Shan Herald Agency for News |
| Coal-mining companies agree to close down in Mong Kung Posted: 17 Apr 2017 01:02 AM PDT The Pyae Aung Hein and Hein Mitter coal-mining companies have both agreed to halt operations at their sites following a protest by some 4,000 residents in Mong Kung on April 11.
Sao Ekka Sina, a Buddhist monk who was one of the demonstration organizers, said that representatives of both firms agreed to a cessation in coal mining at the site after meeting with the representatives of the people of Mong Kung Township, Loilem district in southern Shan State two days after the demonstration. "Nang Harn and Sai Htun, the representatives from the companies, met with us on April 13," he said. "There were about 50 people, including monks, village headmen, local authorities and MPs attended the meeting. The company representatives said they would move out within a month. "They said they would end their operations and never come back," he said. "However, if they continue to mine, we will continue to protest. In saying that, I don't think they will come back."
"I urge every group, including the government, CSOs [civil society organizations] and media, to keep its eyes focused on the mining operations in Mong Kung," he said. "As for the monks and Mong Kung residents, we strongly oppose this project." Local protesters against the site have maintained that the coal-mining operations would cause grave environmental destruction in Mong Kung. They said that some 2,000 acres of land, including conifer forests, mountains and farmland, would be severely damaged. The Pyae Aung Hein and Hein Mitter companies were granted permission by the central government in Naypyidaw to launch coal-mining projects in Mong Kung in 2014. But the mines were suspended after growing opposition from local residents. Earlier this year, coal-mining operations restarted, leading to hundreds of people taking to the streets. By Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) | ||||
| Aung San Suu Kyi Should Resign Posted: 16 Apr 2017 07:01 PM PDT In her March 30, 2017 State of the Union speech, Aung San Suu Kyi said: "So, if you all think I am not good enough for our country and our people, if someone or some organization can do better than us, we are ready to step down." Fair enough. Suu Kyi has proven herself unfit to lead Burma, also known as Myanmar, in countless ways, foremost among them: She refuses to speak out against and otherwise work to end the crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Burma Army and the Police against the country's ethnic minorities. These include at present the genocide of the Rohingya in the West and the Civil War against the Kachin and other groups in the North, and in prior years against the Shan, Karenni and Karen. She has signaled her intention to block a United Nations investigation into the atrocities being committed against the Rohingya. She acts as an autocrat in her own right, ignoring advice from dedicated civil society groups, and opposing protests by the public when they attempt to protect their rights. She has supported the military regime's racial prejudices, including by refusing to field Muslim candidates for Parliament under the National League for Democracy banner. She has helped business cronies of the regime, and taken donations from them, at the same time failing to implement a program to reverse the appalling poverty that the people of Burma endure. Suu Kyi has been in power for a year, and some people are saying that she should be given more time. But she has actually been a Member of Parliament already for five years, and she has been a "pro-democracy" leader for twenty-nine. What has she really done? Why has she refused to use her voice to energize the people to oppose the generals? If she hasn't done anything strong and decisive in all this time, is there any reason to expect that she, or Burma under her leadership, will change? Aung San Suu Kyi should fulfill her pledge and step down from her positions as State Counsellor, MP, and head of the NLD. She should retire from the political scene. Burma needs new democratic leadership, now. |
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