The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Burma Army, UNFC Delegation Disagree on Peace Conference Dialogue Facilitation
• Overcrowded Katha Prison Criticized by Human Rights Commission
• Height Restrictions Dropped on 12 Rangoon High-Rise Projects
• Is Suu Kyi Stealing the Show?
• Sixth Annual Wathann Film Festival Returns to Rangoon
• Hoteliers Left in Limbo in Bagan
• Mai Ja Yang, Burma’s ‘Little Hong Kong’

Burma Army, UNFC Delegation Disagree on Peace Conference Dialogue Facilitation Posted: 22 Aug 2016 07:38 AM PDT A meeting between representatives from the government's National Reconciliation and Peace Center and ethnic armed groups' Delegation for Peace Negotiation is held on Monday in Rangoon. (Photo: Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — Burma Army representatives of the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) objected to a proposal put forward on Monday by an ethnic armed group delegation regarding the facilitation of dialogue at the upcoming Union Peace Conference. The upcoming conference—also being lauded as the 21st Century Panglong event—will begin on August 31 in Naypyidaw. At a meeting in Rangoon on Monday, the Delegation for Political Negotiation (DPN)—a group of representatives from the United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC), a coalition of ethnic armed groups who opted out of signing 2015's nationwide ceasefire with the government—proposed a facilitation strategy for the conference involving three chairpersons from three sides. "From our ethnic armed groups, we will select three people who will act as chairpersons at the conference. This is the issue we had a disagreement about today with the Tatmadaw. They wanted [their own] three persons who would act as chairpersons at the conference," said a representative from DPN who wished not to be named. The idea put forward by the DPN was to select three individuals each from the ethnic armed groups, the government, and the country's political parties. These people will act as chairpersons and sit at the front of the stage at the conference. The Burma Army said that they would also like to have three representatives of their own, as well as three from the leading National League for Democracy, and the Parliament. The ethnic delegation disagreed, pointing out an imbalance created by having nine people on the side of the government and only three representing ethnic interests. "The government agreed to have this tripartite political dialogue we proposed, and there was no problem," the source added. Sai Kyaw Nyunt, a member of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) political party and an acting committee member for the Union Peace Conference, confirmed to The Irrawaddy that there was a disagreement regarding the format for the dialogue, but said that there will be ongoing negotiation on the issue. "There could be three parties or five parties in the future," he said, referring to the proposals put forward by both the DPN and the Burma Army. When asked about the specifics of the disagreement, Sai Kyaw Nyunt declined to comment, saying, "It was not good to mention who," before adding, "You know who disagreed with this." Regarding the three ethnic armed groups whose attendance at the Union Peace Conference is not yet confirmed—the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Arakan Army—Hla Maung Shwe, a member of the NRPC, said that there will be another meeting soon to negotiate between the government and the groups. Members from NRPC have met the three ethnic armed groups twice already in eastern Shan State's Mongla region. The Burmese Army has asked them to state an intention to disarm before they can attend the peace conference, but the groups have objected to this demand. The post Burma Army, UNFC Delegation Disagree on Peace Conference Dialogue Facilitation appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Overcrowded Katha Prison Criticized by Human Rights Commission Posted: 22 Aug 2016 07:35 AM PDT Prisoners walk out of Rangoon's Insein Prison after being released in a "general amnesty" in 2011. (Photo: The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — In a statement on Friday, Burma's National Human Rights Commission criticized overcrowding, and inadequate staffing and provisions of water and medicine, at Katha Prison in Sagaing Division, and called for drastic improvements to be made. During a session of the Union Parliament on July 28, 16 lawmakers debated the commission's annual report for 2015, directing heavy criticism at its weaknesses—including in promoting prisoners' rights. Myint Kyi, a Lower House lawmaker representing Katha Constituency, told Parliament that earlier recommendations from the human rights commission—to build additional sleeping quarters in Burma's overflowing prisons, fill medical and security staff vacancies, and supply sufficient medicine for prisoners—had not been acted on. He cited Katha Prison, which was built 120 years ago with a capacity to hold 480 inmates, as now severely overcrowded. "It is really hard for the inmates now to sleep, to use toilets and water facilities, and even to get food. It is not good for their health; infectious diseases can spread easily," he said. Myint Kyi's comments prompted a team from the human rights commission to visit Katha Prison and interview 39 inmates and detainees. The commission discovered a total of 1,003 inmates—more than double its official capacity—136 of which were female. The minimum requirement of 18 square feet per inmate far exceeds the reality of just 8.6 square feet per inmate. In their statement, the commission reiterated their earlier recommendations regarding facilities and staff levels, and the need to take preventive measures against infectious diseases. "The overcrowding and the inadequate staff, water and medical supplies are the same as in other prisons, as well as in police lock-ups. The relevant ministries should implement the commission's recommendations as soon as possible, and the government needs to provide the necessary budget," lawmaker Myint Kyi said during the session on July 28. This year, the human rights commission issued four other statements related to prison conditions in Pegu Division, Shan State, Kayah State and Khamti of Sagaing Division. The post Overcrowded Katha Prison Criticized by Human Rights Commission appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Height Restrictions Dropped on 12 Rangoon High-Rise Projects Posted: 22 Aug 2016 07:30 AM PDT Cranes are reflected in the window of a newly constructed shopping mall in Rangoon, November 11, 2015. (Photo: Olivia Harris / Reuters) RANGOON — Twelve high-rise construction projects under suspension for months have been given the green light to resume from the Rangoon Division Chief Minister, after developers petitioned the government. Than Htay, head of the Building Department at the Yangon City Development Committee—Rangoon's municipal authority—told The Irrawaddy that the resumption of all twelve high rise projects was approved on Saturday, after the developers pledged to Chief Minister Phyo Min Thein that they would follow all regulations and guidelines. Orders for height reductions have been lifted, according to Than Htay, who wouldn't elaborate on the promises that were made. Since May, the Rangoon Division government has suspended more than 200 high rise construction projects in the city because they were not in line with urban planning standards, following the recommendations of its own high-rise review committee. The divisional government ordered that the intended heights of 12 buildings under construction be reduced, that planned parking facilities be upgraded, and that safety standards be improved. Thiha Zaw, the developer behind The Illustra Pho Sein, one of the 12 suspended projects, told The Irrawaddy that he received the go-ahead on Monday to resume construction of his planned 31-story building, despite an earlier government order that its intended height be reduced to 19. "At the time my project first received permission, there were no height restrictions. Now it has been re-approved, on the condition that we follow the rules and regulations—which we do eagerly," Thiha Zaw said. The post Height Restrictions Dropped on 12 Rangoon High-Rise Projects appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Is Suu Kyi Stealing the Show? Posted: 22 Aug 2016 05:59 AM PDT State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi meets with UNFC ethnic armed alliance leaders for the first time in Rangoon on July 17. (Photo: Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy) State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's comment to ethnic armed group leaders in July—that they should consider what they could "give" to, rather than "take" from, the peace process—has caused some unease among the fragmented ethnic bloc. Ethnic armed group leaders and observers of the peace process have privately criticized Suu Kyi's approach as a "one-man-show": stealing the limelight and monopolizing positions of responsibility. Without properly consulting ethnic leaders, Suu Kyi has expedited the Union Peace Conference, now scheduled for August 31. Some ethnic armed group leaders have confided low expectations—that the "21st Century Panglong Conference," as it has been branded, will be mostly "for show," rather for reaching agreements to seriously further the peace process. Nai Hong Sar, a spokesperson for United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC)—an alliance of nine ethnic armed organizations that didn't sign the Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA) last year—attributes Suu Kyi's early timing of the peace conference to her desire to present "a first step" at a session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. Real negotiations would take place only afterwards. Suu Kyi is Burma's state counselor, its foreign minister, a president's office minister and the chairperson of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD). She also chairs both the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) and the Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC), which oversee the peace process. However, some observers point to the military's continued monopolization of the security sector, and the powerful ministries of defense, home, and border affairs, as an obstacle to smooth progress in the peace process. Gen Baw Kyaw Heh, vice chief-of-staff of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), said ethnic armed groups don't have a clear idea of what Suu Kyi's next move will be after the peace conference. They see difficulties ahead, including in implementing a military code-of-conduct, repositioning troops and monitoring the ceasefire on the ground. Suu Kyi must rely on the cooperation of the Burma Army in all these areas. A longtime observer on ethnic affairs said, "If she is capable, I wonder why she doesn’t announce a nationwide ceasefire, under her own authority, and take action against those who violate the ceasefire. It would then become obvious who wants peace and who doesn't." The peace process under the NLD government inherits the baggage around the deals made under the former military-backed government—particularly the NCA, which has caused considerable division among ethnic armed groups after only a minority of groups signed. Even among signatory groups, there are disagreements over the text of the NCA—for instance disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, as proposed by the Burma Army. However, under Suu Kyi's leadership, ethnic armed organizations are treated differently than they were under the previous government. Suu Kyi hasn't offered lucrative business opportunities to ethnic armed organizations, of the type that tend to benefit only top leaders and not civilians in the areas under their control. Suu Kyi has indicated a belief that development and economic growth will go a long way toward solving many of problems faced by ordinary people. But, unlike previous governments, she may develop economic policies that reach civilians in ethnic areas. "One reason we haven't achieved peace is that the physical and mental needs of the people still cannot be fulfilled," Suu Kyi said during a recent UPDJC meeting. During the government of former President Thein Sein, business opportunities including car permits and company licenses were granted to ethnic armed groups. Some groups now make good money running businesses, their enterprises extending into neighboring countries such as China and Thailand. Not only do the benefits generally bypass ordinary civilians, armed group leaders also often lack policies to improve their wellbeing. Due to personal interests, ethnic leaders are frequently divided. In Shan State, over the last year, ethnic armed groups such as the Ta'ang National Liberation Army and the Shan State Army-South have fought against each other. This runs on considerable precedent: in the past, ethnic Shan armed groups have fought with the United Wa State Army, and rival ethnic Karen armed groups have a history of internecine conflict. Differences in views among stakeholders are to be expected, but without a genuine willingness to find common ground, the peace process will never be concluded. Ethnic politics is not black and white: Suu Kyi should be aware of hidden interests among individual ethnic armed groups, as well as in the Burma Army. It seems that ethnic armed groups and the Burma Army don't want real peace, but a peace with interests. Few appear willing to give up their arms and existing powers to help turn Burma into a genuinely democratic country. Such willingness is essential, no matter how much support Suu Kyi can command from both inside and outside Burma—or how many decision-making positions she can occupy. The post Is Suu Kyi Stealing the Show? appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Sixth Annual Wathann Film Festival Returns to Rangoon Posted: 22 Aug 2016 05:51 AM PDT The fifth Wathann Film Festival as seen on opening day on September 9, 2015. (Photo: Wathann Film Institute) RANGOON — The Wathann Film Festival—the first of its kind in Burma—will return to Rangoon's Waziya Cinema from September 7-11, for the event's sixth edition. Inaugurated in 2011 with a mission of improving the standard of local independent films and paving a platform for Burmese independent films, the Wathann Film Festival (WFF) is expanding beyond local work this year; the event has added a new competition category for documentaries from other Southeast Asian countries. According to festival organizers, the WFF will showcase more than 30 independent films by both local and foreign filmmakers: 15 films have been selected for local competition, nine films for the Southeast Asia competition and around 10 films for non-competitive screenings. Thaid Dhi, a cofounder of the WFF, told The Irrawaddy that the Wathann Film Festival has selected four documentaries from the Philippines and Thailand, and five films from Burmese filmmakers for the Southeast Asian competition section. "We have realized that Burmese documentaries become quite strong and qualified to compete at the regional level," he said. Adding the new Southeast Asia competition category—rather than submitting local films to festivals in other countries—is a move to show regional independent films to a Burmese audience. It has been a decade since most Burmese documentarians first began their work, and they have gained recognition at international film festivals in recent years, Thaid Dhi explained, adding that the Burmese audience still remains relatively unfamiliar with international independent films. "We have selected a Thai documentary [called Sinmalin] which portrays the Burmese migrant issue," he said. "By showing it, the Burmese audience will have a chance to know a perspective from Thailand on Burmese migrants and the filmmaker's approach." Awards to be presented at the festival include Best Short Film, Best Documentary (Local) and Best Documentary (Southeast Asia) with a monetary prize of 500,000 kyats (US$417) each. The post Sixth Annual Wathann Film Festival Returns to Rangoon appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Hoteliers Left in Limbo in Bagan Posted: 22 Aug 2016 04:32 AM PDT The government debates what to do about unsanctioned hotels built in Bagan's archaeological zone.  (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy) NAYPYIDAW — The government remains undecided on whether to grant official approval to unsanctioned hotels that were built in Bagan's famed archaeological zone without the permission of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture. Existing laws prohibit commercial buildings in Bagan's archaeological zone but for 25 hotels that have already been built, the ministry is debating whether to allow or demolish them, said Aye Ko Ko, director of the Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library, at a press conference on the ministry's 100-day plan in Naypyidaw on Friday. "According to the law, hotels, motels and guesthouses can't be built in archaeological zones unless the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture approves. This approval cannot be authorized by local authorities or our department," said Aye Ko Ko. "As for those 25 hotels, the minister has urged us to find a solution that is acceptable to both sides—to ensure that hotel owners do not suffer losses and that our cultural heritage is not affected," said Aye Ko Ko. Because Bagan is widely regarded as a national treasure, the ministry will work with other concerned ministries as well as local authorities to find the best possible solution, he added. Apart from the hotels that were constructed without approval, the department has received 17 proposals for new hotel projects since 2013. "We rejected [the 17 proposals] immediately because the proposed projects were located in the ancient archaeological zone," Aye Ko Ko said. Tin Htoo Maung, the administrator of Nyaung U Township—which houses hundreds of pagodas—said he has not received official instruction regarding these hotels. "The 25 hotels are not allowed to open yet. Hotels come to this region because of the cultural heritage. And because regional development also depends on the hotel industry, we need to consider both sides. It depends on the foresight of the upper leadership. Our duty is just to implement their instructions," he said. Nandar Hmun, permanent secretary of the ministry, said at the press conference, "We have adopted regulations that clarify which actions are against the law. Because Bagan is an archaeological area, we have designated zones there, such as the protective zone and the ancient zone. But hoteliers are unaware and when they build extensions, they encroach on these zones. And in some cases, they build without permission." Bagan locals generally oppose new hotel projects along with the appropriation of pagodas located on hotel compounds. In 2012, businessmen attempted to establish a new hotel zone in Bagan with the approval of the Mandalay divisional government in response to opposition from locals and the Department of Archaeology, National Museum and Library. With an increase in visitors, Bagan's hotel industry is short of rooms, leading to conflict between hoteliers and locals. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. The post Hoteliers Left in Limbo in Bagan appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Mai Ja Yang, Burma’s ‘Little Hong Kong’ Posted: 22 Aug 2016 04:13 AM PDT With ruined and neglected buildings across the town, Mai Ja Yang on the Sino-Burma border has a lifeless appearance. Previously, the border town's main livelihood was poppy cultivation. But after the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)—the political wing of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)—granted 25-year casino licenses to Chinese businessmen in 2002, the village developed and was later dubbed "little Hong Kong" by visitors and gamblers. As the casino industry thrived, crime increased and attracted the attention of Burma's central government. Under pressure from the Burmese authorities, China got out of the industry in 2008. The KIO is currently opening colleges in Mai Ja Yang, which houses a population of around 8,000. The KIO plans to establish universities, in the hope that the area will become an important seat of education on the border. The once crime-ridden Mai Ja Yang recently earned its place in history as host to a milestone in Burma's peace process when ethnic armed groups gathered there in July to work toward lasting peace. The post Mai Ja Yang, Burma's 'Little Hong Kong' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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