The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Courts Drop Charges Against Student Activists
• Chit Khine: ‘The Leadership Has To Show Magnanimity’
• Interfaith Activists Sentenced To Two More Years In Prison
• Arakanese Groups Look to Put Resource Sharing on the Agenda
• First Flush of Freedom
• With Planned Protest, Shwe Gas Pipeline Resentments Linger
• SSPP/SSA Claims Burma Army Is Sending Troops to Its Headquarters
• Concert, Charter Call for Burma’s People to ‘Determine Own Destiny’
• A Pint or a Prayer? Monks in Japan Put Buddhism on the Menu
• Suu Kyi Has Busy Week Meeting Foreign Diplomats
• Indonesia Preparing to Execute More Foreign Drug Convicts
• Legal Commission Recommends Scrapping 142 Laws

Courts Drop Charges Against Student Activists Posted: 08 Apr 2016 06:41 AM PDT Student activists and their supporters celebrated their freedom at Tharawaddy court after their cases were dismissed by the court on Friday afternoon. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON— Students, human rights activists and their supporters, who had been on trial for their involvement in national education reform protests, had their charges dropped on Friday. The dismissal of these cases came just one day after Aung San Suu Kyi said she would work for the immediate release of political prisoners and student activists. Most of the activists had been on trial for a year, after being handed several charges, including violating the Peaceful Assembly Law. Some faced charges from various townships where the education reform protests occurred. These activists will only be released once all the courts they face charges in drop them. There was no release of political prisoners currently serving sentences on Friday, only those who were still on trial. But Suu Kyi's State Counselor Office announced that they were working for their swift release. "Today's dismissal was for those who face court hearings today. For others [without hearings today], their dismissal will be after the new year's holiday, when the courts resume their work," the statement said. The holiday ends on April 20, and the courts will resume then. On Friday, Tharawaddy court in Pegu Division dismissed the cases of 69 student activists and their supporters, who had been on trial since the police crackdown on student protestors last year. But three student leaders, Phyo Phyo Aung, Min Thway Thit and Nanda Sitt Aung, have not been released despite Tharawaddy court's dismissal of their charges. They await dismissals from other courts in Rangoon, where they face charges for the same protest. "We [the three student leaders] have ongoing cases in a different township in Rangoon," Nanda Sitt Aung told The Irrawaddy after receiving the dismissal of charges from Tharawaddy court. "Prison called us back." Nanda Sitt Aung and others were sent back to prison despite the dismissal of their charges. Student activist Tin Tin Khaing, who was charged in Rangoon's Thanlyin Township for organizing education reform protests, said that some township courts in Rangoon had dismissed cases against student protestors including Kyaw Ko Ko and James (Phyo Phyo Aung's husband), who were detained at Insein prison. But the two have been sent back to Insein, as their cases in Kamayut Township court had yet to be resolved. Human rights activists Nay Myo Zin, Naw Ohn Hla and Mee Mee have also had charges dropped from some Rangoon courts but await dismissals from others. The post Courts Drop Charges Against Student Activists appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Chit Khine: ‘The Leadership Has To Show Magnanimity’ Posted: 08 Apr 2016 06:24 AM PDT Chit Khine talks to The Irrawaddy. (Photo: Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy) Some say that the economic policies of the National League for Democracy (NLD) are too general and have imperfections. What do you think? Will these policies improve economic growth? The NLD is far from operating smoothly in all fields. The new government has emergencies to handle in order to govern well in the long run. The economic prospects might not look good now, but the government has just come in to power and because of the long water festival holiday, I don't think the outline of its policies will become clear until early May. I see [the government] making preparations to achieve the best results over the next five years. In which sectors do you think the new government should introduce reforms? Since we are an agro-based economy, I want the new government to adopt better policies [in the agricultural sector]. I met the minister of agriculture and irrigation a few days ago and I stressed the importance of having good agricultural policies in order to move forward. I had urged the previous administration to draft a rice policy, but that did not happen. We also need better financial policies. It is important that the Central Bank has autonomy and that the banking system is strong. Burma had a budget deficit throughout the previous government's five-year term. It is estimated that under the new government, the deficit could reach billions [US$]. How should the newly formed Financial Commission handle the deficit?  The government can do something to reduce the deficit, but I don't think it will decline immediately. Currently, the country's revenues come mainly from natural resources, and not from manufacturing. We must encourage exports. Also, the government must develop a policy for the rice trade as soon as possible. We need to trade with other countries. Currently, we legally export rice to China, but the Chinese government does not formally recognize it [it goes unrecorded and is at risk of illegal seizure]. If our government can engage effectively with other Asian governments, we can promote exports and increase trade. We need to boost exports to reduce the trade deficit. But the previous government's efforts to increase exports failed. Why? Boosting exports is a must. It failed to deliver results because of the system and policies at that time. There must be the right people in the right place, with a system and a will to succeed. There was rampant corruption and red tape in the previous administration. The new government is taking steps to correct this. Can they solve a problem that has been entrenched in our society? Bribery and corruption seem to be the custom here. It is unlikely that the NLD can fix this problem overnight. If ministers take the lead and encourage their staff to fight corruption, the problem will be solved eventually. The government also needs to look at the reasons for corruption. Some people take bribes for greed; others just to make ends meet. If needs are met, the situation can change. Although the upper echelons of the government have changed, the same people remain in the lower levels. How easy will it be to work with them?  The current leadership has to show magnanimity. That is why the government has said civil servants do not need to worry as long as they act within the legal framework. I think many [civil servants] want to change and the new government needs to convince them. The government and civil servants will have to work towards reconciliation. China is facing an economic recession, and Burma's economy relies heavily on China. How will this impact the country?  It will challenge the new government. China is an emerging power and the previous government had to rely on it heavily. We can't neglect the importance of China to us geographically. But China also has its own problems. There are problems that the two sides have to solve together, and ones that can be avoided. The government should explain the situation to the public because it will be difficult for them to understand, and try to avoid friction if possible. The country's current economic growth rate is encouraging and international organizations have estimated a good economic growth rate for the country. Are their estimations true?  The previous governments were known for inaccuracies and I doubt their figures are accurate. The figures from international organizations may be closer to the truth, but they may still be off. The people who are dubbed 'cronies' think they will be removed from the US sanction list under the new government. Do you think so? I want sanctions to be lifted. These people can be symbols of strength for the country if they have the right attitude. They don't have to abandon all of their possessions, but I would urge them to serve their own interests and those of the public in a balanced manner. We should rely on them; they have experience building successful businesses. I was once on the list of cronies. But the term crony is disputable. Some people who aren't on the list of cronies have more money than those who are. The government should use the wealthy people in the public interest, but they have to work with them. They should abide by the laws and the government should punish them if they do not. Collaboration is the way forward. Do you think new cronies will emerge under the NLD government? Have you seen any likely ones? The Irrawaddy will notice better than me. You have seen who became cronies before and who is trying to show off to the media and engage with the government now. There will be cronies whenever a new government assumes power. The post Chit Khine: 'The Leadership Has To Show Magnanimity' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Interfaith Activists Sentenced To Two More Years In Prison Posted: 08 Apr 2016 06:07 AM PDT Interfaith activists Zaw Zaw Latt and Pwint Phyu Latt are pictured in a court compound in Mandalay on Friday after being sentenced to two additional years in prison, with labor, for associating with "unlawful organizations." (Photos: Zaw Zaw / The Irrawaddy) MANDALAY – Amid news of charges being cleared against political detainees, in a court in Mandalay's Chanayethazan Township, two Muslim interfaith activists were sentenced to two more years in prison—with labor—on Friday for allegedly associating with unlawful organizations. Zaw Zaw Latt and Pwint Phyu Latt were arrested for photos shared on social media which depicted a visit to across the Indo-Burma border to Mizoram State in 2014 and a charity trip to a war torn area of Kachin State. In a picture, Zaw Zaw Latt posed with a M16 rifle as he met with some members of the Kachin Independance Army (KIA) during his visit to displaced people's camps in the region in 2013. "Although some courts that have dropped the charges against student activists, we believe there are some processes still working between the government and the court. We believe in Aunty Suu’s government that we will be finally free on New Year," said Zaw Zaw Latt after the court appearance, referring to State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi's announcement that the National League for Democracy (NLD) government would work to release political prisoners during the upcoming period of the Thingyan water festival. After speaking to the press, Zaw Zaw Latt was sent back to prison. The 28-year-old from Mandalay has been detained by local police since July 2015. Zaw Zaw Latt, Pwint Phyu Latt and another colleague, Zaw Win Bo had already been sentenced to two years imprisonment under Burma's immigration act in February. Both Zaw Zaw Latt and Pwint Phyu Latt once worked with the NLD. Zaw Zaw Latt was an information officer for a youth department within the organization. "We are not going to submit an appeal. We believe the unlawful association acts is no longer useful as the country is moving forward with the peace process and the government will soon abolish this act," said Pwint Phyu Latt. The post Interfaith Activists Sentenced To Two More Years In Prison appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Arakanese Groups Look to Put Resource Sharing on the Agenda Posted: 08 Apr 2016 05:52 AM PDT A jetty for oil tankers is seen in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State in October 2015, where oil and gas pipelines connect southwestern China with the Indian Ocean. (Photo: Soe Zeya Tun / Reuters) RANGOON — A coalition of Arakanese environmental groups and political parties are hoping to collect 300,000 signatures to petition the national government to decentralize natural resource sharing. Several natural resource projects have been pursued in Arakan State, including titanium and marble mining, offshore gas projects and the construction of deep-sea ports. But civil society groups and activists have criticized many such projects as lacking transparency and creating problems for locals, including through land confiscation and environmental degradation. Last month, Arakan Oil Watch (AOW) urged the incoming government to amend two constitutional articles: 37(a) and (b). The former states that the national government owns all lands and natural resources above and below ground and water, while the latter states that the government can enact necessary laws to supervise the extraction and utilization of state-owned resources. AOW, in a report, said that resource sharing could help to ease ongoing tensions between the national government and ethnic armed groups. Tun Tun, an organizer for the Arakan Resources and Environmental Network, said the campaign—gathering signatures to bring to the Union Parliament—will run for two months in April and June and will rely on Arakanese people living throughout Burma as well as in neighboring Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. The goal of the initiative is to cooperate with civil society groups and other parties, including the Arakan National Party (ANP) and local Arakan State chapters of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), to craft a broad agreement on natural resource sharing. "We hope Aung San Suu Kyi's party [the NLD], because it leads the Ministry of Resources and Environmental Conservation, will keep in mind the Arakanese people's suffering from poverty while living in a natural gas-rich state," Tun Tun told The Irrawaddy, adding that this could bring attention to all ethnic groups beleaguered by gross resource sharing disparity. Ba Shein, a Lower House lawmaker for the ANP, welcomed the work of activists, saying that only the national government has the power to generate a durable solution to the issue. "That's why we're calling for power-sharing with the national government—to help us access and manage the natural resources of our ancestral state," Ba Shein said. The post Arakanese Groups Look to Put Resource Sharing on the Agenda appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

First Flush of Freedom Posted: 08 Apr 2016 05:45 AM PDT First Flush of Freedom The post First Flush of Freedom appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

With Planned Protest, Shwe Gas Pipeline Resentments Linger Posted: 08 Apr 2016 05:09 AM PDT The Shwe gas pipelines run from an offshore site in the Bay of Bengal to Kyaukphyu in Burma's Arakan State and eventually on to China. (Photo: Ko Soe / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — Local farmers in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, plan a protest for next week Monday demanding compensation for land they say was damaged to make way for a contentious oil and gas pipeline laid by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). More than 100 hectares were reportedly spoiled by CNPC in Gyin Gyi village tract, across three villages in the township. The aggrieved landholders have been seeking compensation since 2013, and while most have received payments, nearly half have not. At least 100 protestors are expected to join a Monday afternoon march from Kant Kaw Taw Pagoda near Gone Chein village to the local CNPC office. According to the Kyaukphyu District Police colonel, Myint Kyi, a pending permission for the demonstration was sought from authorities on April 5, with the officer telling The Irrawaddy a decision on whether or not it would be granted was expected by Sunday. Nyi Lin, a social worker from Kyaukphyu, said more than 200 people were affected by the pipeline, but 111 of them had not yet seen any compensation distributed over what has been dubbed the "Shwe gas" project. "We know that the amount of our land compensation is more than 130 million [kyats, equivalent to about US$108,000], according to the clerk of the township administrator," Nyi Lin told The Irrawaddy. "The special officer Myint Zaw Oo from Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise came and studied our field from January 21, 2016, [to determine] whether our lands have been destroyed or not. They have since confirmed that the plough-fields have actually been damaged." "China National Petroleum Corporation can easily give us that amount, being a big international company," he told The Irrawaddy. The post With Planned Protest, Shwe Gas Pipeline Resentments Linger appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

SSPP/SSA Claims Burma Army Is Sending Troops to Its Headquarters Posted: 08 Apr 2016 03:55 AM PDT SSA-North troops on the frontlines near the Wan Hai headquarters. (Photo: Steve Tickner / The Irrawaddy) The Burma Army is continuing to send reinforcements into Wan Hai, headquarters of the Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) in Shan State's Kyethi Township, said an SSPP/SSA central executive committee member. According to Col. Pein Pa, the Burma Amy from Tuesday to Thursday morning brought over 80 military vehicles carrying soldiers and equipped with heavy arms into Mong Hsu and Mong Nawng near the Wan Hai headquarters. "[The Burma Army] said that they would swap troops, but it looks more like an operation," said Col. Pein Pa. The military trucks belong to Light Infantry Division 66. The Burma Army sent 31 military trucks to Mong Nawng Township on Tuesday and Wednesday and another 52 to Mong Hsu Township on Thursday, the SSPP/SSA reported. Mong Hsu and Mong Nawng residents, after seeing the military trucks passing through their towns, expressed concern about fresh clashes breaking out in the area. "I saw military trucks passing through the town. I don't know why they are coming. I have seen military vehicles passing through our town before. But I haven't seen them for a long time, and I think there might be a reason for such large-scale movements. So I'm concerned that clashes may erupt again," Mong Hsu local Nang Hsai Han told The Irrawaddy. Fighting erupted between SSA-North and government troops last October and November near Wan Hai headquarters, forcing thousands of locals from their homes. Over 1,000 victims remain in relief camps in Mong Hsu Township for fear of fighting and land mines. The SSPP/SSA alleged that they heard last week that the military is preparing to attack Wan Hai headquarters. However, the party declined to comment on if the SSA-North, which is the political wing of the SSPP, is also making preparations for a possible military attack, and the military could not be reached for comment. "We are waiting to see how much the military will cooperate with the new government while the new government is calling for peace and national reconciliation. We are expecting talks. But considering what is currently going on, Ming Aung Hlaing seems to be saying one thing and doing another," Col. Pein Pa said. Col Pein Pa said that the military has been attempting to put Shan State under martial law since last October, when it launched attacks on the Wan Hai headquarters. "Frankly, they [the military] want to impose martial law in Shan State in order to implement a larger strategy. They want to use Shan State as a base from which to attack Kachin State and the Wa region. They've been planning this since October, before the November election," said Col. Pein Pa. From March 26 to 28, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) hosted a meeting in Panghsang with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA), SSPP, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Arakan Army (AA). Representatives at the meeting decided that the alliance would take joint political action against warring ethnic groups in northern Shan State in the event that they continue to fight against one another even after the alliance intervenes. The SSPP/SSA opted out of signing the so-called nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) with Thein Sein's administration. The post SSPP/SSA Claims Burma Army Is Sending Troops to Its Headquarters appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Concert, Charter Call for Burma’s People to ‘Determine Own Destiny’ Posted: 08 Apr 2016 03:20 AM PDT RANGOON — A peace concert held on Thursday night at People's Park in Rangoon united artists, musicians, writers and interfaith activists in an "appeal to the people" to push for the realization of basic human rights for all in the context of a genuine democratic transition. The concert included performances by well-known dissident singers and musicians, including Oslo-based Mun Awng, Ko Ye Lwin of Mizzima Waves and famed reggae artist Saw Hpoe Khwa, who was integral in organizing the event. The event was held to launch a charter inspired by a vision once outlined by writer—and later statesman—Václav Havel, and various intellectuals in Czechoslovakia in 1977, calling on that country's then-communist government to ultimately respect citizens' social and economic rights. The initiative was called Charter 77, and its distribution was banned by authorities at the time. "Our Burmese Charter 77 is aimed at engaging grassroots citizens with democratization and peace efforts in Myanmar," said Saw Hpoe Khwa in a press release, in which he lamented Burma's history of civil war, military rule and a "rising tide of violent racism." Burma's version of the charter was initially published and distributed in multiple languages —including Burmese, English, Kachin, Karen and Mon—and highlighted the continued struggles of displaced farmers, exploited workers, student activists, religious minorities and ethnic groups surviving in conflict zones of the country. "We the People determine our own destiny," the publication states. "We are—and we must be—the principal drivers for change." The post Concert, Charter Call for Burma's People to 'Determine Own Destiny' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

A Pint or a Prayer? Monks in Japan Put Buddhism on the Menu Posted: 07 Apr 2016 11:39 PM PDT   Shokyo Miura, a Buddhist monk and one of the on-site priests, carries a cup of coffee in front of a bar counter at Tera Cafe in Tokyo, Japan, on April 1, 2016. (Photo: Reuters) TOKYO — The hum of conversation and the clinking of spoons and coffee cups fills the wood-paneled cafe in a fashionable Tokyo neighborhood as more than a dozen customers sip drinks and nibble desserts. At first glance, the cafe, which also serves alcohol, looks like any other except for an altar next to the countertop bar with a Buddha statue set against a gold backdrop. Its name, Tera Cafe, is another hint—Tera is Japanese for temple. The menu confirms this is something different. It lists classes for 1,500 yen (US$14) in weaving prayer beads, calligraphy with sutras, or lines of scripture, and consultations with a Buddhist priest. Tera Cafe is part of a flourishing phenomenon in Japan where Buddhist monks are seeking to make inroads in the modern world as the public's connection with a 15-century-old tradition fades. Gone are the days when the faithful would drop by their neighborhood temple to talk to a monk over tea. Famously areligious, many Japanese observe rituals from different traditions, perhaps going for a church wedding and worshipping at a Shinto shrine at the New Year. Buddhism is associated with funerals. Hirotake Asano, head priest at the Shingyoji temple near Tokyo who opened Tera Cafe in 2013, said Buddhist priests had to venture into society to build links. "Instead of lamenting that people no longer visit temples, I wanted to bring the temple to the people," said Asano, who owns four restaurants and a golf shop. His businesses underscore the need for Buddhist monks to find a livelihood outside the temple. Among other businesses with Buddhist themes are rent-a-monk services from Amazon Japan and retail giant Aeon, for funerals and other rituals. There is also a chain of bars where ordained priests clad in traditional robes serve cocktails and offer advice. Many sects of Japanese Buddhism allow priests to drink alcohol, eat meat, and marry. Such acts are forbidden for monks in places like Southeast Asia, where there have been instances of association of Buddhism with bars triggering public outcry and prosecutions. It's still a surprise for some in Japan. "Temples are kind of hard to enter," said Aya Nishi, a 23-year-old customer at Tera Cafe. "I have a dark image of them, like with funerals. But this cafe is well-lit and welcoming. I was also surprised that they even serve alcohol." As well as the alcoholic drinks, Tera Cafe offers shabu-shabu pork and ginger-flavored chicken. Business appears to be brisk. On a recent visit, women in their 20s to 40s—the cafe's main clientele—took up most of the dozen or so tables. And the interest in Buddhism? "That's difficult to measure," said Shokyo Miura, one of about 10 monks who take turns as an on-site priest. "We get 70 to 80 people a month signing up for classes or consultations, but the number does shrink if we're talking about people who actually want to learn about Buddhist teachings." The post A Pint or a Prayer? Monks in Japan Put Buddhism on the Menu appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Suu Kyi Has Busy Week Meeting Foreign Diplomats Posted: 07 Apr 2016 11:28 PM PDT NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi smiles with army members during the handover ceremony of outgoing President Thein Sein and new President Htin Kyaw at the Presidential Palace in Naypyidaw, March 30, 2016. (Photo: Ye Aung Thu / Reuters) NAYPYIDAW — Burma's high-profile new foreign minister, Aung San Suu Kyi, met her Canadian counterpart on Thursday, as dignitaries visit the country to meet the Nobel laureate. Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion congratulated Burma on installing its first civilian government in decades and on its transition from military rule to democracy. "It's always difficult to build a strong democracy," Dion said at a joint news conference at Burma's Presidential Palace in the capital, Naypyidaw. "Burma needs to succeed. It's important for your country and it's important for the world." Suu Kyi said Dion had offered to help efforts to end longstanding armed insurgencies against the Burmese-majority government by minority groups demanding autonomy and control over their natural resources in the north, northeast and east of the country. Many ethnic armies have been fighting since the country gained independence from the British in 1948, and experts say continued civil unrest is slowing development in one of the region's poorest countries. "I think, particularly, Canada is anxious to help us in the peace process. And this is the kind of assistance that we very much welcome," Suu Kyi told a news conference. "And we would appreciate everything that our friends can do to assist us in our efforts to make this country one that has built unity out of diversity." Suu Kyi also hosted the foreign ministers of China and Italy earlier this week. In November, the country held its first free election in decades, which Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party won by a landslide. Suu Kyi, the country's most popular politician, is barred by a junta-era Constitution from becoming president because her sons are British citizens, as was her late husband. She picked her close ally, Htin Kyaw, to become Burma's president and lead the government that took office last week. In its first legislative act, Parliament created a new post for Suu Kyi as "state counselor" on Tuesday, giving her powers similar to those of a prime minister. The move allows Suu Kyi to have a powerful hand in running Burma and helps her circumvent the Constitution's ban. In addition to foreign minister, Suu Kyi also heads the President's Office. This week's meetings have put Suu Kyi in the spotlight, with President Htin Kyaw playing a supporting role. The post Suu Kyi Has Busy Week Meeting Foreign Diplomats appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Indonesia Preparing to Execute More Foreign Drug Convicts Posted: 07 Apr 2016 10:18 PM PDT Indonesia's Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo speaks to journalists about the upcoming executions at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 28, 2015. (Photo: Reuters) JAKARTA — Indonesia is preparing to execute more foreigners convicted of drug offenses as it maintains a contentious policy of imposing capital punishment for drug crimes. Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo said Thursday that his office is looking for the right time to carry out the executions. He did not specify how many convicts would face firing squads in what would be the third set of executions under President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's administration. "We are still concentrating on drug convicts. We want to see a deterrent effect," Prasetyo said when asked whether people convicted of other death-penalty crimes such as murder would be executed. "We are waiting for the right time" to carry out the executions, he said. Indonesia has extremely strict drug laws and more than 130 people are on death row, mostly for drug crimes. About a third of them are foreigners. Fourteen people convicted of drug-related crimes, mostly foreigners, were executed last year amid an international outcry. Indonesia's relations with Australia were particularly strained following the execution of two of its nationals in April last year. Local media reports quoted the chief of the Jakarta prosecutor's office as saying 10 foreigners would be executed: four Nigerians, two Malaysians, two Americans, one Zimbabwean and one Senegalese. In the past, Indonesia has avoided executions during Islam's holy month of Ramadan. The post Indonesia Preparing to Execute More Foreign Drug Convicts appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Legal Commission Recommends Scrapping 142 Laws Posted: 07 Apr 2016 05:53 PM PDT Security forces in Rangoon hold back a protestor attempting to break a police line near the Chinese Embassy, during a protest against the death of a woman near the Chinese-backed Letpadaung copper mine on Dec. 22, 2014. (Photo: JPAING / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON— Burma's Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission has recommended that the government abolish or amend laws that have been used as tools to arrest political activists for decades. In its first assessment of Burma's current laws, the commission found that 142 laws currently on the books should be scrapped, amended or rewritten. The commission members said they hope their findings will help the new National League for Democracy (NLD) government work effectively for the interests of the nation and its citizens. The group suggested removing the laws that were most often used to imprison activists. "We suggested abolishing the 1950 Emergency Provisions Act, the Penal Code's 505(b), and amending Article 18 [of the Peaceful Assembly Law]," NLD lawmaker and commission member Maung Maung Ohn told The Irrawaddy. These laws were widely used to arrest dissidents, politicians and activists under the previous military regime as well as under Thein Sein's quasi-civilian government. Peaceful protesters were often detained under Article 18 of the Peaceful Assembly Law, which requires organizers to obtain government permission prior to protesting. Human rights activists and opposition lawmakers pushed for amendments to these laws under the prior administration, but to no avail. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), there are currently almost 100 political prisoners behind bars and more than 400 awaiting trial, including about 50 students, who are facing charges after protesting in favor of education reforms. Maung Maung Ohn said that the commission distributed the recommendations to the parliamentary committees and lawmakers on Wednesday to get further suggestions from them. The Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission is led by Shwe Mann, former parliamentary speaker and Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) chairman. The first assessment also focused on laws regarding the state budget, taxation, tendering, farmers' rights and government office expenditures. The post Legal Commission Recommends Scrapping 142 Laws appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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National News

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• NLD withdraws charges against student protestors
• Freed from prison hell in northern Shan – by the Tatmadaw
• Hospital facilities blamed for deadly infection
• Arbitration body win for worker
• Govt reveals amnesty plan
• Police continue Thingyan sex drug campaign
• Comedians to escape charge after apology
• Canada to restart scholarships
• Report lays bare forestry sector’s ills
• One-year road safety campaign kicks off

NLD withdraws charges against student protestors Posted: 08 Apr 2016 08:39 AM PDT The National League for Democracy government withdrew charges against detained political prisoners and education activists as more than 80 people were released from the Insein prison this morning on the eighth day of the new government's term.

Freed from prison hell in northern Shan – by the Tatmadaw Posted: 07 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT It started with a traffic jam on the infamous Lashio to Muse mountain road. Six weeks later, a bizarre series of events involving abduction, torture, the apparent resurrection of two headless corpses, a secret prison and forced labour ended with a rare moment in Myanmar when ethnic villagers were very glad of Tatmadaw intervention.

Hospital facilities blamed for deadly infection Posted: 07 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT Twenty-eight newborns who became critically ill at Bago General Hospital last month were infected not by a vaccine but by bacteria carried by the nurses and mothers, according to a Ministry of Health investigation.

Arbitration body win for worker Posted: 07 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT A garment worker from the Han Jen Factory must be rehired and compensated, the Arbitration Council has ruled in a rare victory in a labourer's favour.

Govt reveals amnesty plan Posted: 07 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT The government says it intends to bypass the military-controlled National Defence and Security Council to free political prisoners and activists on trial for political offences "as soon as possible".

Police continue Thingyan sex drug campaign Posted: 07 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT Authorities are continuing to crack down on sex-related products before Thingyan, though they said they will avoid birth control this year after raising the ire of rights groups and the Ministry of Health for pulling legitimate contraceptives last April.

Comedians to escape charge after apology Posted: 07 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT Four comedians are likely to escape charges of insulting religion after making an apology to a senior monk from a Buddhist nationalist group.

Canada to restart scholarships Posted: 07 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT Canada has agreed to restart a scholarship program for Myanmar students and increase cultural exchanges. Stephane Dion discussed the scholarship program with President U Htin Kyaw during a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday, a President's Office spokesperson said.

Report lays bare forestry sector’s ills Posted: 07 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT Poor law enforcement and weak governance have been blamed for rapid deforestation in Myanmar over the past 25 years, during which time more than a quarter of forest cover has been lost.

One-year road safety campaign kicks off Posted: 07 Apr 2016 02:30 PM PDT A pre-Thingyan campaign involving a Dutch beer maker, an Italian NGO and the government aims to stem the soaring numbers of people killed on the roads, especially during water festival – a peak time for fatal accidents.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Inflammatory Spokesman Zaw Htay Promoted Within President’s Office Leadership
• Rangoon Parliament Nixes Flyover Projects
• Kyat Value Grows in Wake of Govt Power Transfer
• KNU Prepares Land For Future IDP and Refugee Repatriation
• Suu Kyi Outlines Strategies To Free Political Prisoners
• ‘State Counselor’ Bill Signed, Creating Powerful Position for Suu Kyi
• Obama Congratulates Burma on Historic Democratic Milestone

Inflammatory Spokesman Zaw Htay Promoted Within President’s Office Leadership Posted: 07 Apr 2016 06:01 AM PDT Zaw Htay, better known by his Facebook account Hmuu Zaw, was promoted to Deputy Director General within the President's Office. (Photo: JPaing / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON – Former President Thein Sein's spokesperson Zaw Htay, better known by his Facebook account Hmuu Zaw, will serve another term in the President's Office but in the higher position of deputy director general, he said at a press conference in Naypyidaw on Wednesday. His critics describe him as a strong advocate of former head of state Thein Sein, under whom held a directorial role within the President's Office. Hmuu Zaw used his Facebook account to oppose National League for Democracy (NLD) supporters and he occasionally contributed articles to local media outlets that bolstered the ex-president and the Burma Army. Hmuu Zaw's reappointment—and promotion—in the new NLD-dominated government has become a hot topic online, with people criticizing his conduct over the past three years; particularly, inflammatory statements targeted at the Rohingya, a religious minority group whom the last government declared were interlopers from neighboring Bangladesh. When communal strife broke out between Arakanese Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in western Burma in 2012, Zaw Htay uploaded pictures—that he later deleted—that fueled tension between the two communities. Myanmar Press Council (MPC) member Myint Kyaw said the media always noticed Hmuu Zaw because his actions went "beyond those of a bureaucrat" and "often expressed his political support of Thein Sein." On Jan. 30, when the former president made his final trip to the Irrawaddy Delta as the head of State, Zaw Htay posted photos with a teaser that read, "The president with a clean record for life has left a good record during his term as well." Myint Kyaw said Hmuu Zaw's actions were those of a nationalist. "His previous actions were totally incongruous with his position," he said. "He posted nationalist sentiments that could have fomented civil unrest. The MPC member suggested that the Burmese government follow the lead of other international organizations that have standards for how their employees are permitted to behave online. He encouraged strict rules as to how government employees could use their social media accounts and warnings or punishments for employees who posted content that could negatively impact the government. There are currently no rules on the books as to what government employees should or should not post online. The post Inflammatory Spokesman Zaw Htay Promoted Within President's Office Leadership appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Rangoon Parliament Nixes Flyover Projects Posted: 07 Apr 2016 04:48 AM PDT The recently opened 8 Mile junction flyover in Mayangone Township. (Photo: Pyay Kyaw / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — Rangoon's divisional parliament cancelled the former government's plans to build two new flyovers in the commercial capital during the 2016-2017 fiscal year. "We passed the planning bill for the 2016-17 fiscal year today and we only cancelled the two flyover construction projects in the bill," Nay Naing Oo, a Twante Township lawmaker, told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday. The former government had included plans in the bill to construct two flyovers at the junction of Kaba Aye Pagoda Road and Parami Street and in North Okkalapa Township. Nay Naing Oo said that the flyover budget—over 31 billion kyats (US$26 million)—would have made up almost 70 percent of the total budget for the region. The divisional parliament voted to use the funds for development of townships outside of Rangoon's municipal areas. Only a handful of lawmakers voted to share funds within and outside these areas, said Kyaw Kyaw Htun, a lawmaker for Hlaing Township, according to state-run media, "so only the 12 townships outside the municipal areas will have access to funds, though townships within these areas could use funds as well, for example, for drainage and garbage collection." Rangoon Division has 45 townships, 12 of which are outside Rangoon's municipal areas, including Aung San Suu Kyi's constituency, Kawhmu Township. The post Rangoon Parliament Nixes Flyover Projects appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Kyat Value Grows in Wake of Govt Power Transfer Posted: 07 Apr 2016 04:43 AM PDT Stacks of Burmese kyat notes are prepared at a bank ahead of being transported in Rangoon. (Photo: Minzayar / Reuters) RANGOON — Since Burma's democratic handover of power on April 1, the country has seen a resurgence in the value of the kyat, observers say. Not even a week after a National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government took office, the Central Bank of Myanmar on April 7 reported an exchange rate of 1,192 kyats per US dollar, an improvement from the rate of 1,310 kyats per dollar earlier this year. "The kyat value is a little bit higher because many international investors are looking to invest here [in Burma], so some FDI [foreign direct investment] is coming, the supply of dollars is growing, and the US dollar has decreased in value," said Maung Aung, a senior economist at the Ministry of Commerce. Yet this is also a critical observation period for foreign investors, who are keeping a watch on what Burma's heralded transition might mean for businesses in the months ahead. "This is a wait-and-see period, so [foreign] demand is also lower," Myat Thin Aung, chairman of Rangoon's Hlaing Tharyar Industrial Zone, told The Irrawaddy. "Exporters won't immediately benefit from this situation because they won't earn as much from the shifting exchange rate. However, this will be good for importers, since they can sell more products at lower prices, and it will be good for consumers, too," he added. Both Maung Aung and Myat Thin Aung predict that the kyat exchange rate will stabilize between 1,000 and 1,100 kyats per dollar. "The kyat value shouldn't fall below 1,000 kyats per dollar, or else exporters will be seriously disadvantaged. The government needs to control the exchange rate very carefully," Maung Aung said. Burma's main exports are agriculture-based products, including rice, beans, corn and rubber, as well as wood products, timber, jade and oil and gas. The exchange rate reached a new high—1,307 kyats against the greenback, with black market traders offering 1,315 kyats per dollar—in December, when a new and controversial car import policy was announced. This was the highest rate since the aftermath of the 2007 Saffron Revolution, when the black market was offering around 1,400 kyats on the dollar. The post Kyat Value Grows in Wake of Govt Power Transfer appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

KNU Prepares Land For Future IDP and Refugee Repatriation Posted: 07 Apr 2016 04:37 AM PDT Refugees who fled Burma wait for the Thai authorities to conduct a census at Mae La refugee camp, near the Thai-Burma border in Mae Sot, Thailand on July 21, 2014. (Photo: Chaiwat Subprasom / Reuters) Burma's long-established ethnic Karen armed organization, the Karen National Union (KNU), has been preparing land and shelter for the possible return of civilians displaced internally and on the Thai-Burma border after more than six decades of civil war with government forces. The plan is underway in areas controlled by the KNU in southern and eastern Karen State, such as Kyainseikgyi Township and Hpa-an District, according to sources from the group. Maj Saw Zorro, head of the KNU's liaison office in the Burma border town of Myawaddy, told The Irrawaddy that the KNU has built 150 shelters in areas under the KNU's Brigade 7. The buildings are intended to house internally displaced persons (IDPs) when they are ready to return. "As far I know, 50 houses in Paikyu, 50 in Maw Poe Kay and 50 in Mae Taree have been built. They will build more houses. These are for IDPs, not for refugees [from Thailand]," said Maj Saw Zorro. He insisted that there is no timeframe established for IDPs and refugees to return to Karen State and that the choice remains voluntary. There are an estimated 120,000 Burmese refugees in Thailand, the majority of whom are ethnic Karen who fled due to military offensives in the eastern parts of the country. Many have been living on Thai soil for over two decades. Mahn Kennedy, secretary of the Dooplaya District under KNU's Brigade 6, told The Irrawaddy that the KNU local administration is prepared to grant more than 10,000 acres of land to refugees who want to come back in the future. "We are just getting some land ready for them to live on, if or when they return home. We don't go and bring them back," he said of the refugees. "And we don't know when they will return. But they can return home if they want. It very much depends on UN and the Burmese government too." He added that repatriation of refugees also is related to regional stability, particularly the implementation Burma's so-called Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) by respective stakeholders such as the Burmese government, the KNU leaders, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other relevant NGOs. "We are demarcating some land for them in Kyainseikgyi Township—more than 10,000 acres. There is a land-grabbing problem. But we will make sure that we don't have problem with it when demarcating land," said Mahn Kennedy. In late March, NGOs including The Border Consortium (TBC), Karen Refugees Committee (KRC) as well as local Thai authorities and refugee community leaders visited the resettlement site in Kyainseikgyi to view the land and meet with local KNU officials. Saw Robert Htway, the head of the Karen Refugee Committee (KRC) also went to see the proposed site. "We just went to observe the conditions. The KNU told us that it is not time for repatriation yet. We don't know when it will happen. The site is just a place for us to go back and live when we return home," he explained. After the KNU signed ceasefire agreements with the former government administration—in both 2012 and 2015—hopes of and preparation for return were widely discussed among NGOs and Thai and Burmese authorities. Saw Say Say of KNU's headquarters in Mae Sot, on the Thai border, raised concerns over the safety of those who return, as there is not yet full implementation of the aforementioned ceasefire agreements. There is no guarantee for civilians to return home, he said, as there are reports of Burma Army troops currently being deployed near the proposed resettlement sites. Saw Say Say argues that withdrawal of Burma Army troops in some KNU strongholds should be mandatory before plans can be made for refugee repatriation. In early 2015, the KNU built a new "model village" named Lay Kay Kaw for IDPs in in Kawkareik Township, southeastern Karen State. It remains sparsely populated. The post KNU Prepares Land For Future IDP and Refugee Repatriation appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Suu Kyi Outlines Strategies To Free Political Prisoners Posted: 07 Apr 2016 03:58 AM PDT Student activists arrive at Kamayut Township Court in Rangoon for their trial in January 2016. (Photo: Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — Immediately following her appointment as State Counselor, Aung San Suu Kyi announced plans to secure the release of political prisoners and detained activists "as soon as possible." On Thursday evening, the President's Office published the first announcement of the State Counselor's Office, signed by Aung San Suu Kyi, stating that the release of political prisoners, activists and students, is an urgent priority for the people's government. The announcement stated three strategies that the government could use to carry out these measures: Under both Article 204 (a) of the 2008 Constitution and Article 401 (a) of the criminal procedure code, the president is afforded the "power to grant a pardon" to detainees. Article 204 (b) of the Constitution suggests that the president can grant amnesty in accordance with the recommendation of the National Defense and Security Council, a powerful executive body which is effectively under army control. The final legal mechanism outlined is Article 494 of the criminal code which states that, with the approval of the court, the government can withdraw charges in ongoing cases through the legal officers of the township. "In this time of the Burmese New Year, we will release political prisoners and activists and students who are facing charges as soon as possible by using the first and third ways," the statement read. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), in Burma there are 100 political prisoners currently behind bars and over 400 awaiting trial, including students facing charges for protests where they demanded education reforms. The post Suu Kyi Outlines Strategies To Free Political Prisoners appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

‘State Counselor’ Bill Signed, Creating Powerful Position for Suu Kyi Posted: 07 Apr 2016 02:25 AM PDT Aung San Suu Kyi (right) and President Htin Kyaw (left) enter Parliament in March 2016. (Photo: The Irrawaddy) RANGOON — President Htin Kyaw signed into law the "State Counselor" bill on Wednesday, essentially granting National League for Democracy (NLD) chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi broad powers that could secure her position "above the president." The legislation, which passed Burma's Lower House on Tuesday, has stirred up controversy among some parliamentarians. In particular, the military bloc and members of the former ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) made 13 recommendations to amend the bill. Military lawmakers claimed that the bill was unconstitutional, and they boycotted the proceedings by refusing to cast a ballot during the session. Brig-Gen Maung Maung said to reporters on Tuesday that military lawmakers refused to cast ballots because they saw the legislature's voting behavior as "democratic bullying," referring to the fact that the legislature is dominated by the NLD. However, the NLD-dominated Parliament responded to the claim by saying that the position was created out of political necessity—Aung San Suu Kyi's party overwhelmingly won the general election in November, but she is constitutionally barred from the presidency. Ko Ni, a lawyer, told The Irrawaddy that the legislation is intended to support the sort of principled leadership that Burma sorely needs. "Since Aung San Suu Kyi is barred from presidency, the NLD is trying to appoint her to the position of State Counselor by referring to provisions in the Constitution and in other laws that will provide her with de facto leadership," he said. "Good leadership is necessary, and this leadership must be provided by the person whom people truly trust in and rely on." The post 'State Counselor' Bill Signed, Creating Powerful Position for Suu Kyi appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Obama Congratulates Burma on Historic Democratic Milestone Posted: 07 Apr 2016 01:16 AM PDT US President Barack Obama and National League for Democracy chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi hold a press conference after their meeting at her residence in Yangon, November 14, 2014.(Photo: Kevin Lamarque / Reuters) RANGOON — President Obama congratulated his Burmese counterpart, President Htin Kyaw, in a phone call on Wednesday and applauded the National League for Democracy (NLD) leadership for reaching a historic milestone in democratic reform. The US President urged the new administration to continuing striving to make Burma more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous. During the conversation, Obama said the US is willing to provide future assistance to Burma and asked to remain informed of the country's future plans.  He advised Htin Kyaw to hold a frank discussion with the new US ambassador, Scot Marciel. Obama also spoke with National League for Democracy (NLD) chairwoman Aung San Suu Kyi, and commended her efforts over many years to achieve a peaceful transfer of power and advance national reconciliation. He wished Htin Kyaw and the people of Burma a happy water festival, just days ahead of the upcoming Thingyan celebrations. The Burmese President said he greatly appreciated the support. "I'm confident President Obama and the United States will continue to provide assistance to us," he said. "We want US investment in Burma, and we would like to cooperate in various sectors with USAID. With support from you, and our other friends, I believe Burma will achieve its goals soon." The post Obama Congratulates Burma on Historic Democratic Milestone appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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