Friday, December 16, 2016

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Select Journalists to be Granted Access to Maungdaw—Accompanied by Govt Officials

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 07:36 AM PST

Thirteen reporters from local and intl media outlets will be invited by the Ministry of Information on a trip to Arakan State's conflict zone.

The post Select Journalists to be Granted Access to Maungdaw—Accompanied by Govt Officials appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Man Files Defamation Case After Activists Accuse Him of Land Grabbing

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 04:54 AM PST

A Mon State man accused of land grabbing in a 2015 report has filed a defamation case against members of the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society.

The post Man Files Defamation Case After Activists Accuse Him of Land Grabbing appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Members of Parliament to Study Chinese Language

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 04:10 AM PST

'It is not a bad idea to learn Chinese since China is our neighbor and also a superpower,' says Dr. Kyaw Than Tun.

The post Members of Parliament to Study Chinese Language appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

KBZ Bank, Army-Owned Companies are Tops on Highest Taxpayer List

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 03:25 AM PST

KBZ Bank pays at least 20 billion kyats (US$14.7 million) in income tax, while Denko Trading tops list of commercial taxpayers.

The post KBZ Bank, Army-Owned Companies are Tops on Highest Taxpayer List appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Israel Urged to Suspend Military Shipment to Burma

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 01:11 AM PST

Activists urge the Israeli defense ministry to cancel a military shipment ordered by the Burma Army, citing continued human rights abuses.

The post Israel Urged to Suspend Military Shipment to Burma appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

US Special Ambassador on Human Trafficking Visits Burma

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 10:21 PM PST

Susan Coppedge meets officials and discusses challenges after Burma slipped in the global anti-trafficking ranking.

The post US Special Ambassador on Human Trafficking Visits Burma appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Telenor CEO Looks Ahead to Company’s Burma Business Strategy

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 09:08 PM PST

The Irrawaddy speaks with Telenor's Burma CEO to gain some insight into the industry's current state and Telenor's plans for next year.

The post Telenor CEO Looks Ahead to Company's Burma Business Strategy appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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National News

National News

Insein Prison doctor a no-show at Eleven Media trial hearing

Posted: 16 Dec 2016 12:45 AM PST

Despite being summoned by the Tarmwe Township Court, the doctor from Insein Prison's hospital has failed to appear at the latest hearing in the trial of the CEO and editor-in-chief of Eleven Media Group, who are facing defamation charges brought by the Yangon Region government under the controversial section 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law.

Commission probing Rakhine says ‘rule of law’ being observed

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 11:29 PM PST

Myanmar's military clearance operations in northern Rakhine State are being carried out "lawfully", the investigation commission led by Vice President Myint Swe concluded after wrapping up a three-day field visit to Maundgaw. The announcement comes as Human Rights Watch released a report accusing the military of complicity in the burning of villages, an accusation the commission denies.

When selling is more lucrative than protecting: Myanma Timber Enterprise and the deforestation crisis

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 11:18 PM PST

For years, Myanmar's state-owned timber giant has been subject to accusations of corruption and shadowy closed-door dealings. Environmental advocacy groups have long blamed Myanma Timber Enterprise (MTE) for operating its industry monopoly without transparency. On November 15, their allegations appeared to gain newfound teeth, substantiated by a landmark overseas lawsuit that has established a new industry precedent.

Facing the challenges of ensuring digital rights

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 11:08 PM PST

Digital rights are human rights, participants in a nationwide forum were told this week. The Myanmar Digital Rights Forum discussed the issues raised by the increasing access, in recent years, of large numbers of Myanmar citizens to the internet, social media and mobile phones.

CSOs call for greater transparency in Tanintharyi developments

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 11:04 PM PST

A Coalition of local residents has criticised two Myanmar companies and a Chinese firm for announcing plans for a number of development projects in Tanintharyi Region. In a statement issued on December 14, the residents also attacked the local ethnic armed group, the Karen National Union, for its apparent participation in the projects.

Eleven abducted Shan villagers released

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 11:01 PM PST

Eleven of 12 villagers detained in Namtu township, northern Shan State, by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) were released this week, according to a local organisation that claims to have helped negotiate their rescue.

Child workers, labour rights violations alleged at brickyard

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 10:59 PM PST

The Ministry of Labour is planning to press charges against the owners of a Mon State brickyard, following an investigation into allegations of child labour and the subsequent rescue of 13 workers.

States, regions anxiously await budget allocations

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 10:57 PM PST

As the nation's 14 states and regions scramble to submit their budgets to the Union government for approval, the two poorest parts of the country are especially anxious to know how much they will be granted.

Economic growth could see LDC list removal by 2025: report

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 10:53 PM PST

Myanmar could shake its Least Developed Countries status by 2025, a report from United Nations' Conference on Trade and Development has predicted.

End in sight for Panda textile factory protesters

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 10:50 PM PST

After more than six months of protracted industrial action, striking workers at Mandalay's Panda Textile Factory are set to return to work after an agreement was reached this week with their employer.
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Shan Herald Agency for News

Shan Herald Agency for News

Villagers flee homes to avoid TNLA recruitment drive

Posted: 15 Dec 2016 10:52 PM PST

Hundreds of civilians in northern Shan State's Kyaukme Township have reportedly fled their homes as Ta'ang rebels step up a program of forced recruitment in the area.

Photo SHAN- Women and children pictured at Marnsu monastery in Lashio Township on December 10 due to clashes between TNLA and Burma Army.

Sai Tun Ngan, a Kyaukme MP from the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), told Shan Herald that villagers from Pang Kwan had been evacuating their homes since December 11, a day after 24 men from the village had been arrested and detained by the by Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

"People are afraid because the TNLA is conscripting new soldiers," he said. "Many from Pang Kwan have left to stay with relatives in other villages, while about 150 have sought shelter at a temple in Kyaukme town."

The SNLD MP added: "They are still too afraid to return home."

Situated in Kyaukme Township in northern Shan State, Pang Kwan has a population of over 600, living in some 170 households.

Col. Tar Phong Kyaw, a TNLA spokesperson, told The Irrawaddy news agency this week that his group has launched a new policy of recruiting soldiers into its ranks.

"We have a new military recruitment policy for our party," he said. "However, we only recruit soldiers from amongst our Ta'ang [Palaung] people. We do not recruit from the ethnic Shan villages."

Shan Heraldreported on December 1 that some 200 villagers from Mantong and Mong Maw in Kyaukme Township had fled their homes due to hostilities between the TNLA and Burmese government forces.

The TNLA is a member of the newly formed Northern Alliance, alongside the Arakan Army (AA), Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). The coalition conducted synchronized offensives against Burmese military positions around the Chinese border in northern Shan State on November 20, and clashes between the sides have since intensified.


Thousands of people have been displaced in the region due to the recent conflict. It is estimated that more than 4,000 are still unable to return to their villages. 

By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN)
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