The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Wa Leader Suggests Chinese Mediation Could Help Halt Conflict in Northern Burma
• After Weeks on the Run, ‘Penis Poet’ Arrested in Rangoon
• Aung San Suu Kyi’s Political Life in Pictures
• Karen Leader: ‘If They Keep Attacking Us, There Will Be No Peace’
• Indian Police Detain Hundreds Before Modi Visits Kashmir
• Thai Junta Turns to Populist Subsidies to Ease Farmer Tensions
• Cambodia Charges 3 after Mob Attack on Opposition Lawmakers

Wa Leader Suggests Chinese Mediation Could Help Halt Conflict in Northern Burma Posted: 05 Nov 2015 03:47 AM PST United Wa State Army (UWSA) deputy chairman Shao Min Liang during the Panghsang summit held earlier this week. (Photo: Lawi Weng / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — A high-ranking member of the powerful United Wa State Army (UWSA) said this week the group was concerned over ongoing conflict in northern Shan State and would seek to enlist the support of Beijing to help mediate a halt to hostilities. "We are very worried about it," said Shao Min Liang, deputy chairman of the UWSA, referring to ongoing conflict pitting government troops against Shan, Kokang and Ta'ang (Palaung) armed groups in areas of Shan State close to Wa-controlled territory. "We will fight back to protect ourselves, but we will not fight first," he said. Shao Min Liang is a key player in the UWSA, Burma's most powerful ethnic armed group with a well-equipped fighting force estimated at 20,000 soldiers. He told this week's three-day summit of ethnic groups held in Panghsang in the Wa Special Region that ethnic rebels should seek the help of China in bringing an end to ongoing fighting. "A lot of refugees fled to China when there was fighting in Kachin State. There were also a lot of refugees that fled to China when fighting [broke out] in Kokang," the deputy chairman told ethnic representatives. "This hurt business in China. For us, we believe that China will help if we ask them to [take part in] peace negotiations with the Burmese government." On several different fronts in Kachin and northern Shan State, fighting has been reported in recent months between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N), the Arakan Army (AA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). None of the groups were signatories to a so-called nationwide ceasefire agreement signed between Naypyidaw and eight non-state armed groups on Oct. 15. The leaders of 11 ethnic armed groups that did not sign the accord attended the Panghsang summit this week, with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), another non-signatory, also receiving an invite but unable to join. At the summit, ethnic leaders floated the idea of forming a new alliance of non-signatory ethnic armed groups that would replace the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) and include the UWSA and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA)—neither of which were UNFC members. No formal agreement on the proposed new alliance was reached, but ethnic leaders planned to continue deliberations. "After three days, there were good results," said Gen Sao Say Htin of the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) which has been locked in ongoing fighting with government troops since Oct. 6. "We will form an armed wing and a political wing in our future [alliance], but we will talk in more detail in a future meeting." Shao Min Liang also suggested a new ethnic peace negotiation team may be established to lead talks with the government in 2016, which is likely set for a makeover after this Sunday's general election. A statement issued at the conclusion of the Panghsang dialogue on Tuesday called on the government to conduct free, fair and transparent elections and for any new administration to uphold the rights of ethnic nationalities, resolve conflict and pursue national reconciliation. The statement also referenced seeking the assistance of China to help guide peace negotiations with the government and bring stability to northern Burma. The post Wa Leader Suggests Chinese Mediation Could Help Halt Conflict in Northern Burma appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

After Weeks on the Run, ‘Penis Poet’ Arrested in Rangoon Posted: 05 Nov 2015 03:23 AM PST Maung Saungkha, 23, was apprehended at Rangoon's Kamayut Township Courthouse on Nov. 5, 2015. (Photo: Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — A young poet on the run from authorities was arrested on Thursday on charges of defamation after he posted a verse on social media suggesting he had a tattoo of the president on his penis. Maung Saungkha, 23, was apprehended at Rangoon's Kamayut Township Courthouse, where he was attending the trial of his friend and fellow activist, Kyaw Ko Ko, who was arrested late last month for participation in student demonstrations earlier this year. The verse in question—posted on Facebook and reading roughly, "I have the president's portrait tattooed on my penis / How disgusted my wife is"—prompted a warning from President's Office director Zaw Htay, also known as Hmuu Zaw, to "be prepared to take responsibility" for the post. Maung Saungkha fled his home when he was informed that a case had been filed against him under Article 66(d) of Burma's Telecommunications Law, spending nearly a month in hiding. The law carries a penalty of up to three years in prison. The controversial law has been leveled against two other people in recent weeks; aid worker Patrick Khum Jaa Lee and Than Tun, a member of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), were both arrested on the charge over posting images viewed as offensive on their Facebook. The former is in detention at Rangoon's Insein Prison, while the latter was recently released on bail. In a similar case, Chaw Sandi Tun, a young supporter of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), was arrested in early October after sharing a digitally altered image comparing military uniforms to women's clothing. Chaw Sandi Tun was charged with violating the Electronic Transactions Law, and faces up to five years behind bars if found guilty. The post After Weeks on the Run, 'Penis Poet' Arrested in Rangoon appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Aung San Suu Kyi’s Political Life in Pictures Posted: 04 Nov 2015 11:31 PM PST Click to view slideshow. Aung San Suu Kyi will lead Burma's main opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), into Sunday's poll with high hopes for a formidable electoral showing. The NLD chairwoman, who much to the chagrin of her legion of supporters remains constitutionally barred from assuming the country's highest office, is recontesting the Lower House seat of Kawhmu Township in the southwest of Rangoon Division. The daughter of renowned independence hero Gen Aung San, Suu Kyi has negotiated the highs and lows of public life under a notorious military regime—from long periods of house arrest, including during general elections in 1990 and 2010, to a violent attack on her motorcade by regime-backed thugs at Depayin in 2003. In 1991, Suu Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, an honor she was finally able to accept in person in Oslo in June 2012, just two months after winning a seat in Burma's Parliament, alongside over 40 of her NLD colleagues, in an April by-election. Here, The Irrawaddy brings together a selection of photos that highlight a few key meetings and moments in Suu Kyi's political life over the last 25 years, from a recent meeting with the Chinese president in Beijing to a visit to the site of a controversial copper mine in Sagaing Division in 2013. The post Aung San Suu Kyi's Political Life in Pictures appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Karen Leader: ‘If They Keep Attacking Us, There Will Be No Peace’ Posted: 04 Nov 2015 09:36 PM PST David Tharckabaw speaks at the KNU Congress at the KNU headquarters in Law Khee Lar, Karen State, November 2012. (Photo: Karen National Union) This week, representatives of a number of Burma's ethnic armed groups convened in Wa Special Region for a political strategy summit among those that abstained from a recent ceasefire accord with the government. Attendees met for three days with the aim of establishing a path forward between non-ceasefire groups a new government set to take power early next year, following a general election to be held on Sunday. Two participants took some observers by surprise: David Tharckabaw and Zipporah Sein, both members of the Karen National Union (KNU), which signed the ceasefire agreement with the government on Oct. 15. Both representatives attended the summit on behalf of the Karen National Defense Organization (KNDO), a non-signatory, rather than the KNU. Neither was present at the ceasefire signing ceremony, indicating a growing divide within the powerful KNU. The Irrawaddy spoke with Tharckabaw on the sidelines of the summit in the Wa capital Panghsang about the KNDO's objectives and motivations for attending the summit, and his views on the peace deal recently signed by other factions within the Karen political leadership. We would like to know about the KNDO's stance. The KNU has already signed the "nationwide ceasefire agreement" (NCA), so why did you come here? The stance of our KNDO is that we wanted to see a nationwide peace agreement on the right track. What's happening now is that there was some pressure from the government, and the KNU had to sign the NCA. This was not a real nationwide ceasefire, it was a fake NCA. For our KNDO, we will continue to work with our alliance of ethnic armed forces to reach a real nationwide agreement. Some foreign NGOs have destroyed the house of the UNFC [United Nationalities Federal Council, Burma's main ethnic alliance]. The house of the UNFC was broken already, and their members divided into different parts. These [NGOs] destroyed the unity of our ethnic groups. For those who signed the NCA, they could not come here [to the Panghsang summit]. Their house was destroyed and they were divided. The KNDO and the KNU have the same fundamental standpoint, but some leaders did not walk on the right path. Our right stance is that we need to work and cooperate with our alliance of ethnic armed forces. Then our alliance will fight for equal rights and the right to govern ourselves with self-determination for our ethnic region. Our KNDO stance is that if we do not have our allied force, we need to form it. In the case that we need to lead our alliance, we need to prepare for that. This is our stance. We do not want to lose our path, which is why we will continue to work with our alliance of ethnic armed forces. Do you worry that the Burmese government will cause problems because you joined this summit despite the fact that the KNU signed the NCA? Why would I have to worry about the Burmese government just because I came here? They attacked our ethnic groups, one by one. We asked them to stop it, but they did not care about that. So why would I worry about them attacking us? Their actions are similar to colonial actions, but we have a brotherhood as ethnic groups. If they keep attacking us, there will be no peace. The majority of Burmese do not support the current government. They are a group of Burmese extremists. They are very proud of themselves as they feel they are the majority in the country. Indeed, they are actually a minority ethnic group. Many Burmese are ethnic people, but they lie to us about our history. Many Karen Burmese are listed as Burmese. They have attacked our ethnic groups since our country became independent. The first group they attacked was the ethnic Karen. After Ne Win oppressed the ethnic groups, many formed armed groups and our country has had no peace since then. As long as they keep using force to solve political conflict, our country will continue to be poor. What would you do to bring unity back to the Karen leadership? We are willing to join hands with the KNU, but we will keep our hand in the distance; not shake hands closely, but maintain a distance. The Euro-Burma Office (EBO) is the main NGO that has destroyed the unity of the ethnic groups. Their money came from the European Union. Our men took that money, and the ideas of the NGOs were installed in their brains. Our men were genuine people; they did not understand whether those ideas were right or wrong. They believed it, and they signed [the ceasefire]. Our KNU talked to them [the government] seven or eight times about reaching a ceasefire, but they only told us to disarm. If we do that, then who will protect the Karen people? We will maintain our forces and defend our people and our region. If there is a better way to work with the government, we will do it. This is what we want to see for the future of our Union. Correction, Nov. 5, 2015 – a previous version of this interview incorrectly stated that the KNU met with the EBO seven or eight times to discuss the ceasefire agreement. Those meetings were held between the KNU and the Burmese government. The post Karen Leader: 'If They Keep Attacking Us, There Will Be No Peace' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Indian Police Detain Hundreds Before Modi Visits Kashmir Posted: 04 Nov 2015 09:30 PM PST Kashmiri villagers stand on the embankment of a house to watch the funeral procession of a separatist militant and civilian at Redwani village, south of Srinagar, June 22, 2015. (Photo: Danish Ismail / Reuters) SRINAGAR, India — Indian authorities detained key separatist leaders and hundreds of their supporters to prevent them from holding a protest rally during a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Kashmir this weekend, police said Wednesday. Separatists have called for a march by a million people near the site of Modi's public meeting in Srinagar on Saturday, challenging India's sovereignty over the disputed region. Separatist leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Shabir Ahmed Shah have been put under house arrest, while Mohammed Yasin Malik has been detained at a police station, police said. Preventive arrests are fairly common in the Indian-administered portion of Kashmir, particularly ahead of important events that authorities fear could be targeted by anti-India protests. "Our rally is to showcase to the world that Kashmiris reject India's brutal military occupation of Kashmir," Geelani said in a statement. Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, who rules the Indian portion of Kashmir in coalition with Modi's Bharatiya Janta Party, said Modi "genuinely wants to win the hearts and minds of people" through the region's development. Modi is scheduled to inaugurate a power project in the area and offer economic assistance. However, a key pro-India Kashmiri leader, Omar Abdullah, denounced the arrest of hundreds of Kashmiri people. He tweeted that Modi's "Srinagar rally will be historic—for the number of people arrested to make the rally possible." Government forces have rounded up about 300 people, mostly during night raids on their homes this week, a police officer said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media. Hundreds of troops have been checking government and private vehicles entering Srinagar, the main city in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir, for suspected militants or separatist activists. Inspector-General Syed Javaid Mujtaba Gillani said the detentions were part of a "usual security drill" in the region. "Police are taking precautionary measures as we apprehend breach of peace during the prime minister's visit. There's nothing unusual about these detentions," he said. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, which both claim the entire region. Separatist groups have been fighting for Kashmir's independence or merger with neighboring Pakistan since 1989. An estimated 68,000 people have died in the fighting and the ensuing crackdown by Indian forces. Kashmiris often express their opposition to Indian rule through street demonstrations since Indian troops largely suppressed the armed uprising. CAPTION:     Kashmiri villagers stand on the embankment of a house to watch the funeral procession of a separatist militant and civilian at Redwani village, south of Srinagar, June 22, 2015. (Photo: Danish Ismail / Reuters) The post Indian Police Detain Hundreds Before Modi Visits Kashmir appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Thai Junta Turns to Populist Subsidies to Ease Farmer Tensions Posted: 04 Nov 2015 09:24 PM PST A rice mill worker pushes a cart with rice bags in Udon Thani, Thailand, September 16, 2015. (Photo: Jorge Silva / Reuters) BANGKOK — Thailand's junta has approved US$1.3 billion in rural subsidies, akin to the populist policies of the government it ousted, to appease disgruntled and politically powerful farmers who are struggling with record low commodity prices and weak exports. The rural heartland of Thailand's deposed leader Yingluck Shinawatra and her exiled billionaire brother Thaksin is hurting as a result of the military government's economic policies, stirring discontent and the threat of protests. The military government had pledged to wean farmers off expensive subsidies used by the previous government which it ousted in a 2014 coup. But last week it approved measures worth around $1 billion to help rice farmers and on Tuesday gave the greenlight to $365 million to help rubber farmers who had threatened to rally in defiance of a ban on political gatherings. "In a situation of economic difficulty they have to stimulate consumption and what they think is: give grassroots people money and it will circulate," said Gothom Arya, an advisor to the Institute of Human Rights and Peace Studies at Bangkok's Mahidol University. "Though the junta's action is exactly the same as previous governments, they claim that this time money will not leak," said Arya. Such measures would have been unthinkable immediately after the coup which ushered in a junta pledging to "clean up" Thailand and move the country away from corruption associated with politicians and their populist policies. But seventeen months on, incomes in rural areas, where more than 34 million Thais live, have collapsed and farmers in the world's second-biggest rice exporter and top rubber exporter have been calling for the re-introduction of subsidies. Junta Failing to Soothe Tensions Thailand's farmers have been at the center of a decade of political turmoil. Military attempts to disperse 10 weeks of protests by Thaksin's "red shirt" supporters in 2010 left scores dead and sparked the worst violence in modern Thai history. The subsidies are the latest in a raft of measures, including soft loans through village funds, by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, one of the architects of Shinawatra's populist policies, to appease farmers and boost the economy. But while aid is rising, farmers remain critical of the junta, which has not guaranteed crop prices as farmers demand, and their measures are far from the scale of Yingluck's schemes. "Rubber prices drop. We make less money. I would rather see the government help raise rubber prices," said Samai Sribang, 58, a rubber farmer. A Yingluck rice program which paid almost 50 percent above global market prices, cost around $14 billion, and fueled criticism of vote-buying. She also spent $620 million building rubber stockpiles under a price support program. In January, a military-appointed legislature impeached Yingluck for negligence over the rice scheme that distorted markets and built up massive rice stockpiles. The post Thai Junta Turns to Populist Subsidies to Ease Farmer Tensions appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Cambodia Charges 3 after Mob Attack on Opposition Lawmakers Posted: 04 Nov 2015 09:19 PM PST Protesters gather in front of the Phnom Penh home of Kem Sokha, vice president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), to demand his resignation on Oct. 26. (Photo: Samrang Pring / Reuters) PHNOM PENH — A Cambodian court on Wednesday indicted three men in the mob beating of two opposition lawmakers outside of the National Assembly last week, which left one of the lawmakers knocked out cold. Rights groups have demanded an independent investigation into the assault that appeared to have been carried out by supporters of Prime Minister Hun Sen, the country’s longtime authoritarian leader. The three suspects, who police say turned themselves in Tuesday and confessed, were charged with two counts of intention to commit violence and intention to damage property. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, said Meas Chan Piseth, a prosecutor at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. The suspects were identified as Chay Sarith, 33, Mao Hoeun, 34, and Suth Vanny, 45. Lawmakers Nhoy Chamreoun and Kong Sakphea were dragged from their cars and beaten after leaving an Oct. 26 session of the assembly. Both men were repeatedly punched and kicked and their cars were damaged. They were attacked by members of a pro-government mob protesting outside the assembly to demand that Kem Sokha, the deputy leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, step down as the parliamentary vice president. Many in the mob were wearing pieces of red cloth, a trademark of vigilantes connected to the ruling party. Kem Sokha has been more aggressive than party leader Sam Rainsy in his criticism of Hun Sen, who has been in power for almost three decades and is known for intimidating his opponents. “We hope there will be a proper inquiry to find justice,” Sam Rainsy posted on Facebook late Tuesday, calling for an investigation into the attack to be carried out “properly, professionally and independently.” The calls for an outside investigation were echoed by Human Rights Watch, which said in a statement that Sakphea’s nose was broken and his right eardrum torn, requiring an operation, while Chamreoun’s right wrist and nose were broken and he underwent a five-hour eye operation due to injuries from the beating. In the past two years in Cambodia, gangs of man with sticks, staves and other homemade weapons have often confronted protests by the opposition and other dissidents, while police stand aside. The post Cambodia Charges 3 after Mob Attack on Opposition Lawmakers appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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