AllSBNews: The Irrawaddy Magazine

Tuesday, July 4, 2017

The Irrawaddy Magazine

NCA Signatories Recommend Review of Peace Path
BREAKING: Mob Kill Rohingya Muslim in Rakhine
Case of Detained Myanmar Reporters Moves From Hsipaw
UNHCR Delegation to Meet State Counselor After Rakhine Visit
Relatives of Slain Yangon Family Reject Police Statement
Ten Things to do in Yangon This Week (July 3 – July 9)

NCA Signatories Recommend Review of Peace Path

Posted: 04 Jul 2017 07:13 AM PDT

YANGON – The implementation of the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) needs to be thoroughly reviewed, according to leaders of the NCA signatories' Peace Process Steering Team (PPST), calling the current process a deviation from the path they had envisioned.

From June 28 until July 2, the PPST, representing eight ethnic armed organizations, held a gathering in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in review of the peace process. The discussions explored the strengths and the weaknesses the current process, including the challenges faced at the second session of the 21st Century Panglong peace conference due to the fact that national-level ethnic dialogues were unable to be convened in Shan and Rakhine states at the time of the event, held in late May.

Pu Zing Cung, the chairman of the Chin National Front and a leader in the PPST, said that "the current situation had deviated from the NCA text," and that keeping the peace process on track was "the biggest challenge" that the signatories faced.

Thus PPST formed a NCA implementation review and reform team led by Karen National Union vice chairman Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win. Members said they aimed to assess the reviews in a month's time and would bring their recommendations to the next signatories' summit in early August.

The leaders told the reporters at the press conference held on July 2 that the political dialogue framework needed to be finalized, as two frameworks currently exist: the one drafted between the government and NCA signatories, and another one with between the government and both signatories and non-signatories. For inclusivity, both of the frameworks are being used.

Although a comprehensive and finalized version of the framework has not been reached, the PPST members said they tried their best to move forward with the peace process and to contribute to the Union Peace Conference sessions.

Further discussions must focus on the role of the federal states, power sharing between the Union and the states, state constitutions, and the joint implemention of the peace accord, PPST representatives said.

Despite disagreements, 37 basic principles were agreed upon at the most recent session of the peace conference. But federal principles as such equality, autonomy and the drafting of state constitutions have currently been left out of the resulting signed accord.

The Union Peace Dialogue Joint Committee (UPDJC) had said that through the peace conferences, they would combine all parts of the Union accord and submit it to the Parliament for approval; then the 2008 military-drafted Constitution could be amended, they added.

"The government, the Tatmadaw and the EAOs' [ethnic armed groups'] interpretations and understandings of the NCA text are different," said U Than Khe, the chairman of the All Burma Students' Democratic Front, despite a common aim to build a future federal state through the political negotiations.

Therefore, its different interpretations have impacted the NCA's implementation, the perspectives on the basic principles, and adherence to the promises made regarding the basic principles.

Pu Zing Cung highlighted the Tatmadaw and the EAOs' different understandings of security sector reintegration and the inclusion of the political parties.

In the security sector, the EAOs want to implement security sector reform (SSR) on the basis of the federal principles, as was agreed to under the previous government, but the Tatmadaw currently has pushed for a process of disarmament, disintegration and reintegration (DDR).

All political party representatives should be allowed to participate in the process, he said, as the current National League for Democracy government allows for the participation of 23 political parties which have secured seats in the Parliament to be in the process.

The NCA signatories have uniformly emphasized the importance of holding ethnic national level dialogues, in which recommendations are gathered for the basic principles and then brought to the Union Peace Conference, by the Restoration Council of Shan State in Shan State (RCSS) and Arakan Liberation Army/Party (ALA/P) in Rakhine State. The RCSS and ALP did not have their people's voices represented at the peace conference in May.

They said time constraints matter in further peace talks, and to follow the road map drafted in the NCA; not convening national level dialogues in Shan and Rakhine states, due to inadequate timeframes, would contribute to limitations on the meetings of each working committee in the political, economic, social, security and land and environment sectors, they added.

The government plans to conduct a session of the Union Peace Conference every six months, or twice a year.

Irrawaddy reporter Kyaw Kha contributed to this report.

The post NCA Signatories Recommend Review of Peace Path appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

BREAKING: Mob Kill Rohingya Muslim in Rakhine

Posted: 04 Jul 2017 06:39 AM PDT

YANGON — A mob killed a Rohingya man in the Rakhine State capital Sittwe on Tuesday, according to the district's Police Major Win Naung told The Irrawaddy.

The man was one of seven self-identifying Rohingya Muslims from Dapaing camp for internally displaced people on the outskirts of Sittwe taken by police to witness a trial in Sittwe Township court, according to the major, although details of the trial have not been released.

The group visited Ywar Gyi Mrauk quarter two kilometers from the court in downtown Sittwe during a break in the trial, he said, when they were attacked by a gang of men from the ward. One man was killed on the spot and another Rohingya man from the group was severely injured.

The injured man is receiving treatment at Sittwe General Hospital, said Police Major Win Naung, adding that the mob was armed, without specifying with what weapons.

The Myanmar government does not recognize Rakhine State's Muslim minority Rohingya among the country's official ethnic groups, and labels them as "Bengali" to suggest they are interlopers from Bangladesh.

Sittwe has restricted areas where Rohingya Muslims are forbidden from shopping at the town market and entering Rakhine quarters, and Rakhine residents are forbidden from visiting Muslim quarters without police permission.

Police Major Win Naung said the police were not aware the group of Rohingya had traveled to Ywar Gyi Mrauk quarter, a restricted area for Rohingya Muslims.

Sittwe residents told The Irrawaddy over the phone that the attack took place in the area on Tuesday afternoon.

U Saw Lwin, a Rohingya Muslim from Dapaing camp, said that seven or eight police officers escorted the group to the court and that the rest of the group was yet to arrive back at the camp.

"The government has the responsibility for this incident. It happened because the security was weak. We are not allowed to visit Rakhine wards without guards," he said.

The post BREAKING: Mob Kill Rohingya Muslim in Rakhine appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Case of Detained Myanmar Reporters Moves From Hsipaw

Posted: 04 Jul 2017 04:49 AM PDT

YANGON — The case of three journalists detained in northern Shan State was transferred from Hsipaw to Namhsan Police Station, according to both police authorities.

Lawi Weng, also known as U Thein Zaw, from The Irrawaddy, and U Aye Nai and Pyae Bone Aung from Democratic Voice of Burma were arrested on June 26 near Namhsan Township on their way back from covering a drug-burning ceremony held by ethnic armed group the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) to mark the United Nations' International Day Against Drug Abuse.

The reporters, along with four other unidentified people, were handed over to Hsipaw police on June 28 and remanded to Hsipaw Prison, where they will remain despite the transfer of the case to Namhsan. The trio is being charged with violating Article 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act.

According to Hsipaw police official Myint Win, the case was transferred to Namhsan station on July 2 since the arrest occurred in the Namhsan region. Staff of Namhsan station confirmed to The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that the lawsuit would be submitted to Namhsan Township Court, about a three-hour drive from Hsipaw.

However, the district courthouse could assign it to a township court closer to Hsipaw Prison, according to Myint Win.

Family members of the three detained reporters were allowed a 45-minute prison visit on Monday—their first since the trio was arrested—and said their loved ones were in good health. The first court hearing will be on July 11, according to initial police reports.

International and local press members, civil society organizations and right groups have condemned the arrest of journalists under the colonial-era Unlawful Associations Act, stressing a worrying trend against media freedom in Myanmar.

The post Case of Detained Myanmar Reporters Moves From Hsipaw appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

UNHCR Delegation to Meet State Counselor After Rakhine Visit

Posted: 04 Jul 2017 04:14 AM PDT

YANGON – A delegation led by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi visited Rakhine State amid an uptick in recent violence.

UN officials met with border police Brig-Gen Thura San Lwin in Maungdaw on Monday and visited villages that suffered arson during Myanmar Army security clearance operations. The delegates will travel to Napyitaw on Wednesday to meet with State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and several Union ministers.

Six UN delegates arrived in Rakhine State's capital Sittwe on Sunday and visited the Dapaing internally displaced persons (IDP) camp that afternoon.

Dapaing IDP U Saw Lwin, who met Grandi in the camp on Friday, told The Irrawaddy that IDPs were unaware of the UNHCR visit. Grandi told IDPs that the delegation intended to inquire about the situation of refugees on the ground.

U Saw Lwin said IDPs reported to Grandi that they were frustrated with the situation in the camp after nearly five years there and still hoped to be compensated for assets that were destroyed during inter-communal riots in 2012. The IDPs told UN representatives about their lack of freedom of movement, education and healthcare.

At the end of June, Myanmar government officials held a special meeting on Rakhine State affairs in Naypyitaw. The national security adviser provided recommendations on how to proceed regarding a UN fact-finding mission and Army Commander-in-Chief Vice Snr-Gen Soe Win reported on recent violence in the area and security preparations.

There have been international and local calls for Myanmar's government to allow a UN fact-finding mission to look into allegations of human rights abuses in the region, which it has repeatedly refused. The government has insisted that domestic investigations, along with an advisory panel led by former UN chief Kofi Annan, were sufficient.

When asked by The Irrawaddy if the UNHCR visit and meeting with the border police were a response to international pressure to allow a UN fact-finding mission, government spokesman U Zaw Htay said, "We cannot elaborate on the visit or discussion. I was not informed of the details. Ask UNHCR staff."

On July 1, the State Counselor's Office Information Committee released a statement from national security adviser U Thaung Tun that highlighted a recent increase in violence in the area, some of which stemmed from incidents between the Myanmar Army and suspected militants.

It stated that from October 2016 to June 2017, 38 civilians were killed in Maungdaw district and 22 villagers were abducted or went missing. Many of the victims were village administrative officials who had collaborated with the government, according to the statement.

"There has been a worrying increase in the number of murders and disappearances in recent weeks. In the past two weeks alone, six villagers have been killed and two have gone missing," read the statement.

On July 1, a man who worked distributing humanitarian assistance was murdered in his home. The statement did not provide further details of the incident.

The government has provided more than US$1.96 million in humanitarian assistance to Rakhine State in the past year. Three IDP camps in Kyaukphyu, Pauktaw and Ramree townships have been closed in line with the recommendations of the Kofi Annan-led advisory commission; among them, 55 households have been relocated to Yangon.

Grandi's visit is scheduled to run through July 6. He has worked in refugee and political affairs in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. This is his first visit to Myanmar since he was appointed high commissioner in January 2016.

The post UNHCR Delegation to Meet State Counselor After Rakhine Visit appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Relatives of Slain Yangon Family Reject Police Statement

Posted: 04 Jul 2017 01:01 AM PDT

YANGON — Relatives of a family of four found dead in Yangon's Mingaladon Township in August last year have disputed a police report suggesting the family's father, U Soe Naung, killed his wife and two sons before killing himself.

The four-member family—retired police lieutenant U Soe Naung, 37, his wife Daw Cherry Pwint, 34, their sons Han Thura, 13, and Swan Htet Myat, 8—was found dead with knife wounds at their house in Mingaladon Township on Aug. 20, 2016, shocking the Yangon public.

Photographs of three men outside their house close to the time of the deaths went viral and were distributed by police as possible suspects in the case. The family's relatives have maintained that the family was murdered.

A police statement released on June 30, however, placed the crime on U Soe Naung and said the couple was facing financial hardship and had been arguing in the three months before the killings.

U Soe Naung was mentally unstable according to neighbors, said the statement which also quoted forensic scientists as saying that the four stab wounds found on U Soe Naung were self-inflicted.

Relatives of the family held a press conference at the family's house on Monday. U Soe Naung's brother and Buddhist monk U Wisara said police should have first consulted the family before releasing a statement.

"Saying U Soe Naung killed [his family] while he was feeling unstable harms the dignity of us relatives," he added.
The police statement also suggested the family's 2.7 million kyats debt played a factor in the deaths, though authorities acknowledged that they had one million kyats on hand and the wife was wearing a pair of diamond earrings.

"It is not usual for someone who cannot pay debt to wear diamond earrings," said U Wisara.

According to the police statement, only the DNA of the four family members was found at their house. U Soe Naung's DNA was found on the murder weapon.

Relatives also pointed out that the police report said U Soe Naung committed the murders with his left hand, claiming he was right-handed.

"We plan to send a complaint [to authorities] about the police statement," said Daw Yi Yi Nwe, mother of Daw Cherry Pwint. "The statement harms the dignity of the deceased, so I would ask police to salvage their reputation."

Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko.

The post Relatives of Slain Yangon Family Reject Police Statement appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ten Things to do in Yangon This Week (July 3 – July 9)

Posted: 03 Jul 2017 07:53 PM PDT

Shweman Thabin Troupe | July 7 – 8

One of Myanmar's traditional cultural performing arts troupes, Shweman Thabin, will perform every Friday and Saturday throughout the monsoon season.

Every Friday, Saturday at 7 pm. Kandawgyi Myaw Sin Island. Tickets at 09-792866370.

Book Sale | July 1 – 7

Yar Pyae Publishing House offers a 20 percent discount on all books it has published, as well as those by Pu Pwint Wai Wai Publishing House.

July 1-7, Yar Pyae bookstores on Pansodan Road (upper block), and in Hledan.

Wednesday Night Music: Acoustic Session | July 5

50th Street has live acoustic music every Wednesday, with songs ranging from contemporary pop hits to beloved classics.

Every Wednesday, 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm. 50th Street Cafe Restaurant and Bar, No. 9/13 50th St, Botahtaung Tsp.

Reggae Night | July 5

Myanmar's famous reggae artist Saw Phoe Khwar will perform.

July 5, 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm. Vintage Luxury Yacht Hotel. Free Admission.

Paint and Sip for Charity | July 9

A local artist will guide guests step by step to create your very own painting. No prior artistic skill is needed. A paint set, some light snacks and a glass of wine will be provided for 25,000 kyats. All profits go to Ray of Hope Myanmar Charity for funding a primary school in Ye Township. Register here.

July 9, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Pansodan Scene Gallery, No. 144, 2^nd Floor, Pansodan St.

Chocolate Day | July 7

International Chocolate Day is celebrated at the Strand Café with a wide selection of chocolate delights in addition to their classic High Tea Savories. More information and reservations at fbmanager@hotelthestrand.com or by phone at 01-243377.

July 7, 2:00 – 5:30 pm. Strand Hotel, Strand Road.

Smooth Jazz By Daniel Chia | July 7

Smooth Jazz night at "The West" with Daniel Chia, Soulful, funky, and energetic, saxophonist Daniel Chia from Singapore will be performing smooth Jazz at The West Lounge.

July 7, 8:00 pm – 11:45 pm. The West Steak House, Pearl Condo, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road. 10,000 kyats.

Mom's Superstars | July 9

Organized by Nestle Cerelac, this event is for children over age two, with lots of games, a little prince and princess talent show, plus a chance for parents to share insights into raising children.

July 9, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm. Junction Mawtin.