The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Calls to Legally Define Political Prisoners Rebutted in Parliament
• In Light of Recent Electrocution Deaths, MP Pushes for Action
• Gems Traders Accuse Ex-President of Misusing More Than US$1 Million
• President Htin Kyaw: Missing in Action
• Restoration on Siamese King’s Tomb Stopped for Further Investigation
• Seven Students Drowned After Boat Sinks in Arakan
• Local Artist’s Abstract Paintings Express Buddhist Rebirth
• Bodies of 40 Tiger Cubs Found in Thai Temple Freezer
• US Takes More Steps to Block N.Korea’s Access to Financial System

Calls to Legally Define Political Prisoners Rebutted in Parliament Posted: 02 Jun 2016 07:57 AM PDT Student protesters look out from a prison vehicle as they are transported to a court in Letpadan, Pegu Division, on March 11, 2015. (Photo: Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters) RANGOON — In Thursday's session of the Lower House of Parliament, an Arakan National Party (ANP) lawmaker asked whether the government intends to establish legal definitions for "political prisoners" and "political offenses." The issue of officially defining "political prisoners" has been of long-standing concern to political activists and civil society in Burma. Previous military-backed governments—including the administration of President Thein Sein—have dismissed this category, claiming that no one was incarcerated for "political" reasons. The ANP lawmaker Pe Than took the floor of the chamber, saying that instituting legal definitions for "political offenses" and "political prisoners" would protect political activists from being treated as criminals while in prison, and would also pave the way for reparations to be given to Burma's many former political prisoners who suffered human rights violations while incarcerated. Pe Than cited previous governments' failure to distinguish political from criminal charges, even though many political activists were arrested and imprisoned under Burma's military regime due to their dissident beliefs. "It is completely unacceptable in a democratic society that anyone whose activities are motivated by political views contrary to those of the government could be arrested and charged as criminals," Pe Than said to the chamber. "Sometimes, [political prisoners] experienced worse treatment than ordinary criminals," Pe Than said. During the session, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Gen Aung Soe countered that "offenses [made] against the State"—as outlined in several current legal provisions—could not be counted as "political offenses." He claimed that the two terms had divergent meanings. Prisons should treat prisoners "equally," and differentiating between prisoners would amount to "discrimination," Deputy Minister Aung Soe said. "Our ministry does not plan to establish definitions for 'political offenses' or 'political prisoners' since such definitions are not found in any existing laws or in the constitution," Deputy Minister Aung Soe concluded. Prisons are administered under the Ministry of Home Affairs, one of three ministries controlled by Burma's military. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a Thailand-based rights organization promoting the welfare of Burma's political prisoners, has lobbied for the Burmese government to establish a legal definition for "political prisoner." The AAPP contends that anyone who is arrested, detained, or imprisoned for political reasons, or wrongfully under criminal and civil charges, because of his or her perceived or known role in activities promoting freedom, justice, equality, human rights, and civil and political rights, including ethnic rights, should be defined as a political prisoner. Aung Myo Kyaw, a local representative for the AAPP, said that differentiating prisoners means separating them, not discriminating against or giving special favor to certain prisoners. He said that, without definitions in place, the existence of political prisoners could continue to be vehemently denied by the government. "Definitions are fundamental to ensuring the recognition of political prisoners, so that we can make sure no one remains in prison because of their political beliefs or activities," Aung Myo Kyaw told The Irrawaddy. "Only if these definitions were ratified by the government, rehabilitation and reparation programs for former political prisoners could be implemented," Aung Myo Kyaw said. He mentioned that many government officials and parliamentarians under the new government had previously faced arrest for political activities, including President Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi. The ANP lawmaker Pe Than expressed his dissatisfaction with the response of the Deputy Minister, calling for a fuller response "representing the whole cabinet." Deputy Minister Aung Soe said he would confer with the Home Affairs Minister, so that the issue could be discussed in the cabinet, before responding further. According to a recent report from the AAPP and the Former Political Prisoners Society (FPPS), "After Release I Had To Restart My Life From the Beginning," Burma has had between 7,000 and 10,000 political prisoners since military rule began in 1962. The National League for Democracy (NLD), which now heads the government, had previously pledged that they would establish a definition for political prisoners once in power, and that they would not arrest anyone for political reasons. The government released 83 prisoners in an amnesty in April, after the traditional Burmese new-year celebrations. According to the AAPP, 70 were political prisoners. The post Calls to Legally Define Political Prisoners Rebutted in Parliament appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

In Light of Recent Electrocution Deaths, MP Pushes for Action Posted: 02 Jun 2016 07:51 AM PDT An electrical worker repairs power lines. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — In light of several recent deaths in Rangoon from hazardous electrical wires, a regional lawmaker on Thursday urged for more attention to be paid to the maintenance of the city's faulty and often dangerous power lines. "It's dangerous for the public. People can die from being electrocuted when they step into a puddle. Power cables hang over them when they're walking and can kill them," Yan Aung, a National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmaker for Rangoon's Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township, said during a regional parliamentary session. "Such a public security risk damages the images of both the country and the government." Myat Ko Ko, an 11-year-old boy from Hlaing Township, was killed when he was shocked by a utility pole Tuesday night. Similar incidents have occurred recently. A 16-year-old boy from Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township was killed last week after he stepped into a puddle near a utility pole and was electrocuted, though an official has since denied that electrocution was the cause of death. At least two other people in Rangoon have also reportedly died from similar instances of electrocution, as well as four children in Mandalay Division. "Cables and electrical posts are in dangerous condition. Their structure is weak, their cables are very messy, and the posts [that support the wires] too easily conduct electricity. I suggest repairing power lines as soon as possible," Yan Aung said He suggested that regular maintenance of utility poles, skilled training of electrical workers and implementing a public awareness program would be important for the city. In response to Yan Aung's inquiry into improving Rangoon's electrical system, Regional Electricity, Industry and Transportation Minister Nilar Kyaw echoed sentiments on the perilous state of the city's power lines and pointed out steps being taken to remedy the issue. "Power cables in Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township didn't have insulation. The Yangon Electricity Supply Corporation is therefore working to replace the existing cables with insulated ones and to install new cables, based on the budget allowance," she said. The post In Light of Recent Electrocution Deaths, MP Pushes for Action appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Gems Traders Accuse Ex-President of Misusing More Than US$1 Million Posted: 02 Jun 2016 07:42 AM PDT A buyer checks a jade stone near a mine dump at a Hpakant jade mine in Kachin State, November 29, 2015. (Photo: Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters) RANGOON — At one time, the Myanmar Gems Traders Association had €93 million (US$103.9 million) in its bank account. But, now, all that money is gone, and the scandal over where it went is poised to embroil former President Thein Sein. On Thursday, 81 members of the Myanmar Gems Traders Association held a press conference in Rangoon, calling on the Ministry of Resources and Environmental Conservation and the managing director of the state-run Myanmar Gems Enterprise to address the so-far unexplained loss of €93 million from the association's coffers. Kyaw Kyaw Oo, central executive committee member of Myanmar Gems Traders Association, told reporters that they have been awaiting the conclusions of the state-run Myanmar Gems Enterprise's investigation team, which began looking into the affair in late May. "We don't want the auditors' report. We want to see the analysis of how, where and why the chairman of the association, U Yone Mu, spent the money," Kyaw Kyaw Oo said. Starting in early May, some members of the association reported approximately €93 million had been embezzled from the association's account, accusing Yone Mu of misappropriating funds. Kyaw Kyaw Oo and several member companies submitted a letter to the Shwe Mann-led Legal Issues and Special Cases Committee in May stating members contributed 1 percent of their incomes to the association annually and had the right to know how the money was managed and spent. "Knowing why the chairman collected those fees from us and how he spent the money is important because there are many ways to spend so much money," he said. He claimed that Yone Mu put €6 million (US$6.7 million) into a bank account in his own name, gave €1.6 million (US$1.8 million) to a project run by a company he was affiliated with to repair a highway in a jade mining region in Kachin State, purchased machinery for jade operations and spent €2 million (US$2.2 million) on the Shwe Kyarpin gems sales and service project in Naypyidaw. Additionally, Kyaw Kyaw Oo singled out Thein Sein, the former president and current chairman of Burma's main opposition party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party. "U Win Htein, the leader of the investigation team, told me that €1 million (more than US$1.1 million) was taken from the association and given to U Thein Sein, and another €6 million was contributed [to the ex-president's project] by gems traders," Kyaw Kyaw Oo said. "But we want something more conclusive to see whether [Win Htein's] claims are true." On May 23, Win Htein's team began investigating the chairman of association, the managing director of Myanmar Gems Enterprise and other members of the association. "We are encouraging the investigation team to seek the assistance of parliamentarians, legal experts and other outsiders to make sure their conclusions are impartial," Kyaw Kyaw Oo said. Meanwhile, in Naypyidaw, former government officials sought to head off the brewing scandal. Former head of the now-defunct Ministry of Mining Myint Aung said at a press conference in the capital that the fees the association collected were used for corporate social responsibility activities and the two annual gems emporiums, emphasizing that these projects had been above-board and approved by the minister and association members. Myint Aung made a particular effort to clear up the accusations against Thein Sein. The €1 million supposedly given to the former president was actually put into a bank account held by the Myanmar Art Center, a nonprofit in Rangoon, he claimed, adding that the money was used for the construction of a new building for the art center. After the press conference in Nay Pyi Daw, Ye Htut, the former Minister of Information, told reporters the whole controversy had deeper motives. "This is more than simple infighting," Ye Htut said. "This is an attempt at political assassination against U Thein Sein." However, the Gems Traders Association's Kyaw Kyaw Oo responded, saying, "This is not about political assassination—this is just an internal dispute." The post Gems Traders Accuse Ex-President of Misusing More Than US$1 Million appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

President Htin Kyaw: Missing in Action Posted: 02 Jun 2016 05:47 AM PDT President Htin Kyaw (L), a longtime confidant of Aung San Suu Kyi (R). (Photo: JPaing) The National League for Democracy (NLD)—which weathered over two decades in opposition to military dictatorship, with the death and imprisonment of scores of its members—assumed power at the end of March, after a landslide win in the November general election. Ever since, the Burmese people and the international community have been eager for clarity and detail on the NLD's intended policies—its roadmap for deepening, or recalibrating, the political and economic reforms launched under the previous administration. Htin Kyaw, Burma's new president, gave a notably short speech during his inauguration. In the course of three minutes, he delivered broad-brush promises to the nation: "Our new government will implement national reconciliation, deliver peace throughout the country, develop a constitution that could pave the way towards a democratic union, and enhance living standards." This is not enough. The Burmese public deserves to know more about the intended policies of President Htin Kyaw's new government. Htin Kyaw is a man of reputed good character, but he is missing in action. Executive power (besides what has been retained by the military) is in the hands of Burma's charismatic de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was declared State Counselor in April, a position which gives her broad access to parliament and all branches of government. Due to the 2008 constitution, Suu Kyi cannot become president, because her sons are British citizens and therefore "owe allegiance to a foreign power," but everyone in Burma knows she holds the keys to government decision-making. This represents a serious institutional flaw, since President Htin Kyaw is allotted supreme executive power under the constitution. There is no question about Suu Kyi's popularity, and her ability and capacity to lead, but she needs a team of competent managers to lead a country that has been ruined under a corrupt and repressive military dictatorship. These competent managers should have sufficient powers to deliver policy in line with a coherent vision of the country's future. More importantly, they need to keep the public informed and engage stakeholders regarding the government's plans and objectives. Regular and focused messaging has so far been missing from Htin Kyaw and Suu Kyi's government. In every democracy, governments must communicate and coordinate with key constituencies, stakeholders and the public—using a variety of channels and media platforms—in order to strengthen its policies and objectives. There must be a constant flow of information to complement a coherent action plan. Government leaders and ministers should demonstrate that they understand, and wish to coordinate, with the public in order to achieve their aims. This is known as strategic communication. As in the State of the Union address delivered annually by US presidents, President Htin Kyaw needs to speak to the Burmese public about the government's mission and its vision for the country. The post President Htin Kyaw: Missing in Action appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Restoration on Siamese King’s Tomb Stopped for Further Investigation Posted: 02 Jun 2016 05:21 AM PDT Siamese King Uthomphon's tomb on Linzin Hill in Mandalay Division. (Photo: Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy) MANDALAY — The Mandalay City Development Committee (MCDC) instructed a team carrying out restorations on Siamese King Uthumphon's tomb to stop working until a further investigation could be carried out on the remains held inside. Ye Mon, chairman of an MCDC subcommittee tasked with the investigation, said in a meeting with the team that the source of the remains discovered in the tomb has become a debate among historians. "There is little proof that the ashes and the urn belong to King Uthumphon. Because we need to do a DNA test and other investigations, the work must stop during this process," said the chairman, adding that the committee needed to ensure that the restoration was appropriate and that it would not affect Thai-Burma relations. Win Maung, an architect leading the restoration, said the team was working to preserve the original structure and that the repairs would not affect country relations as the Thai Royal Treasury had funded the project. He added that the team had been informed of the DNA testing, but had been given no further details as to a time frame or who would conduct the costly test. Win Maung added that they had stopped working as instructed, and would inform Sittagu Sayardaw, an influential abbot who had instructed them to restart renovations. Following pledged donations from the abbot, former chief minister of Mandalay Ye Myint approved the work in March before handing over his duties. The work on King Uthumphon's tomb, located near the famed U Bein Bridge in Mandalay Division, began in April after a two-year hiatus. MCDC had stalled the work with the intention of turning the four-acre Linzin Hill area, which houses the tomb, into a park. The restoration team consists of Burmese and Thai archeologists, historians and experts, and has been provided with an initial budget of 40 million Thai baht (over US$1.1 million) from the Thai Royal Treasury. The post Restoration on Siamese King's Tomb Stopped for Further Investigation appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Seven Students Drowned After Boat Sinks in Arakan Posted: 02 Jun 2016 05:11 AM PDT Local villagers search for survivors of the boat sinking in Arakan State. (Photo: Poeshipyin Alliance of Social Welfare Association / Facebook) RANGOON — A ferry shuttling students from Arakan State's Gantgar to Poeshipyin village on the Tawphya River sank on Wednesday, killing seven students who were on board, according to local authorities. Thein Shwe Maung, a police officer from Poeshipyin, said the students went schools in Poeshipyin. He confirmed that the seven students' bodies have already been discovered. "We are still investigating the accident," he said. The police will take action against the boat operator, according to Wai Hin Aung from Wunlark Development Foundation, a civil society group based in the Arakan State capital of Sittwe . The ferry was carrying 35 students who were on their way back from Poeshipyin village's schools to their houses, according to Zar Zar Htay, a resident of Ponnagyun Township. "Six girls and a boy were drowned. The six female students were in middle school and the male student was in high school," she said. All the passengers were from Gantgar village, which is a 2-hour ferry ride to the school in Poeshipyin village. On Thursday, government officials from Arakan State, including the state's spokesman Min Aung and Minister of Social Welfare for Arakan State Chan Thar, visited the site to give the families of the victims 600,000 kyats (US$500). The families asked the delegation to build a middle school in the their villages so their children would not have such long commutes to school. Wunlark Development Foundation also provided the families 100,000 kyats each. A government-run ferry capsized during a voyage from Taungup to Sittwe in Arakan State last year, a few hours after leaving the port town of Kyaukphyu, killing more than 60 people. Between 250 and 350 people were believed to have been traveling on the ferry at the time of its sinking. The post Seven Students Drowned After Boat Sinks in Arakan appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Local Artist’s Abstract Paintings Express Buddhist Rebirth Posted: 02 Jun 2016 01:38 AM PDT One of Su Eaindra's abstract paintings. (Photo: Su Eaindra / Facebook) RANGOON — Local artist Su Eaindra will showcase her first solo exhibition at Think Gallery on Nawaday Street in Dagon Township from June 3-6. More than 40 paintings will be on display at the show titled "Visit to the Labyrinth in the Universe." Su Eaindra began her artistic journey as an expressionist painter but has recently turned toward abstract work, portraying her feelings through vivid colors. She was born in Rangoon in 1965 and graduated with a degree in painting from the Rangoon State School of Fine Arts in 1986. From 1996 to 2009, she created designs for Indonesian and Chinese clothing brands and from 2011-15 she designed patterns for local ladies wear brands. In 2015, she embarked on a full-time career as an artist. She began taking part in exhibitions in 2009 and has participated in 11 in total. As for the title of her exhibition, she says, "Lately I have been thinking about life and existence. There are both good things and bad things in life and I feel like it is a labyrinth. Things happen and you can't avoid or receive what you wish. I reflect those thoughts and feelings in my work." Buddhist philosophy is also reflected in her work. She says she has asked herself, "Who created the endless circle of repeated births which all living creatures have to go through?" To which she answers herself, "No one, but it is all about cause and effect." "If [attaining] Nirvana is the way to end this cycle of rebirths, I would like to reach it," she says. "But until then, I can't help traveling [from this life to the next] through this small world in the universe." The post Local Artist's Abstract Paintings Express Buddhist Rebirth appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Bodies of 40 Tiger Cubs Found in Thai Temple Freezer Posted: 01 Jun 2016 11:04 PM PDT A sedated tiger is stretchered as officials start moving tigers from Thailand's controversial Tiger Temple, in Kanchanaburi province, west of Bangkok, Thailand, May 30, 2016. (Photo: Chaiwat Subprasom / Reuters) BANGKOK — Forty dead tiger cubs were found Wednesday in a freezer at a Buddhist temple that operated as an admission-charging zoo, a national parks official said. The discovery was made while authorities were removing mostly full-grown live tigers from the temple in western Kanchanaburi province following accusations that monks were involved in illegal breeding and trafficking of the animals. The cubs were found in a freezer where the temple staff kept food, said Anusorn Noochdumrong, an official from the Department of National Parks who has been overseeing the transfer of the temple's 137 tigers to shelters. Since Monday, 60 have been tranquilized and removed. "We don't know why the temple decided to keep these cubs in the freezer," Anusorn said. "We will collect these carcasses for DNA analysis." The cubs appeared to be up to a week old, he said. Authorities plan to file charges against the temple for illegally possessing endangered species, he said. The temple's Facebook page said in March that the temple's former vet had decided in 2010 to stop cremating cubs that died soon after birth. Calls to the temple's office were not answered. The temple, a popular tourist attraction, has been criticized by animal rights activists because of allegations it is not properly set up to care for the animals and flouted regulations restricting the trade of tigers. The monks resisted previous efforts to take away the tigers, but relented this week after police obtained a court order. The temple recently made arrangements to operate as a zoo, but the plan fell through when the government determined that the operators failed to secure sufficient resources. The post Bodies of 40 Tiger Cubs Found in Thai Temple Freezer appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

US Takes More Steps to Block N.Korea’s Access to Financial System Posted: 01 Jun 2016 10:16 PM PDT North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has a photo session with the participants in the Seventh Congress of the WPK in this undated handout photo provided by KCNA, May 13, 2016. (Photo: KCNA / Reuters) WASHINGTON — The United States on Wednesday declared North Korea a "primary money laundering concern" and moved to further block its ability to use the US and world financial systems to fund its weapons programs. The US Treasury Department called for a prohibition on certain US financial institutions opening or maintaining correspondent accounts, which are established to receive deposits from or make payments on behalf of a foreign institution, with North Korean financial institutions. Crucially, Treasury also prohibited the use of third parties' US correspondent accounts to process transactions for North Korean financial institutions. The announcement came days after the latest failed missile launch by the isolated state. Tensions in the region have been high since January when North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test and then followed that with a satellite launch and test launches of various missiles. Those efforts have all fueled calls in Washington, and abroad, for a clampdown on Pyongyang. US law already generally prohibited US financial institutions from engaging in transactions with North Korean institutions, but Treasury's latest actions would impose additional controls, especially the prohibitions on the use of third-country banks' US accounts to process transactions for North Korea. "This is meaningful," said Victor Cha, Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "This is designating the entire country, which means essentially that any entity that is interested in interacting with US financial institutions should no longer have any business with North Korea." "Most, if not all, entities, if faced with the choice of having access to the US financial system or doing business with North Korea, are going to make the obvious choice," Cha added. Adam Szubin, acting under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, said Washington expected other governments and financial authorities to make similar moves to prevent Pyongyang from "abusing" global financial institutions to support its development of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles. "The regime is notoriously deceitful in its financial transactions in order to continue its illicit weapons programs and other destabilizing activities," Szubin said in a statement. The Treasury was required to assess North Korea's status as a money laundering jurisdiction under the "North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act," passed nearly unanimously by the US Congress in February. A UN Security Council resolution in early March also required member states to sever correspondent banking relationships with North Korean financial institutions within 90 days. The post US Takes More Steps to Block N.Korea's Access to Financial System appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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National News

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• Tribunal to investigate gem association embezzlement claims
• Report cites media progress but highlights shortfalls
• Oil contributions to Magwe government questioned
• Govt tears down new shanty towns
• Yangon has to face the part-time electricity cut-offs
• Four new YCDC members appointed
• U Gambira set for release next month: lawyer
• Sagaing protesters to sue MPs
• Rocky start for Shan unity plan
• Amyotha Hluttaw approves second draft of protest law

Tribunal to investigate gem association embezzlement claims Posted: 01 Jun 2016 02:30 PM PDT A Tribunal has been established to investigate almost US$100 million that reportedly went missing from a gems and jade industry body during U Thein Sein's administration.

Report cites media progress but highlights shortfalls Posted: 01 Jun 2016 02:30 PM PDT Myanmar has taken steps toward media liberalisation but still has a long way to go before it enjoys a truly free press, according to a sector survey published yesterday.

Oil contributions to Magwe government questioned Posted: 01 Jun 2016 02:30 PM PDT Nearly K3 billion donated to the former Magwe Region government has gone missing, parliament heard yesterday. The money was donated by the owners of the region's hand-dug oil wells for regional development.

Govt tears down new shanty towns Posted: 01 Jun 2016 02:30 PM PDT The Yangon chief minister is already making good on a promise to crack down on "new squatters" in a bid to end the city's land-grab fights. As of yesterday, authorities demolished 99 shanties built since the minister's May 25 announcement.

Yangon has to face the part-time electricity cut-offs Posted: 01 Jun 2016 02:30 PM PDT Decaying power lines – some more than 100 years old – surging demand and long-term neglect, plus a shortage of money, all mean one thing for Yangon residents over the coming weeks and months: power cuts. At a May 31 press conference, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein laid out what residents can expect as electric company officials try to keep up with demand.

Four new YCDC members appointed Posted: 01 Jun 2016 02:30 PM PDT After kicking out the current members of Yangon City Development Committee, the region government appointed four new staffers yesterday.

U Gambira set for release next month: lawyer Posted: 01 Jun 2016 02:30 PM PDT Imprisoned former monk and Saffron Revolution leader U Gambira is likely to be released on July 1,according to his legal team.

Sagaing protesters to sue MPs Posted: 01 Jun 2016 02:30 PM PDT A Lawyer representing labourers who were arrested for holding a peaceful protest earlier this month says he is planning to sue five members of parliament for failing to come to the demonstrators' aid.

Rocky start for Shan unity plan Posted: 01 Jun 2016 02:30 PM PDT Organisers of a conference aimed at forging unity among Shan political parties have apologised for shutting out the ethnic group's largest party.

Amyotha Hluttaw approves second draft of protest law Posted: 01 Jun 2016 02:30 PM PDT The Amyotha Hluttaw has approved a revised Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law even as it continues to earn criticism from rights groups for maintaining prison sentences against offenders.

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Shan Herald Agency for News

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• To Hopeland and Back The 20th trip
• Burma Army Accused of torturing and killing civilians in Shan State
• Aung San Suu Kyi refuses to publish ethnic census results
• Regarding Tatmadaw's human rights violations and EU Ambassador's unwise remark

To Hopeland and Back The 20th trip Posted: 01 Jun 2016 10:57 PM PDT Day Four. Thursday, 26 May 2016 Chinese ambassador Hong Liang shaking hands with President Thein Sein at the signing ceremony of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement, 15 October 2016. Others are: (Sitting) Lt-Gen Yawd Serk, Gen Mutu Saypoe, Vice President Sai Mawk Kham (Standing) Vijay Nambiar, Sun Guoxiang, Roland Kobia (Photo: scmp.com) The most fruitful outcome Does not depend on force But succeeds without arrogance Without hostility Without pride Without resistance Without violence Tao Te Ching (Book of The Way and its Derivative), Chapter 30 Peace can mean a big change for everyone, including the superpowers. It will happen when they feel comfortable about it. Karin Landgren, Representative of UN Secretary General to Burundi We have 4 meetings today. I will be reporting on only two of them. To be exact, what I have learned from them. The first one discuss the role of China in the country's peace process. According to both government and rebel sources, China is eager to be more actively involved. Chinese authorities say they are sincere and serious about bringing peace to the country, especially in Shan and Kachin states, where continued fighting has inflicted suffering not only to the people on the Burmese side of the border, but also those on the Chinese side. When there is complaint from the public, the government has to act, they say. China therefore has made the following offer: It wishes to provide full support for the peace process. It is ready to host negotiations between the country's belligerents There should even be a joint mechanism between the two countries to supervise and maintain peace along the mutual border At the same time, China doesn't want involvement by western countries, especially the United States. No country has ever benefitted from American involvement in their internal affairs, say the officials. What's happening in the Middle East clearly illustrates the point. UN's participation is okay, because China is one of its members. Even so, it must be wary of Americans using it as an agent. At present, many foreign NGOs are active along the border areas. China is keeping an eye on them. The Tatmadaw appears willing to accept the Chinese overture. However the government has yet to give any definite commitment, according to the sources. Which reminds me of what David Steinberg said during a VOA interview on China's 5 point policy vis-a-vis its neighbors on 20 April: Peace along the border No to refugees Economic access for China Endorsement of China's position in the international arena No US influence along the Chinese border As for China's negative view of the United State, at least Stratfor founder George Friedman, who wrote the bestselling The Next 100 Years and The Next Decade seems to agree. Having achieved its strategic goals, the United States had the ultimate aim of preventing the emergence of any major power in Eurasia. The United States want to prevent stability in areas where another power might emerge. Its goal was not to stabilize, but to destabilize. Rhetoric aside, the United States has no overriding interest in peace in Eurasia. The United States has no interest in winning a war outright. As with Vietnam and Korea, the purpose of these conflicts is simply to block a power or destabilize the region, not to impose order. In due course, even outright American defeat is acceptable. (The Next 100 Years, Page 46) His prediction therefore is that the world may even see America siding with China, which is facing an economic downturn, against Japan that is expanding its capital in countries in the Pacific-Indian region. My hope is that the experts have got it all wrong and that China, Japan and the United States are able to sort out among themselves their concerns and reach an understanding that will benefit all countries big and small. As for the other meeting, I have looked at my notes once again and decided that there's not much worth writing. Except that, as businesspeople, they see things differently: They think the previous government did a better job. My response to them is not to be too fast in jumping to conclusions. "After all, they're still new at the job. Things may improve after 100 days." I then try to make some calculations. 8 August is going to be the 100th day, if I still remember my math.

Burma Army Accused of torturing and killing civilians in Shan State Posted: 01 Jun 2016 10:49 PM PDT During May 2016, the Burma Army has committed grave human rights violations, which meet the definition of war crimes, during a new offensive against the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) in Kyaukme township, northern Shan State, close to the Upper Yeywa dam site on the Namtu/Myitnge river. On May 3, 2016, without warning, about 500 troops from four Burma Army battalions (LIB 325, 502, 503 and 114) launched an attack on SSPP/SSA administered areas south of Kyaukme town, despite the fact that SSPP/SSA has an existing ceasefire with the Burmese government, and has been operating there for decades. After over a week of heavy fighting, the Burma Army sent in helicopter gunships on May 13, which dropped bombs around eight villages, and by mid-May about 1,000 Burmese troops had occupied most of the area (with reinforcements from IB 23, LIB 501, 504, 115 and 17). Over 1,000 villagers were displaced by the offensive. Grave human rights violations by the Burma Army during this offensive include the use of 43 villagers, including women, as human shields; severe torture of 5 villagers; and extrajudicial killing of at least 3 civilians, with 5 other bodies yet to be identified. The following is a summary of the violations: Date Victim Type of violation Location of violation May 11-12, 2016 30 villagers (including women) Use of civilians as human shields From Nam Oon village to Pha Learm village, Kyaukme May 13, 2016 1 villager, now mentally deranged Aerial bombing, shooting at civilian target   May 14, 2016 5 villagers Arbitrary arrest, torture, forced portering Nam Phart village, Kyaukme May 14, 2016 3 villagers (1 already wounded) Extrajudicial killing (corpses burned)   May 14, 2016   Destruction of villagers' food stores and other  property; burning of 2 houses Nam Phart, Agee and Wo Long villages, Kyaukme May 18-19, 2016 6 villagers Use of civilians as human shields From Parng Law village to Nawng Kwang village, Kyaukme May 20-21, 2016 6 villagers  (incl. village head) Use of civilians as human shields From Nawng Kwang village to Nam War village, Kyaukme May 20, 2016 (bodies found) 5 people (still unidentified) Extrajudicial killing (corpses burned) Wo Long village, Kyaukme SHRF strongly condemns these violations, which meet the definition of war crimes, and calls for an end to impunity for the perpetrators. It is urgently needed for the international community to publicly denounce the ongoing offensives and war crimes by the Burma Army, which make a mockery of the peace process. SHRF regrets that the EU diplomatic delegation which visited Hsipaw (east of Kyaukme) on May 16, laid no blame on the Burma Army for the fighting, and made no mention of their ongoing atrocities. SHRF also wishes to highlight the proximity of the fighting to the Upper Yeywa dam site. Locals have voiced strong opposition to the project, and a likely reason for the latest offensive was to seize control of the area to provide security for ongoing construction. We reiterate our calls to international companies involved in this and other dams on the Namtu -- including Swiss, German, Norwegian, Japanese and Chinese companies -- to immediately suspend their involvement or risk complicity in the abuses committed by the Burma Army to clear the way for the dams. Details of human rights violations committed by Burma Army troops in Kyaukme township, May 11-20, 2016 30 villagers forced to be human shields for Burma Army On May 11, about 100 Burma Army troops arrested 30 villagers of Nam Oon Nar Mon, Koong Nio tract, and ordered them to lead them to Pha Learm village. They were forced to march ahead of the troops. They set off at 7 am on May 11, and walked all through the day and night, till they reached Pha Learm at 9 am the following morning, and they were released. They were not given any food or water along the way. Some were made to carry the backpacks of the Burmese soldiers. Aerial attack targets civilian On May 13, 2016, a 60-year-old farmer was shelled and shot at from a Burma Army helicopter, causing him to become mentally deranged. On that day, Loong Aung Tun, from Aggee village, Hai Gui village tract, had gone to tend his farm outside the village. When he heard the sound of helicopters flying above, he ran out from his farm hut to look at them. Troops in a helicopter saw him and dropped 3 bombs around him, and also fired a machine gun at him. Fortunately, he was not hit, but was badly shocked. He ran back to his family and told them what had happened, but has since become so mentally disturbed that he cannot even recognize his own family members. He is married, with two children. Five villagers tortured by beating and electric shocks, and forced to be porters On May 14, 2016, Burmese soldiers from LIB 504 arrested and tortured five villagers, detaining them for two nights, and also using them as porters. The five villagers were: Sai Cing, aged 28, from Aggee village Sai Pancitta, aged 36, from Aggee village. Sai Nandiya, aged 36, from Aggee village Loong Maung Kan, aged 40, from Aggee village. Sai Sujaya, aged 45, from Nam Phart village. Most of the villagers of Aggee had already fled to take shelter in Parng Law monastery since May 12-13, but four Aggee villagers -- Sai Shing, Sai Pancitta, Sai Nandiya and Loong Maung Kan – had stayed to look after their houses. However, when they heard the sound of heavy fighting and bombing early on May 14, they decided to leave their homes and take shelter at Parng Law. As they were walking in front of Nam Phart temple, at about 8 am, they were arrested by Burmese soldiers. There were about 100 soldiers staying in Nam Phart at the time. At around the same time, Sai Sujaya, a villager from Nam Phart, who had already fled to Parng Law, was returning to untie his cattle at his home, but was captured by the Burmese troops as he was passing near the Nam Phart temple. The five villagers were kicked and beaten with sticks and rifle butts; they were also cut with knives. They were asked about their contact with Shan soldiers, and whether they had supported them with food and money. Two of the villagers, Sai Nandiya and Sai Sujaya, were also electrocuted on their bodies, using wires attached to a battery. The villagers had their hands tied behind their back, and were blindfolded with women's sarongs. They were kept in the temple kitchen for two nights, without any food or water. Sai Nandia described his experience: "The Burmese troops used a knife to cut my neck many times. They used rifle butts to hit my face, nose, cheeks and mouth. And they used electric wires from a battery to give me a shock in my back, my right shoulder, and my chest. They hit my shins with a rifle butt and tied my feet and hands. They blindfolded my eyes. At that time, my mouth was bleeding. All my clothes were wet with blood. My eyes were hurt. We were not allowed to sleep for two nights." On the morning of May 16, still blindfolded, they were forced to porter for the Burmese soldiers, each carrying bags weighing about 10 kg. They were made to walk from Nam Phart temple to Parng Law temple (about 5 kilometers), after which their blindfolds were finally taken off. They were only released when some of the local Parng Law villagers and a monk, were able to guarantee they were really villagers, not Shan soldiers. Sai Nandiya was admitted to Kyaukme hospital because he had been so seriously injured from the torture. Extrajudicial killing of three villagers The burned remains of three villagers were found south of Parng Law village on May 19, 2016, after they were witnessed being arrested by the Burma Army on May 14, 2016. All three men were from Nawng Kwang village. Their names are as follows:   Name Age Parents' names Family 1 Sai Aik Naung (a.k.a.) Ar Jin Na ID no:13/KaMaNa(Nai)110825 27 Loong Pang, Ba Nging Wife: Aye Kham Sar (23) 1 son (10 months) 2 Sai Aik Mart (brother of Sai Aik Nount) ID no: 13/KaMaNa(Nai)090608 30 Loong Pang , Ba Nging Wife: Aye Bu (23) 3 sons (age 7, and 2 twins age 3) 3 Sai Aik Dink (a.k.a.) Sai Su (cousin of Sai Aik Nount and Sai Aik Mart) ID no: 13/KaMaNa(Nai)130401 26 Loong Kho, Ba Nang Uoi Wife: Aye Kham Bu On May 13, Sai Arjina was shot and wounded in the neck while delivering food to SSPP/SSA troops during fighting with the Burma Army close to Aggee village.  He had a mobile phone and called to his relatives to come and help him. On May 14, his elder brother, Sai Aik Mart, and their cousin Sai Aik Dink, rode on a motorcycle to go and fetch him. They picked him up, and were riding back near Nam Phart village, when they were stopped and arrested by Burmese soldiers. This was witnessed by some villagers in Nam Phart. On May 19, six villagers from Parng Law village, who had been forced to guide Burmese troops to Nawng Kwang village, were walking back home, when they came across the charred remains of three bodies at Mark Moan Karn Lieng (Red Mango Hill), between Nam Phart and Parng Law. When they got to Parng Law, they informed some village leaders, who realized the bodies might belong to the three men from Nawng Kwang who had been arrested on May 14. They rang through to Nawng Kwang village leaders, and on May 19, some of the villagers drove a truck to go and see the remains. They were able to identify the three men by the hats they had been wearing. They left the remains until the next day, May 20, when they returned and picked up the bones, taking them to Parng Law temple. On May 21, a small ceremony was performed for the dead men. Destruction of food stores and property in three villages On May 14, Burma Army troops stationed in Nam Phart village (which has 40 households) went from house to house, breaking down doors, and destroying food stores. They emptied sacks of rice and corn, as well as fertilizer, scattering them on the ground. They also put salt in the engine oil of motorcycles in the village. This was witnessed by a monk at the temple. During May 14-16, Burmese troops did the same in Aggee village (25 households) and Wo Long village (32 households). In Wo Long village, two houses were burned down, and motorbikes and a small ploughing machine/tractor were also destroyed. Six villagers forced to be human shields for Burma Army On May 18, 6 villagers from Parng Law village were forced by Burma Army troops to lead them to Nawng Kwarng village, a distance of about 9 miles. They were forced to walk ahead of about 100 troops, throughout the night. They were not given any food or water. They were released the next day, May 19, in Parng Law village. Six villagers forced to be human shields for Burma Army On May 20, 5 villagers and the village administrative head, U Dae Win, from Nawng Kwang village, were forced by about 100 Burma Army troops to lead them to the village of Nam War. They left Nawng Kwang at about 2 am in the morning, and arrived in Nam War at 5 am the next morning, May 21. They were not given any food or water. They were then released and allowed to return home. The names of two of the villagers are: Sai Myint, age 35, and Sai Zan Di Mar, age 32. Five burned bodies found in Wo Long village On May 12-13, 2016, there was heavy fighting near Wo Long village. During that time, most Wo Long villagers fled their homes, many taking refuge in Parng Law temple. When villagers returned to their homes on May 20, after the fighting had died down, they found that their homes and property had been damaged, and that two houses had been burned down. In the charred remains of one of the houses, belonging to a medic called Loong Saw Bay Da, two burned bodies were found. Behind the home of Loong Htoon Awng, in the latrine pit, two other burned bodies were found. Another burned body was found outside the village, about 15 minutes' walk from the village, by the roadside. The bodies have not yet been identified, but the following villagers have been reported missing since May 13, and it is feared that the bodies may be theirs. Sai Kyaw Lon, age 40, from Wo Long village (parents: Loong Lai Kham, Nai Di) Sai Paw , age 23, from Wo Long village (parents: Loong Jaw, Ba Nyunt) Sai Tun Shwe, age 33, from Aggee village (wife: Nang Hseng Hla) Sai Kaw, age 22, from Pang Kien village (Parents: Loong Sarng Tun, Ba Tun) Original publishing at Shan Human Rights Foundation

Aung San Suu Kyi refuses to publish ethnic census results Posted: 01 Jun 2016 09:49 PM PDT According to U Myint Kyaing, from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population, the religion data will be released by August. However, the ethnic information will continue to be withheld. He said that the ethnic data would only be published after discussions with ethnic leaders; that there were "unspecified problems"; and that "the discussions will likely take some time." This is an outrage. It is completely non-transparent and undemocratic. In fact, the U.N. Population Fund, which organized the census, backed its full release last October. The census is still being censored. This is extremely significant. The ethnic nationality peoples and their leaders should view this with the gravest of concern. Aung San Suu Kyi is clearly responsible. She controls the government and makes every important decision. This raises the question: Why doesn't she want the results published? Under her timetable, the data will not be available before any new peace talks and also the hypothetical Second Panglong Conference. This in turn harms the ethnic armed organizations (EAOs). If the census shows that the ethnic populations are larger than the rough estimates offered by the so-called majority Burmans, the ethnic negotiators will have a stronger bargaining position. Indeed, if - as some people suspect - the ethnic nationalities as a whole comprise greater than 50% of the population, meaning the Burmans are not the majority, this would provide great support to the ethnic demands for constitutionally-enshrined federalism and self-determination. It seems as if Suu Kyi is trying to push through a deal, as soon as possible, even if it is bad for the ethnic nationalities. The best way to do this, she apparently believes, is to keep the EAOs at a disadvantage - to follow the dictator's playbook. All of this further raises the question of how the Burman-dominated NLD government can properly represent the ethnic peoples, as is already being debated following its refusal to appoint ethnic party leaders in Arakan and Shan States, and through refusing ethnic MP requests to help IDPs in those states. Suu Kyi is Burman; the NLD is Burman; and the military dictatorship is Burman. With the census results still blocked, it is not unreasonable to suspect the worst. Suu Kyi and the generals are running the country for the Burmans' benefit. She is helping Than Shwe transition the nation to the next generation of Burmans Uber Alles. http://www.dictatorwatch.org/prcensoredcensus.html The Myanmar Times has a report today on the long-delayed religion and ethnic population breakdowns from the 2014 Burma national census. http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/yangon/20597-controversial-census-data-on-religion-to-be-released-within-two-months.html

Regarding Tatmadaw's human rights violations and EU Ambassador's unwise remark Posted: 01 Jun 2016 09:39 PM PDT The policy and mindset of Tatmadaw is tied to the concept of being the owner and protector of the country's sovereignty, which means, all those resisting the Bamar-centered central government are enemies of the state and have to be crushed, one way or the other. In the eyes of the Bamar-dominated Tatmadaw, all ethnic resistance forces are enemies and those supporting them in any way are also enemies, which means the ethnic population are also the Tatmadaw's enemies and have to be dealt as such. This doctrine and indoctrination of its soldiers have been there for as long as the ethnic armed resistance have existed, which means from the beginning period, shortly after the independence and exacerbated at the end of 1950s and 1960s stretching to these days. That is why it is not a wonder that repeated gross human rights violations keep on happening, regardless of the C-in-C Min Aung Hliang's ad hoc emphasizes that it has been revamped into a "Union Army", serving the democratically elected U Htin Kyaw and Aung San Suu Kyi-led regime. Thus it is quite evident, as the recent report of SHRF's human rights violations shows, that the change of tag from "Myanmar Army" to "Union Army" has not in any way changes its mindset and hatred on the non-Bamar ethnic population. Regarding the EU ambassador Roland Kobia when he said a few weeks ago that the ethnic armies should lay down their arms first, he was only showing how little he understood the nature of the ethnic resistance, which is deeply rooted in the political grievances of the ethnic peoples. The point here is the ethnic armed resistance came into being because there is no possibility to resolve their political grievances of equality, rights of self-determination and democracy, through political means in a fair manner.

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