Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Ne Win’s grandson urges govt to free more prisoners, including convicts
• The stigma of HIV/AIDS in Little Burma
• NLD refused permit to stage ‘constitution rally’ in Naypyidaw
• Four Kachin IDPs sentenced for ‘unlawful association’
• Thai firm reacts after Dawei seizure rumours

Ne Win’s grandson urges govt to free more prisoners, including convicts Posted: 16 Nov 2013 02:21 AM PST Released on Friday from Insein prison after more than 10 years behind bars, Kyaw Ne Win, the grandson of former military strongman Gen. Ne Win, urged the Burmese government to release not only all the political detainees, but other convicts "who deserve to be free". Sixty-nine political prisoners were released from prisons across Burma on Friday after a presidential amnesty was declared on the recommendation of the government-appointed Political Prisoners Assessment Committee. Among them were Kyaw Ne Win and Aye Ne Win, two grandsons of ex-dictator Ne Win, the military general who ruled Burma with an iron fist from 1962 till 1988. Shortly before Ne Win's death in December 2002, his son-in-law, Aye Zaw Win, was implicated in an alleged plot to overthrow the military junta. Along with his wife Sandar Win (well-known at the time as Ne Win's favoured daughter) and his three sons (Aye Ne Win, Kyaw Ne Win and Zwe Ne Win), the family were each found guilty of treason and given suspended death sentences. Related Stories Nearly 70 political prisoners freed in Burma Release of political prisoners discussed in Rangoon Over 99 percent of Rangoonites support amending the constitution, says NLD Sandar Win was freed in 2008 while Aye Zaw Win and Zwe Ne Win were released in a presidential amnesty in January 2012. Speaking to the media in Rangoon after his release on Friday, Kyaw Ne Win said that the release of prisoners does not cost money from anyone's pockets. "There were many prisoners [I met in prison] who should be set free," he said. "The president and the parliament are the father of the country. But prisoners are also members of that family." In an interview the same day, Kyaw Ne Win told Eleven Media that he had no plans to enter politics, however he said he would do whatever it took to stop foreigners "trespassing on Burmese territory, insulting our sovereignty, and damaging the role of the army," as well as "protecting the country's race and religion, and from secessions from the state". He reportedly told Eleven Media he regarded himself as a "military dog". "If a military commander or an officer offered his hand, I will offer mine," said Kyaw Ne Win. "If he tells me to bite someone, I will bite."

The stigma of HIV/AIDS in Little Burma Posted: 16 Nov 2013 01:37 AM PST It's low paid, difficult and often dangerous work. But Thailand's fishing industry provides employment for tens of thousands of Burmese migrants who have fled their country in search of a better life. Many of them work in Mahachai – nicknamed Little Burma – 45 kilometers southwest of Bangkok. Most dockworkers here earn the minimum wage of 200 Baht, or six dollars a day. The workers face numerous hazards. About a third of them are not officially registered, making them targets for harassment by extortion gangs and the authorities. They are poorly educated and dream of one day returning home. But many of them also enjoy new freedoms that were taboo in their own country, including sexual experimentation and multiple partners. And that makes them vulnerable to HIV, especially the younger workers. "The majority of HIV infections among Burmese migrant workers is among the 15 to 25-year-olds", said Zayar Lin from Foundation for Education and Development. "That is because of two reasons, the first being that they want to explore more, the second is the low awareness of HIV and AIDS." He said the problem is you don't really talk about these things in Burma, so when young Burmese come to Thailand, they have lots of opportunities to experiment, but they lack basic knowledge of how to protect themselves from Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). And they don't know the dangers of HIV. Related Stories MSF suspends Pauktaw operations after 'misunderstandings' DVB Debate: Burmacare – developing the healthcare system in Burma Burmese migrant group files formal complaint against Thai police The Raks Thai Foundation runs a drop-in center, an informal place where Burmese migrants can safely access information about HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Here Burmese migrants are shown how to use condoms and protect themselves from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. They can also access peer support services and counseling. New is a Peer Support Counselor at The Buddy Center. "They need to know more, so they read information, education and communication pamphlets here so they will learn about the transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted infections, and how to prevent HIV and STIs." The center provides services and knowledge that most of the migrant workers and their families did not have access to in Burma, officially known as Myanmar. Forty-two-year-old Tin Tin Aye has been coming to the center since her husband died of an AIDS-related illness seven years ago. "I had heard about HIV but I had never seen or used a condom when I was living in Burma," she said. Migrant workers can also obtain referrals for health check-ups, treatment and support from a nearby clinic. But despite Raks Thai being a "safe place" that offers anonymity, many Burmese still fear stigma and discrimination if they contract HIV. "When they are HIV positive they don't want to tell their relatives, their husband or their wife, especially when they become very, very ill and nobody takes care of them", said health advisor Dr Khin Thant Zin. "At that time they come to Raks Thai instead. Usually they are afraid of discrimination and stigma in their community, that's why they come to us very late." International agencies have been working for many years to improve working conditions and legal rights for some 2.5 million Burmese migrant workers in Thailand, and have made strides in some areas. Yoshiteru Uramoto is the Asia Pacific Regional Director of International Labour Organisation (ILO). He said that Thailand has done a good job compared to other Asian countries, but thinks the ideal situation would be if the migrant workers get integrated under the social protection scheme. "Fishing and non-commercial vessels is an area that we need to still give some attention," he said. "But I think we are very much into introducing some institutional arrangements, legal measures. Humanitarian assistance is important, that's the start, but we also need to have some institutions to protect migrant workers from all sorts of issues, and HIV is one of them." The 11th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP 2013) will be held on 18-23 November 2013, in Bangkok, Thailand. The theme is "Asia/Pacific Reaching Triple Zero: Investing in Innovation".

NLD refused permit to stage ‘constitution rally’ in Naypyidaw Posted: 15 Nov 2013 11:34 PM PST The National League for Democracy (NLD) has been refused permission by police in Naypyidaw to conduct a survey to measure public perception of constitutional reform, the Burmese opposition party said. The NLD had scheduled a meeting to be held on Monday in Zabu Thiri Township in Naypyidaw, however the local police station denied the party a permit on the grounds that it had not supplied all the necessary documents, a party MP told DVB. The party was also told they could not hold such a meeting so close to government offices and at a time when schools and offices are open, said NLD MP Min Thu. Related Stories Amending constitution is imperative, Suu Kyi tells EU delegation Burma looks to its lucky stars for SEA Games success Over 99 percent of Rangoonites support amending the constitution, says NLD However, Min Thu said the party's plan to hold a public referendum on the constitution was in accordance with the law and that the NLD organisers had provided all the relevant documents to authorities except the requested signatures of each speech-giver scheduled for the event. "The rule that a political rally cannot be held at a place which is close to government offices, schools or religious buildings has recently been abolished by the Union Election Commission. So this is not a concrete reason," said Min Thu. "The avenue [where we intend to stage the event] is very wide and will not cause a traffic jam or disturb local people." NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi was one of several key speakers scheduled for Monday's meeting, alongside Win Myint and Aung Kyi Nyunt. Burma's main opposition party has been conducting a road trip of public events in Rangoon and other cities in recent weeks, talking to public gatherings and NLD supporters about the 2008 constitution and the party's desire to have it amended or rewritten. The NLD have claimed that their opinion polls show that 99 percent of 20,000 Rangoon voters interviewed said they favoured amending the constitution.

Four Kachin IDPs sentenced for ‘unlawful association’ Posted: 15 Nov 2013 10:53 PM PST While the Burmese government released 69 political prisoners on Friday, a Myitkyina court on the same day sentenced four Kachin Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to terms of two years in prison for being in contact with the outlawed Kachin Independence Army (KIA). According to their lawyer, Myitkyina Township and District Court charged six IDPs in June 2012 under the controversial Unlawful Associations Act. On Friday the court sentenced Lahpai Gun, Brang Yone, Zaw Bauk and La Ring to two years while Karyar Nandar and Lamar Aung were set free. Those sentenced, with the exception of Zaw Bauk, are also due to face charges under the Explosions Act. Speaking to DVB on Saturday, the IDPs' lawyer Mar Khar said the court neglected to consider his testimony and his clients' argument that they never made contact with the KIA. Related Stories Burmese army compromises for sake of peace, says Lt-Gen Myint Soe Kachins flee to displacement camps following military clashes in Bhamo Nationwide ceasefire, political dialogue appear on the horizon "In summarizing, the judge said that the accused men did not deny contacting the KIA," he said. "In fact, my clients refuted all claims that they had contact with the KIA and our witnesses backed this up. This sentence is totally unfair." The lawyer also alleged that during interrogation, the Kachin refugees were tortured by security forces. "These high-ranking officers' ignorance of human rights and flagrant abuse of the law could impact the peace process," he said. The Asian Human Rights Commission lists 36 cases of people being arrested and tortured by security forces in Kachin State in 2012 for allegedly having "unlawful" contact with the KIA. Similarly, another Kachin IDP, Lahtaw Brang Shawng, was sentenced to two years in prison under the Unlawful Associations Act in July 2012 but was freed as part of a presidential amnesty in June.

Thai firm reacts after Dawei seizure rumours Posted: 15 Nov 2013 08:59 PM PST Italian-Thai Development Plc (ITD) is ready to defend itself if the Burmese government decides to seize the concession of the Dawei megaproject awarded to the Thai contractor but says it has not been informed about any such decision. Executives of ITD, Thailand’s largest construction company, and Dawei Development Co (DDC) said they are surprised by remarks made by Thai Energy Minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal that the Burmese government is preparing to end the concession with ITD. Mr Pongsak, who was recently named head of a special task force to kick-start the massive project in eastern Burma, said the Burmese government plans to call for international bidding for Dawei early next year. The Thai and Burmese governments expect to reach an agreement on a financial adviser at a meeting of the Joint Coordinating Committee on Dawei and surrounding areas this month in order to conduct due diligence of ITD’s assets in Dawei, said Mr Pongsak. Related Stories Tavoy farmers demand return of lands seized in 1990 Business Weekly Thai govt tries to breathe life into Dawei ITD was granted a 75-year concession from the Burmese government to develop a special economic zone and deep-sea port in Dawei, but the project has struggled to get off the ground, given the massive investment required. “We have no clue about such a decision by the Burmese government,” said DDC managing director Somchet Thinaphong. “Both governments agreed this is a special-purpose vehicle (SPV) and that special-purpose companies (SPCs) will be set up to handle the investments in Dawei.” The SPV will be a joint venture between the Thai and Burmese governments, with the Japanese government invited to join. SPCs can be set up with investors including ITD itself investing in Dawei projects. “Claims the Dawei project has progressed slowly from its original plan are defensible, I think. There have been delays on both sides, as Burma has been slow in granting permits,” Mr Somchet told the Bangkok Post. Kiwamu Honda, a senior adviser to DDC’s chairman and an adviser to ITD’s president, was also unaware of any news. “If they made that decision, we should have been informed,” he said, adding that so far complaints about project delays have not been an issue. Mr Pongsak, who went to Dawei last week, said the Burmese government wants to see progress on the project after several years of delays. The National Economic and Social Development Board is studying what infrastructures should be developed at Dawei and what should be done next. The Burmese government wants only light industries such as textiles, food and electronic parts to be developed at Dawei, said Mr Pongsak. This article was originally published in the Bangkok Post on 16 November 2013.

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