The Irrawaddy Magazine |
- Govt Canvasses Post-Ceasefire Political Dialogue Plans
- ‘Angels and Demons’
- Rare Praise for Human Rights Body After Call for Letpadan Justice
- Dr Pornthip: ‘Victims or Suspects Have the Right to Ask For a Second Opinion’
- Analysis: Singaporeans Fall Back on Tried and Tested Party
- Malaysia Arrests Three Suspects in Connection with Bangkok Blast
- Okinawa to Revoke Approval for US Base Work in Headache for Abe
| Govt Canvasses Post-Ceasefire Political Dialogue Plans Posted: 14 Sep 2015 06:43 AM PDT  The government's chief peace negotiator Aung Min addresses a multi-stakeholder meeting on post-ceasefire political dialogue held in Rangoon on Monday. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy) President's Office Minister and chief peace negotiator Aung Min called on all stakeholders to collaborate to establish a common framework for political dialogue during a meeting with ethnic armed groups and political parties in Rangoon on Monday. Representatives of seven ethnic armed groups and a handful of political parties including the Union Solidarity and Development Party and the National League for Democracy attended the morning meeting to discuss the structure of political dialogue that would follow the signing of a nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA). Government, ethnic and parliamentary representatives have been meeting informally to discuss the issue since last year, with the general view that some headway should be made before a prospective peace pact is concluded. "We have started these meetings to be able to quickly step up to the political dialogue following the NCA signing, as the framework drafting could take at least four months to a year," Aung Min said in his opening remarks on Monday. In the NCA text, it is stipulated that political dialogue must take place within 60-90 days of signing the accord. Aung Min told interlocutors at the meeting that a nationwide ceasefire signing ceremony would be held in the first week of October, with political dialogue expected to take place in January next year. In the afternoon, he briefed some 150 representatives from 78 political parties on the process to follow the NCA signing. The minister said that a meeting of the Joint Implementation Coordination (JIC) team would be held 14 days after the NCA signing, with a so-called Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee to be formed within 15 days. The Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) gave a similar briefing to Burmese media in Rangoon on Friday. "The discussions [on political dialogue] have been ongoing for a year. After the NCA is signed, the process will be quicker," said Hla Maung Shwe of the MPC. A high-level meeting between Burma's president and leaders of major ethnic armed groups in Naypyidaw last Wednesday ended with a somewhat tentative pledge to sign a nationwide ceasefire pact in early October. However, no date has yet been agreed. Aung Min and ruling party MP Thein Zaw met with representatives of the United Wa State Army and the National Democratic Alliance Army in Kengtung, Shan State, on Saturday, to discuss the ongoing peace process, according to Hla Maung Shwe. Both groups have bilateral ceasefire agreements with the government and are observers to the ceasefire process but not members of the ethnics' negotiating bloc. Government negotiators urged them to take part in the NCA signing, according to Hla Maung Shwe, with the Wa and Mongla groups only confirming they would hold internal discussions on the matter. Kyi Maung, a central committee member of the National Democratic Alliance Army in eastern Shan State, told The Irrawaddy on Monday that the armed group shares the same view as the majority of groups regarding an all-inclusive ceasefire. He also said the NDAA stands together with the UWSA, Burma's largest ethnic armed group, which has previously stated it would not sign the NCA but would join the subsequent political dialogue. Despite rumors Aung Min would also meet with Kokang leaders of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, no such meeting occurred over the weekend, Hla Maung Shwe said. The post Govt Canvasses Post-Ceasefire Political Dialogue Plans appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Posted: 14 Sep 2015 06:35 AM PDT |
| Rare Praise for Human Rights Body After Call for Letpadan Justice Posted: 14 Sep 2015 05:34 AM PDT  Police violently disperse peaceful student protestors at Letpadan in Pegu Division on March 10, 2015. (Photo: Steve Tickner / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) has received rare praise after it called on the Burmese government late last week to take action against police officers who brutally cracked down on a group of peaceful student protestors earlier this year. Lawyer Thein Than Oo, a member of the Myanmar Lawyers' Network, told The Irrawaddy on Monday that the commission—long criticized as spineless—had helped rehabilitate its image in the eyes of the public with its statement on Friday. "They did not stand on the side of the government, they stood instead on the side of the people. For us, we welcome and support their stand," said the lawyer, who is providing legal counsel to some of the students who were jailed following the crackdown. "We found that they conducted a good investigation. We can say that their report is fair. This will do good things for their image." Thein Than Oo did not, however, hold out hope that the commission's call for justice would be heeded by the government, though he added that it might go some way toward exonerating the dozens of students on trial and facing charges linked to the March 10 crackdown. The MNHRC was formed by President Thein Sein, and has frequently had its independence called into question. Its statement on Friday accused police of failing to following procedure when they violently dismantled the student protest in Letpadan, a town located some 80 miles northwest of Rangoon in Pegu Division. The statement also said disproportionately harsh charges had been brought against the students, who at most, according to the commission, should face charges under Burma's Peaceful Assembly Law. About 50 students remain behind bars at a prison in neighboring Tharrawaddy Township, awaiting a verdict in their cases, while some 20 others have been released on bail. The MNHRC's investigation included documents and footage of the crackdown, as well interviews with 38 people involved in the incident, including both student protestors and police officers. Pegu Division authorities did not cooperate with the probe, according to the commission's statement. The investigation found nothing to indicate that student protestors had verbally instigated the police to prompt the officers to violence. The trigger for the crackdown, according to the investigation, was a water bottle thrown at police as they blocked students' attempt to march from Letpadan to Rangoon. The March 10 crackdown was preceded by a nine-day standoff between police and the students, who had marched more than 300 miles from Mandalay to protest a National Education Law that they were pushing to have amended. The MNHRC statement on Friday was the most explicit condemnation of a police action ever issued by the commission, which was formed in 2011 and has shied away from strident criticism of the government or its appendages in a number of instances over the years. Dr. Nyan Zaw, who is a member of the MNHRC, told The Irrawaddy on Monday that "we hope they will take action against those who violated the law." In the immediate aftermath of the crackdown, presidential spokesman Ye Htut defended the police action as lawful, an assertion disputed by Nyan Zaw. "Police have their handbook about what to do when they disperse a crowd. They have a procedure for it. If they did not act based on their procedure, this means they violated the law. Therefore, we are asking that action be taken," he said, adding that he hoped the commission's work would lead the Tharrawaddy court to be more lenient in its sentencing of the students. "For us, we cannot do anything about the charges against the students. But the case of their punishment could be reduced, we hope, after the issuance of our report," Nyan Zaw said. The post Rare Praise for Human Rights Body After Call for Letpadan Justice appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Dr Pornthip: ‘Victims or Suspects Have the Right to Ask For a Second Opinion’ Posted: 14 Sep 2015 04:43 AM PDT  Head of Thailand's Central Institute of Forensic Science, Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand. (Photo: Reuters) Thailand's most prominent forensics expert, Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand, who is head of the country's Central Institute of Forensic Science, was recently called on by the defense team representing two Burmese men accused of murder to reexamine crucial DNA evidence. Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo were arrested last year for the killing of British backpackers David Miller and Hannah Witheridge on a Thai resort island on the night of September 15, 2014. However, the handling of the case by Thai police has been the subject of significant controversy and the two Burmese men have alleged they were tortured into a confession. The trial is continuing on Koh Samui. The Irrawaddy's Saw Yan Naing spoke with Dr Pornthip about her team's findings and ongoing involvement in the case. How did you become involved in this case? First of all, the defendants' lawyers came into the institute [the Central Institute of Forensic Science] and asked us for our interpretation of the scientific evidence. They asked us to support this case. Secondly, there was a request for a second DNA [testing] of the evidence in the case. There was also a request from the National Human Rights Commission [of Thailand] for an investigation into [allegations] the suspects were tortured. So there were three issues. Please explain what your institute's findings were regarding the DNA test. Our team found that the DNA profile on the weapon [a garden hoe police believe was used to kill the British tourists] didn't belong to the suspects [Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo]. It belongs to an unknown man. We need to have the DNA of other people [involved]. We only found the DNA from an unidentified man which was not compatible with the suspects' [DNA]. Who else should be subject to DNA testing? That is not my duty. I can't say who else needs to be tested. It is the task of the police. What other requirements should be carried out in the course of fact finding for this case? In this case, I can't say anything because I didn't have a chance to look at the DNA profile [related to] all the evidence. I just looked at the DNA from the weapon that the police sent to our institute. There are some [aspects] of the DNA profile that I can't discuss. We have to wait. There were previous reports that DNA found on the butt of a cigarette shared by the two suspects matched that found on the female victim's body. Were you able to consider that evidence? No. Because the police said that all that evidence was destroyed already. The police said there was no evidence left to send to our institute. From now on, how will you and your team be involved in the process? In the next [week or two], there will be scientific testimony given in [Koh Samui Provincial] court. Two scientists and one doctor [from the Central Institute of Forensic Science] will testify at the court. The two scientists will testify about the DNA findings. And a doctor will testify on the physical examination of the two suspects because they [the suspects] told judges and the National Human Rights Commission that they were tortured by the police [during interrogation]. The doctor did the physical determination when the suspects were in prison. So that will be our institute's testimony. You are very well respected for your expertise in DNA analysis. The Burmese public would be very interested in your comments. What is your message to them? In Thailand, we have the chance to ask for help on issues of human rights. This means that victims or suspects have the right to ask for a second opinion on forensic investigations. And it's our duty, at the Central Institute of Forensic Science under the Ministry of Justice, to do that job. We can help suspects or victims. If they want a second opinion, they can ask for it. And we will try our best. The post Dr Pornthip: 'Victims or Suspects Have the Right to Ask For a Second Opinion' appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Analysis: Singaporeans Fall Back on Tried and Tested Party Posted: 14 Sep 2015 12:03 AM PDT  Singapore’s Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the People’s Action Party Lee Hsien Loong, center, and his team thank supporters on Saturday after the general election in Singapore. (Photo: Edgar Su / Reuters) SINGAPORE — Every four or five years, Singaporeans vote in general elections without ever asking the question: Which party can best run the government? That’s a no-brainer. It’s the same party that’s been ruling the wealthy Southeast Asian city-state for a half-century. The questions most ask instead is how much voice should they give the opposition. That explains the overwhelming majority that the People’s Action Party has won in every election since independence in 1965, including the last one on Friday, which returned it with an even greater share of the votes than before. It was a result that any political party in the world would salivate over—83 of 89 seats in Parliament and 70 percent of all votes cast. In some ways, it was the direct outcome of the PAP’s relatively poor showing in the 2011 elections, when even though it won 81 of the 87 seats at stake, it garnered only 60 percent of the votes. There was clear anger among the voters against the rising cost of living. Singapore is among the most expensive cities in the world while being the ninth-richest nation on an annual per capita income basis, one spot ahead of the United States. An open immigration policy promoted by the government to keep the economy robust had led to overcrowding and resentment against foreign workers seen to be stealing local jobs. Restrictions on the media and freedom of speech—although less than in the early years after independence—remain in place. Income disparities are stark. On the one hand, executives are earning six-figure salaries, driving expensive cars, living in magnificent homes, and on the other, old retirees are eking out a living on meager pensions of about $1,000 a month while doing odd jobs. All this gave the opposition fodder to launch an invigorated attack. Its campaign rallies attracted tens of thousands of people compared to a few hundred or 3,000 at the most for the PAP. Social media—the only alternative voice in a country where the mainstream newspapers, radio and TV stations are controlled by the government—were abuzz with talk of the opposition flexing its newfound muscles. Some even began to talk about the possibility that the nine opposition parties combined would unseat the government, because for the first time in history they were together contesting all seats. That, for many Singaporeans, was unacceptable. They wanted to give the opposition some voice—but not enough to take charge. In a country that does not allow opinion polls, it is hard for voters to judge the strength of the opposition, and how much votes it should get without upsetting the apple cart. Unwilling to fall into the trap of over-voting for the opposition, the traditionally risk-averse Singaporeans always end up going for the safe option. This time, the risk seemed larger. The fear that they could lose a government that they trusted and relied on tipped the undecided on the PAP’s side. “There was a certain palpable concern that the PAP may come out of the election severely weakened. That resulted in the middle ground, the group of undecided voters, to rally behind the PAP, going back to a tried and tested party,” Eugene Tan, an associate professor of law at Singapore Management University, told The Associated Press. Even the opposition acknowledged that. “One of the things which I think probably did loom in people’s minds … is the fact that for the first time, all 89 seats are contested, and perhaps some people did feel that there was some risk (of the PAP faring poorly),” Workers’ Party chairman Sylvia Lim said at a victory parade in Aljunied. The party retained five seats by a slim margin. “There is a perception that the opposition movement is growing strong. There could be a pushback on that, because I think people still feel comfortable with the PAP as a government,” she added. So why do Singaporeans trust the PAP so much? For one, it is the party’s track record. After a period of British colonial rule, Singapore became part of the Malay Federation in 1963, whose other giant member was neighboring Malaysia. However, Singapore was kicked out of the union in 1965, with Lee Kuan Yew as the prime minister of the newly formed nation. A fiery orator, master strategist and a no-holds-barred street fighter, Lee led the PAP to decisive victory in the 1968 general elections, and every one since, until his death in March. Lee and other founding leaders in the PAP created a unique system of development for Singapore. Lee promoted meritocracy, attracted foreign investment through tax incentives, introduced English-language education, raised productivity and brooked no corruption. He also brooked no dissent and treated the opposition with contempt. Most opponents could not match his fighting skills—some were thrown in jail and others taken to court for defamation, leading to bankruptcy. Soon the opposition was emasculated. Meanwhile, Singapore’s spectacular development continued amid restrictions on free speech. In many ways, Singapore became a nanny state, with the government masterminding social policies, including the racial mix among Chinese, Malays and Indians in public housing where a majority of its 5.6 million people live, how much they should save, what they could read and what they could watch on TV. Singaporeans seemed willing to pay that price for the economic gains. After disenchantment became deeply evident in the 2011 elections, the government made amends. It cut back on immigration. The annual growth of foreign professionals, managers and executives fell from 45,000 a year to 13,000 last year. It made reforms to the pension scheme and the medical insurance. The government also reached out to the youth on hot-button issues—and the results paid off. Ultimately, it was the people’s choice—even if forced by a set of circumstances unique to Singapore—that strengthened the ruling party at the expense of producing a more representative Parliament. “I guess Singaporeans get the government they deserve, so I don’t want to hear any more complaints,” said opposition leader Kenneth Jeyaretnam. The post Analysis: Singaporeans Fall Back on Tried and Tested Party appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Malaysia Arrests Three Suspects in Connection with Bangkok Blast Posted: 13 Sep 2015 10:18 PM PDT  Experts investigate the Erawan shrine at the site of a deadly blast in central Bangkok, Thailand, August 18, 2015. (Photo: Athit Perawongmetha / Reuters) KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia has arrested three suspects in connection with the investigation into a bomb blast in central Bangkok last month that killed 20 people, police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said on Monday. Two Malaysians and a Pakistani national were arrested and were assisting with the investigation, Khalid told reporters. "We believe the suspects can help in the investigation… our arrest was made to assist the Thai police in the Thai bombing investigation," he said. "Malaysian and Thai police are working closely in cooperation." No group has claimed responsibility for the Aug. 17 attack at the Erawan Shrine shrine in Bangkok, which killed 20 people, including 14 foreign tourists, among them seven from Hong Kong and mainland China. Thai police have been heavily criticized over the investigation and over statements from top officials about possible perpetrators, motives and information extracted from suspects which have been contradictory, speculative and often cryptic. Khalid said the Pakistani suspect is male while one of the local suspects is female and the other is male. He said there were no plans to move the suspects to Thailand yet. Khalid also said Malaysian police were unsure if the main suspect was in Malaysia. The Thai investigation unearthed a lead earlier this month that suspected bomber may have crossed Thailand's southern border into Malaysia. The post Malaysia Arrests Three Suspects in Connection with Bangkok Blast appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Okinawa to Revoke Approval for US Base Work in Headache for Abe Posted: 13 Sep 2015 10:09 PM PDT  Protesters raise placards during a rally to oppose the transfer of a key US military base within the prefecture, at a baseball stadium in the prefectural capital Naha on Japan's southern island of Okinawa, in this photo taken by Kyodo, May 17, 2015. (Photo: Kyodo / Reuters) TOKYO — The governor of Japan's Okinawa prefecture said on Monday he will move to halt work on a contentious US air base, a headache for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a crucial time in his push to get widely opposed security bills passed. The central government wants to move the US Marines' Futenma base to another location on the southern island, but many Okinawa residents who resent US military installations want to get rid of it altogether. Okinawa governor Takeshi Onaga, who won election last year on his anti-base stand and has accused Abe of looking down on the island, said his government will revoke a permit for key landfill work that is needed to relocate the base. "This is a first step towards keeping this from being built," Onaga told a news conference, days after the government resumed reclamation work after a month's suspension for talks that left the two sides still far apart. It will take about a month to revoke the permit, which was issued by Onaga's predecessor, and this action could prompt a legal response from the government, NHK national television said. The base issue has sparked widespread sympathy around Japan and could further weaken support for Abe, who aims to pass security bills that would let Japan's military fight overseas for the first time since World War Two before the current session of parliament ends on Sept. 27. The government forced the bills through the lower house of parliament in July despite massive protests. More than half of people polled on the issue oppose the bills, which would allow Japan's armed forces to defend an ally under attack, a drastic shift in Japan's post-war security policy. Abe told a parliamentary committee that there is no change in the government's stance on the base. "We want to move Futenma and ease the worries of residents there as soon as possible," he said. The post Okinawa to Revoke Approval for US Base Work in Headache for Abe appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
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