Democratic Voice of Burma

---

• Govt calls time on imported alcohol
• Forty-one political prisoners released
• Living in serenity is best medicine, says Suu Kyi
• Even the rain won’t dampen Naypyidaw’s moment in the sun
• Two sentenced for murder in Mrauk-U massacre
• Rohingya are an indigenous people of Burma: OIC Sec-Gen

Govt calls time on imported alcohol Posted: 11 Dec 2013 04:04 AM PST Supermarkets in Rangoon are emptying their shelves of foreign brands of alcohol and cigarettes, after a government crackdown on illegal foreign imported goods. Four distributor warehouses have been raided by government inspection teams and have had their stock confiscated in the last few months. Marketing Manager for City Mart Holding Co, May Zin Soe, said the crackdown has forced supermarkets like hers, to stop selling foreign imports. "If we are not allowed to sell, then we are not allowed to sell," she said. "The foreign brands have been sold for years. It's not just us who face a ban – every importer is in the same situation." The sale of foreign-made alcohol and cigarettes has been banned in Burma since 1996, although some selected hotels were given government import licenses and could sell imported goods. Despite the ban, foreign alcohol and cigarettes have been widely available in the country. In September, the government stopped turning a blind eye and began to raid distributor warehouses suspected of illegally importing goods. According to a report by Al jazeera, 89,000 bottles of whiskey, wine and beer were seized from one distributor alone in Rangoon. Related Stories Business Weekly Burma and the Philippines pledge increased trade and investment Thein Sein arrives in Manila for trade talks with Aquino The government said the recent raids are efforts to stop illegal imports and protect local producers. But distributors have criticised the move, saying the government should be more transparent with the country's trade policies. Nyunt Aung, a supervisor on the Rangoon Mobile Team, tasked with inspecting the warehouses, told DVB they would not be raiding supermarkets just yet. "We are not inspecting shops and supermarkets at the moment. That is a part of the plan but will come later as we are implementing the tasks phase by phase," he said. Since September, hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of brand-name alcohol has been confiscated – sparking a shortage and forcing prices to rise. Many businesses are losing profits, as demands from tourists, in the country for the SEA games, won't be met.

Forty-one political prisoners released Posted: 11 Dec 2013 02:39 AM PST Forty-one political prisoners were released from various prisons across Burma on Wednesday in the latest of a series of amnesties by President Thein Sein's government, according to presidential spokesman Ye Htut. A list of those released, compiled by the Former Political Prisoners Society (FPPS), accounts for 41 prisoners from at least nine jails. The government has yet to disclose the names and locations of all those pardoned. The FPPS also claims that nearly all of the prisoners included in the amnesty were jailed under Article 18, Burma's contentious Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Processions Law, for participation in unauthourised demonstrations. The law requires prior approval for any public gathering of more than five people. "Among the released prisoners, those jailed under Article 18 include Generation Wave's Moe Thway, D Nyein Linn of All-Burma Federation of Student Unions, and labour activist Myint Soe, who was detained in Thaton prison [in Mon state]," said Thet Oo of the FPPS. Related Stories Naw Ohn Hla charged on religious offences from 2007 Michaungkan protestors hold down the fort Bangkok protests delay pardon for Burmese inmates, says ambassador Several of the prisoners, including Moe Thway and D Nyein Linn, were within ten days of completing their full prison terms at the time of the president's pardon. “I don't feel significantly delighted to be released now – also because my term is over in the coming week anyway – they are only doing this to impress international governments,” said D Nyein Linn, who spoke with DVB just after his release.  The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners in Burma maintains a running list of all prisoners of conscience in the country's jails. The list currently has 183 names on it, though it has not been updated since May 2013. Another 56 prisoners were released in an amnesty in October. Today's amnesty was notably administered by utilising Section 204 (a) of the constitution, which gives the president the power to grant amnesty. Previous reprieves were carried out under Article 401 of Burma's penal code, highly criticised as offering only conditional freedom; those released under this provision are still subject to re-imprisonment. President Thein Sein has vowed to clear the nation's jails of all political prisoners by the end of 2013. The government-backed Committee to Verify Remaining Political Prisoners, established earlier this year to help meet the goal, is tipped to be abolished upon the release of all remaining identified political dissidents. But as serial amnesties whittle down the list created by the committee, several human rights groups have argued that while many are being released, new prisoners of conscience are being created daily by the contentious legislation. Last week alone, DVB reported at least eight convictions for violations of Article 18,  including two activists who were each sentenced to seven months in prison for participating in a "peace walk" from Rangoon to Laiza in Burma's northern Kachin state.

Living in serenity is best medicine, says Suu Kyi Posted: 11 Dec 2013 01:46 AM PST Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi bemoaned the state of healthcare in Burma when she addressed international policymakers in Qatar on Tuesday. However, she said, human values and spirituality were still the key ingredients of innovative healthcare in the 21st century. "The kind of innovative healthcare to which I look forward is the one rooted in human values and in spirituality, which will help us come together as we move forward into the 21st century," she said, speaking in a keynote address at the World Innovation Summit on Health or WISH. "Please do not look at healthcare innovation only in terms of technology, training and medical education, but in terms of poor society, nurturing to the basics towards creating a healthy society in the best sense of the word," she said. "It is only in this way that we can be sure that our world – which is getting smaller by the day – will be a happier place for all of us to live in. "If we can live together in serenity," she continued, "we will be providing our people with the best healthcare possible." She recalled how Burmese people used to boast of the best healthcare system in their region, and noted, "We inherited a good healthcare system from the colonial era and after the independence, our governments built on that legacy and made the healthcare in Burma one of the best in the region. But after the military regime came to power in the 1960s, that good legacy filtered away and now we are one of the countries in the world with the poorest healthcare system." Related Stories Naw Ohn Hla charged on religious offences from 2007 “Mandela Raised The Standard Of Humanity” – Suu Kyi Lagarde, Suu Kyi head line-up at women’s forum in Rangoon Suu Kyi reserved praised for Burma's doctors and, in particular, nurses who she said are known to be patient, kind and compassionate. She stressed that Burma is a poor country but one which is blessed with many natural resources, and that the country is striving to harness all those resources to build a state in which people can all live in happiness and peace. "Our most valuable resource is our human resources … our people – and not our natural resources or extractive industries – that will make Burma once again a great country that will be recognised as progressive, as innovative and world leading in caring for its people," she said. "I would like to see the kind of healthcare system that is dependent not only on wealth but on values. I would like to transform the healthcare of our country, we can start from scratch and that is a great advantage in many ways," she added. A World Health Organisation report in 2000 ranked Burma's healthcare system second worst in the world, one place above the then war-ravaged Sierra Leone. Burma's health crisis is particularly severe in war-torn ethnic regions such as Karen state, where thousands of victims of the 60-year civil war are often forced to flee to Thailand for medical treatment. Poverty in rural areas has been identified as a leading cause of child deaths in Burma where over 56,000 children under the age of five die every year. Burma currently spends less than 4 percent of its annual budget on healthcare, compared to some 20 percent on the military.   See video: DVB Debate – Healthcare in Burma

Even the rain won’t dampen Naypyidaw’s moment in the sun Posted: 10 Dec 2013 11:38 PM PST Burma's Department of Meteorology and Hydrology said there is an 80 percent chance of showers in Naypyidaw and the surrounding region on 11 December due to the rainstorms coming in from Cyclone Madi in the Bay of Bengal. But SEA Games organisers say this won't dampen spirits as the Burmese capital prepares the final touches ahead of the opening ceremony of the games at 4pm local time on Wednesday. The meteorology department's director-general Chit Kyaw confirmed that half an inch of rain was expected, but said that it would not ruin the open-air ceremony. Related Stories Yingluck backs out of SEA Games opening ceremony Burma through to semis in pencak silat Burma maintains unbeaten run in SEA Games football Meanwhile, Burma's dream start to the tournament continues with the country racking up more medals in shooting and equestrian events on Wednesday morning. At 2pm local time Burma was sitting proudly at the top of the medals league with 18 golds, eight silver and 10 bronze. Vietnam is currently second with 10 golds, five silver and seven bronze; Thailand has six golds; Indonesia and Malaysia five golds. The women's football tournament started on Tuesday with Burma tipped for more success. The Burmese women began their campaign in Mandalay with a 2-0 victory over the Philippines with one goal in each half from Khin Marlar Win and Than Than Htwe respectively.

Two sentenced for murder in Mrauk-U massacre Posted: 10 Dec 2013 11:04 PM PST Two Arakanese men have been convicted of murder in connection with sectarian violence in Mrauk-U in October 2012. Both men were dealt 10-year sentences with labour by a Sittwe district court on 9 December. Than Lwin and Kyaw Khine were arrested for their involvement in riots in Mrauk-U's Yin Thei village on 23 October 2012, when a second bout of violence broke out between Buddhists and Muslims in Burma's western Arakan state. Human Rights Watch later revealed that the day-long massacre in Yin Thei claimed the lives of 70 Muslims, including 28 children. The incident was part of a rash of violence that began in June 2012, when the rape and murder of a Buddhist woman aggravated existing tensions between Arakan's Buddhist and Muslim populations. The ensuing communal conflict has overwhelmingly affected stateless Rohingya Muslims, but has since spread to other areas of Burma and triggered clashes among other ethnicities. Government figures say that 200 people died in the conflict last year, but many rights groups and researchers have argued that this number is a severe underestimate, one which also does not account for the estimated 200,000 refugees forced to flee their homes after the conflict. Related Stories Rohingya are an indigenous people of Burma: OIC Sec-Gen Thai authorities implicated in Rohingya smuggling operation RNDP Chairman, 10 others released on bail The two men and 13 other defendants were represented by lawyer Aye Nu Sein, who said that they plan to appeal the charges in a higher court. Of her 15 clients, three were sentenced on Monday. "Than Lwin and Kyaw Hlaing were sentenced to 10 years each in prison with labour. Another one, Saw Phyu, was sentenced to two years for rioting," said Aye Nu Sein. According to government data, 1,189 people, including 260 Buddhists and 882 Rohingya Muslims, have been detained for their role in the unrest, and verdicts have been passed on 195 cases. Last week, DVB reported that 11 Arakanese men were released on bail after being charged for their involvement in a similar incident that occurred in Sandoway [Thandwe] on 29 September 2013, the latest of Arakan's communal clashes, which left at least five dead and about 120 families homeless. Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced on Tuesday that it was co-hosting with the Burmese police force in Sittwe a four-day seminar on international policing standards and the exercise of police powers. This is the first such seminar for police officers at Rakhine state level, ICRC said.

Rohingya are an indigenous people of Burma: OIC Sec-Gen Posted: 10 Dec 2013 08:49 PM PST The secretary-general of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Prof. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, spoke with DVB about his recent trip to Burma where he pledged OIC assistance to all communities in Arakan state – Buddhist and Muslim alike. We asked him about Rohingya rights, Rule of Law, and the path to a peaceful future.   Q: Several figures in Burma/ Myanmar have expressed opinions that the major reason for sectarian violence or anti-Muslim riots in the country is a fundamental lack of rule of law. To what extent do you believe law enforcement (or a lack thereof) is to blame? And, is this the major reason for the violence? If not, what is? A: From 13-17 November 2013, a seven-member OIC Ministerial Contact Group Delegation visited Myanmar at the invitation of the President to assess the situation on the ground and toured camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The Delegation held discussions with government officials, members of civil society organizations and political parties, which enabled the OIC to obtain a better appreciation of the local conditions and causes of the communal tensions on the ground. While Myanmar is making tremendous steps towards democracy there is still a need to strengthen institutions and maintain enforcement of the rule of law, particularly in Rakhine [Arakan] state. However, the inter-communal tensions that erupted stem largely from fundamental misunderstandings and misconceptions amongst different communities about each other. There is fear, suspicion and mistrust driven by false propaganda against Islam and Muslims on social media and by some extremists. The Government recognizes that this lack of trust that pervades the community makes reconciliation and harmonious living difficult and the OIC has made itself available to play a role, if requested, in this regard.   A group of young Rohingya girls fill their jars with water from one of the few water pumps available to the IDPs living in Rabba Garden IDP camp. (PHOTO: Marta Tucci) Q: Several politicians in Burma, including President Thein Sein, have openly suggested that a solution to this ongoing problem of religious violence is to request Muslim nations and third countries to accept the Rohingyas as refugees. Is this proposal open to debate? Under what circumstances? If not, why not? A: The Rohingya people have been in Arakan state for centuries and this is a matter of historical record. The Muslim political influence can be traced back to 1784, when the Burmese King Bodawpaya conquered Arakan. As for the Rohingya refugees who have been pushed out of their territory, there are around 2.5 million refugees spread around the world, particularly in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE [United Arab Emirates], Thailand and Malaysia. The OIC acknowledges that much more reforms are needed to solve human rights and citizenship issues and to ensure the safe return of Rohingya refugees to their ancestral land. The Rohingya are not an alien people to the land of Arakan. There is currently a process of verification underway by the Government for those living in IDP camps and the OIC hopes that this process can be completed soon so that the government can proceed to rectify the status of those who have a right to citizenship.   Q: Much of the rhetoric coming from the anti-Muslim or anti-Rohingya voices in Burma focuses on the notion that in the 1830s, 135 ethnic groups were identified and recognised in Burma. Do these voices have a valid point? To what degree is Burma bound by international norms to accept an influx of people such as the Rohingya? A: During our visit to Myanmar, we did encounter protesters who were influenced by such anti-Muslim rhetoric propagated by a small minority of extremists. However, this is fuelled by a great deal of misunderstanding about Islam and fear of cultural differences, which are driving the tensions. In fact, the Rohingya are an indigenous people of the land and should be accorded their legal rights. In previous years Rohingyas living within the borders of Myanmar faced severe human rights violations by the military junta such as revoking of their citizenship, refusal to reinstate, restriction of travel, denial of marriage and education, confiscation of lands, forced cheap labour, as well as rape and extortion. Under the leadership of the President and a democratic and pluralistic government we would like to see prosperity, development and social harmony be achieved in Rakhine state for the benefit of all people there and in Myanmar more generally.   Q: What is your opinion on whether the 1982 Citizenship Law should be amended to accommodate the Rohingya community and other groups? A: From the earliest days of the modern Burmese state, the Rohingya enjoyed recognition of their language, their culture, and their right to citizenship, which was stripped from them by the arbitrary and discriminatory nature of the 1982 Citizenship Law. The discriminatory provisions of this law have been used to deny citizenship to most Rohingya Muslims and other minority groups, and should be amended. The Law recognises not one, but three categories of citizens: citizens, associate citizens and naturalised citizens. The latter two categories of associate or naturalised citizens can lose their citizenship for very minor reasons. It should be noted also that just two weeks ago the Human Rights Committee of the UN General Assembly passed a resolution urging Myanmar to give the stateless Rohingya minority equal access to citizenship and to crack down on violence against them and other Muslims in the Southeast Asian nation.   Q: During your last visit to Burma, the OIC pledged to help both or all communities in Arakan state. How do you envisage OIC’s role in providing humanitarian aid and to a larger degree, helping to establish peace in the region? A: At the conclusion of the visit a joint communiqué was issued which expressed the common understanding of the way forward for OIC-Myanmar relations. The joint communiqué outlined the framework of cooperation; it was agreed that coordination of activities would take place through OIC ASEAN member states (Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei) specifically for the delivery of humanitarian aid. In addition, the need for interfaith dialogue, reconciliation and building mutual trust was identified and efforts are underway to develop programs that will bring peace, stability, and economic prosperity for the benefit of all communities in Rakhine state.

You are subscribed to email updates from DVB Multimedia Group | DVB Multimedia Group To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610