Democratic Voice of Burma |
- Migrants hold vigil for Hannah and David
- Bullet Points: 9 October 2014
- NGO urges Thein Sein, Prayuth to discuss migrant issues
- Thai forensic ace slams Koh Tao investigation
- MPs asked to report shabby construction projects
- Who left the glass slipper in Rangoon last night?
- Only one political prisoner released in amnesty: AAPP-B
- Drugs, Dawei, twin towns on agenda as Thai PM visits Burma
- Third Burmese said he did not witness murder
| Migrants hold vigil for Hannah and David Posted: 09 Oct 2014 05:34 AM PDT An evening vigil was held by the Burmese migrant community in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai on Wednesday. Mourners lit candles and said prayers for Hannah Witheridge and David Miller. |
| Posted: 09 Oct 2014 05:11 AM PDT On today's edition of Bullet Points:
You can watch Bullet Points every weeknight on DVB TV after the 7 o'clock news. |
| NGO urges Thein Sein, Prayuth to discuss migrant issues Posted: 09 Oct 2014 05:07 AM PDT Thailand-based Migrant Worker Rights Network (MWRN) has urged the Burmese government to discuss the plight of Burmese migrant workers during Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha's visit to Naypyidaw from 9-10 October. "We are calling on the Burmese and Thai governments to discuss the migrants' plight as they don't have any legal protection in Thailand," said Aung Kyaw, deputy-chairman of MWRN. "Based on our findings in various regions of Thailand, many Burmese migrants are unable to access the healthcare and welfare benefits to which they're entitled or receive the official minimum wage of 300 baht (US$10) per day," said Aung Kyaw. "Also, we have found cases of forced labour and migrant workers with official documents being arrested and extorted by corrupt officials." The MWRN is urging both countries to protect the rights granted to Burmese migrants under Thai laws and take action against corrupt government officials and brokers who exploit the migrant community. Aung Kyaw said there are around three million Burmese migrants in Thailand, but only about two million have official documents. For those without documentation, it's extremely difficult to safeguard the legal rights, remedies and protections they're entitled to under Thai law. As an example, the migrant rights advocate said that, "Migrant workers must report to immigration every 90 days under Thai law and they should not be charged for this, but in reality they are being compelled to pay brokers to handle this process." The MWRN statement also said that Burmese migrants are easy targets for individuals, groups and government agencies looking to pin blame on someone for societal ills or unresolved crimes. As a result, Burmese migrants are often convicted of trumped-up charges and cannot adequately defend themselves because legal and translation services are either too expensive or unavailable. MWRN's statement was released shortly after two Burmese migrant workers were detained as suspects in a high-profile investigation into the murder of two British tourists on the island of Koh Tao. |
| Thai forensic ace slams Koh Tao investigation Posted: 09 Oct 2014 04:01 AM PDT Thailand's most-respected forensics specialist cast doubts on the police investigation into the death of two British backpackers on Koh Tao Thursday, saying investigators erred when they neglected to involve a forensic pathologist. Khunying Porntip Rojanasunan, director-general of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, told the Manager news agency that police did not understand the investigation in the bludgeoning death of Hannah Witheridge and David Miller required a medical examiner. “The weak point (in the investigation) is that police do not understand that the case requires a forensic pathologist, so the officers who collected evidence did not call in one from Surat Thani Hospital,” she said. “A case of two murdered people certainly needs a forensic physician,” Khunying Porntip said. Khunying Porntip’s criticism is only the latest blast against the three-week probe into the deaths of the two British tourists Sept 15. A series of bungles – which included allowing tourists to re-enter the crime scene before all evidence was collected – followed by the arrest last week of two Burmese nationals have led to widespread criticism and accusations the two 21-year-old migrant workers were made scapegoats for the crime. Khunying Porntip said anyone who entered the crime scene should have received a briefing from a pathologist because it might not have been the only one. Without the involvement of a forensic physician, the investigation might not be complete, she said. By doing all crime-scene and victim investigation themselves, police contradicted the principles of forensic science, she added.
This article was originally published in the Bangkok Post on 9 October 2014.
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| MPs asked to report shabby construction projects Posted: 09 Oct 2014 02:44 AM PDT The speaker of Burma's upper house has asked parliamentarians to compile photographic evidence of construction projects that don't meet safety and quality standards. During last month's upper house session, Speaker Khin Aung Myint slammed construction companies for sacrificing safety and quality standards for the sake of higher profits, and instructed upper house MPs to keep an eye out for construction projects—including buildings and bridges— that don't meet basic benchmarks. The lawmakers were asked to compile evidence of low-grade construction projects during the Thadingyut holiday when they visit their constituencies and submit reports along with any evidence to parliament. Hla Swe, an upper house representative from Sagaing Division, said he has already made note of three rickety developments in his township. "A two-story high school in Saw Township was built at an expense of 180 million kyat (US$180,000), but the contractor clearly did a shoddy job. I am going to take photos and report it," he told DVB on Wednesday. "There is also an artificial lake in a Saw Township village constructed at the cost of eight million kyat. The contractor promised to complete it in a month, but in the end they worked on it for just three days. It was a shabby job—the drains which channel water into the lake are crooked and aren't even operational," he added. Sai San Min, an upper house MP from Lashio in Shan State, called for assistance from skilled professionals to judge whether a construction project is satisfactory. "We need professionals because we cannot judge by ourselves whether a building meets the relevant safety and quality standards," he said. Another upper house MP, Saw Aung Kyaw Naing, said that one problem in his Karen State constituency is that many developments are launched without a proper bidding process. "We need transparency regarding the details of the budget – whether there are tenders and whether the bidders implement the project themselves or outsource it to a sub-contractor," he said. "The problem is that in pretty much all cases, the winning bidder outsources the project to a construction company and that firm then outsources it to someone else. As a result, the company that actually constructs the project often doesn't have the resources to meet the relevant safety and quality standards." All reports are to be submitted to the president for consideration. |
| Who left the glass slipper in Rangoon last night? Posted: 09 Oct 2014 12:30 AM PDT The magic of fairy-tales – of the handsome Prince Charming and chariots made of mice, of poisoned apples and evil queens, of spells and dreamless sleep, and of a kiss and happily-ever-after – was recreated on Wednesday evening in Rangoon. Disney raised the curtains of its first ever live show in Burma by presenting three of its classic fairy tales: "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", "Cinderella", and "Beauty and the Beast". The atmosphere around Myanmar Event Park, where the shows were performed, witnessed the epitome of thrills and excitement among both children and parents. With most people having grown up with these fairytales, the live show proved to be an experience that truly recreated the magic of those tales. The live show also featured that most adored of couples, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, along with their faithful friends Donald Duck and Goofy. Disney Live shows are hosted in more than 60 countries around the globe. Organised by the Thailand based BEC-Tero and Burmese Forever Group, the live performance will beheld each evening until 12 October. The tickets for the show are priced between 10,000 – 100,000 kyats. |
| Only one political prisoner released in amnesty: AAPP-B Posted: 09 Oct 2014 12:01 AM PDT The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP-B) said on Thursday that only one of the 3,073 detainees released on 7 October in a presidential amnesty was on their list of political prisoners. Bo Kyi, a former political prisoner himself and current joint-secretary of AAPP-B, told DVB that an ethnic Kachin man named Mar La—who was imprisoned under the Unlawful Association Act for his alleged association with the Kachin Independence Army—was the only political prisoner released in the general amnesty order by President Thein Sein. Rights organizations have different criteria for classifying individuals as "political prisoners" or "prisoners of conscience". This week's statement issued by Amnesty International (AI), for example, indicated that another political prisoner was also released on Tuesday. The London-based watchdog said that it recognised the release of a Rohingya Muslim human rights defender, Kyaw Hla Aung, as a prisoner of conscience because the charges against him were politically motivated. "On 26 September 2014, a court in Sittwe found him [Kyaw Hla Aung] guilty of 'rioting' and sentenced him to 18 months in prison," AI said, adding that upon his release this week the Rohingya activist was forced to sign a statement whereby he agreed "not to take part in any other unlawful activities or else he would be imprisoned again". The presidential amnesty on 7 October coincided with the full moon day marking the end of this year's Buddhist lent, and was announced on the Ministry of Information's website. Information Minister Ye Htut posted on his Facebook page that, "The prisoners have been released on humanitarian grounds and for the sake of national reconciliation, the rule of law, and ethnic unity." |
| Drugs, Dawei, twin towns on agenda as Thai PM visits Burma Posted: 08 Oct 2014 08:51 PM PDT Thailand and Burma will sign three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to foster a closer relationship between their key bordering provinces when Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha begins his official visit to the country’s western neighbour today [Thursday]. Under the three agreements, Chiang Mai and Burma's Kentung, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Myeik, and Ranong and Kawthaung will be declared sister provinces. The signing ceremony will be witnessed by Gen Prayut and Burmese President Thein Sein, government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp said yesterday. “The MoUs will be signed by Thai and Myanmar provincial governors,” he said, adding the cooperation will allow Thailand and Burma to develop border trade. The ceremony will be held in Burmese capital Naypyidaw today, the first day of Gen Prayut’s two-day official visit. The premier will fly to Rangoon [Yangon] tomorrow to visit Thai businessmen there. The countries are also cooperating in the construction of a deep-sea port near the Burmese town of Dawei, traditionally known as Tavoy. The Joint High-Level Committee between Thailand and Myanmar, which oversees the project, will convene later this year with the participation of Japan, which has expressed an interest in joining the development, Dr Yongyuth said. Japan has proposed trilateral talks to kick-start a Japanese investment plan in the port project. Japan’s deputy foreign minister Minoru Kiuchi and Japanese ambassador Shigekazu Sato raised the issue during a courtesy call on Gen Prayut last week. Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said yesterday the government is keen to press ahead with the long-delayed Dawei project with the Japanese government becoming a new joint developer. If an agreement is reached, the Japanese government will also participate with Dawei SEZ Development Co (DSEZ), said Mr Arkhom, who is also secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board. The DSEZ replaced Italian-Thai Development Plc, which had received the original concession from the Myanmar government in November 2010. The previous government had set up a three-layered system — the JHC, the Joint Coordinating Committee and a task force — to supervise the project. Under a plan to speed up the process, the panels will be consolidated to only two levels, consisting of policy and operation. Dr Yongyuth said that during the visit the two leaders will also discuss sustainable solutions to such problems as poverty and narcotics. Speaking about ways to tackle drug smuggling across the border, Justice Minister Gen Paiboon Kumchaya said the ministry had briefed Gen Prayut on drug-related issues. Gen Paiboon said he and officials from the Office of the Narcotics Control Board will visit Burma later this month for drug talks. Narcotics officials from Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia are also expected to attend the discussions. “Myanmar and Laos are the production bases, and Indonesia and Cambodia are used as transit routes,” the minister said.
This article was originally published in the Bangkok Post on 9 October 2014. |
| Third Burmese said he did not witness murder Posted: 08 Oct 2014 08:01 PM PDT A third Burmese man, Maung Maung, who is being held in custody as a witness to a case involving the murder of two British tourists on the Thai island of Koh Tao, said he did not witness the killing. His two friends, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, are currently being held on the neighbouring island of Koh Samui, pending charges of murder and rape. Lawyer Aung Myo Thant said he and a Burmese embassy team, which included Kyaw Thaung, a representative of the Myanmar Association in Thailand (MAT), was given permission by the Thai police on Koh Samui to question Maung Maung on Wednesday, although he noted that the interview was given in the presence of police officers. "According to the testimony of Maung Maung, who shared accommodation with the two suspects [Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun], they were all three drinking and playing guitar on the night of the incident," the Burmese lawyer told DVB. "Maung Maung said he left the scene at around 1am after they finished one bottle of beer each, but the two stayed – apparently they wanted to continue drinking and playing guitar. He did mention that there was an 'English' or 'Western' couple at some point." MAT representative Kyaw Thaung reconfirmed the testimony the legal team had been told. "After finishing the beer and cigarettes, Maung Maung said he told his two friends he was leaving, but they insisted on having more to drink, so he went back to the room and got an extra bottle of alcohol and took it to them. That was all around 1am," he said. "Maung Maung said he then went to see his girlfriend and did not return until 5am." Lawyer Aung Myo Thant and MAT representative Kyaw Thaung both confirmed to DVB that Maung Maung had told the embassy team that he had witnessed Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun in bed sleeping when he returned to the room at 5am and that nothing seemed suspicious. According to Kyaw Thaung: "Maung Maung said he woke them up and asked them, 'Where is the guitar?' at which point one of the pair indicated it was in AC Bar [where the British couple, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, had been drinking with friends the night before]. Maung Maung said he then went to AC Bar to look for the guitar and his sandals, 'because they were expensive – 350 baht', he said. "Maung Maung confirmed that it was the three of them who appeared riding a motorbike in the CCTV camera footage – Zaw Lin, the bike's owner, in front; himself in the middle; and Win Zaw Htun on the back," said Kyaw Thaung. "He also confirmed they had bought cigarettes and three bottles of beer at a convenience store. "He [Muang Maung] said he did not know what happened afterwards, and that when he returned to the room there was nothing to suggest that Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun had committed murder." Aung Myo Thant also told DVB that an interpreter who took part in the interrogation may have been involved in torturing or beating the two suspects. In Burma's state-run media on Wednesday, the Burmese embassy demanded an impartial investigation into the case. "The Myanmar Embassy is making all-out efforts with Thai authorities to ensure an impartial investigation into the murder and legal rights to two Myanmar suspects," read the Global New Light of Myanmar. According to the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, Pol Col Prachum Ruangthong, superintendent of Koh Phangan police station and chief investigator in the case, confirmed that he had met with Burma's labour attaché Thein Naing and four human rights representatives at Koh Samui’s Bo Put police station. "We answered all their questions and clarified all points raised in social media. They were satisfied with our explanations,” Pol Col Prachum is reported saying by the Bangkok Post. "The Myanmar officials were told the investigation was above board; it was carried out in transparent manner, and no false evidence was presented," the police chief is reported saying, adding that, "The accused were never tortured into confessing." Amnesty International released a statement on Tuesday. It read: "Thailand must ensure an independent and thorough investigation into mounting allegations of torture and other ill-treatment by police and respect fair trial rights during their probe into the murder of two British tourists on the island of Koh Tao." According to Phil Robertson, the deputy director of Human Rights Watch’s Asia division: "These allegations by the two Burmese suspects to their lawyers that they were tortured in police custody must be fully and impartially investigated, and if that investigation finds there is substance to the allegations then all persons responsible for such abuses should be held criminally responsible regardless of position or rank." The British embassy in Bangkok has been unavailable for comment. Meanwhile, in an interview with Burmese newspaper Mizzima, Htun Htun Htike, the father of suspect Win Zaw Htun, said, "I know for a fact it would be absolutely impossible for my son to kill a person. "At first, his mother thought it was just a different person with the same name – she couldn't see how it would be possible for our son to be a killer. But then she saw him on the TV news. Now she's refusing to eat or shower – if this goes on like this, she may die or lose her mind," he is reported saying. Meanwhile, in the UK, a petition on change.org for an independent evaluation of the evidence had attracted more than45,000 signatures by Wednesday afternoon.
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