The Irrawaddy Magazine |
- Business Community Awaits Updates on Economic Policy
- Lower House Votes to Dismiss MNHRC Members
- New MCDC Members Elected Amid Election Controversy
- Promises Unmet for Workers in Thai Shrimp Industry
- Eyewitness on the Front Line
- State Counselor Fatigued after International Trip
| Business Community Awaits Updates on Economic Policy Posted: 26 Sep 2016 05:28 AM PDT  Aung San Suu Kyi speaks at the launch of the government's economic policy at the Myanmar International Convention Center in July in Naypyidaw. (Photo: Aung Htet) RANGOON — A scheduled meeting between Burma's business community and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been postponed following her two-week international trip to the US and the UK and reports of fatigue. At the meeting, the business community expected to receive news from the State Counselor following the US lifting of economic sanctions on future investment and economic policy. The State Counselor's Office announced on Monday that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's health was stable but that "she needs to take some rest for a while." "We understand that her health is not well, and that's why the meeting was postponed," said Myat Thin Aung, chairman of the Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone. The National Planning and Finance Ministry is still expected to clarify new foreign investment policy details before the end of the month, as previously scheduled. The country's new Investment Law was submitted to the Lower House last week and is set to be discussed in Parliament this week. The new draft bill combines the Burma Citizens Investment law—enacted in July 2013 and governing local investment—and the Foreign Investment law—enacted in November 2012 and governing foreign investment—into one law. Dr. Maung Maung Lay, vice chairman of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI), told the Irrawaddy that, once her health improves, the business community expects the State Counselor to address how the country will move forward with foreign investors and the new investment law. "Detailed investment and economic policies are important for businessmen," he said. The parliamentary session was scheduled to end Sept. 23 but that has been postponed until Oct 7 so that Parliament can debate and pass the investment law. Dr. Soe Tun, vice chairman of the Myanmar Rice Federation, agreed with the need for more detailed economic policies, two months after broad economic policies were released by the Ministry of National Planning and Finance. "We need to know which sectors the government plans to prioritize and promote in order to plan projects over the next five years," he said. During Daw Aung Suu Kyi's trip abroad, she met with British Prime Minister Theresa May, US President Obama, and other international officials and dignitaries. She gave a speech at the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The post Business Community Awaits Updates on Economic Policy appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Lower House Votes to Dismiss MNHRC Members Posted: 26 Sep 2016 05:14 AM PDT  MNHRC members are seen surrounded by reporters at a press conference at their headquarters in Rangoon on Sept. 21, 2016. (Photo: J Paing / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON – The Lower House approved the emergency proposal of MP U Htay Win Aung, calling for the dismissal of three Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) members for urging two underage domestic workers to settle a case of abuse with cash compensation instead of legal action. The girls, San Kay Khaing, 17, and Tha Zin, 16, originally from Rangoon's Kawhmu Township—also known as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's constituency—escaped from the Kyauktada Township household of a prominent tailoring family earlier in September, after five years in domestic servitude. With the MNHRC serving as a "broker" between the families of the victims and the alleged abusers, the latter paid out a total of US$4,000. Five members of the family are currently in police custody, arrested after outrage spread regarding the handling of the case. In Monday's parliamentary debate session, 16 lawmakers spoke in support of the proposal. They were largely from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD), but among them were one military appointee and a lawmaker from the Ta'ang National Party (TNP). The Lower House summoned the MNHRC's chairman U Win Mra and commission member U Zaw Win to the hearing and allowed one person to speak in the commission's defense. The MNHRC's U Zaw Win, an ex-military general and former director general of the correctional department within Burma's notorious Insein Prison, briefly presented a statement to House Speaker Win Myint saying that the group had carried out their work on the case "honestly." When a vote was called on the proposal, out of 400 lawmakers, 383 voted in support, 8 abstained and one objected. The Irrawaddy called MP U Htay Win Aung, who submitted the proposal, to ask his opinion on the outcome, but he declined to comment. NLD lawmaker U Zar Ni Minn described the MNHRC's actions in the abuse case as ignoring the existing laws in Burma as well breaching provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The pursuit of cash compensation, he said, was reckless and not in line with the commission's obligations. U Zar Ni Minn also urged the MNHRC to form a department specifically focused on the protection of children. TNP lawmaker Daw Nan Muu encouraged the MNHRC to carry out more surveys on the ground, and pointed out that since the group's formation under ex-President Thein Sein, few people in conflict-torn Shan State had heard of MNHRC's work. Ko Swe Win, chief reporter at Myanmar Now media outlet, first looked into the case of the domestic workers after it was brought to his attention. He spoke to The Irrawaddy on Monday and said he was gladdened by the lawmakers' efforts. He said that three commission members, including U Zaw Win, and Daw Mya Mya, former central committee member of the Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, and Dr. Nyan Zaw, former superintendent of Moulmein hospital, facilitated the MNHRC's response in the abuse case. "One commission member told reporters [in a press conference] that sometimes she even beats housemaids, and that contravenes existing laws," Swe Win said. The MNHRC, he added, should be re-formed with new members, he added. The commission was formed with 11 members and established in 2011. The MNHRC's chair Win Mra and member Khin Maung Lay are now also serving as commission members in the Kofi Annan-led Arakan State Advisory Commission, which is focused on finding lasting solutions to violence and tension in Arakan State. The post Lower House Votes to Dismiss MNHRC Members appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| New MCDC Members Elected Amid Election Controversy Posted: 26 Sep 2016 05:09 AM PDT  Mandalay City Development Commission elections taking place on Sunday. (Photo: Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy) MANDALAY — Six new committee members were elected to the Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC) on Sunday amid calls that the election was not run fairly. The six candidates—U Ye Mon, U Saw Han, U Zaw Myo Lwin, U Kyaw Zeya, U Kyaw Zaw Aung, and U Khaing Myint, respectively from Amarapura, Pyigyitagon, Chanmyathazi, Chanayethazan, Maha Aung Myay and Aungmyaythazan townships in Mandalay—were elected out of 34 candidates, after public MCDC elections took place between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday. About 58 percent to 78 percent of residents in the six townships voted during the election, according to a statement from the MCDC. Although candidates and residents said the MCDC elections themselves were conducted fairly on Sunday, there was criticism that candidates had not followed the rules and regulations of the election commission during the campaign period. "Some candidates abused the campaign rules and the election commission is neglecting to take action," said Khin Maung Tun, a candidate who competed for the Maha Aung Myay Township seat. Local observers also said that candidates campaigned on days when it was not permitted, including outside polling stations on election day. "We have records and notes which we will submit to the commission," said Nyi Kyaw, a local activist who observed the MCDC election. "We don't have much hope that the commission will take action against these complaints but we want to show it is unfair. Let's see how the election commission handles this." Some candidates were also accused of misusing the logo of the National League of Democracy (NLD) during the election campaign, confusing voters on candidates' allegiances. Some independent candidates joined the NLD the night before registering to run in the election. "In our township, people thought they were voting for NLD to join the MCDC," said a local observer from Chanmyathazi Township. "Using the image of a party confused the voters in choosing the right person for the development of the city," he added. Candidates campaigning near the voting stations and instances of voters having multiple ballot papers or voting twice were reported to the election commission, according to observers. The MCDC is formed of 13 committee members where the mayor, joint secretary and five other members are handpicked by the regional government. The six other members are chosen by public vote and the vice mayor is chosen from the six elected members. The post New MCDC Members Elected Amid Election Controversy appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Promises Unmet for Workers in Thai Shrimp Industry Posted: 26 Sep 2016 03:56 AM PDT  Burmese former shrimp shed worker Tin Nyo Win, right, sits next to his pregnant wife Mi San during an interview in Pathum Thani, Thailand in June 2016 (Photo: Margie Mason / Associated Press) SAMUT SAKHON, Thailand — Facing international pressure over human trafficking in the seafood trade, Thailand promised almost a year ago to compensate victims of slavery and industry leaders vowed to bring all fish processing in-house. That hasn't always happened. Instead, some formerly enslaved shrimp peelers have been deported. Shrimp peeling sheds are being inspected and authorized to keep operating. The Associated Press found that while some Thai companies that export shrimp to the US have given formerly entrapped workers better jobs in-house, others still use middlemen who employ laborers in remote, guarded warehouses. Shed owners frequently break environmental, labor or safety laws. Seventy-five percent of the 109 inspected so far this year were cited for violations, and 24 were ordered to close. Human rights groups and media reports documenting abuse in Thailand's $7 billion annual seafood export industry have brought international pressure. Last year, the AP reported on slavery inside the Gig Peeling shed outside Bangkok in Samut Sakhon, where more than 100 people were locked inside and forced to work 16 hours a day, ripping guts, heads and tails off shrimp that entered supply chains of most major US supermarkets and companies including Red Lobster, Whole Foods and Wal-Mart. One of the workers, Tin Nyo Win, ran away and told police, who raided the factory and rescued the other workers, including his wife. This month, the couple were deported to Burma after being held almost a year in a Thai government shelter. The government had said victims and witnesses of human trafficking could stay and work in Thailand for up to one year while their cases were investigated. This year the US State Department commended Thailand for reforms and removed it from a global human trafficking blacklist. Those Thai reforms—on paper—include paying whistleblowers like Tin Nyo Win and providing victims compensation, education, employment and other assistance. But Tin Nyo Win said he and his wife weren't even given food sometimes. "They don't treat us like humans. They treat us like dogs," Tin Nyo Win said hours before Thai authorities took them away. Authorities said that although the couple were victims of modern-day slavery, they had illegally entered Thailand to begin with. Nattamon Punbhochar at the Thai foreign ministry said the couple never requested compensation and were deported in accordance with a memorandum of understanding Thailand has with Burma. Col. Prasert Siriphanapitat, Samut Sakhon deputy police commander, said five people including a shed owner have been charged in Tin Nyo Win 's case. All are out on bail. Last year, facing a boycott over abuses, major seafood groups and certifiers decided to protect workers by moving all labor in-house, banning outsourcing of shrimp pre-processing. Yet dozens of pre-processing sheds continue to operate. Some are large factories, others nothing more than large garages. Labor advocates say there's little oversight to ensure abuses aren't occurring. The AP recently visited a handful of Samut Sakhon shrimp sheds buzzing with workers hand-peeling shrimp on residential streets or behind walls. "We're following rules 100 percent," said Boonchai Seafood director Taweesak Suralertrungson. Documents at Boonchai show it processes shrimp for May Ao Food Co., one of Thailand's leading exporters to the US. Boonchai's operations passed a government inspection. But the industry had vowed to eliminate middlemen. May Ao's shrimp carries global industry certification that says "peeling and heading of shrimp must occur in facilities owned by and completely controlled by" the processing plants. May Ao is also a member of the Thai Frozen Foods Association (TFFA), which promised "to eradicate third-party pre-processing." May Ao and TFFA officials initially said all shrimp peeling is in-house before conceding that it wasn't. TFFA President Poj Aramwattananont said May Ao's factory is too small to handle all the labor, and that there's nothing illegal about pre-processing in independent warehouses. "We are not 100 percent clean. You will always find some problems, but those are rare," he said. Some Thai seafood exporters have improved working conditions. Thai Union opened a large, clean peeling warehouse where 1,200 workers get subsidized meals and opportunities for bonuses. "I have more rights. I like it," said Thet Paing Oo, 23, a migrant from Burma. He said he spent six years working 15-hour shifts at shrimp sheds without a day off. Now his salary has increased and he gets one day off a week. Yu Wa, 35, also from Burma, teared up at memories of her previous shed, where she was locked inside and paid by the kilogram, not per day. "I am treated well and the boss is good," she said. "It's much better." The post Promises Unmet for Workers in Thai Shrimp Industry appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| Posted: 26 Sep 2016 03:49 AM PDT  Soldiers from the Burma Army-backed militia the Border Guard Force repair a pagoda damaged by fighting. (Photo: Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy) It looks, smells, and feels like a war zone. The highway is lined with military vehicles and 120mm artillery guns point up into the mountains where rebel troops from a Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) splinter group hide. Locals have fled their homes, which are now occupied by soldiers of the Border Guard Force (BGF), the Burma Army-backed militia. We travel with the BGF troops through the abandoned villages to their front line. A fellow reporter said she could "smell death" moments before a soldier points to the burial site of 40 soldiers killed in recent clashes. Most were Burma Army soldiers, he said. The total number of casualties in this latest conflict is unknown. Fighting between a DKBA splinter group and the BGF began on Sept. 2 and subsided by Sept. 19 in the Mae Tha Waw area of Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State. With the support of the Burma Army, the BGF now control the highway between Mae Tha Waw and Myaing Gyi Ngu—a two-hour drive by car. Mae Tha Waw is near the border with Thailand and home to small-scale cross border trade. During our time at the front line we daren't leave our cars or stray off the road as the area is littered with landmines. Because of this, and the splinter group's mastery of guerilla tactics, the BGF soldiers we met told us they do not follow assailants into the jungle. They may have claimed victory, but in reality BGF troops only occupy the highway, and no one knows if and when the DKBA splinter group troops will launch another offensive. Despite the obvious death toll and this limited victory, soldiers of the BGF greeted us with warm smiles. Maj. Naing Maung Zaw, assistant to the head of BGF Col. Saw Chit Thu, confidently told visiting reporters that this was the "last war" for the Karen ethnic group.  A Border Guard Force soldier loads a machine gun on the front line of clashes theMae Tha Waw area of Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State (Photo: Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy) The recent fighting in Karen State, also known as Kayin State, began with the death of the DKBA splinter group leader Maj. Na Ma Kyar at the hands of an elephant mahout he was holding hostage. The group alleged Burma Army involvement as Maj. Na Ma Kyar was on their wanted list. The conflict soon escalated and the faction, now led by Maj. Saw San Aung, released a statement on Sept. 9 saying that it would be opening more frontline battles. In the eyes of the BGF, this was a big mistake. "Saw San Aung is a trouble maker. Wherever he lives, he creates fighting." Maj Naing Maung Zaw told The Irrawaddy on the front line. "Now, he has to run away," the BGF soldier added. Leaders of the BGF feel that Maj. Saw San Aung and fellow splinter group leader Brig-Gen Kyaw Thet should have stayed quiet and enjoyed the "benefits" of their control areas. In a video posted to his own Facebook, Col. Saw San Aung said he desired peace and wanted to join the 21st Century Panglong Union Peace Conference convened by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at the end of August. But the central government did not invite the group to the conference. "We can only act as insurgents if you don't invite us to join the peace process," he said in the footage. Another BGF colonel we met on the front line, Col. Myint Wai, said that "the DKBA splinter group came to attack us first and we decided to fight back." The BGF launched their own military operation on Sept. 13. It took three days to capture mountain bases in Ba Gwe Khong where he said, "we joined forces with the Tatmadaw [Burma Army], but the BGF led the front line of attack." "We seized Yeik Khar Khong and Mee Htwe Khong on Sept. 19. Two of their men were killed at Yeik Khar Khong." For now, it seems, the BGF and Burma Army continue to control the Mae Tha Waw area. They might develop the town of Mae Tha Waw, increase border trade in the area and build a new road to the state capital Hpa-an. The Hatgyi Dam on the Salween River could be another development project pursued if the Mae Tha Waw area remains at peace. The DKBA splinter group may now face difficulties holding bases in the area. Even the political group the Karen National Union (KNU) had little control of the Mae Tha Waw area, and has even less now. An armed group of the KNU, the Karen National Defense Organization Brigade 5, led by Maj-Gen Ner Dah Mya, also has a big base nearby and will also be feeling pressure from its new neighbors. The BGF is well armed-with M16 rifles, superior to the G3 used by Burma Army. The soldiers look more professional, sporting matching uniforms (unlike the Burma Army in the region), long army knives, and dark sunglasses. They look like commando soldiers. The BGF have a negative reputation in Karen state due to their close ties to Burma Army generals; critics claim they are puppets of the Burma Army. Many are former DKBA members who agreed to serve the BGF, tempted by business opportunities in the Thai border town of Myawaddy, where BGF leaders often flaunt wealth with gold rings and amulets. The BGF have enough power and influence in this area that even the Burma Army dare not oppose it.  Soldiers from the Burma Army-backed militia the Border Guard Force travel along the highway between Mae Tha Waw and Myaing Gyi Ngu. (Photo: Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy) In a calculated PR move, our visit to the front allowed the BGF to show how they administer the Mae Tha Waw area. They donated food to Buddhist monks and showed us a pagoda they were rebuilding after damage from firefights. They gave donations to the refugee camp at Myaing Gyi Ngu monastery. Karen community leaders have criticized the BGF for fighting other ethnic Karen rather than together pressing the government for greater rights. In fact the BGF includes other ethnicities, including Burmese former civil servants. Maj. Naing Maung Zaw is ethnic Mon. It seems the chief concern of BGF members is personal benefit; they are very different from members of Burma's armed ethnic groups fighting for their rights. The two-week conflict has forced nearly 4,000 civilians to flee their homes and seek shelter elsewhere in the area. Many of the displaced are children and women. Despite efforts by the Burma Army, the majority have refused to go home. Community leaders have been powerless to stem the violence. U Thuzana, an influential monk and co-founder of the original DKBA, is hosting many refugees at his monastery in Myaing Gyi Ngu. His calls for peace among the armed groups have fallen on deaf ears. On the front line, Col. Myant Wai of the BGF was asked how he felt about ethnic Karen fighting each other. "For us, we wanted to have peace. But it's hard to know what the DKBA want," he said. "The DKBA are our brotherhood," he added awkwardly. "We used to eat together, travel together, and live together. If we can all live in peace then Karen people could travel easily." Maj. Naing Maung Zaw also said he regrets the disturbance in the peace, but for him there was only one way to counter DKBA splinter group aggression. "We have to think of our family. If we make the right decision, our families will prosper and live with honor," he said. The post Eyewitness on the Front Line appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
| State Counselor Fatigued after International Trip Posted: 25 Sep 2016 09:52 PM PDT  Daw Aung San Suu Kyi visits the Lincoln Memorial in Washington on Sept. 14, 2016 (Photo: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters) RANGOON — Burma's State Counselor Office announced on Monday that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's health is stable but "she needs to take some rest for a while." The announcement came after the State Counselor arrived home on Sunday night from a more than two week trip to Britain and the US. On Friday the 71-year old skipped a meeting with the Partnership Group on Burma at the United Nations in New York as her doctor advised her to rest. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was not able to greet supporters waiting outside the airport on her arrival on Sunday as she has done on previous returns. The Ministry of Information announced that a scheduled meeting between the State Counselor and business people on Wednesday was postponed, without giving explanation. "Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is feeling fatigue as she was on a very tight schedule during her US trip," a statement released Monday morning said. "She is also suffering a gastric problem as she didn't have meals at regular times during the trip and is suffering from arthritis in her neck. But her health is not in a state of concern and she just needs to rest for a while," the statement added. Daw Aung Suu Kyi flew to Britain on Sept. 10 prior to a trip to the US upon the invitation of the US government. Burma's State Counselor had meetings with the British Prime Minister Theresa May, US President Obama, and other international officials and dignitaries. She gave a speech at the 71st Session of the UN General Assembly in New York. The post State Counselor Fatigued after International Trip appeared first on The Irrawaddy. |
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