Wednesday, May 10, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Police Fire Warning Shots After Buddhist Nationalists Storm Muslim Neighborhood

Posted: 10 May 2017 03:53 AM PDT

RANGOON — Police fired two warning shots to break up a confrontation between Buddhist nationalists and Muslims in Rangoon's Mingalar Taung Nyunt Township that reportedly left one person injured in the early hours of Wednesday.

Buddhist monks led nationalists into the Muslim neighborhood before midnight, claiming ethnic Muslim Rohingya were there "illegally," according to police and residents.

There are an estimated 1 million Muslims in Arakan State who self-identify as Rohingya and who are today largely stateless. They are banned from traveling outside the region without special permission.

The nationalists, and many in Burma's government, describe the Rohingya as "Bengali," implying that they are migrants from Bangladesh.

According to witnesses, the nationalists turned hostile toward the Muslim residents at about midnight when police found no Rohingya "illegally" present in the area, as the nationalists had claimed.

Police then fired the warning shots to disperse the crowd. It was the latest instance of rising tension between Buddhist nationalists and Muslims in the former capital after nationalists shut down two Islamic schools in Thaketa Township last week.

 

The post Police Fire Warning Shots After Buddhist Nationalists Storm Muslim Neighborhood appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Karen Communities Along the Sittaung River

Posted: 10 May 2017 12:53 AM PDT

I spent a week before Thingyan visiting family and friends in Karen villages, and the Karen parts of small towns, along the Sittaung River. Further to the east are the conflict-affected Dawna hills, where the government-controlled lowlands give way to foothills which have long been contested between the Karen National Union (KNU) and Tatmadaw, then further up into the highlands, where the Karen National Liberation Army (Brigades 2, 3 and 5) still controls extensive territory.

Often on the eastern side of the Sittaung, we would be in areas where foreigners had until a couple of years ago been denied access, and where government authority shades into areas under the influence of the KNU. However, most parts of the river valley have long been under government control, with little fighting since the 1950s (although Karen insurgents hung on in the Pegu Yomas to the west through to the mid-1970s).

Nevertheless, many of these areas can still be considered 'conflict affected,' as local Karen communities have faced decades of oppression on the basis of their ethnic and religious identity.

We spent time in villages and Karen urban quarters, between Toungoo (Taw-oo in Sgaw Karen), Thandaung Gyi (where we visited the famous Naw Bu Baw 'prayer mountain'), Kyauk Kyi (Lerdoh) and Nyaunglebin (Kler Lwee Htoo). It was hot and sometimes dusty—although I think a little cooler than the same time last year. Some of the houses we visited were large, spacious and relatively cool, with cream plastered walls and gorgeous hardwood timber. I had the impression of faded gentility, and timber-working families who had seen better times – particularly in "the British days," when, as I was sometimes reminded, Christian Karen communities prospered.

This was a holiday, and we were socializing, so these brief reflections are not representative of our hosts' everyday working lives. I was struck by how few non-Christians and non-Sgaw Karen we met. It seems that parts of rural and peri-urban Myanmar can still be characterized in terms of the British colonial administrator, JS Furnivall's "plural society." In "The Fashioning of Leviathan: The Beginnings of British Rule in Burma," he argued that colonial Burmese society (or at least the capital, Rangoon) was less than the sum of its diverse parts, with no common national identity, but rather various ethnic communities which engaged with each other only in the marketplace.

I was also struck by the great love that people express for each other—not in the flowery and sentimental way familiar from my own Western culture, but in many quiet acts of emotional help and material support. For example, in a village on the western bank, I came across most of the men taking part in loq-a-pey ("volunteer labor").

In the past, this term rightly attracted much opprobrium, as a euphemism for the previous military government's widespread practice of forced labor. However, the concept draws on a deep and long-standing tradition of communal labor among the rural villages of Burma (not just Karen). In this small Christian village, the men were cheerfully puffing on cheroots and working together to upgrade the village roads before the onset of the rainy season.

It seemed that their labor was indeed freely given. Of course, I have no access to the dynamics and possible peer pressure involved in mobilizing this workforce, but the atmosphere was convivial and focused, with much good-natured banter and a lot of sweat. One of the villagers explained to me that: "We have to do this ourselves: if we waited for the government to help us, we would wait forever."

Particularly in the more conflict-affected villages on the eastern bank, but really across all of the small number of communities I visited, people expressed distrust of and distance from the government. This is perhaps not surprising, after decades of abuse, including systematic forced labor and the Tatmadaw's regular (until recently) abduction of villagers, to be taken as front-line porters, often for months at a time.

As far as I can tell, many of these Karen Christians have a deep-seated respect for the KNU, and sympathy for the armed struggle for Karen self-determination. However, few of them have much knowledge of—or it seems much interest in—KNU politics, the ceasefire since 2012, or the emerging peace process with the Myanmar government and Tatmadaw. Several people expressed concerns about logging and gold mining activities in areas under KNU control or authority, and the effects this can have on natural resources and the social fabric.

More than one person reminded me of the English kola wah's responsibility for abandoning Burma and the Karen, after the Second World War. I was asked if the English would come back again, to guide and support Burma, and protect the Karen from discrimination and abuse.

In terms of the present government, I was told that little had changed since the 2015 election. After the previous U Thein Sein government's assumption of power in 2011, people noticed some improvements, including greater freedoms of travel, speech and association. My wife's relatives could visit each other more easily, and with less fear of abuse. However, livelihood options have not changed much, and there is a perception that the present government has done very little to help Karen communities.

People don't seem to be surprised by this though. There is a perception that the government is far away, and dominated by Burmese Buddhists. The best that Karen communities can do is avoid abuse and try to "keep our heads down."

When I asked what has changed, people in the eastern villages said that since the ceasefire, the law and order situation has deteriorated significantly. These days there are more thieves in the rural and peri-urban areas. According to locals, many of these men are outsiders—often retired Myanmar Army soldiers, organized into well-connected gangs.

The level of crime is petty, but has a major impact on local peoples' livelihoods and sense of security. In some places, many of the fruits and vegetables grown in small orchards on the edge of town are stolen by the gangs and put up for sale in the local market. If they are caught in the act in the dead of night, violence—or at least the threat of it—can result.

Otherwise, the thieves brazenly refuse to acknowledge where their wares come from if challenged in or on the way to the market. Before the ceasefire, villagers accessing their lands feared arbitrary violence and taxation, or being caught up in the fighting; now that they have better access to their fields and orchards, many live in fear of thieves.

I was told that: "It is pointless—and even dangerous—to approach the police, unless you can pay them. We don't have enough money to pay for justice, so we just have to keep quiet when our goods are stolen."

Another problem which has grown in recent years is drug abuse. In the past, a few (mostly old) people used opium, and a few smoked ganja; these days, ya-ba (methamphetamine) abuse is reportedly widespread among the youth, as well as growing incidence of heroin use.

These few reflections can hardly capture the complexities and rich textures of life in the Christian Karen communities of the Sittaung valley. I feel so privileged to have spent a few days in the company of these wonderful people. They feel themselves to be poor, and getting poorer, generally neglected (or worse) by the state. Even so, people in these rural and peri-urban Karen communities care for and support each other (demonstrating what academics might call "social capital") in ways that have largely ceased to characterize many more 'developed' societies.

Dr. Ashley South is a Research Fellow at Chiang Mai University, Centre for Ethnic Studies and Development.

This article originally appeared in Tea Circle, a forum hosted at Oxford University for emerging research and perspectives on Burma/Myanmar.

The post Karen Communities Along the Sittaung River appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ten Things to do in Rangoon This Week

Posted: 09 May 2017 09:22 PM PDT

Myanmar Guitar Festival | May 10

The second Myanmar Guitar Festival will feature more than a dozen guitarists, plus songs by J Maung Maung, R Zarni and Kaung Hset.

May 10, 6:00 pm. Kandawgyi Hmaw Sin Kyun. Free Admission.

UnderDawg Festival | May 13

This festival will feature world famous artists such as CL (2NE1), Nelly, Soulja Boy and many more. Tickets run from US$25 to $240.

May 13, 6.30 pm. Thuwunna Bhumi Event Park, Thingangyun Tsp. Tickets can be purchased by calling 09-260702700, 09-260702800, 09-454545461 or 09-454545462.

Virtual Reality Art Festival Yangon 2017 | May 12-14

Kids Day of the Virtual Reality (VR) Art Festival will be held on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. for youth interested in VR creative content, screenings, talks and a VR Hackathon.

May 12-14. Institut Francais de Birmanie, No. 340, Pyay Road.

Hip-Hop Music Show | May 14

Many third-generation hip-hop musicians will perform. Tickets are 7,000 kyats at The Corner Bar (Sanchaung), Dream Clothing (Junction Square and Hledan Centre) and RUNYGN Clothing (Aung San Stadium and Yuzana Plaza).

May 14, 3:00 pm. Fusan Basketball Court, near Myanma Plaza on Kabar Aye Pagoda Road.

My French Film | May 10

A collaboration between the Institut Français de Birmanie and Mingalar Cinemas, My French Film is a monthly programming of the best of French movies in one of Rangoon's cinemas. One film per month is screened every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Mingalar Cinema.

Every Wednesday, 6:30 pm. Mingalar Cinema Gamone Pwint (San Yeik Nyein). Entry:  2,000– 3,500 kyats.

Colour Me Monochrome: Exhibition and Fundraiser | May 13-19

StoreFront Yangon is organizing its first photography exhibition at Pansuriya Gallery, and features photos from Rangoon, New Delhi in India, and Mae Sot in Thailand. The project showcases the diversity of storefront designs, and also serves as a fundraiser to support street children in the commercial capital. All photographs on display are also for sale, with proceeds going to SONNE Social Organization.

May 13-19. Pansuriya Gallery, No 100, Bogalayzay Street, Botahtaung Tsp.

Myanmar Forest Products Fair 2017 | May 11-14

Furniture, handicrafts and other finished products made of teak, rattan and bamboo will be on sale at the fair, which will also host activities to raise awareness of environmental conservation.

 May 11-14. Tatmadaw Hall, U Wisara Road.

Tuesday Snippets | May 9

Every Tuesday evening, Pansodan opens its gallery space for a gathering, where all sorts of people enjoy conversation and beverages until the wee hours of the morning. Guitars generally come out after midnight.

Every Tuesday, starting at 7 pm. Pansodan Gallery, Pansodan St. Free admission.

Infected Poison | May 12-26

Artist Ko Ye portrays his feelings about current political, economic and social issues in Burma in 21 acrylic paintings.

May 12-26. New Zero Art Space, No 202, 2nd Floor, United Condo, Alanpya Pagoda Road, Dagon Tsp.

Wild Eye | May 15-20

A group exhibition of more than 30 artists will feature paintings, sculptures, an art installation, and performance and video acts.

May 15-20. Think Art Gallery. No. 23, Nawaday Street, Dagon Tsp.

 

The post Ten Things to do in Rangoon This Week appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

In Bago Range, Authorities Struggle to Stop Rise in Elephant Poaching

Posted: 09 May 2017 08:39 PM PDT

CHAUNG SAUK VILLAGE, Bago Range – The residents of Chaung Sauk, a village in the foothills of the Bago Range, recalled the shock they felt last November when the giant carcass of a male elephant, stripped of its tusks and skin, was found bobbing in Sar Ngan stream, about one kilometer upstream from their village.

"The elephant's body drifted in the creek near our village. We then reported it to village authorities and the police station," said Kyaw Hlaing Win, the village tract administrator.

The area in northern Rangon region's Okkan Township has long been a place where farmers reside in close proximity to elephants, who live in the nearby forested mountains and occasionally come down to forage on vegetation and crops in the foothills.

During the past year, the area has increasingly become a place for poachers to hunt elephants and villagers believe several elephants were killed, though only one carcass was found.

"Elephant poachers have been spotted near our village since February last year. They set up bamboo huts at the base of the Bago Yoma and first were searching for tortoise eggs," said Kyaw Hlaing Win.

Police have attempted to arrest the poaching ring, but were only able to apprehend some local villagers – including the previous village administrator, who helped poachers move around the area.

"Those arrested were not the poachers, but just their helpers and guides in the forest," Kyaw Hlaing Win said, adding that he suspected ringleaders slipped away because of collusion with local authorities.

"I don't believe authorities didn't know that poachers had entered the area with the help of the former village administrator," he said.

Officer Than Naing from Okkan Township Police Station said authorities had arrested nine suspects and were looking for another 11 suspects, including two men accused of killing the elephant.

He said the nine men were facing criminal charges under Burma's 1994 law on wildlife conservation and could be penalized with up to seven years in prison and a fine of 50,000 kyats (about US$40) for killing, hunting or wounding a protected animal.

Than Naing said despite his best efforts to keep the arrest operations secret, it was difficult to catch the suspects, especially the ringleaders.

"I never even informed my junior officer about this list ahead of the arrest," he said. "But only four persons could be arrested on the first day of raid, the others were arrested later."

A Rise in Poaching

The situation in Okkan Township is indicative of the growing threat to Burma's wild elephant population and law enforcement authorities' struggle to respond.

Poaching of the endangered, and officially protected, pachyderms has increased sharply in recent years in Burma, with 133 wild elephants killed between 2010 and 2016. Most occurred in recent years and in 2016 alone, 25 elephants were killed, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

"Male wild elephants have now become rare in Burma," said Saw Htoo Thar Phoe, an elephant expert with WCS Burma.

Naing Zaw Tun, a deputy director of the ministry, said: "The main traffickers of elephant [parts] remain at large" and most arrests involve local villagers who join the illegal wildlife hunt and trade just to boost their meager incomes. He added that 22 suspects were arrested in nine elephant poaching cases last year.

Elephant poaching in Burma is on the rise amid a global trend of increasing demand in recent years for ivory and other products made from elephant parts, such as its skin, which is used in traditional medicine, conservation groups have warned.

Government Response

Naing Zaw Tun said his ministry had submitted a bill to amend Burma's 1994 law on wildlife conservation to bring it in line with international wildlife protection standards, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

In January, the ministry announced a Burma Elephant Conservation Action Plan, which was drafted with the help of international conservation organizations. It outlines 10-year priorities to safeguard the pachyderms, including engaging the public in the control of illegal poaching, trade and consumption of animal parts.

An estimated 2,000 elephants remain in the wild in Burma and a census of the population is reportedly underway. Some 6,000 timber elephants employed by the Myanmar Timber Enterprise face an uncertain future as the country tries to modernize and limit its timber trade.

Most demand for elephant parts comes from neighboring China and the notorious wildlife market in the rebel-held town of Mong La, northern Shan State, is an important conduit for the illegal cross-border trade. Wildlife trade to Thailand via Tachileik and Myawaddy is also an important destination for poached elephant parts.

Other threats include disappearing forest habitats due to illegal logging and expanding agribusinesses plantations, a problem that is clearly visible in Bago Range where huge swathes of forest have been granted to well-connected local companies. Amid the shrinking habitats, confrontations between wild elephants and farmers have also become more common, occasionally leading to deaths of animal and man.

'Poachers Give Bribes to Police'

Saw Htoo Thar Phoe said the government should focus on preventing domestic poaching of elephants and other wildlife, though he added that ending poaching would be difficult as the trafficking is highly lucrative and corruption is endemic in Burma.

"Frankly speaking, poachers give bribes to the police to avoid arrest. Police should implement law enforcement more effectively," he said, adding that police and border control authorities should cooperate with neighboring countries to tighten controls on illegal wildlife trade.

He said funding and staffing of the Forestry Department should also be increased and forest patrols improved, while measures and long-term projects should be drawn up with the help of international experts.

Government officials announced in June last year that they wanted to close the Mong La wildlife market, but the area is firmly under rebel control. China announced the implementation of an ivory ban in late 2017, a move welcomed by conservation experts.

Elizabeth John, a Southeast Asia spokesperson for international conservation group TRAFFIC, nonetheless warned that much of the trade in Burma is illegal to begin with and could go underground even if law enforcement and border controls were improved.

"Traffickers will take the path of least resistance and have shown themselves quick to adapt to increased enforcement in one country, by changing routes and methods," she warned.

This article was first published on Myanmar Now.

 

The post In Bago Range, Authorities Struggle to Stop Rise in Elephant Poaching appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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