The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Report Highlights Hardship and Family Planning Needs
• Rangoon Govt Rep Clarifies Development Priorities
• Investment Law Approved in Lower House
• KNLA: Current Military Movement in Karen State Threatens Terms of NCA
• Kachin State IDPs Told to Obtain Permission for Aid Deliveries
• US Urges Burma to end North Korea Military Ties
• Eulogy for an Everyday Hero, U Aung Htike
• Tailor Shop Abuse Case Goes to Court
• Ethnic Ta’ang Rights Groups Accuse Shan Armed Group of Abuse

Report Highlights Hardship and Family Planning Needs Posted: 29 Sep 2016 09:09 AM PDT The launch of the Thematic Report on Fertility and Nuptiality on Tuesday in Naypyidaw. (Photo: Htet Naing Zaw / The Irrawaddy) Married women in Burma give birth to five children on average and detailed findings of the country's 2014 census highlight the lack of education, need for family planning, and the continued hardship that many women within the country face. The Thematic Report on Fertility and Nuptiality, published based on data from 2014 Myanmar Population and Housing Census, showed that Burma's fertility rate was 2.5 children per woman—on par with Asean averages—but that the number largely fluctuated on state and regional levels. Married women in Chin State, one of the poorest regions in Burma, gave birth to nine children on average, compared to four in the commercial capital Rangoon. "The report uncovers the hardship of parents who struggle to care for large families. It reveals the vulnerability of women who cannot access the contraceptives they want. Poor and uneducated women in remote areas carry the heaviest burden. The findings highlight the need for better family planning options, and for investment in girls' secondary education," says Janet E. Jackson, UNFPA Representative for Myanmar." Ethnic Chin human rights activist Cheery Zahau said that on the ground, the Chin State population seems to have remained the same since 1995, because despite having greater numbers of children, many of them die at a young age. She said that traditionally, women gave birth to up to 10-12 children, in order to work on farms and help support families. "But that has changed now," Cheery Zahau said, "because if women have that many children, they cannot send them to school." Families now have fewer children, and fertility rates have dropped in the area since the early 1990s. The UNFPA, which provided support to the ministry for the study, said fertility rates were strongly influenced by geographical and socioeconomic factors, including women's education levels. The UN agency also highlighted that births by very young women were of concern, not least because they tended to have adverse health consequences for both mother and child. The adolescent fertility rate was 33 births annually per 1,000 women aged 15-19, with regional highs in Shan and Chin states. A UNFPA spokesperson told The Irrawaddy on Thursday, "Young people in particular are vulnerable to unintended pregnancy but often face barriers related to taboos and stigma when it comes to accessing reproductive health information and contraceptives. They need knowledge to make informed decisions about their sexuality and health." The UNFPA also supports the government in implementing a nationwide logistics system to help get family planning supplies to people who need them. Despite the high fertility rate of married women, about 12 percent of women remain unmarried by the age of 50. Burma has the second highest rate in the region of women who never marry, just behind Singapore's 13 percent. Burma's figure is four times more than in Laos, and more than twice and high as in Vietnam and Cambodia. Dr. Khine Khine Soe, the director of the Population Department under the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, said at the launch of the report on Tuesday in Naypyidaw, "We now face the question of how to address the issue of single women." The Ministry said on Tuesday that the country was in need of a population policy, which would set a target nationwide population, in response to a decline in fertility rate and an increase in the number of unmarried women. If the government wants to entice women to get married or have children, it needs to create incentives for working mothers, according to gender rights activists. Cheery Zahau agreed and said that providing child care centers for working mothers—using Norway and Denmark as examples—was necessary. She added that it is not only Burma, but also Japan, Korea and Singapore, where the number of single adults is increasing, raising concern over future workforces in these countries. "Our country is different than other Asian countries where nuptials are falling because of economics or geography. Many women here choose to remain unmarried because of the social pressure regarding obliging family needs," she said. Different approaches are needed to understand why these women choose not to get married or have children, she added. Htet Naing Zaw contributed to this report. The post Report Highlights Hardship and Family Planning Needs appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rangoon Govt Rep Clarifies Development Priorities Posted: 29 Sep 2016 08:56 AM PDT Daw Sandar Min, in Rangoon divisional parliament in September 2016. (Photo: Sandar Min / Facebook) RANGOON – The head of Rangoon Parliament's Finance, Planning and Economic Affairs Committee told the press on Thursday of the divisional government's priorities for the development of the commercial capital throughout the rest of the year. Daw Sandar Min said that Rangoon Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein informed committee members of 24 planned projects for Rangoon to be introduced throughout his term in governance term, which ends in 2020. Currently, however, the focus will be on 11 issues: the management of city expansion, pursuit of a resolution to the problem of squatters, a relocation of the jetty on the Yangon River, an upgrade to the circle rail line, a reduction in traffic congestion, a renewal of the industrial zones, an upgrade to traffic lights, and a re-examination of the city's bus routes. The Irrawaddy spoke to two regional lawmakers from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) on Thursday, U Thawda Aung and U Tin Maung Tun, and asked for verification of this project list. They refrained from commenting, saying that they had not been informed of the chief minister's development strategy. The Rangoon divisional government has faced recent criticism from its constituents regarding its effectiveness in addressing the many issues in the region; the parliament just began its second session on Thursday after being closed for more than three months. Daw Sandar Min explained some difficulties and challenges of the delay in providing the results for which constituents are waiting. "When we look at these big projects, they are impossible to fix within 30 days, especially, the massive case surrounding the issue of squatters. Two months is insufficient time in which to handle it," she said, a reference to the NLD's 100-day plan. Some of the Rangoon government's current projects were inherited by the previous military-backed administration, including developments to expand the city. Former Rangoon chief minister—and now one of two Union Vice Presidents—U Myint Swe had reportedly selected three local firms to act as the primary developers for new city projects. U Phyo Min Thein reconsidered the choices and the projects once he entered into the role himself. "The developers are always thinking of their own profits when they build their designs. That's why we were dissatisfied with the previous approach to city expansion," Daw Sandar Min said, speculating on why such changes were initiated by the NLD-led government. She explained that the Rangoon government would propose their own conceptual plans and designs for development projects—to be first approved by parliament and then monitored in each phase. Once the draft is submitted to the legislature, Daw Sandar Min said, lawmakers would be able to raise questions about "how realistic" the projects are, and debate their economic or political benefit to the public. After earning parliamentary approval, the Rangoon divisional government would invite bidders to compete in an open tender to lead the implementation of the projects. The post Rangoon Govt Rep Clarifies Development Priorities appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Investment Law Approved in Lower House Posted: 29 Sep 2016 07:16 AM PDT Workers are transported via truck to the site of the Thilawa Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project on May 8, 2015. (Photo: Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters) RANGOON — Burma's Lower House of Parliament passed the long-awaited Myanmar Investment Law on Wednesday, and it now moves to the Upper House before the parliamentary session closes in early October. The new Myanmar Investment Law combines the Burma Citizens Investment Law and the Foreign Investment Law. The Ministry of National Planning and Finance submitted it to Parliament last week following an announcement that the US planned to lift all remaining economic sanctions against Burma. According to some lawmakers, the new bill favors citizen investors and despite calls to amend this point, the bill was approved without changes in the Lower House. U Kyaw Soe Lin, a member of the Lower House Bill Committee, told The Irrawaddy that this is particularly true regarding land leases and technological assistance. "Big investors and technological giants will come in with foreign investment. Because they are stronger than us in every aspect, we want to favor our citizens somehow in order for them to have equal footing," said U Kyaw Soe Lin. But Dr. Hla Moe of Aungmyaythazan Township says the new law provides ample economic incentives and tax exemptions to attract international investors. "This law is crucial for national development. It provides greater incentives than other [regional] countries in order to attract foreign investment," U Kyaw Soe Lin, a member of the bill committee, told Parliament. U Chit Khine, chairman of the Eden Group of Companies, said local investors should not have a myopic view and should be in favor of laws that serve the interest of the entire country. "If foreign investors come in with huge capital, it can benefit locals. It will strengthen the banking sector, which in turn can support local businesses," he said. He added that if the law does not entice foreign investors, it will delay the growth of the country's financial sector. Under the existing investment law, every investment must have the approval of the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC). Under the draft law, there will be different guidelines needed for MIC approval. The government will directly handle the investment proposals that are deemed strategically important, require a substantial amount of capital, or could potentially have social and environmental impacts, according to the planning and finance ministry. The new bill includes more strategic tax incentives. If the government chooses to promote a certain business or sector, related investors will receive tax incentives, according to the Ministry. The bill also incentivizes investment in less developed areas. Economist Dr. Aung Ko Ko echoed U Chit Khine saying that local investors should consider the impact of the law on consumer rights. "Some local investors think that if foreign investors come in, they will lose big. But we have to think about consumers. As foreign investors enter the country, there will be more competition and consumers will have a greater variety of higher quality goods," he said. The post Investment Law Approved in Lower House appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

KNLA: Current Military Movement in Karen State Threatens Terms of NCA Posted: 29 Sep 2016 06:59 AM PDT KNLA soldiers on the Salween River, heading to frontline areas in northern Karen State. (Photo: Saw Yan Naing / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — Military activity and tension at the site of the Hat Gyi dam in Karen State threatens a breakdown of Burma's nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) as concerns grow over potential clashes between the Burma Army and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). The KNLA is the largest ethnic Karen armed group and the military wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), which signed the NCA with the previous government in 2015. "If you cross the line [into our territory], there will be fighting," Gen. Saw Johnny, KNLA Commander-in-Chief was quoted as saying by Karen Rivers Watch, a network of ethnic Karen community-based organizations. The KNLA's Brigade 5 partially controls the areas where the Hat Gyi dam will be built, and it has come out against the hydropower project, which has delayed construction. Hsa Moo, a spokesperson for Karen Rivers Watch, told The Irrawaddy that local villagers who live near the dam site on the Salween River continue to flee their homes as they see signs of military activity, troop deployment, and tension that they fear will lead to confrontations between KNLA and the Burma Army, backed by the region's Border Guard Force (BGF). Local concerns were exacerbated by a recent offensive in Myaing Gyi Ngu and Mae Tha Waw regions launched by the Burma Army and the BGF against a splinter group of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA). The outbreak of conflict displaced more than 4,000 villagers. Hsa Moo said, "Local villagers tell me that the Burma Army and the BGF had asked them to leave their villages. They were fleeing their homes because they were afraid of further fighting. They witnessed the Burma Army and the BGF moving toward the dam site. They are fleeing for their safety." Gen. Baw Kyaw Heh, the KNLA's vice commander-in-chief, also said that the movement of the BGF and Burma Army troops to strengthen positions on the western bank of the Salween River would "contradict the terms of the NCA, and would only escalate tensions and increase the risk of armed conflict." He said he believes that the shift in military activity in the area is an attempt to secure the dam site as government forces must gain full control of the road and the surrounding areas in order to carry out construction of the project. The rights group also claimed that the Burma Army is using the pretense of eliminating the DKBA splinter group to gain more control over the area surrounding the Hat Gyi dam site. Meanwhile, KNLA sources say they see Burma Army deployment in the area as an indicator that they are seeking to expand and reinforce territorial control throughout Karen State. "The DKBA does not operate in the five areas in our Brigade 5 territory that were demanded by BGF," said Gen. Baw Kyaw Heh referring to KNLA bases which the BGF asked for full control over in early September—a demand which the KNLA turned down. The five areas are Toh T'Bah Wai, Klaw Tae Hta, P'Tae Hta, Yaw Ma Hta and Mae Lah villages; all are located around the Hat Gyi dam site. The US$2.6 billion project is being planned by China's Sinohydro Corporation and Thailand's Electricity Generation Authority of Thailand (EGAT). The two entities reached a deal for the project with Burma's Ministry of Electric Power in 2006. The dam will produce up to 1,300 megawatts of electricity, much of it going to Thailand. The post KNLA: Current Military Movement in Karen State Threatens Terms of NCA appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Kachin State IDPs Told to Obtain Permission for Aid Deliveries Posted: 29 Sep 2016 06:49 AM PDT Kachin internal displaced persons in Lung Tsut camp of Putao Township. (Photo: Maran Gam) RANGOON – Authorities in Putao Township, Kachin State, issued an order to an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp saying agencies and groups need permission to deliver aid. Nang Ram, a camp leader from Lung Tsut IDP camp in Putao, said that the ward administrator came to the camp on Sept. 19 and presented the statement. "He didn't explain anything; he just gave the letter and left," said Nang Ram. "He's never done that before." She added that no one has prevented aid being delivered to the camp. The order statement declared that NGOs, international NGOs, religious groups, and civil society organizations (CSOs) who want to give donations to Lung Tsut IDP camp must first get "permission from the Kachin State government." The Irrawaddy asked an NLD-member and lawmaker from Putao, Moe Swe, about the statement. After speaking to the chief minister of Kachin State, Moe Swe said that the government did not issue the order. However, the chief minister did tell Moe Swe that the government restricts foreign aid groups from traveling to conflict areas, and that international organizations should inform the state government if they want to travel to Putao for the purpose of delivering aid. Dau Kha of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), the political wing of the Kachin Independence Army, said the Burma Army had accused the KIO of using aid donated by international groups. "They [Burma Army] view everyone with a different view point from theirs as an enemy. But international aid groups will not devalue their name by giving aid to the KIO," Dau Kha said. Dau Kha said his organization would not accept aid from civil society organizations, which, he added, is "only for IDPs." Restrictions on aid to IDP camps has occurred in other areas, according to Kachin rights groups. The Burma Army seized medicine from the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) in eastern Kachin State on Aug. 25 this year, they claim. The medicine, which had a value of 10 million kyats (nearly US$8,000), was donated by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and was supposed to be delivered to IDP camps in Pa Kahtawng, Zai Awng and Masat Shadaw, near the border with China. The Burma Army returned the medicine in early September. "We need to get permission," said Lama Yaw, communication officer of KBC. "Our aid was seized last month because they said that we did not have permission." The post Kachin State IDPs Told to Obtain Permission for Aid Deliveries appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

US Urges Burma to end North Korea Military Ties Posted: 29 Sep 2016 05:01 AM PDT Myanmar's then foreign minister, U Nyan Win (second from right), makes an official visit to Pyongyang on Oct. 29, 2008. (Photo: Reuters) WASHINGTON — Pockets within the Burma military may still be cooperating with North Korea although the new civilian government and the military leadership oppose such ties, a senior US official said Wednesday. During Burma's years of international isolation, its then-ruling junta bought defense equipment from North Korea. The US has been pressing Burma to cease those ties as a condition of normalized relations with Washington. Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel said President Barack Obama underscored to Burma leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, during a visit to Washington this month, the importance of rooting out any vestiges of cooperation that may have remained. "We think there are potentially a few residual pockets within the Burmese military, people who might still have some ongoing interactions (with North Korea) that are in effect leftovers from five-plus years ago in the era of the military dictatorship," Russel told a Senate hearing. "But we think as far as the government is concerned and the military leadership is concerned that they are fully on board and this is something they are working to prevent and eradicate," he said. UN Security Council resolutions forbid arms trading with North Korea—part of the international effort to restrict sources of revenue for the isolated nation's nuclear and missile programs. During junta rule, Burma's military was a key North Korean customer. Obama, alongside the State Counselor during the Sept. 14 White House visit, announced that he plans to lift the remaining US economic sanctions and restore trade benefits to the former pariah state, following its transition to democratically elected civilian government after decades of military rule. Republican Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado complained at Wednesday's hearing that Congress had not been consulted adequately before the decision was announced to lift the so-called "national emergency" with regard to Burma—the executive order used to authorize the current sanctions. He said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who met with lawmakers during her visit, said she still supports sanctions on the military-controlled companies Burma Corporation and Burma Economic Holdings Ltd., two of the largest businesses in the country. Russel responded that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi had said that it was time to lift all the sanctions—a position she articulated in public. Some human rights activists and congressional aides argue there are alternative legislative authorities the US could use to restrict dealings with those corporations, even after Obama lifts the emergency.   The post US Urges Burma to end North Korea Military Ties appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Eulogy for an Everyday Hero, U Aung Htike Posted: 29 Sep 2016 04:52 AM PDT U Aung Htike is seen at a 2015 exhibition in Yangon by the artist Htein Lin. Titled 'A Show of Hands,' it highlighted the experiences of political prisoners. (Photo: Minka Nijhuis) YANGON – In the early hours of Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, U Aung Htike passed away with peace and painless swiftness. On Sunday, Sept. 25 his funeral service was carried out under heavy rains and heavy hearts. The passing of U Aung Htike is not only a painful loss for his dear family, but is also a loss for all of us, in Yangon and beyond. As a bright young university student, he was on his steady path to a medical degree when the 1974 general elections, where General Ne Win further cemented his grip on power, forced a young Aung Htike to abandon his initial plans and join the opposition movement. Arrested in July 1975 for his part in the student workers protests, he was sentenced to 8 years in the infamous Insein prison. During this time in Insein, he endured severe maltreatment and torture that would leave him with an eye problem that persisted for the rest of his life. About three years later, he was released on the 10th of April, 1978. Beaten but not broken, U Aung Htike decided to pursue a more humble career in low-level business and opened a small pharmacy. In 1987, he would start what began as a small teashop in Myanigone, and which would later become one of Rangoon's most established places. For most readers, U Aung Htike was known as the cherished owner of Seit Tine Kya, which has become a veritable institution and highly-frequented locale for all who grew up in Rangoon. People close to him will also remember him as an unwavering member of the NLD and as a Yé baw (a fellow compatriot) in the democratic struggle. To my family, he was a dear friend and a welcome compatriot during times of much need, and against the dark days of military oppression in Myanmar's recent history. U Aung Htike seen on the phone at the Seit Thine Kya tea shop in June 2016. (Photo: Minka Nijhuis) During the long period of forced political silence throughout the country, Seit Tine Kya was not only successful in serving up one of the best local brews of tea, bean cake, "sate soup" and "u-min", it was also a haven where all ideas and discussions were free, safe and welcomed. At a time when certain words were made taboo by harsh dictatorship, and fear of military intelligence loomed over everyone's shoulders, U Aung Htike was always openly unapologetic in his support to the NLD and the democratic movement of Myanmar. His presence in the teashop each morning was a warm welcome to patrons from all walks of life. While new, trendy and pricier cafés have popped up around town, the teashop remains very old school and staunchly for the working-class to this day. Opening in the early dawn hours every day and almost never shutting its doors, little has changed in Seit Tine Kya despite economic ups and downs. Most business owners would have been keen to ban other poorer vendors for being unsightly or harmful competition, but U Aung Htike instead allowed them all permanent stalls under his own roof. The vendors still sit there, right at the very entrance, to this day. Frequent patrons to the original Seit Tine Kya in Myanigone will always associate the place with Daw Pyone, the newspaper vendor, U Min Han, the mohingar vendor, and last but certainly not the least, Ko Khin Maung Lwin, the man with just one leg, but a cheerful face full of smiles who was hired as a parking assistant and usher-in-chief. U Aung Htike's generosity and sense of charity is second only to his steadfast leadership and personal devotion to his teashop, one which carried on until the last two days of his life. This dedication is also equaled by his impassioned commitment to positive political agendas. In the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis, his teashop was also set up as a make-shift charity point in order to collect and redistribute funds to the affected communities. His small army of employees, too, are not just hard-working servers and cooks, but also volunteer as catering teams for various public donations and blood drives for the needy. Throughout his successful and immensely rewarding business career, U Aung Htike remained a fervent and unwavering supporter of the democratic cause. He would be there each morning to personally welcome his patrons like no other business owner, listening with great patience to all their day-to-day struggles, and turning it all into his energy to further promote the fight for a democratic Myanmar. U Aung Htike paid a hefty price for this and was arrested again in 2003 and 2008 for his continued financial support to the NLD party. He would also continue his financial assistance to the families of political prisoners, and to young bright medical students who he personally sponsored throughout their education. In 2005, he returned to his birthplace where he helped build a local hospital. For his eulogy speech today U Ko Ko Gyi of the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society described how the value of a person's life is not to be judged by death, but by actions and by how the person chose to live their life. U Aung Htike was not a man of just singular acts of heroic altruism, but truly exemplifies an everyday hero in carrying more than his share of contribution to society, and in the small steps he took every day to make the world a better place than when he first arrived. At 65 years of age, U Aung Htike did not have a short life in this world, rather it is us who are fortunate enough to have known just a little of him in our lives. He was truly an exemplary everyday hero who built his own success and who would inspire and help others throughout his life. He is succeeded only by his legacy,  that lives on in the lives of so many other individuals he has helped throughout his journey. As a man of such poise, dignity and a life well-spent in helping others, I have no doubt that U Aung Htike is now in a much better place. This article originally appeared in Tea Circle, a forum hosted at Oxford University for emerging research and perspectives on Burma/Myanmar.     The post Eulogy for an Everyday Hero, U Aung Htike appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Tailor Shop Abuse Case Goes to Court Posted: 29 Sep 2016 02:50 AM PDT A police truck carrying the accused family members arrives at the western district court on Thursday. (Photo: J Paing/ The Irrawaddy) RANGOON—Six members of a family accused of human trafficking and child abuse at downtown Rangoon's Ava Tailor Shop appeared at a hearing at the western district court on Thursday. The six family members are facing several charges under the Anti-Human Trafficking Law, and the Child Law, Penal Code 325 and 326 for "voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means," and 344 for "wrongful confinement for ten or more days." The six accused are: Daw Tin Thuzar (57), U Ko Latt (63), Ma Su Mon Latt (27), Ko Tin Min Latt (37), Ko Yar Zar Tun (25) and Ma Thiri Latt (34). The next hearing will be held on Oct. 6, according to the court. The sixth accused member of the family named Ma Thiri Latt turned herself in to the Kyauktada Township police station on Wednesday, according to the police force's official Facebook page. The two victims of the abuse case, San Kay Khaing aged 16 and and Tha Zin aged 17, suffered five years of physical abuse and confinement at the hands of owners of the tailor shop on 40th Street in the heart of the former capital. The case was initially filed at the Kyauktada Township police station three months ago by U Swe Win, chief correspondent of Myanmar Now news agency, after a member of the family informed him about the abuse and asked for help in rescuing the girls. The whistleblower has not been identified by U Swe Win. When the police failed to take action, U Swe Win contacted the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC). Burma's Lower House approved an emergency proposal, calling for the dismissal of three Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) members for urging the families of the two underage domestic workers to settle the case with cash compensation instead of legal action. The post Tailor Shop Abuse Case Goes to Court appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ethnic Ta’ang Rights Groups Accuse Shan Armed Group of Abuse Posted: 29 Sep 2016 12:03 AM PDT A Ta'ang monk visits a local school in Kutkai Township this year (Photo: Mai Ak Bamh/Facebook) Mai Aung Kham, an ethnic Ta'ang—also known as Palaung—from northern Shan State, says he is on the run. He told reporters on Wednesday at a Rangoon press conference that he has been called to serve in the military wing of the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), an ethnic Shan resistance organization. Mai Aung Kham, who is the Mong Kung Township chairman of the Ta'ang National Party (TNP), said he was recruited in his native Mong Kung Township, but once he fled, his uncle was detained in his stead. "They ordered me to come back. If not, my uncle has to do military service instead of me," he explained at a press conference in Rangoon on Wednesday. Mai Aung Kham has been detained by the RCSS three times already, he told reporters at the event, which was organized jointly by the Ta'ang Student and Youth Organization (TSYO) and the Ta'ang Women's Organization (TWO). The first two incidents he felt were due to his affiliation with the TNP, the local ethnic Ta'ang political party in the town. "They [Ta'ang] held a press conference in Yangon to make the RCSS look bad." Col. Sai Hla, a spokesperson from RCSS, told The Irrawaddy on Thursday. "It was very one-sided and there was no concrete evidence to support their accusations." The RCSS recruited local people in this way in the past, he said, but not anymore. "If our local troops detained [Ta'ang] people, the people could bring evidence to our headquarters and we would release them." Mai Aung Kham's allegations extend further—that the RCSS has restricted cultural activities related to the ethnic Ta'ang community. Ashin Theik Kha Nyar Na, from the Ta'ang Monks Union, alleged at the press conference that the RCSS had restricted the teaching of Ta'ang literature in Mong Kung. More than 20 schools in Mong Kung have been closed since armed conflict between the RCSS and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) broke out in November 2015, leaving communities to respond to educational needs. "From the past, and even now, our Ta'ang people have not gotten an education. Our ethnic Ta'ang will disappear in the future if they do not have education," said Ashin Theik Kha Nyar Na, who said that an estimated 100 Ta'ang villages in Mong Kung did not have schools to start with. Ta'ang civil society groups say they set up community-based education centers over the past two years, to total 55 schools. But Ashin Theik Kha Nyar Na said that they must operate under threat of the RCSS. "They threaten our school teachers to 'go back where they come from.' If not, they say will arrest the teachers, then they will take them to their headquarters," he said. With regard to the RCSS restricting education, Col. Sai Hla said, "We were happy to work with them [Ta'ang monks], but they did not cooperate with us." "They [Ta'ang monks] came to our area to campaign politically, not only to teach, he added. Ashin Theik Kha Nyar Na was among Ta'ang community leaders who met with RCSS leadership in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Sept. 12. In that meeting, they requested support in furthering the education of Ta'ang literature in Shan State, voicing concern over the closing of 60 schools statewide. "[Lt-Gen Yawd Serk] told us that it was not a problem to open schools, and to just go to ask permission from his liaison office in Taunggyi [the Shan State capital]," said the monk, referring to the RCSS head. Ta'ang community leaders now say that they followed the procedure and requested permission in the RCSS's Taunggyi office, but did not receive a reply, Ashin Theik Kha Nyar Na added. The RCSS was one of a minority of armed groups to sign the government's nationwide ceasefire agreement in 2015; the TNLA was not a signatory. The rights groups organizing Wednesday's conference say that the RCSS is violating the agreement and has an obligation to protect civilians—instead, they allege, they are abusing them. The TSYO and TWO said that in order for the two ethnic groups to be able to coexist, the RCSS should withdraw troops from its northern Shan State bases, hold peace talks with the TNLA and cease alleged abuses against civilians. The post Ethnic Ta'ang Rights Groups Accuse Shan Armed Group of Abuse appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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