Democratic Voice of Burma |
- 14 Kachin refugees arrested by Burmese Army
- Burma’s media laws rife with ‘loopholes’
- Swimming against the current
- Govt cracks down on contraband
- The power of radio
- Shan parties set to merge
- Chinese firm claims Hpa-an locals support cement factory project
| 14 Kachin refugees arrested by Burmese Army Posted: 05 May 2014 04:48 AM PDT Fourteen villagers seeking shelter in Lagat Yang displacement camp in Mansi, Kachin State, were arrested by Burmese soldiers on Saturday. The Burmese Army's 88th Infantry Division went to Lagat Yang on 24 and 25 April to compile a comprehensive list of current residents. The camp's coordinator, La Sang, said the troops came back on Saturday, 3 May, and arrested 14 new arrivals on the pretext that they were not on the list. La Sang told DVB that 13 of the detainees were released on Sunday, but that the Burmese Army retained one person in custody for additional "questioning". According to La Sang, the incident has caused severe anxiety among the camp's other residents, who arrived there after fleeing civil conflict in several parts of Kachin State. "It makes everyone feel like there is no safety in the camp, with armed troops coming in and detaining people – this is demoralising for the camp's residents," he said. Related StoriesDVB has received several reports over the past two weeks that Burmese soldiers routinely enter the camp at night and interrogate IDPs, soliciting them to register. Approximately 227 families — about 800 people — had been living in the Lagat Yang IDP camp since fighting broke out between Burmese armed forces and the Kachin Independence Army in Mansi Township in November 2013. Last year's conflict caused thousands to flee the Nam Lin Pa IDP camp and nearby villages, hundreds settling at Lagat Yang. In early April of this year, additional installment of Burmese troops in the area — assigned to accompany census enumerators — eventually led to territorial conflicts. Several sources have reported that frontline shellfire landed within the camp's boundaries, causing many of the refugees to flee again. Some fled to nearby Man Win Gyi, while many made a run for the Chinese border. Of those, many have since returned to the Lagat Yang camp. Several hundred IDPs remain in Lagat Yang, originating from various villages and other refugee camps in Bhamo District.
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| Burma’s media laws rife with ‘loopholes’ Posted: 05 May 2014 03:43 AM PDT Information Minister Aung Kyi conceded on Saturday that Burma's media landscape is "not a good situation" because of legal shortcomings that he termed "loopholes". At an event marking World Press Freedom Day, held in Rangoon, the minister fielded several questions about the recent trial and detention of several reporters and other media professionals. "These [charges against journalists] are happening because of a loophole in the media laws; the laws have been signed by the president but they still lack bylaws and regulations for implementation," said Aung Kyi. "We are working as fast as we can to adopt the bylaws and regulations." He said that Burma's legislature has not yet developed a standard procedure for dealing with journalists accused of unlawful behaviour, which makes trials difficult to adjudicate. He expressed confidence that additional regulations could smooth out some of the kinks. He also maintained that in the case of Zaw Pe, a DVB video journalist recently sentenced to one year on charges of trespassing and disturbing a civil servant, the court acted appropriately and within the law. "The charges were filed within the legal rights of the individual who was offended by the reporter, and I assume that the court's verdict was in conformity with legal guidelines," he said, "but I understand that this is not a good situation for media reporters." Related StoriesAung Kyi explained that of the country's two new media laws, the government-drafted Printers and Publishers Enterprise Law will come into effect first, once its bylaws have been approved. The Media Law, drafted by the Interim Press Council, will take longer because implementation awaits the formation of a permanent, independent press council and ratification of a code of ethics. Progress is already well underway towards laying out a code of ethics for Burma's media. The Interim Press Council convened on Saturday to approve a 27-point code drawn from principles laid out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Myint Kyi, general secretary of the Myanmar Journalists Network, expects the code to raise the standard of journalism in Burma by making media workers more accountable, adding that it "will allow them [journalists] to avoid damaging the credibility of individuals mentioned in the news … which has unintentionally happened from time to time." Burma's media landscape has undergone rapid transformation since the start of the reform process in 2011, but some observers have cautioned that legal and judicial weaknesses could undermine or even undo progress made towards developing a free press in the country, which up until August 2012 subjected all publications to a strict state-run censorship board. The dissolution of the censorship board, a series of political amnesties and the government's decision to allow private daily newspapers prompted a streak of optimism in 2012, when the country leapt up the rankings in several global assessments, including the Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index and the Freedom House press index. The World Press Freedom Index even anticipated that Burma could become a role model for the region, which chronically ranks among the world's most restricted press environments. Researchers for both reports made a point this year of emphasising that progress has stagnated, and perhaps even taken a few backward steps. Burma's journalists continue to face legal action for their reporting, while the foreign press remains restricted and heavily scrutinised. Long-awaited legislation meant to replace the country's antiquated and often dubbed "draconian" publication laws proved to be highly flawed and not inclusive; the Interim Press Council, a semi-independent body created to oversee media reform, claims to have been completely sidelined by the government during the drafting of the Publishers Enterprise Bill. Aung Kyi on Saturday firmly defended both of the new laws, which he said offer clear protections for reporters while granting journalists the right to gather information from the government and all other publicly-funded organisations. |
| Posted: 05 May 2014 03:35 AM PDT Thirteen activists in central Burma's Pegu swam across the Irrawaddy River in a demonstration calling for the complete suspension of the Myitsone hydroelectric dam project. The activists swam from the river's east bank in Prome, officially known as Pyay, to the other side and back again – taking them about 45 minutes to complete. "Ensuring long-term survival of the Irrawaddy River is a national duty for all people in Burma, and as citizens who know their national duty we are swimming across the river to highlight our responsible spirit," said one of the swimmers. The protestors are part of a group called the Irrawaddy Enthusiasts' Network and are concerned that if operations resume at the Myitsone hydropower dam, irreparable damage to the river could be caused, as well as widespread flooding and deforestation. Apart from the fact the Irrawaddy River is the source of livelihood to millions of people, it also holds symbolic importance to Burmese. DVB caught up with another activist in mid-swim: "The Irrawaddy River has always flowed and no one will be able to stop that – it will keep treading its way somehow. The Irrawaddy Enthusiasts Network would like to highlight this initiative to remind people," he said. Related StoriesFollowing public outcry, operations at the Myitsone mega-dam were halted by Thein Sein's government in 2011, but the Chinese backers are keen for the project to resume. Several of the swimmers, including organiser Kyaw Swe, were prosecuted in 2013 under the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Act, for protesting against the dam without permission. Though the demonstration was watched by the police, Kyaw Swe insisted they should not be charged this time, as they were not marching to voice their demands – but swimming.
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| Govt cracks down on contraband Posted: 05 May 2014 03:35 AM PDT Burma's Mobile Team announced this weekend it had seized over one billion kyat (US$1 million) worth of smuggled goods between August 2013 and the beginning of May this year from seven ports in Rangoon. The squad's deputy-director, Myint Oo, said over 70 percent of all contraband was confiscated following tips from members of the public. "A heavy flow of contraband goods, especially foreign liquor, is smuggled into our ports in many ships," he said. "We frequently inspect the cargo based on information from the public." The official said that 48 raids were conducted by mobile teams during the last nine months at warehouses and on board ships coming in to dock, 12 were instigated by tips from members of the public. Those particular raids yielded no less than 700 million kyat's worth of illegal goods. "There are certain products that require import and export licenses, and some goods which don't," he added. "In either case, customs tax must be paid." Rangoon's Mobile Team is made up of more than 70 individuals drawn from police, customs and government officials, and media workers. |
| Posted: 05 May 2014 02:22 AM PDT "Independent Living" is Burma's first radio programme that broadcasts to an audience of people living with physical and intellectual disabilities and offers advice about how to live independently. Myanmar Independent Living Initiative (MILI) is an organisation that provides support for people living with disabilities and helps to raise awareness of disability rights. In 2011, MILI started to air "Independent Living" on the state-run Myanmar Radio station. A team of people with various physical disabilities run the show, and director Aung Ko Myint, who is visually impaired, feels "Independent Living" is a comfort to those who, because of their disability, cannot leave their homes very often. "'Independent Living' provides information for both disabled and able-bodied people. We offer advice so those with disabilities can live on their own," said Operations Director, Aung Ko Myint. The programme airs live discussions and radio dramas as well as features and poems. Pyie Phyo Aung is a producer of a segment called "Dairy of an un-dead flower". He said it is rewarding when people benefit from listening to his show. "Not that long ago – just before the water festival – a listener phoned in to say he had suffered from polio for a long time, but had just received walking aids from a donor who heard our show," he said. The team at "Independent Living" want to take the programme further. They dream of having their own station and then, in the future, make the move into television. Related Stories"I want to try to have our own station like City FM or Mandalay FM, rather than to broadcast from other stations. From there, I aim to have a TV station led by our disabled team," said Pyie Phyo Aung. In Burma, disabled people face discrimination. Fifty percent of those with a physical or mental disability will never attend school, and the chances of getting a job are slim. Campaigners are trying to get disability rights on the agenda. They have drafted a law that would establish overall rights for disabled people and more specifically, would make it easier for children with disabilities to attend mainstream schools. For now, "Independent Living" is making great strides in educating people about disabilities. The advice they give has helped many people to feel human and believe that they can lead fulfilling, independent lives. |
| Posted: 04 May 2014 11:35 PM PDT Two major political parties in Shan State, eastern Burma, have reached a preliminary merger agreement. Delegations from the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) and the Shan Nationalities Development Party (SNDP) met in state capital Taunggyi on 3 May to discuss the terms. "Five representatives from each party met to discuss the proposal and reached a principal agreement for the merger and cooperation in all sectors," said Sai Saw Aung, deputy-chairman of the SNLD. He stressed that the agreement was not yet final and the delegations will continue to meet in the coming months to work out further details. Sai Maung Tin, a lower house parliamentarian representing the SNDP, told DVB that the two parties still have some differences in policy, so the negotiations could take some time. Related Stories"We are seeing a merger on the horizon – both parties have principally agreed on the plan – but implementation will have to be done step by step," he said. "We still need to negotiate on policy, mainly on the structure of the Union — whether we will support an eight-unit or a 14-unit federal union." One of the key differences between the two parties is their disparate policies on the proposed structure of the Union. The SNLD advocates for an eight-region administrative structure, while the SNDP wants to maintain the current 14 states and divisions. Upon reaching a merger agreement, the two parties will be officially disbanded and will register with the Elections Commission as a new party. The merger has been highly anticipated by both the ethnic Shan public and the state's politicians. In March this year, three regional SNDP parliament representatives resigned from the party, demanding that the two parties become one. Those present at Saturday's meeting were optimistic that an agreement would be reached soon, so that the new unified party could register in time to contest the 2015 elections.
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| Chinese firm claims Hpa-an locals support cement factory project Posted: 04 May 2014 08:06 PM PDT Myanmar Jidong Cement Company, a subsidiary of Chinese multinational giant Tangshan Jidong, one of the world's largest manufacturers of cement, has countered claims that local communities in Karen State capital Hpa-an are opposed to their building a factory in the area, saying it has the support of the people, and that it intends building the facility as soon as it has approval from the Karen State government and the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC). In an article on 29 April, DVB reported that plans for a cement factory near Hpa-an had met with "stark opposition" and that the majority of locals had refused to sign an agreement indicating approval for the plant, which if constructed, could produce 5,000 tons of cement a day, the company says. However, the director of Myanmar Jidong, Sai Myo Win, said the company had made an agreement with local communities in and around the proposed site at the village of Mikayin, close to Kyawpyin Mountain, about two miles from Hpa-an. "We have the backing of the locals," he told DVB. "Now, we are applying to the Karen State government. After it agrees, we will send an application to the MIC, and start construction of the factory after we receive permission." Sai Myo Win said the mountain where the factory is to be built is not in an area where people work for a living. "No one is working on that mountain," he said. "It is very steep, so no one goes there or grows anything. One group wrote that some locals rely on the bamboo trees and bamboo shoots for their livelihoods, but in fact there are no trees on the mountain." The company director suggested some "outside influences" had played a hand in turning a few local voices against the project, but that the majority of communities in the area appreciated the benefits the cement factory would bring. He said the company promised that the project would be supervised to ensure it made minimal impact on the environment, and that the firm would provide electricity, a water supply and schools to local villages. Sai Myo Win added that Myanmar Jidong Cement Company had reached an agreement in March with the 1st Brigade of the Karen National Union to construct the factory. |
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