Democratic Voice of Burma

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• DVB Bulletin: 24 November 2014
• Thousands march against UN in Sittwe
• Eighty child soldiers released from Burmese army
• Burmese ‘castaways’ finally allowed to go home
• Activists hold Rangoon vigil for 23 killed at KIA camp
• Koh Tao murders: Burmese legal, forensics teams arrive
• Macao pledges to recruit 5,000 Burmese workers
• Workers protest Labour Dispute Law in Mandalay
• Football: Burma open AFF tournie with scoreless draw

DVB Bulletin: 24 November 2014 Posted: 24 Nov 2014 04:42 AM PST On tonight's bulletin: Five thousand protest UN use of term “Rohingya” in Sittwe Min Aung Hlaing defends military consitution NLD calls for Laiza inquiry Burma and Malaysia scoreless in AFF opener You can watch DVB Bulletin every weeknight on DVB TV after the 7 o'clock news.

Thousands march against UN in Sittwe Posted: 24 Nov 2014 04:35 AM PST Mass protests were held against the United Nations across four Arakanese towns on Sunday. Over five thousand turned out in Sittwe alone, for monk-led demonstrations against Ban Ki Moon’s use of the term Rohingya. Related Stories State govt approves Arakanese settlements in Buthidaung, Maungdaw Ban Ki-Moon flip-flops on Rohingya identity Arakan leader criticises Ban’s ‘Rohingya’ comments

Eighty child soldiers released from Burmese army Posted: 24 Nov 2014 02:53 AM PST A ceremony was held in Rangoon on Monday for 80 underage soldiers who have been released from duty in the Burmese army and allowed to go home. Related Stories Activists hold Rangoon vigil for 23 killed at KIA camp Respect children's rights, say CSOs ‘Much hard work remains’ as Obama meets Suu Kyi Along with the 80 children and their families, the event at a military guesthouse included the participation of representatives from UNICEF, UNHCR, ILO, Save the Children Fund, World Vision, World Food Program and UNDP, as well as government officials. The underage recruits were handed discharge certificates from the army and national identity cards. This is the eighth release of child soldiers since President Thein Sein came to power in 2011. Sixty-six underage soldiers were released in 2012 and 110 children in 2013. Monday's event marked the fourth transfer this year: 96 children were allowed to go home on 18 January; 91 on 1 August; and 109 on 25 September.

Burmese ‘castaways’ finally allowed to go home Posted: 24 Nov 2014 01:40 AM PST Three Burmese fishermen who were rescued after floating across the Indian Ocean for 40 days and nights on a small bamboo boat have finally been given the green light to go home, The Hindu reported on Sunday. The three fishermen, Tun Naing Oo, Nyi Nyi and Zaw Naing Oo, who are all in their 30s, left Chennai [Madras] by train on Sunday to Kolkata [Calcutta] where they are due to travel back to Rangoon, the Indian daily said. "We were fishing in the Bay of Bengal near home, with our bamboo boat anchored. A sudden storm and huge tides damaged the anchor and, despite our efforts, the raft kept drifting further into the sea," said Nyi Nyi, speaking to The Hindu. Related Stories 400 fishermen rescued after storm Burmese fishermen escape exploitation in Indonesia Families of missing fishermen to receive compensation They lived for only two days on the rations of rice, dried fish and drinking water that they had in their boat. Beyond that, they had to survive on rainwater and catching fish, said Tun Naing Oo. They were eventually saved by a fishing crew from Tamil-Nadu State. However, their ordeal was not quite over – they were charged by Indian authorities with illegal entry into India's waters. Although they could have faced up to one year in prison, they were each let off with a fine of 11,700 Indian rupees (US$190) by the local immigration office for "overstay", during the time it took to get new documents, the report said.

Activists hold Rangoon vigil for 23 killed at KIA camp Posted: 24 Nov 2014 12:31 AM PST Young people from across Burma marched in silent protest on Sunday, mourning the deaths of 23 rebel cadets. Demonstrators then held a candlelit vigil at the gates of the Myanmar Peace Centre, intermediaries between government and ethnic armed groups engaged in ceasefire talks. Related Stories Eighty child soldiers released from Burmese army Cadet killings a 'cowardly' act, says ethnic bloc Than Shwe no longer plays a role, USDP leader says

Koh Tao murders: Burmese legal, forensics teams arrive Posted: 23 Nov 2014 11:37 PM PST A 12-member Burmese team, including legal and forensic experts, arrived in the Thai capital, Bangkok, on Sunday to assist and observe in the case involving two young migrants who are due to go on trial for the 15 September murder of two British tourists on the Thai island of Koh Tao. The Burmese team, which is headed by upper house speaker Khin Aung Myint, plans to meet Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha, as well as Thai MPs, the Thai Human Rights Commission and Thai Lawyers Council. It also plans to speak to the two suspects, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun, who claim to be innocent of the charges of rape and murder and say they confessed after being beaten and threatened by local police. After arriving in Bangkok, the 12-member team met with Burmese embassy representatives and lawyers who have already been involved in assisting their detained compatriots. Khin Aung Myint and his team arrive with a collection of donations from Burmese MPs. Lawyer Aung Myo Thant said the money will be used to bail out the youngsters. Related Stories Koh Tao murders: Burmese suspects may apply for bail Burmese embassy requests reopening Koh Tao murder case Re-enactment was orchestrated by police, say Koh Tao suspects Meanwhile, Burma's parliament has sent an official letter to the chairman of Thailand's National Legislative Assembly, requesting justice in the high-profile case. English tourists Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were bludgeoned to death in the early hours of 15 September on a secluded part of Sairee Beach. Miss Witheridge was also raped. After an international outcry, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun were arrested two weeks later, police claiming that DNA taken from Witheridge matched the two suspects. However, the Thai police's handling of the case has been widely condemned. Britain sent its own team from Scotland Yard to investigate the crime scene, but they are yet to release a report.

Macao pledges to recruit 5,000 Burmese workers Posted: 23 Nov 2014 09:31 PM PST An MoU has been signed between Macau and Burma for the former Portuguese colony to take in 5,000 Burmese migrant workers per year. The Myanmar Overseas Employment Agency Association and its Macanese counterpart on Friday signed the MoU at Rangoon's Yuzana Hotel. In addition to contracting Burmese workers, the non-binding contract lays a provision for Macanese officials to resolve labour disputes and issues involving migrants from Burma. Head of the Macau Overseas Employment Agency Association, Kuong Kao, said his agency is looking to recruit Burmese workers as soon as possible. "Macau is to take in about 5,000 Burmese workers, mainly for the service industry and construction," he said. Chairman of Myanmar Overseas Employment Agency Federation, Min Hlaing, said, "The lowest salary in Macau is US$750 per month and it is potentially a strong overseas labor market for Burmese workers." There are currently 160,000 foreign workers in Macau, approximately 100,000 of whom hail from mainland China. The majority of the other 60,000 are from Vietnam. Related Stories Koh Tao murders: Burmese suspects may apply for bail MPs urge Malaysia to protect Burmese nationals Burmese embassy requests reopening Koh Tao murder case

Workers protest Labour Dispute Law in Mandalay Posted: 23 Nov 2014 08:43 PM PST The Federation of Trade Unions Myanmar headed a protest of some 600 workers in Mandalay on Sunday, calling for amendments to the 2012 Settlement of Labor Dispute Law, which, they say, completely favours employers. Some 600 union members marched around two industrial zones in the outskirts of the city, according to the union's information officer Thet Hnin Aung. "Our main demand is to ensure that prison sentences are included as penalties in the Labor Dispute Law," he told DVB on Sunday. "So that action can be taken against employers and parliamentarians who exploit work conditions." Related Stories Four men found guilty of Mandalay murder Pirates of the Irrawaddy Burma's capital and labour market challenges The Federation of Trade Unions Myanmar also released a statement on the same day with a list of eight demands, including the participation of union or workers' representatives in the drafting of any future labour laws; and that MPs involved in the lawmaking process must not ignore workers' demands and should include employees' opinions on labour issues. The union had previously held a rally in Rangoon but this was its first public demonstration in Mandalay.

Football: Burma open AFF tournie with scoreless draw Posted: 23 Nov 2014 07:17 PM PST Burma held Malaysia to a 0-0 draw in its first game of the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on Sunday. Malaysia had the ball in the net as early as the fifth minute but the Turkmen referee blew for offside. Soon after, Malaysia's Gary Steven Robbat was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence. It left the Malaysians on the back foot, and Burma really should have capitalised in the second half when it dominated possession. In other Group B action, Thailand beat hosts and defending champions Singapore 2-1. In what promises to be a tight group, Malaysia will next face three-time winners Thailand on Wednesday while Burma plays Singapore at the hosts' National Stadium the same day. In Group A, where all matches are being held in Vietnam, the hosts drew 2-2 with Indonesia on Saturday, while the Philippines comfortably saw off Laos 4-1 after coming back from 1-0 down. The final of the competition will be a two-leg affair, with games taking place in both host countries, Vietnam and Singapore, on 17 and 20 December. Related Stories MPs urge Malaysia to protect Burmese nationals Celebrities brawl at charity football match Heartbreak, pride for Burma in football semis

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