Thursday, February 12, 2015

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine


Govt Revokes Voting Rights for ‘White Card’ Holders

Posted: 12 Feb 2015 06:58 AM PST

White Card

Protestors in Rangoon on Wednesday demonstrate against a government decision to allow people without full citizenship, including Rohingya Muslims, to vote in an upcoming constitutional referendum. (Photo: Steve Tickner / The Irrawaddy)

Just over a week since Burma's Union Parliament passed a law granting temporary identity card holders the right to vote in a constitutional referendum slated for later this year, the president's office issued a statement revoking those rights on Wednesday.

According to the statement, temporary identity cards, popularly known as white cards, will expire on March 31. White card holders must return the expired documents no later than May 31, the statement read.

President's Office Director Zaw Htay said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that "according to the announcement, the white cards holders' right to vote in the constitutional [referendum] is automatically revoked."

The move came only hours after hundreds of people, including Buddhist monks, gathered in Rangoon to protest the passage of a law on Feb. 2 that would have allowed all citizens, foreign registration card holders and white card holders over the age of 18, to vote in the national referendum.

The majority of white card holders are Rohingya Muslims, residing in Burma's Arakan State, who were mostly stripped of citizenship after the passage of a 1982 law. Many were awarded white cards more than two decades ago.

Abu Tahay, a Rohingya leader and chair of the Union Nationals Development Party—a political organization not recognized by Naypyidaw—criticized the government's U-turn.

"It is clear that the announcement was made due to some kind of pressure," he told The Irrawaddy. Any termination of the cards must be executed in accordance with a bylaw of the Residents of Burma Registration Act [1951], he added.

Ba Shein, a lower house MP from the Arakan National Party who voted against the parliament's Feb. 2 decision, said the order from the president's office was insufficient, as it could only be implemented through new or amended legislation.

"It seems the order was rushed in order to halt the current protests," he told The Irrawaddy.

The president's office statement appeared to acknowledge public opposition and pledged to form a commission, comprised of "experts and appropriate persons, to review those [relevant] laws, bylaws and related issues and give their suggestions."

Prominent lawyer Robert San Aung described the plan as "just a waste of taxpayer's money." He said that MPs were forced to approve the law granting voting rights to white card holders, knowing that it was against the Constitution.

In December, President Thein Sein sent the constitutional referendum bill back to Parliament, recommending that white card holders should be granted the right to vote due to the fact that they were allowed to do so during the referendum to approve the Constitution in May 2008.

"Now the white cards have been revoked, these card-holders become stateless persons again, as there is only a plan to form a review committee," Robert San Aung said.

The post Govt Revokes Voting Rights for 'White Card' Holders appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Non-Ceasefire Groups Absent From Union Day Events

Posted: 12 Feb 2015 03:58 AM PST

Burma Union Day

KNU chairperson Mutu Say Poe (standing) during a meeting with government representatives and other ethnic leaders in Naypyidaw on Wednesday. (Photo: Facebook / Nyo Ohn Myint)

CHIANG MAI, Thailand — While representatives from several ethnic armed groups gathered in Naypyidaw to mark Union Day on Thursday, non-ceasefire groups, including Kachin rebels involved in ongoing conflict with the Burma Army, were conspicuously absent.

No representatives from the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) or the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) were present at the celebrations. Another ethnic armed group, the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), also failed to attend.

The Burmese government has reached bilateral ceasefire agreements with more than a dozen armed groups since 2011, with the notable exception of the TNLA, the KIO and the MNDAA.

Htun Myat Lin, general-secretary of the MNDAA, a Kokang rebel group that has been engaged in heavy fighting with the Burma Army in recent days, said no MNDAA representatives were invited to attend the event in the nation's capital.

"Over 60 years ago, ethnic minority groups happily signed the Panglong Agreement with the government to exist in harmony," he said. "But these days, it is like the agreement has been forgotten."

The Panglong Agreement, signed by Gen. Aung San and ethnic representatives on Feb. 12, 1947, is seen by ethnic groups as embodying ideals of equality, decentralization and self-determination that were never fully implemented. The date is celebrated annually as Union Day.

"We don't like war," Htun Myat Lin added. "But we can't avoid it as we have been attacked by the Burma Army since 2009."

Fighting between the Burma Army and the MNDAA erupted in Laukkai Township, northern Shan State, earlier this week, forcing several thousand residents to flee into neighboring China's Yunnan Province. The government army launched numerous airstrikes on rebel positions in the township.

A 2009 Burma Amy offensive against the MNDAA also sent tens of thousands of civilians fleeing into China.

At the invitation of the Burmese government, representatives from 12 ethnic armed groups and the All Burma Students' Democratic Front attended Union Day events on Thursday.

The groups met with government representatives where they were presented with an agreement pledging that signatories would work to conclude a nationwide ceasefire without delay; prevent further armed clashes; and solve grievances through dialogue.

The agreement also stated that signatories would draft a framework for political dialogue after concluding a nationwide ceasefire at a date prior to the 2015 general elections.

It is not yet known how many groups signed the document.

Longtime Burma expert Bertil Lintner described the commitment as merely a "face-saving gesture" designed to please the international community.

"The so-called 'peace process' has failed," he said. "Just look at the north of the country. As this agreement was signed there's heavy fighting in Kokang, northern Shan State, and in parts of Kachin State."

Tar Parn La, of the TNLA's foreign affairs department, told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that their leaders couldn't attend the Union Day ceremony in the face of major attacks by the Burma Army.

"Fighting is intense in our areas this month [and] we have learned that the Burma Army is preparing for another major attack in the near future. That's why our officials could not attend this event," he said.

Tar Parn La accused Naypyidaw of using the same old "divide and rule" tactics of previous military governments—making peace with some ethnic armed groups while attacking others.

"They call themselves, or are called, a 'civilian government,' but they are the same people, [with the] same policies [using] the same methods," he said. "Fighting is escalating and now they are even using air strikes to bombard us."

The post Non-Ceasefire Groups Absent From Union Day Events appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Govt, Students Reach Agreement on Education Reform

Posted: 12 Feb 2015 01:19 AM PST

Govt, Students Reach Agreement on Education Reform

Protestors in Rangoon in February show solidarity with student demonstrators. (Photo: Tin Htet Paing / The Irrawaddy)

RANGOON — Government representatives agreed in principle to the demands of students and education advocates protesting the controversial National Education Law during a meeting in Rangoon on Wednesday.

Agreement was reached on all 11 of the students' demands, according to a joint-statement released by educational and political stakeholders following the meeting. However, any proposed amendments to the education law would still have to be approved by parliament.

The apparent breakthrough comes after months of protests against the National Education Law that gained traction after the legislation was passed by parliament in September 2014. Critics of the law contend that it centralizes authority, restricts the formation of student and teacher unions and curbs curricular freedoms.

Following Wednesday's talks, Zeyar Lwin, a member of the Action Committee for Democratic Education (ACDE) said during a press conference that MPs pledged to consider amendments to the law in the parliament.

"We reached an agreement to have the bill sent to parliament on Feb. 16," Zeyar Lwin said. The next round of quadripartite talks is scheduled for Feb. 14, where the students' 11 demands will be discussed in more detail.

Among the students' demands are that the government reintegrate students who left school for political reasons, increase educational spending to 20 percent of the national budget, and amend the law to decentralize curricular control and allow the formation of student and teachers unions.

The students also called for multilingual education that respects students' mother tongues in ethnic states and inclusive education for disabled children.

According to Wednesday's joint statement, the 20 percent target would be reached gradually, within the next five years.

On Jan. 20, hundreds of students set out on a march from Mandalay to Rangoon to protest the law, with the government eventually acceding to their demands for quadripartite dialogue involving student leaders, advocates, ministers and lawmakers.

However, after a generally positive meeting in Rangoon on Feb. 1, the government reneged on a pledge to resume talks on Feb. 3 in Naypyidaw. Burma's Home Affairs Minister Lt-Gen Ko Ko subsequently claimed that protesting students were threatening the country's stability.

President's Office Minister Hla Tun, who represented the government in the dialogue, said on Wednesday, "Representatives should explain today's meeting results to the protesting students so as to reduce the worry of parents and the pressure of protest groups."

However, Min Thwe Thit of the ACDE said all demonstrators around the country would continue marching and that a decision on whether to halt demonstrations would depend on the desire of students.

While the core group of hundreds of demonstrators set off from Mandalay on the 400-mile march to Rangoon, several separate protest groups also plan to converge in Burma's former capital, including groups from Dawei in Tenasserim Division, Pathein in Irrawaddy Division and Pakokku in Magwe Division.

Additional Reporting by Sanay Lin.

The post Govt, Students Reach Agreement on Education Reform appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

National News

National News


ActionAid postpones youth conference due to ‘security’ fears

Posted: 12 Feb 2015 12:33 AM PST

A major youth conference scheduled for next week has been postponed due to security concerns. NGO ActionAid announced the postponement on February 11, six days before the event was due to begin.

President backtracks on white cards

Posted: 12 Feb 2015 12:19 AM PST

In a major backflip, the government has responded to growing protests against parliament's decision to allow holders of temporary ID cards – better known as white cards – to vote in a planned referendum by cancelling the cards from the end of next month.

Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News


The Other Panglong agreements

Posted: 12 Feb 2015 12:35 AM PST

Aside from the well knows 12 February 1947 agreement between Ministerial Burma and the Federated Shan States-Kachin Hills-Chin Hills, 3 other agreements are well worth studying, as they had served as forerunners to it. Putting them together, a fuller picture of the making of the Union in 1947 may emerge in the reader' mind, helping him/her to understand how it was formed and how it should be formed to make it last. atlee-aungsan
  1. Aung San – Atlee Agreement
Telegram No. 1599 FA frontiers to resident. NSS The agreement stipulates that the Frontier Areas peoples, as the non-Burmans were then known, should be taken into account in order to forge a future unified Burma. Joseph Silverstein interprets it as "the condition the minorities would be free to decide whether or not to advance with Burma (Proper)" — Editor Following conclusion reached in conversation between His Majesty's Government and Delegation from Executive Council at London regarding Frontier Areas. It is agreed objective of both His Majesty's Government and the Burmese Delegates to achieve the early unification of the Frontier Areas and Ministerial Burma with the free consent of inhabitants of those Areas. In meantime it is agreed that people of Frontier Areas should in respect of subjects of common interest be closely associated with Government of Burma in a manner acceptable to both parties. For these purposes it has been agreed as follows:- (a) There shall be free intercourse between peoples of Frontier Areas and peoples of Ministerial Burma without hindrance. (b) Leaders and representatives of people of Frontier Areas shall be asked either at Panglong Conference or at a special conference to be convened for the purpose to express their views upon the form of association with the Government of Burma which they consider acceptable during the transition period whether by  
  1. Appointment of a small group of Frontier representatives to advise the Governor on Frontier affairs and to have close liaison with the Executive Council (or)
  2. By appointment of one Frontier Areas Representative as Executive Council of or charge of Frontier affairs (or)
  3. By some other method.
(c) After the Panglong Conference or Special Conference, HMG and the Government of Burma will agree up the best method of advancing their common aims in accordance with the expressed views of the peoples of the Frontier Areas. (d) A committee of Enquiry shall be set up forthwith as to the best method of associating the Frontier peoples with the working out the New Constitution for Burma. Such Committee will consist of equal number of persons from Ministerial Burma nominated by the Executive Council and of persons from the Frontier Areas nominated by the Governor after consultation with leaders of those areas with a neutral Chairman from outside Burma selected by agreement. Such Committee shall be asked to report to Government of Burma and HMG before the summoning of the Constitution Assembly. panglong-conference
  1. Shan-Kachin Agreement
Decision arrive at by the Shan-Kachin committee at its meeting At Panglong on 6th. February 1947 at 2:30 p.m. That the non-Burmans were not calling for self-rule, which they already enjoyed, but also what is known as "shared rule" can be seen here — Editor The Committee is of the opinion that the freedom for the Shan and the Kachins would be achieved sooner through the cooperation with Burmese as such the two races would send in their respective Representative to take part in the Executive Council of the Burma Government during the transition period, with the following conditions:
  1. Same status, right and privileges as enjoyed by the Burmese on democratic lines.
  2. The Shan and Kachin members in the Executive Council would be responsible for all their respective internal affairs and would jointly be responsible for common subjects e.g. Defence, Foreign affairs, Railway Customs etc.
  3. This Committee supported the demand of the Kachin for their desire to have distinct separate Kachin State.
  4. The terms of agreement as arrived at between the Burmese delegates and His Majesty's Government is not to be binding on the Shan and Kachins.
  5. The right to secede after attainment of freedom from Confederation with Burma if and when we choose.
 
Shan CommitteeKachin Committee
sd. Hkun Pan Sing, Saopalong of Tawngpeng State.sd. Sinwa Naw, Myitkyina.
sd. S.S. Thaike, Saohpalong of Yawnghwe State.sd. Zau Rip, -do-
sd. Sao Hom Hpa, Saohpalong of North Hsenwi State.sd. Dinra Tang, -do-
sd. Sao Num, Saohpalong of Lainka State.sd. Zau La, Bhamo.
sd. Sao Sam Htun, Saohpalong of Mong Pawn State.sd. Zau Lawn, -do-
sd. Sao Htun E, Saohpalong of Hsamongnkam Statesd. Labang Grong, Bhamo.
sd. Hkun Phung.
sd. Tin E.
sd. Htun Myint.
sd. Kya Bu.
sd. Nkun Saw.
sd. Sao Yape Hpa.
sd. Hkun Htee.
 
  1. Shan-Kachin-Chin Agreement
Decision arrived at by the combined Chin-Kachin-Shan Committee at its meeting at Panglong on 7th February 1947 at 9 A.M. Aung San's famous "Burmese one kyat, Shan (Kachin /Chin etc) one kyat" is worded in another way here — Editor The Chin delegation having arrived on the night of the 6th. February 1947 was welcomed to the meeting. It consisted of
  1. U Hlur Hmung, ATM, I, D, S, M., Falam, Chin Hills
  2. U Thawng Za Khup, ATM, Tiddim, Chin Hills
  3. U Kio Mang, ATM, Haka, Chin Hills
 
  1. The terms of the decision arrived at yesterday by the Shan Representatives and the Kachin Delegations at their Meeting at 2:30 P.M. was duly read out and explained to the Chin Delegates who approved of the decisions and subscribed to the same with the following which was unanimously approved by all.
(a) All Rights and privileges as regards Central Revenue enjoyed by Shans shall also be extended to the Chins and Kachins on a population basis. (b) Any deficiency in local finance to be made good from Burma Revenues. (c) There shall be formed a Supreme Executive Council of the United Hill Peoples composed of representative of Shans, Chins and Kachins which shall have full power of decision on all matters of policy between the Hill peoples and the Government of Burma.  
Shan Committee
Kachin Committee
sd. Hkun Pan Sing, Saopalong of Tawngpeng State.sd. Sinwa Naw, Myitkyina.
sd. S.S. Thaike, Saohpalong of Yawnghwe State.sd. Zau Rip, -do-
sd. Sao Hom Hpa, Saohpalong of North Hsenwi State.sd. Dinra Tang, -do-
sd. Sao Num, Saohpalong of Laihka State.sd. Zau La, Bhamo.
sd. Sao Sam Htun, Saohpalong of Mong Pawn State.sd. Zau Lawn, -do-
sd. Sao Htun E, Saohpalong of Hsamonghkam Statesd. Labang Grong, Bhamo.
sd. Mg Pyu, Representative of Hsahtung Saohpolong
sd. Hkun Phung.
Chin Committee
sd. Tin E.sd. Hlur Hmung, ATM, IDSM, B.E.I., Falam
sd. Htun Myint.sd. Thawng Za Khup, ATM, Tiddim.
sd. Kya Bu.sd. Kic Mang, ATM, Haka.
sd. Hkun Saw.
sd. Sao Yape Hpa.
sd. Hkun Htee.
panglong_agreement
  1. Agreement for First Non-Burman Negotiating Team
The alliance, its name pronounced "Scoop", was formed to negotiate with the Government of Ministerial Burma by Shan, Kachin and Chin leaders on the same day — Editor At the meeting of the Chin-Shan-Kachin Committee at Panglong on 7th February 1947 at 1 p.m., it was unanimously resolved that a Sub-Committee of the under-listed members be formed and given full powers for the purpose of negotiating with the Burmese Leaders according to the terms of the decisions of the 6th an 7th February 1947 arrived at by (a) the Kachin-Shan Committee and (b) the Combined Chin-Shan-Kachin Committee: ---
  1. U Kya Bu
  2. Saohpalong of Mongpawn State
  3. Sin Wa Naw
  4. Zau Lawn
  5. U Hlur Hmung
  6. U Thawng Za Khup
  sd. Hkun Pan Sing Chairman, Combined Chin-Shan-Kachin Committee C/Panglong. Dated Panglong, the 7th February 1947.