Democratic Voice of Burma

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• NLD request quadripartite talks on constitution
• Political prisoners to be honoured post-mortem
• Ethnic rebels conclude talks with NLD, political parties
• Burma’s judo team expect six golds
• Military land grabs leave farmers in despair
• Political prisoners committee recommends 82 more releases

NLD request quadripartite talks on constitution Posted: 25 Nov 2013 04:35 AM PST Burma's leading opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), said it sent letters on Monday to the President, the parliament and the military commander-in-chief, requesting a quadripartite meeting. NLD spokesman Nyan Win said the party wants to find a solution via political means to its proposal of amending the 2008 constitution. "According to our public surveys, the majority of people wish to see the constitution amended, and peace will not prevail unless this happens," he said. "That's why we are calling for a political discussion on the issue." When contacted by DVB, presidential spokesman Ye Htut said he could not comment on the NLD proposal as the letter was yet to arrive at the President's Office. Related Stories Ethnic rebels conclude talks with NLD, political parties NLD, other parties arrive in Chiang Mai to meet ethnic armed groups NLD's 'constitution rally' goes ahead in Naypyidaw "However, generally it has been always maintained, according to the constitution, that any amendments must be initiated by the Union Parliament," he said. The NLD made the decision to call for the quadripartite meeting at its Central Executive Committee meeting on 23 November. The NLD has been conducting surveys among public gatherings in Rangoon and other parts of the country where, it claims, the vast majority of people who answered their questionnaire said they wished to see the constitution amended as opposed to completely rewritten.

Political prisoners to be honoured post-mortem Posted: 25 Nov 2013 04:07 AM PST The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP) and Former Political Prisoners Society (FPPS) have pledged to provide a certificate of honour and a donation of one million kyat (over US$1,000) to each of the families of some 50 political activists who died in Burmese prisons during the period of military junta rule since 1988. The AAPP's joint-secretary Bo Kyi said, as an initial step, the two groups will provide the certificates and compensation awards to some 50 families of known political activists who died in prisons or interrogation centres throughout that era. "We have nominated the families of 50 political prisoners and so far managed to reach out to about 40 of them," said Bo Kyi at a press conference at the FPPS office in Rangoon on 24 November. "Our aim is to give recognition to the activists who worked and died for democracy and human rights, and to offer moral support to their loved ones." Related Stories Political prisoners committee recommends 82 more releases Copper mine protestors given one-month sentences in Rangoon Ne Win's grandson urges govt to free more prisoners, including convicts Thet Oo of the FPPS said that anyone who knows of or knew a political activist who died in detention can still nominate them. "We would like to honour and provide assistance to the families of those who died in prisons and interrogation centres – and we would like to inform them through the media about our initiative so they can come and contact us," he said. According to the AAPP, at least 162 activists died in prison or shortly after being released from prison between 1988 and 2013.

Ethnic rebels conclude talks with NLD, political parties Posted: 25 Nov 2013 03:21 AM PST Leading officials from 11 political parties based in Burma concluded talks on Saturday with representatives of ethnic armed groups, as well as exiled political groups and civic society organisations, in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. Discussions at the meeting on 22- 23 November, which was hosted by the Myanmar Peace Centre, focused on the current peace process and ongoing negotiations between the ethnic rebels and the Burmese government. At the opening speech of the conference, Zaw Aye Maung of the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party said, "We are looking at candid discussions on Burma's democratic reforms, how they are taking place and where they lead to, and what the challenges are, and ways to deal with them." Related Stories NLD request quadripartite talks on constitution NLD, other parties arrive in Chiang Mai to meet ethnic armed groups Gun Maw calls on public to help peace process Sai Nyunt Lwin, the general secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy, said, "This meeting was mainly to exchange points of views. It doesn't involve making agreements or putting signatures to anything. Instead we are aiming to learn different perspectives. It is inevitable that we have to meet each other while we are introducing a multi-party democratic system to our country. It's better we meet sooner rather than later." Chin National Party Chairman Zozam told DVB as he arrived at Chiang Mai International Airport on Thursday that a meeting with the armed groups was something he never dreamed would happen. "This is something we couldn't even dream of and it signifies that political changes are taking place [in Burma] – by allowing political leaders in the country to meet with their brothers and sisters in exile. While it might not be considered substantial, the opportunity to meet with the exiled activists is priceless," said Zozam.

Burma’s judo team expect six golds Posted: 24 Nov 2013 10:54 PM PST Burma's national judo players are hopeful the team will win at least six gold medals at the 27th SEA Games due to kick off in Naypyidaw in three weeks' time. A total of 18 gold medals (as well as 18 silvers and bronzes) are reserved for the judo competitions at the upcoming games, including contests in both combative and demonstrative pursuits. Burmese judo champion Aye Aye Aung, a reigning gold medalist from the last SEA Games who is tipped to win again, said, "One of my main rivals is from Vietnam, someone I have faced in several previous finals and who I regard as my main competition. He is taller than me – we are equally as powerful, but I am quicker. "In front of our home crowd, I am very hopeful of winning the gold medal," he said. Related Stories DVB Debate: How prepared is Burma for the SEA Games? NLD refused permit to stage 'constitution rally' in Naypyidaw Burma looks to its lucky stars for SEA Games success Most Burmese judo players or judoka expect to face the fiercest competition from Vietnamese, Indonesian and Thai judoka. Several are highly reputed worldwide in the sport and have trained in Japan, the homeland of judo. Kat Cin Pao, another judoka representing Burma, said: "We are much better than before – and with the privilege this year of competing at home, I believe we will win." And Burma's first ever gold medalist in judo, Than Maung, who is now chief coach of the national team, has echoed the sentiment that his team can be cheered on to victory.

Military land grabs leave farmers in despair Posted: 24 Nov 2013 07:56 PM PST In Khanaung Chaung Wa Village, in Dalla township just south of Rangoon, 44 people have been driven from their homes since August this year. Five hundred acres of the land they have farmed for generations have been confiscated by the military to make way for a naval storage base. Farmers who resisted were forced to relocate. “I refused to obey the government request to move from my house. They told me they would return in three days. Then a couple of days later they came and destroyed my home. I got a camera and took photos of what happened. Ten soldiers tried to stop me,” said Soe Soe Myint. Despite praise for recent reforms in Burma, for farmers who happen to be in the way of military plans, rights haven't improved. Land grabs are widespread and continuing, and ownership of land in is dictated by the rich and well connected. Regardless of the fact they have cultivated this land for generations, the farmers of Khanaung Chaung Wa don't officially own the land. Three months ago the area was declared a restrictive zone under Burma's notorious Section 144 curfew law and the villagers were told they had to go. The 144 curfew is a provision that gives authorities emergency powers to control public order. Village spokesperson Kyi Soe says the provision is being misused and is not supposed to be used in peaceful areas. Related Stories Latpadaung committee pledges US$1.68 million for local development Tavoy farmers demand return of lands seized in 1990 Shan dam causes waves "If the farmers don't move, they [security personnel] will come at night and destroy everything. According to Section 144, they have the authority to shoot farmers." The villagers lodged a complaint with parliament, but despite their attempt to reach out to the authorities, their homes have now all been destroyed. Some have moved to the nearest town to work as street vendors while others have built temporary shelters just outside the restricted zone. Farmer Htun Ko Ko Oo says without their crops the families are struggling to get food. “No business is allowed – as we are all farmers around here, that's all we know,” he said. “Without farms we face uncertainty with food and despair for our futures. We know great hardships are coming. We don't even have access to our own water – we don't own even an inch of land.” Their paddy fields have now been destroyed by chemicals to stop them from entering the area. They have no way to earn a living. The farmers are still waiting for a response to their case from the parliament. For now they struggle to survive, just yards away from the land they use to own.

Political prisoners committee recommends 82 more releases Posted: 24 Nov 2013 07:55 PM PST Burma's Committee for Scrutinizing Remaining Prisoners of Conscience is to submit a list recommending the release of 82 political prisoners and charges dropped against more than 200 persons who were detained under Section 18 – the Peaceful Assembly and Procession Law, according to state-run media. The New Light of Myanmar on Sunday quoted committee member Ye Aung, himself a former political prisoner, as saying the committee is "trying hard" to secure the release of the prisoners before the end of this year. "A list containing 82 remaining political prisoners and more than 200 who were charged under Section 18 will be submitted to the government," he is quoted as saying at Myanmar Peace Center in Rangoon on Sunday. Focus is being placed not only on political prisoners but also on those charged under Section 18 and imprisoned for many years," Related Stories Political prisoners to be honoured post-mortem NLD, other parties arrive in Chiang Mai to meet ethnic armed groups Copper mine protestors given one-month sentences in Rangoon Another committee member, Bo Kyi of Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, reportedly said about 265 persons had been charged under Section 18, but said there may be more that the committee is unaware of. On 15 November, 69 prisoners of conscience were released, including prominent anti-mine activist Naw Ohn Hla.

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