Democratic Voice of Burma

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• Burmese Everest team postpones summit attempt
• Paying tribute to a Burmese legend
• Heat-wave descends on Burma
• Reuters sticks to its story in face of Thai navy threats
• Local staff at Latpadaung rally for pay hike
• Thai navy takes aim at Reuters over Rohingya smuggling report

Burmese Everest team postpones summit attempt Posted: 24 Apr 2014 04:28 AM PDT A team of five Burmese mountaineers have been forced to postpone a plan to climb Mount Everest in the wake of an avalanche that last week killed 13 porters, with three missing, presumed dead. The five Burmese – Namar Johnsin, Sai Kyaw Wunna Soe, Ye Min Thu, Kee Yo Twee, Sai Kyaw Thu Htwe – would have been the first from their country ever to scale Everest, the world's highest mountain at 8,848m (29,029 ft). They were training at altitude in the Nepalese Himalayas for an attempt on the summit when disaster struck on 18 April. On Tuesday, a coalition of guides and porters declared that they would not climb the mountain again this year in honour of the deceased. The Nepali government announced soon after that Everest is officially closed for 2014, effective immediately. It said it will honour the current climbing permits for up to five years. "Amid the discrepancy between the government of Nepal and the guides, we are compelled to postpone our mission to raise the Burmese flag on Everest," the Burmese squad wrote on their Facebook page. "We have trained for this mission in harsh weather with unrelenting determination," they said. "Having to make the decision to turn back makes our chests heavy and brings tears to our eyes." Related Stories Mission to Burma’s tallest mountain Tycoon pushes for 'crony' sanctions More interest than investment as Burma opens up The Burmese team, having hiked back to Periche from Mount Everest base camp, returned on Thursday to Nepali capital Kathmandu. They said they are still determined to fly the Burmese flag on the peak of the world's highest mountain. Their adventure to scale Everest had been sponsored to a large degree by Burmese tycoon Tay Za through his Htoo Foundation, subsidiaries of the Htoo Group and Air Bagan. The 16 porters and guides, mostly ethnic Sherpas who are indigenous to the Himalayan foothills, were carrying supplies from one camp to another when a serac, or ice tower, collapsed, causing an avalanche at the perilous Kumbu Ice Field, which stands at 19,000 feet on the Nepali side of the summit. The deaths last Friday bring the total number of fatalities on the mountain since 1922 to more than 250, the vast majority Sherpa porters, and has again raised questions about whether impoverished ethnic men should be made to pay the ultimate price for the whimsical fantasies of the international elite. Guiding on Everest is not only dangerous but ethically fraught, said Grayson Schaffer, a senior editor at Outside magazine who published an extensive investigation of the socio-economics of Sherpas on Everest in 2013. "But shutting the industry down would anger the outfitters, clients, and, most of all, the Sherpas," Schaffer wrote on Friday. "That last group would lose jobs that pay between US$2,000 and $6,000 per season, in a country where the median income is $540 per year." The answer, he wrote, "isn't decreasing, or ending, the climbing business on Everest; the solution is increasing the value of a Sherpa life."

Paying tribute to a Burmese legend Posted: 24 Apr 2014 03:53 AM PDT It was a mark of how respected and loved he was that thousands of people paid their final respects to one of Burma's bravest and longest-serving pro-democracy fighters. Win Tin passed away at Rangoon General Hospital on Monday, 21 April, from kidney failure. Throughout Wednesday afternoon, throngs of people crowded the hall at Yay Way Cemetery in Rangoon where Win Tin's body lay in repose. A co-founder of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and close aide to Aung San Suu Kyi, Win Tin spent 19 years behind bars for his vehement opposition to military rule and for his writings. Lying in a glass coffin, Win Tin was dressed in his iconic blue prison uniform – as if continuing his protest on behalf of all dissidents who remain behind bars. Aung San Suu Kyi was among activists, politicians and ordinary citizens who paid their last respects to the former journalist and writer. Outside, mourners crowded the streets carrying banners and wreaths. A memorial ceremony was held at Rangoon University's Judson Hall, where fellow former political prisoner, Min Ko Naing, praised Win Tin in a eulogy. "The admirable thing about Win Tin is that he always had the honesty to admit when he didn’t know something and  had the patience to take his time and explain thoroughly what he did know to others," said the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society member. Mourners at the funeral wore blue shirts as a tribute to Win Tin – Burma's longest serving political prisoner. Related Stories Mourners turn out for Win Tin's funeral U Win Tin (1929- 2014), Burma’s moral compass The naked truth of Myanmar, a portrait of U Win Tin NLD youth member Khin Lay said Win Tin was a "confidant" to the younger generation. "We could always pour our heart out to him and he would listen and advise us," she said. "Now we are determined to work harder to achieve democracy, something he never got the chance to see.” Outside the NLD headquarters in Rangoon, Win Tin's supporters gathered for a moment of silence under his picture. NLD flags flew at half-mast. Late in the afternoon, Win Tin's body was moved to a wooden coffin with an NLD flag draped over it and taken to his final resting place. Hundreds of mourners watched as Win Tin was laid to rest in a tomb draped in blue velvet. For poet and songwriter, Ko Ye Lwin, Win Tin will remain undefeated. "Win Tin was a truly an honest man. He courageously stood against injustice. He never gave up or allowed those who incarcerated him to be victorious. He was the undefeated," he said. Win Tin will be known as a man of extraordinary endurance and integrity, a straightforward speaker, and a true champion of democracy in Burma.

Heat-wave descends on Burma Posted: 24 Apr 2014 02:58 AM PDT People should prepare immediately for a heat-wave as potentially record-breaking temperatures look set to envelop many parts of Burma, according to Tun Lwin, the former head of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology. The ultraviolet (UV) index began spiking above 11 – an "extreme" level – at the beginning of April, but could reach a scorching 15.1 in eastern Burma's Shan and Karenni states in the coming weeks and continue as such until the rains break, he said. According to recent data, the UV index in Rangoon, Pegu and Tenasserim divisions is 14.1, while it was 14.2 in Irrawaddy Division, 14.6 in Karenni State, and 14.4 in southern and eastern Shan State. Related Stories Forecast improves for Burmese meteorologists Burma to start disaster warning system Global warming causing low rice yields The Ministry of Health has warned that unprotected exposure to UV rays can cause sunstroke and dehydration, while long-term effects include skin cancer, lowered immunity and cataracts. Meanwhile, residents in Dala Township, which sits across the river from Rangoon port, are facing imminent water shortages due to rising summer temperatures and dried-up reservoirs. Than Naing from Dala's Yarza Thingyan quarter said that the Maha Thingyan freshwater lake – relied upon for drinking water by his and six other neighbourhoods – has dried up, forcing locals to buy water elsewhere. Hla Myint, deputy-chairman of the trustees for the Maha Thingyan, said restrictions have been imposed on locals fetching water from the lake. According to the World Meteorological Organisation, Rangoon residents can expect a maximum temperature of 39°C (102°F) on Friday and Saturday, while those in Mandalay in central Burma should get ready for a sizzling 42°C (108°F).

Reuters sticks to its story in face of Thai navy threats Posted: 23 Apr 2014 10:59 PM PDT Reuters has vowed to stand by their Rohingya story which alleges that Thai naval officers were involved in the trafficking of Rohingya boatpeople. The global news organisation yesterday acknowledged a police complaint was filed by the Royal Thai Navy against the company and two of its journalists. "We're aware that a captain in the navy has filed a criminal complaint against Reuters and two Reuters journalists, Stuart Grudgings and Jason Szep, arising out of the Rohingya coverage, and that the complaint alleges violations of the Computer Crimes Act," David Crundwell, Reuters' head of corporate affairs, said in an email to the Bangkok Post. "Based on our understanding, the complaint is under review by the authorities, but we have not been charged. If necessary we will defend our story, along with our right to publish, vigorously," Mr Crundwell said from London. The navy also filed a complaint against Phuket-based news website Phuketwan and its journalists Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathien last October for a July 17, 2013 article which quoted the Reuters report. Third Navy Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Tharathorn Khajitsuwan said the complaint was lodged because it was a matter of national security and the story had damaged the navy’s reputation. Related Stories Thai navy takes aim at Reuters over Rohingya smuggling report Journalists charged with defaming Thai Navy 'Boatpeople' story lands Reuters a Pulitzer as local reporters face jail Pol Capt Somkid Pornchan, assigned by the Vichit police station superintendent to investigate the Reuters complaint, said the news organisation complaint was being handled differently from Phuketwan because it is a foreign entity. He said it was a complicated process to send summonses to the two Reuters journalists, who are overseas. Reuters said it still hoped the navy would reconsider the lawsuit against them in light of a subsequent acknowledgement by Thai officials of the seriousness of the trafficking problem, their efforts to combat it, and Reuters' contribution which led to authorities releasing 900 trafficked refugees being held in Thailand, Mr Crundwell said. He said Reuters was governed by its trust principles, dedicated to preserving Reuters' independence, integrity and freedom from bias in the gathering and dissemination of information and news. "We stand by the fairness and accuracy of our Rohingya coverage," Mr Crundwell said. He addressed Phuketwan's criticisms that Reuters did not defend the website after it ran their story. ”The case against Phuketwan arises out of aspects of our story being excerpted by Phuketwan from our original, and fully comprehensive, story. Their story was materially different in content and tone from the Reuters story,” Mr Crundwell said.   This article was first published in the Bangkok Post on 24 April 2014.

Local staff at Latpadaung rally for pay hike Posted: 23 Apr 2014 10:35 PM PDT Around 250 local staff from the Myanmar Wanbao Mining Copper Ltd staged a rally demanding pay raises on Wednesday in front of the company's office in Sagaing Division's Monywa district. The Chinese firm, which operates the controversial Latpadaung copper mine in a joint-venture with Burma's military-owned Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings, has hired local villagers, many of whom gave up their farmlands for the project, under a job creation programme recommended by the Latpadaung Investigation Commission headed by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The local workers, who work in a variety of manual positions for Wanbao, demonstrated on 10 and 11 April with official permission from authorities. No arrests or signs of disturbance were reported. The workers claim they are paid around US$110 per month – less than half the salaries of Wanbao's Chinese staff and Burmese staff who have been recruited from other parts of the country. Related Stories Fire leaves 100 homeless in Shan ruby-mining town Deconsecration stokes rumour of Latpadaung temple's destruction Latpadaung activist Thaw Zin sentenced to 15 months Protest leader Phyo Yu Htay said their demand for a pay increase had not been heeded by Wanbao officials during previous rallies. "We set off to march to the Myanmar Wanbao office around 9am in the morning, to reiterate our demands for better pay and corporate transparency," he told DVB. Another local staffer, a university graduate, said they were asking for US$240, which is still less than the salaries paid to non-local staff. "We are not being unfair by demanding for $240 per a month – we deserve the wage," said the worker. "Other staff at the same level earn that amount – with overtime, some can make around $400 a month. We would like to enjoy the same salary." The Myanmar Wanbao Mining Copper Limited was unavailable for comment. The area has seen several rounds of protest over the copper mining project, several of which turned violent and resulted in an investigation led by Suu Kyi. While the investigation concluded that the project was fit to continue, locals have maintained opposition to the development on the grounds that they are losing their lands and suffering mistreatment at the hands of project operators.

Thai navy takes aim at Reuters over Rohingya smuggling report Posted: 23 Apr 2014 07:53 PM PDT The two Phuketwan journalists facing a Royal Thai Navy defamation lawsuit over mistreatment of Rohingya suggested the suit be dropped to celebrate World Press Freedom Day on May 3, but the navy rejected that and said it was preparing a second lawsuit against the Reuters news agency. “This involves national security,” said 3rd Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Adm Tharathorn Khajitsuwan. “We cannot allow anyone to go around freely making false accusations.” In a telephone conversation with the Bangkok Post, he said the service plans to double down, literally. "Not only do we refuse to withdraw any lawsuit, but we are processing another suit against Reuters as well," he said. The court should have the final say on the matter, he said in a separate, written response to questions submitted by the Bangkok Post. Alan Morison, the Australian editor of Phuketwan, said from Phuket that the navy should drop the suit to mark the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, a United Nations-sponsored event, on May 3. His colleague at Phuketwan, Chutima Sidasathian, made a similar suggestion at the University of Sydney in Australia on Tuesday. Ms Chutima is also due to speak about the lawsuit and Rohingya plight at the Melbourne Press Club on 29 April. Related Stories Reuters sticks to its story in face of Thai navy threats US calls on Burma to intervene in Rohingya crisis Journalists charged with defaming Thai Navy “Thailand was adrift from the truth, with the Royal Thai Navy seeking to punish two Phuketwan journalists using the much-criticised Computer Crimes Act and criminal defamation,” said Ms Chutima in an email to Bangkok Post before delivering her speech on Rohingya migrants at the International Conference on Thai Studies in Sydney. Initially, she thought she might not be able to travel to Australia as planned as it took her and her editor Morison five hours at a Phuket remand cell before bail could be finalised on 17 April. That was when the Phuket prosecutor officially filed a suit against them following the 3rd Naval Fleet complaint in October of last year. The two Phuket-based online journalists face up to seven years in jail for republishing a paragraph from a Reuters special report series on the mistreatment of Rohingya migrants. The report last week won journalism’s highest award, a Pulitzer Prize. The paragraph in question mentioned suspicion that Thai naval forces and other security forces were involved in human trafficking and smuggling of Rohingya who fled Burma. In a telephone interview Tuesday, Mr Morison said he was most disappointed that Reuters has not spoken up to defend its paragraph and Phuketwan. Ms Chutima’s speech in Australia echoed that disappointment. “I call upon my government to celebrate the occasion [World Press Freedom Day], to drop this case, and to prove to everyone that Thailand still believes in truth and freedom.” A PhD at Nakhon Si Thammarat-based Walailak University, Ms Chutima shared the 2010 Society of Publishers in Asia Excellence in Investigative Reporting and Excellence in Human Rights Reporting awards. In 2009 she shared the Scoop of the Year at the Hong Kong News Awards, and the general news prize at the Human Rights Press Awards in Hong Kong. Mr Morison said he was glad to see Phuket media show up to lend solidarity to him and Ms Chutima at court last week, and asked to know more about the Rohingya and the court case. He was “disappointed” at total silence from the Thai Journalist Association. Other regional and international press human rights bodies and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) have already issued pleas for the lawsuit to be withdrawn. The silence of both Reuters and the national press body reflected the state of mind of the media operations in Thailand, said Mr Morison. On Friday, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) will summon representatives of the Royal Thai Navy and Phuket police to clarify the Phuketwan lawsuit, because the two journalists have claimed violations of media freedom. The Phuket Court has set 26 May for the initial session to check the list of witnesses and set hearing dates.   This article was originally published in the Bangkok Post on 22 April 2014.

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