Wednesday, July 26, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

The Irrawaddy Magazine

Tatmadaw Prohibits Use of Military Ranks for Non-State Armed Groups

Posted: 26 Jul 2017 07:55 AM PDT

YANGON — The Tatmadaw Information Team released a statement on Wednesday prohibiting the usage of military ranks employed by the Myanmar Army for non-state armed organizations.

The statement was shared on the Facebook page of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief, Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

"We hereby declare that military ranks, which are entitled only for military personnel of the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air), are not to be used in reference to persons of other unconcerned organizations; and that military ranks are to be used correctly in line with existing laws," reads the statement.

According to the statement, the law restricting the usage of military ranks was enacted in 1989 under the State Law and Order Restoration Council, and was amended on October 7, 2014 in the Union Parliament under the former U Thein Sein-led government.

Chapter 1, Article 2(a) and (b) state that military ranks refer to "the ranks designated for the Tatmadaw (Army, Navy and Air)," according to the statement.

The statement cited Burmese dailies such as Kyeemon, The Standard Time, Daily Eleven and The Voice as referring to the economic in-charge of Lawayang People's Militia Naw Hsan as Major Naw Hsan in reports about a bomb explosion in front of a teashop in Bhamo District, Kachin State on July 22. Naw Hsan died in the incident.

Likewise, other dailies, journals and news agencies called him Langai Naw Hsan, indicating the rank of major, said the statement.

Such usage is wrong, the statement explained, adding that there are no specific ranks in people's militias which can be referenced in line with law, and that the individuals can only be called leaders, members, or part of a supervisory group.

The statement also applies to the signatories and non-signatories of the nationwide ceasefire agreement, said director of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare Maj Aung Ye Win of the Ministry of Defense.

"In fact, [military ranks like] Major and Major General are not official in the other [armed groups]. [Non-state armed groups] are not allowed to use them, I mean, according to our law," he told The Irrawaddy.

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News Analysis: State Counselor Seeks Support from Kachin Church Leaders

Posted: 26 Jul 2017 07:16 AM PDT

In a surprise move, State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi met with 12 members of the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) on Monday.

According to statements from both parties, the meeting between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the KBC leaders was productive. However, any resolution on halting the Myanmar Army offensive against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) remained elusive, according to Kachin sources. No military representatives were seen attending the meeting, although the minister for social welfare, relief and resettlement and the chairman of the peace commission were present.

As her original hopes of achieving peace during her current government term have appeared to dim, the meeting with KBC suggests that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her advisers have apparently turned to new sources to attempt to reconcile the divide between her government, and ethnic nationalities and their respective armed groups.

With a membership of over 400,000, the KBC is an influential organization among the ethnic Kachin who are largely Christian.

KBC chairman Rev. Lalawk Gyung Hkawng issued a statement in Burmese before the meeting on July 21, expressing a desire for peace to prevail in Kachin State; meanwhile, fighting between the Tatmadaw and the KIA has intensified in areas like Tanai Township.

In the statement, KBC leaders praised Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's leadership and election campaign slogan of change, but pointed out that conflict with ethnic armed groups had grown under her National League for Democracy (NLD) government.

The KBC representatives urged the State Counselor to engage in further discussions toward building a federal Union instead of convincing armed groups to sign the controversial nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA), which the KIA, like most of Myanmar's ethnic armed organizations, opted out of. The NCA, the statement said, depends on "political assurances," which cannot be upheld as long as the country's armed forces have supremacy over the government.

During the meeting, the KBC asked the government to look into the crisis facing internally displaced Kachin people, of which there are more than 100,000, following the breakdown of a ceasefire between the Tatmadaw and the KIA in 2011. The representatives urged Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's administration to set up a pilot project to deliver aid and allow for international assistance to operate in Kachin State without obstruction. The organization also asked the government to acknowledge the drug eradication campaign taking place in the region, pointing out that the production of drugs is related to political conflict.

The post News Analysis: State Counselor Seeks Support from Kachin Church Leaders appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Myanmar Floods Displace More Than 130,000

Posted: 26 Jul 2017 04:35 AM PDT

YANGON — More than 130, 000 people have been displaced by recent heavy rains and subsequent flooding across the country, with two deaths reported, according to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

One man drowned in the floods in Hkamti Township, Sagaing Region and a man in Chin State's Tonzang Township was killed while crossing a stream, the ministry reported.

As of July 23, a total of 134,591 people from 33,233 households have been evacuated in Magwe, Sagaing, Bago, Irrawaddy and Naypyitaw regions and Rakhine, Mon and Karen states.

The floods have hit Magwe Region the worst, with 90,417 people displaced, followed by Sagaing division with 23,595 people forced from their homes.

The ministry reported that they have distributed flood relief aid in the affected areas, funds to those who lost their homes, and a "compassionate grant" of 300,000 kyats (US$218) to the families of the two men who died.

 

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Union Lawmaker Switches Rakhine Parties

Posted: 26 Jul 2017 04:03 AM PDT

YANGON — Ethnic Arakanese politician and Upper House lawmaker Daw Htoot May has resigned from the Arakan National Party (ANP) to join the Arakan League for Democracy (ALD).

At a press conference in Yangon on Tuesday, Daw Htoot May said she resigned from the ANP the previous day because she believed that she would be able to better serve the interests of Rakhine State and Arakanese people with the ALD.

"I've resigned from the ANP because it is high time I made a decision. As a young woman, I feel like I should no longer stay in the comfort zone, just following the steps of the seniors," said the 38-year-old lawmaker.

She also posted her resignation on her Facebook page on Monday.

In June 2013, the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party (RNDP) and ALD merged under the name Arakan National Party (ANP) to avoid vote-splitting in the 2015 election.

The newly formed party contested 63 seats in Rakhine and Chin states and Irrawaddy and Yangon regions. It won 10 seats in the Upper House, 12 in the Lower House and 22 in Rakhine State Parliament.

In January 2017, former leaders of the ALD announced that they were splitting from the ANP and were re-registering with the Union Election Commission (UEC) for the 2020 elections. On July 18, the UEC confirmed the registration of the ALD as a political party.

Daw Htoot May joined the ALD in 2006, and became an ANP member after the merger. In the 2015 election, she contested the Upper House seat of Ramree and Ann townships.

"As I am back in my mother party ALD now, I'll be able to engage in issues related to Rakhine State more freely," she said.

U Kyaw Myint, current leader of the ALD, told the same press conference on Tuesday that the party's central executive committee would be chosen soon.

"As we have been officially registered as a political party now, we'll engage in the interests of Rakhine State and the internal peace process. We are ready to cooperate with all democratic forces including the NLD," said Kyaw Myint.

He said the ALD's manifesto enshrines ethnic equality, self-determination, resource sharing and ensuring Rakhine politicians lead in serving the interests of the state and its people.

The ALD would also strive for the rule of law, he added, create jobs, promote education, and push to amend the military-drafted 2008 Constitution.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.

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Dawei Poultry Ban After Suspected Bird Flu Outbreak

Posted: 26 Jul 2017 01:19 AM PDT

YANGON — The sale of poultry products from farms and markets in Tanintharyi Region's Dawei Township has halted amid a suspected outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu in the area.

"Masses of chickens died at different farms, so we have stopped the supply as a preventative measure," said Aung Kyaw Myo, secretary of the Dawei Township municipality.

The township municipality on Tuesday imposed a temporary ban on buying and selling chicken and eggs.

Around 1,000 chickens died at a chicken farm in the village of Wel Kyun in Dawei Township's Htein Thit village tract on Sunday, and the remaining chickens were then culled. Samples have been sent to a lab in Yangon for testing.

U Aung Kyaw Myo said the ban would remain in effect until the lab results return and the chickens are deemed safe for consumption.

The outbreak comes just after H1N1 seasonal influenza has killed three people—one in Chin State and two in Yangon, with more than a dozen other confirmed cases.

According to the health and sports ministry, Myanmar has seen H1N1 cases annually since 2009, although the number of cases varies annually.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.

The post Dawei Poultry Ban After Suspected Bird Flu Outbreak appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Army Resists Article 66(d) Reforms

Posted: 26 Jul 2017 01:12 AM PDT

NAYPYITAW — A military representative in the Upper House argued against granting bail for controversial Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law during a parliamentary debate on Tuesday.

In amending the law, Maj. Thet Min Oo said consideration should be given not only to human rights, but also to national security, politics, economy, and government.

Granting bail for articles 65, 66(b), and 66(d) would amount to the legislative branch intervening in the judicial sector, said the major, who called for a review of the amendment to the law. Under the current law, the judge decides whether or not to grant bail.

"It is not appropriate to grant bail to individuals and organizations that disrupt the communications network," he added.

The telecoms law was enacted under the previous Thein Sein government in 2013 to control the country's booming communications industry, but has been criticized for suppressing freedom of expression using a clause on online defamation.

Thirteen lawmakers debated amendments to the law proposed by the Upper House Bill Committee. Seven lawmakers proposed scrapping the law, and other lawmakers favored granting bail, but the military representatives rejected both.

National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmakers called for granting bail to the defendants and only allowing the aggrieved party to file a lawsuit, as the existing law allows a third party to file a lawsuit on behalf of the party.

The lawmakers said the law was vague, adding that defendants in more than 90 cases charged under Article (66)d were wrongly accused and given jail sentences.

Article 66(d) states that whoever uses a "telecommunication network to extort, threaten, obstruct, defame, disturb inappropriately influence or intimidate," on conviction can be "punished with imprisonment for a term extending to a maximum of three years, and shall be liable to fine or both."

However, lawmaker U Htay Oo of Yangon Region (2) said the article should be scrapped altogether.

"Article 66(d) is unnecessary as the circumstances in its provisions are already covered in the Penal Code," he told the parliament.

Though satirical description of state leaders and institutions is a widely accepted culture in other countries, it is different in Myanmar, said lawmaker U Khin Maung Latt of Rakhine State (3).

"In our society, there is deep sensitivity over such a culture, plus there is a bad habit of reprisal," said Khin Maung Latt.

Speaker of the Upper House, Mahn Win Khaing Than, assigned the bill committee to review the draft amendments.

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.

The post Army Resists Article 66(d) Reforms appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Parliament Rejects UN Envoy Statement

Posted: 26 Jul 2017 12:36 AM PDT

NAYPYITAW — The Lower House unanimously agreed on Monday to an urgent motion objecting to the end-of-mission statement from UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Myanmar Yanghee Lee on July 21 after her recent visit to the country.

National League for Democracy (NLD) lawmaker for Einme Township, Daw Thandar, called for the motion because, "if the report, which will be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in October, is biased, the decisions made that are based on this report could be wrong."

"I don't deny there are human rights violation issues in the country, but I wanted to highlight that the findings of Ms. Yanghee Lee are incomplete in regard to Rakhine State affairs," said Daw Thandar, who is also a member of the parliamentary Citizens' Fundamental Rights Committee.

Lee told a Yangon press conference on July 21 that she was "disappointed" as the new government had kept the old tactics of the previous government during her tour. She expressed dismay that her visit, which included Rakhine, Karen, and Shan states, was marked by many travel and time restrictions.

U Kyaw Tin, the deputy foreign minister, told lawmakers "Ms. Yanghee Lee's statement lacked accuracy and was unfair," concluding that she "did not follow the ethics of a special rapporteur."

He cited the State Counselor's Office announcement that said the envoy's statement "contains many sweeping allegations and a number of factual errors."

"The special rapporteur included unverified information and allegations in her report, but left out the explanations she heard from the [ministers and officials] regarding the allegations," added Kyaw Tin.

Thirteen lawmakers, including two Union Solidarity and Development Party, one Arakan National Party, two Myanmar Army representatives, and NLD legislators echoed the government's view.

Activist-turned-lawmaker U Pyone Cho urged the human rights envoy to "systematically study" the information and sources, and emphasized this was a critical time for the country.

He also rejected Lee's claims that she had time restrictions for the trip, and said she was given the chance to collaborate with the government but instead had raised doubts among the international community over the government.

Military appointee Maj Myint Maung added, "Such a statement neglecting Myanmar's efforts, and aiming to cause confusion among the UN and the international community is an intentional act."

"We all must be united in order to protect our national interest, as there could be possible international pressure in the future," he added.

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Analysis: UN Disappointed, So All Are Disappointed

Posted: 25 Jul 2017 07:27 PM PDT

Myanmar today is reminiscent of rule under the military regime, said UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Myanmar Yanghee Lee after concluding her recent visit to the country on July 21.

In her end-of-mission statement, she said that she was "disappointed"—an official expression used by several UN envoys over the past decades working on Myanmar issues.

Lee said she was "disappointed to see the tactics applied by the previous government still being used," in reference to the intimidation that her sources told of experiencing.

In turn, the UN envoy's remarks thereby disappointed the country's top government leaders, sources in Naypyidaw told The Irrawaddy.

Lee spoke about the worsening security and human rights situation in the country. She also strongly urged the government to allow an international independent body to investigate allegations of rights abuses particularly in Rakhine State.

During her visit, she met civil society groups, journalists, and went to Rakhine, Shan and Karen states, though she reported being barred from visiting a number of locations, including Hsipaw, northern Shan State, where three journalists—including The Irrawaddy's Lawi Weng—are being detained.

Lee met State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Naypyidaw during her visit but expressed further disappointment at not being able to meet Myanmar Army chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

Further Disappointment

Soon after Lee's press briefing, opposition to her statement was palpable.

The State Counselor's Office said it was also "disappointed" with the Special Rapporteur's end of mission statement and declared that Lee's statement contained many "sweeping allegations and factual errors."

Under the previous regime, if UN representatives were denied visas or not allowed to visit then detained opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, there was a public outcry.

Now the National League for Democracy (NLD) opposition-turned-government is crying foul concerning the UN mission.

In Parliament, Daw Thandar, a well-known human rights activist and NLD MP, submitted an emergency proposal to the Lower House on Monday to condemn Lee's remarks on the situation in Rakhine State.

The irony was that Daw Thandar's husband, Aung Kyaw Naing—also known as journalist Par Gyi—died in army custody in October 2014. He was detained while covering fighting between the government and rebel forces in Mon State. The army statement then said he was shot when he attempted to seize a soldier’s gun and escape detention.

Daw Thandar explained the reasoning behind her proposal to The Irrawaddy: "I am not saying there are no human rights violations in Myanmar. But [Lee's] statement on Rakhine State is incomplete. I want to highlight this."

During Tuesday's discussion, the Parliament unanimously approved the proposal. Daw Pyone Kaythi Naing, an NLD MP from Kalaw, Shan State, even proposed sending special envoys to the UN to counter international allegations and provide briefings outlining the Myanmar legislature's perspectives of the current reality in Rakhine State.

The situation is a particularly sensitive issue that creates daily debates among Myanmar's general population, and this is where the UN's Yanghee Lee touched a raw nerve for many in the country.

The UN was stonewalled when it asked the government to allow an international fact-finding mission into Rakhine State, mandated by the Human Rights Council (HRC) in Geneva; members of the mission have been denied Myanmar visas.

Last week, Myanmar National Security Adviser U Thaung Tun, who also served under the previous regime, said that the UN's fact-finding mission "would only aggravate" tension between Muslims and Buddhists in Rakhine State and described it as "less than constructive."

Myanmar allowed representatives from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to visit the region, and, after blocks on aid, allowed international NGOs to distribute rations to internally displaced people, although there has been criticism about equal access to this aid by both the Muslim and Buddhist populations. A series of campaigns abroad drawing attention to the plight of the Muslim Rohingya have made some headway in keeping the government at bay.

"We are told not to expect Myanmar to transition into a democracy overnight—that it needs time and space," Lee said. "But in the same way, Myanmar should not expect to have its close scrutiny removed or its special monitoring mechanisms dismantled overnight. This cannot happen until there is real and discernible progress on human rights."

Mounting Pressure

Yanghee Lee's visit took place during a time in which tension has developed between the NLD-led government and military.

But on the issue of the situation in Rakhine State, the two sides may see eye-to-eye and resist outside pressure.

But it seems the government's diplomatic offensive has been "hit and miss" compared to those in neighboring countries when facing similar crises.

In power for less than two years, the NLD government faces mounting pressure from the inside and outside, and a strong focus on Rakhine State.

Last week, the country's largest opposition party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), and its allies submitted an undisclosed letter to Commander-in-Chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, after two days of meetings regarding the country's current affairs. In the letter, they called on him to address Rakhine State's situation.

The USDP was founded in 1993 as a mass association under the military junta. One former patron was Snr-Gen Than Shwe who is now in his retirement, and the current leaders of the USDP are still former military generals.

On the growing insecurity in Rakhine State, the military wanted to hold a National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) meeting. The NDSC is comprised of 11 members including the President, both Vice Presidents, speakers of the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament, the army's commander-in-chief, the deputy commander-in-chief, the foreign minister, and the ministers for defense, home and border affairs.

The government has held quasi-NDSC meetings to discuss security issues including the situation in Rakhine State, but has not yet called a full NDSC meeting. It is believed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been cautious in holding such gatherings in which her people would be outnumbered by those in the military, but that she holds ad-hoc security briefings with some top brass.

Earlier this month, the USDP and its allies called for martial law to be imposed in troubled areas in Rakhine State, citing security concerns after recent civilian attacks, threats of violence against both the Muslim and Buddhist Rakhine communities and the discovery of tunnels and arms belonging to Muslim militants.

As to the USDP's call, there has been no response from Myanmar's still powerful military leaders—not yet.

The post Analysis: UN Disappointed, So All Are Disappointed appeared first on The Irrawaddy.
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