Mi Kun Chan Non said.

The government has been criticized for failing to recognize CSOs' contributions to the peace process.

The open letter also called for a review of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in order to further its goals of national reconciliation and peace. The CSO representatives urged the leading stakeholders to publicize the results of their meetings and the records of political dialogues held at each stage.

It also urged the Tatmadaw — the Myanmar Army — and all ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) to declare a joint nationwide ceasefire. A similar ceasefire proposal has been put forward for negotiation by a separate bloc of EAOs, the United Nationalities Federal Council. The UNFC has proposed eight points for discussion that would allow its members to sign the NCA if the government and Tatmadaw agree to its terms.

The third session of the 21st Century Panglong Union Peace Conference is scheduled to convene in the last week of January, according to the 6th Joint Implementation Coordination Meeting held in late November.

The post Civil Society Organizations Seek Greater Participation in Panglong Peace Conference appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rakhine Lawmakers Push for Regional Minister’s Impeachment

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 05:33 AM PST

YANGON—Rakhine State Lower House Speaker San Kyaw Hla on Monday established a five-member team to investigate lawmakers' claims that state Municipal Affairs Minister Min Aung has failed to perform his duties properly.

Lawmakers said they were not properly consulted on the state budget the minister presented to Parliament, and have raised concerns about what they claim are his careless comments on sensitive issues.

On Nov. 29, 17 members of the state Parliament from the Arakan National Party (ANP), the National League for Democracy (NLD) and Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) lodged a letter of complaint against Min Aung. San Kyaw Hla has declined to disclose the lawmakers' identities or specific charges.

Of the seats in the Rakhine Parliament, nine are held by the NLD, three by the USDP, 21 by the ANP, one by an independent and 12 are reserved for the military.

In accordance with parliamentary procedure, the House speaker established an investigative panel that includes at least one representative of each political party. According to an official announcement released by Parliament, lawmakers have demanded the minister be impeached, claiming his dereliction of duty has harmed the nation and the public interest.

Responding to the move, Min Aung said, "I have no idea about the accusations. I will be able to tell you more after Parliament resolves it." The minister will get a chance to defend himself when the state Parliament resumes its regular session on Dec. 19.

NLD-appointed Min Aung is the first regional government minister to be targeted for impeachment since the current Union government took power two years ago. He is also the spokesperson for the State Government, frequently appearing alongside Chief Minister Nyi Pu.

A member of the investigation team, NLD lawmaker Naing Kywe Aye, told The Irrawaddy over the phone on Wednesday that lawmakers would submit details to the House speaker during the forthcoming parliamentary session to assist the panel in establishing whether the minister is guilty or not.

The lawmaker cited the dissatisfaction expressed by MPs during a parliamentary session earlier this week after Min Aung presented the government's budget for fiscal 2018-19 and announced a tender for a project to develop three-story markets in Gwa, Tungup, and Kyauktaw without seeking parliamentary approval for the projects.

Asked by The Irrawaddy whether the regional minister had violated parliamentary procedure, Naing Kywe Aye said, "Of course. Even after the regional Parliament approves the fiscal year budget, it still needs the approval of the Union Parliament. After that, a tender process can start. I think lawmakers will add that as one of the topics [to be investigated]."

Naing Kywe Aye admitted that Parliament had received several complaints related to Min Aung's lack of transparency in handling construction project tenders.

"To verify the cases, we will summon some of the losing bidders who filed complaint letters," he said.

Online, there has been much discussion of the fact that this is not the first time tension has flared between the ANP and the NLD. In March 2016, Arakanese lawmakers walked out of Parliament to protest Nyi Pu's was appointed chief minister.

Several outspoken lawmakers have complained that state Cabinet members consistently ignore the role of elected civilian lawmakers.

"Whenever Cabinet members are called on to answer questions in Parliament, one regional minister attends and offers incomplete answers to lawmakers' questions on behalf of the other ministers. Then they decline to answer follow-up questions from legislators," Naing Kywe Aye said.

Than Maung Oo, an independent Arakanese lawmaker representing Ramree constituency (2), said a rift had developed between lawmakers and state-level Cabinet members over the ministers' refusal to provide comprehensive answers to lawmakers' questions.

He corroborated Naing Kywe Aye's claim that the 2018-19 fiscal year budget was drafted by government officials and submitted to the Parliament without going through a consultation process involving lawmakers.

Lawmakers oppose the proposed budget, claiming government bureaucrats have allocated huge sums to their departments, in amounts that exceed the development budget for the entire state.

Than Maung Oo said there were not enough ministers in the current state government to properly handle all of the Cabinet portfolios. "Take the Agriculture and Livestock Ministry, for example. It has 12 directors general. So one minister cannot keep track of what their staff are doing on the ground," the lawmaker said. After coming to power, the NLD consolidated the state Cabinet, reducing the number of ministries to six (not including the Ministry of Border Affairs, which is fully controlled by the Myanmar Army). As a result, each minister has to manage nearly a dozen departments, stretching the capabilities of less experienced ministers in particular, critics of the policy say.

Lawmakers also accuse Min Aung of having been careless on several occasions in his comments about sensitive questions raised in Parliament.

"Speaking in Parliament on behalf of the border affairs minister, he recklessly answered questions regarding an incident that left a number of local people dead before the Aug. 25 serial attacks," Than Maung Oo said.

The post Rakhine Lawmakers Push for Regional Minister's Impeachment appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Two Northern Alliance Members Reportedly Clash in Shan State

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 03:49 AM PST

Clashes broke out on Tuesday night between members of the Northern Alliance armed groups the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) in Namtu Township, according to local sources.

Two army officers from the SSA-N, the armed wing of the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP), told The Irrawaddy that fighting continued throughout the night.

"We heard our troops clashed with the TNLA, but we do not yet know the exact reason why," said Col Sai Su and Col Sai Phone Han from the SSA-N.

"We will provide detailed information when we get the ground report," said Col Sai Su.

The clash broke out around 9 p.m. near Mong Yin, where TNLA troops came to launch an anti-drug campaign, according to local sources in Namtu town.

Shan and Palaung (Ta'ang) people live in Mong Yin, but the majority are Shan, according to Tar Hla Kyaw, a resident in Namtu.

"We heard that the Shan disliked that the Palaung came to launch an anti-drug campaign," said Tar Hla Kyaw.

Locals say that tension escalated over the past few days leading to the clash.

However, the TNLA's Information Department issued a statement that fighting broke out between the TNLA and the Myanmar Army in the Mong Yin area but did not mention fighting between the two Northern Alliance members.

The TNLA report stated that fighting broke out at 10 a.m. in Mong Yin between the TNLA and Infantry Battalion 344 of the Myanmar Army.

Brig-Gen Tar Phone Kyaw of the TNLA told The Irrawaddy that he did not hear about clashes between his troops and the SSA-N.

The TNLA and SSPP are both members of the Northern Alliance bloc. They have joint forces in northern Shan but ground troops occasionally clash due to territory disputes.

The TNLA and SSPP have not signed nationwide ceasefire agreement yet. The two groups have had numerous clashes with the Myanmar Army in northern Shan State.

The post Two Northern Alliance Members Reportedly Clash in Shan State appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Nationalist Group Members’ Bid to Form Political Party Rejected

Posted: 06 Dec 2017 02:49 AM PST

NAYPYITAW — The Union Election Commission (UEC) has rejected an application to form a political party filed by a group of laypersons belonging to the ultranationalist Buddhist association Ma Ba Tha.

The UEC rejected the application at its meeting on Nov. 23, saying some of the group's members were not in compliance with the Political Parties Registration Law.

"We'll ask [the UEC] what 'not in compliance with the Political Parties Registration Law' means. The UEC said some [members] are not in compliance. So, we'll ask who they are. For example, if there are three members who are in violation, can we replace them and resubmit the application? We'll ask it for clarification within a few days," Maung Thway Chon, one of the leaders of the proposed party, told The Irrawaddy.

Maung Thway Chon accused the UEC of discriminating against Ma Ba Tha, which has locked horns with the National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government several times over the past year.

"Their denial of our request to form a party, before we have had a chance to act [as a party], is a suppression of nationalism and goes against democratic norms," Maung Thway Chon said.

Ma Ba Tha grew out of 969, a nationalist movement established in 2012 to organize boycotts of Muslim-owned businesses. In 2013, 969 members rebranded the group as the Association for Protection of Race and Religion, commonly known by its Burmese acronym Ma Ba Tha.

The row between Ma Ba Tha and the government erupted when Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein described the group as "unnecessary" while addressing a gathering of Myanmar residents of Singapore in June 2016.

Ma Ba Tha demanded that President Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi take action against the chief minister over the criticism. Their demand was ignored and the state-backed clerical organization Ma Ha Na announced that Ma Ba Tha was not a "lawful monks' association" as "it was not formed in accordance with the country's monastic rules."

Ma Ba Tha has since accused the government of favoring Muslims and failing to protect Buddhism. Some of its leading members, including U Wirathu, have preached anti-Muslim sermons, while Ma Ba Tha has produced a number of publications, overseen by Maung Thway Chon, that regularly feature anti-Muslim articles.

In May, Ma Ha Na banned Ma Ba Tha from operating under its current name and ordered that its signboards be taken down across the country by July 15. Since then, Ma Ba Tha has rebranded itself as the Buddha Dhamma Charity Foundation.

In late May, as Ma Ba Tha celebrated its fourth anniversary, Maung Thway Chon unveiled a plan to form a political party that he said would work for the national interest, unity and sovereignty.

He said Ma Ba Tha had 10 million members in nearly 300 townships across the country.

"It doesn't mean they all have to be members [of the new party]. If they want to protect race and religion, they are welcome. Non-members are encouraged to join as well," he told The Irrawaddy in May.

He said the party would work separately from Ma Ba Tha, and would be a distinct entity engaged solely in politics.

"If the UEC rejects us again, we will submit a writ," he said.

U Ye Htun, a former Lower House lawmaker representing Shan State's Hsipaw Township, said the UEC might be concerned that the party intends to exploit religious feelings for political purposes, which is banned under the 2008 Constitution.

"I don't know which provisions their members are not in compliance with. The UEC needs to clarify this. At the same time, political parties must steer clear of religion," said U Ye Htun.

Asked about the reason for the rejection, UEC chairman U Hla Thein referred The Irrawaddy to the agency's letter to Ma Ba Tha and declined to comment further.

Lower-ranking UEC officials said the decision was made by the UEC leadership, adding that they did not know the reason for the rejection.

There are currently 95 political parties in Myanmar, according to the UEC's website.

The post Nationalist Group Members' Bid to Form Political Party Rejected appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt, Employers, Employees Set to Meet to Discuss Minimum Wage

Posted: 05 Dec 2017 11:47 PM PST

YANGON — The government will meet with employer and employee representatives later this month in hopes of bridging the wide gap between the two groups' competing proposals for a new minimum wage.

"We plan to hold a forum in the third week of December in Yangon. Parliamentary committees will also be present," U Win Shein, director-general of the Directorate of Labor at the Ministry of Labor, Immigration and Population, told The Irrawaddy.

Employees have proposed a new rate of 5,600 kyats (about $4.11) for an eight-hour work day, a significant increase over the current rate of 3,600 kyats. Employers have proposed a new rate of approximately 4,000 kyats.

U Khin Maung Aye, chairman of a garment manufacturers association at the Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone, called the employees' proposal "unreasonable."

"Roughly speaking, it should be fine to pay around 4,000 kyats. We can't afford to pay more than that. If we do, we will go into the red," he said.

However, the average daily expense of an individual worker is around 6,600 kyats, according to a survey by the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM).

"We will hold discussions and propose a rate based on that fact," Ko Win Zaw, a CTUM central executive committee member, told The Irrawaddy.

On Sunday, hundreds of workers staged protests in Yangon and Mandalay to demand a 5,600 kyats minimum wage.

In February, the National Minimum Wage Committee, tasked with determining the minimum wage, was reformed with economists, officials of relevant ministries and representatives from labor and employer groups.

Since then it has met three times. It met most recently in October, when minimum wage committees from the regions and states discussed their survey results and tentatively agreed to a new rate of between 4,000 and 4,800 kyats.

According to the Directorate of Labor, the coming meeting is likely to finalize the rate, which will then be sent to Parliament for approval.

The Minimum Wage Law was enacted in March 2013. The current wage of 3,600 kyats came into effect on Sept. 1 the same year.

It applies nationwide to workers across all sectors, except small and family-run businesses that employ fewer than 15 people.

According to the law a new rate must be set every two years.

The post Govt, Employers, Employees Set to Meet to Discuss Minimum Wage appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Myanmar Forces May Be Guilty of Genocide Against Rohingya, UN Says

Posted: 05 Dec 2017 08:58 PM PST

GENEVA — Myanmar's security forces may be guilty of genocide against the Rohingya Muslim minority and more of them are fleeing despite a deal between Myanmar and Bangladesh to send them home, the top UN human rights official said on Tuesday.

The United Nations defines genocide as acts meant to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group in whole or in part. Such a designation is rare under international law, but has been used in contexts including Bosnia, Sudan and an Islamic State campaign against the Yazidi communities in Iraq and Syria.

Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, was addressing a special session of the Human Rights Council which later adopted a resolution condemning "the very likely commission of crimes against humanity" by security forces and others against Rohingya.

Myanmar's ambassador Htin Lynn said his government "disassociated" itself from the text and denounced what he called "politicization and partiality."

Zeid, who has described the campaign in the past as a "textbook case of ethnic cleansing," said that none of the 626,000 Rohingya who have fled violence to Bangladesh since August should be repatriated to Myanmar unless there was robust monitoring on the ground. He described reports of "acts of appalling barbarity committed against the Rohingya, including deliberately burning people to death inside their homes, murders of children and adults; indiscriminate shooting of fleeing civilians; widespread rapes of women and girls, and the burning and destruction of houses, schools, markets and mosques."

"Can anyone – can anyone – rule out that elements of genocide may be present?" he told the 47-member state forum.

Shahriar Alam, Bangladesh's junior foreign affairs minister, told the session in Geneva that his country was hosting nearly one million "Myanmar nationals" following executions and rapes.

Mainly Buddhist Myanmar denies the Muslim Rohingya are its citizens and considers them foreigners.

These crimes had been "perpetrated by Myanmar security forces and extremist Buddhist vigilantes," Alam said, calling for an end to what he called "xenophobic rhetoric..including from higher echelons of the government and the military."

Criminal Investigations

Prosecutions for the violence and rapes against Rohingya by security forces and civilians "appear extremely rare," Zeid said.

Marzuki Darusman, head of an independent international fact-finding mission on Myanmar, said by video from Malaysia: "We will go where the evidence leads us."

His team has interviewed Rohingya refugees, including children in the Bangladeshi port city of Cox's Bazar, who recounted "acts of extreme brutality" and "displayed signs of severe trauma."

Myanmar has not granted the investigators access to Rakhine, the northern state from which the Rohingya have fled, Darusman said. "We maintain hope that it will be granted early in 2018."

Pramila Patten, special envoy of the UN Secretary-General on sexual violence in conflict, who interviewed survivors in Bangladesh in November, said: "I heard the most heart-breaking and horrific accounts of sexual atrocities reportedly committed in cold blood out of a lethal hatred of these people solely on the basis of their ethnicity and religion."

Crimes included "rape, gang rape by multiple soldiers, forced public nudity and humiliation, and sexual slavery in military captivity," Patten said.

Myanmar denies committing atrocities against the Rohingya. Its envoy Htin, referring to the accounts, said: "People will say what they wanted to believe and sometimes they will say what they were told to say."

Kelley Currie, US ambassador to the UN Economic and Social Council, said the Rohingya's lack of Myanmar citizenship was "the fundamental root cause of this crisis," adding: "Stop denying the seriousness of the current situation."

The post Myanmar Forces May Be Guilty of Genocide Against Rohingya, UN Says appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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