The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Pope Francis, Senior Buddhist Monks Stress Religious Leaders’ Role in Fostering Peace 
• NLD’s Stiffest Opposition in Parliament Not Who Many Expected
• Gender Trumps Ability in Myanmar’s Patriarchal Society
• Parents Demand Govt Take Action Against Religious Cult
• Cambodia PM Leaves for China to Seek More Aid
• Eight Die in Magwe Coal Mine Blast
• Thai Police Arrest 16 Protesting Against Coal-fired Power Plant
• Pope Calls for Peace in Myanmar on Diplomatically Fraught Trip

Pope Francis, Senior Buddhist Monks Stress Religious Leaders’ Role in Fostering Peace  Posted: 29 Nov 2017 06:19 AM PST YANGON—In a meeting with the Sangha Maha Nayaka, the country's highest Buddhist authority, in Yangon on Wednesday, Pope Francis joined Myanmar's leading Buddhist monks to stress the role of religious leaders in fostering peace and harmony. Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, arrived in Myanmar on Monday for a four-day visit, becoming the first pontiff to visit the Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian country, where Christians make up less than 6.2 percent of the population and Muslims less than 5 percent. The pope emphasized that Buddhism and Christianity shared the aim of surmounting all forms of intolerance, prejudice and hatred, quoting from both St. Francis of Assisi and the Dhammapada, a collection of Buddha's sayings. Francis said, "The words of the Buddha offer each of us a guide: 'Overcome the angry by non-anger; overcome the wicked by goodness; overcome the miser by generosity; overcome the liar by truth' (Dhammapada, XVII, 223). Similar sentiments are voiced in a prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi: 'Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Where there is injury, let me bring pardon…  Where there is darkness, let me bring light, and where there is sadness, joy.'" The pope added, "May that wisdom continue to inspire every effort to foster patience and understanding, and to heal the wounds of conflict that through the years have divided people of different cultures, ethnicities and religious convictions." He told the meeting that to ensure that every voice is heard, such efforts are the responsibility of state officials, civil society and religious leaders. He also commended the ongoing work of the Panglong Peace Conference and prayed for the promotion of greater participation of all people who live in Myanmar. "If these efforts are to bear lasting fruit, greater cooperation between religious leaders will be required," Francis said. "Opportunities for religious leaders to encounter one another and for dialogue are proving to be a notable element in the promotion of justice and peace in Myanmar," he added. Dr. Buaddanta Kumarabhivamsa, chairman of the State Sangha Committee, said leaders of all religions must strive to act as builders of a harmonious human society through their respective religious teachings in consolidating peace and security. "We, members of different faiths, urgently need to build mutual understanding, respect and trust among ourselves, in order to obtain a peaceful, secure and prosperous human society." Denouncing and condemning all kinds of hate speech, false propaganda, conflict and war, and those who support such activities, the head monk urged religious members to cooperate in building bridges for world peace and to speak out publicly against the misuse of religion. The chairman of the State Sangha also rejected "terrorism and extremism" in the name of religious belief, saying original religious teachings had been manipulated by "some religious followers." "We firmly believe that terrorism and extremism arise out of misapprehension of original teachings of the respective religions, because some religious followers introduce amendments to the original teachings, being dominated by desire, ill-will, dread and delusion: the four wrong courses," the leading monk said at the meeting. The pope made his appeal at an open-air mass in Yangon on Wednesday morning. He will conclude his visit and head to Bangladesh on Thursday. The post Pope Francis, Senior Buddhist Monks Stress Religious Leaders' Role in Fostering Peace  appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

NLD’s Stiffest Opposition in Parliament Not Who Many Expected Posted: 29 Nov 2017 04:31 AM PST YANGON — When the National League for Democracy (NLD)-dominated Parliament convened in early 2016, many expected its main opposition to come from the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which led the prior government as a proxy of the country's powerful military. The USDP, which won only 41 of 664 seats in the 2015 general election, has not emerged as such. Instead, the NLD's main opposition in Parliament has from the start come from elsewhere: the military appointees. The military holds 110 seats in the Lower House and 56 seats in the Upper House— reserving fully 25 percent of the seats in all parliaments nationally and regionally— under the military-drafted 2008 Constitution. It also controls three key ministries: Defense, Home Affairs and Border Affairs. The commander-in-chief chooses the military appointees, a vice-president and the three ministers. The second-day session of the second Lower House Parliament at Naypyitaw on Feb. 4, 2016./The Irrawaddy Tensions between NLD lawmakers and the military appointees started to arise only days after the NLD government was sworn in on March 30 last year. In Parliament on April 4, 2016, all military representatives stood up in an apparent sign of protest against the passage of a bill that created a key new post of state counselor for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is barred from becoming president under the Constitution. Military lawmakers called the bill "unconstitutional." Before that, the military appointees had objected to the NLD's nomination of a vice president and constitutional tribunal members and to an NLD lawmaker's remarks on the controversial Letpaduang copper mine in Sagaing Division. "Before, the military and the USDP-led government were on the same side. The military agreed in most cases. But now the military has shown the most opposition to the NLD government and to proposals from NLD lawmakers," said U Ye Tun, a former lawmaker from Shan State's Hsipaw Township. The military's objections in Parliament have failed to stop the passage of bills and amendments by a legislature dominated by the NLD. But the appointees have used their allotted seats to signal their discontent. They have expressed their disapproval, for instance, with remarks by the ruling party that they deemed disrespectful of the military, the extension of a government commission's term, and proposals to amend laws. Most recently, the entire bloc of unelected military representatives in the Lower House stood up in unison to oppose an NLD motion to place the image of the country's late independence hero General Aung San — the father of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi — on future bank notes. Lieutenant Colonel Kyaw Min Hlaing said animals — including peacocks, lions and elephants — were rightly featured on the notes because all of Myanmar's ethnic groups valued and acknowledged them as national symbols. The military's objection went viral on social media and met with an angry response from the public. The proposal was passed with a majority of votes from the NLD and ethnic parties. Crucially, however, while the military appointees cannot amend or make laws on their own, they hold veto power over proposed amendments to the Constitution. Article 436 of the Constitution says any major changes to the Constitution must have the support of more than 75 percent of both houses of Parliament, making such changes impossible without the appointees' support. And as the country's most powerful institution, the military sees its main duty as safeguarding the charter, which guarantees that it maintains an important leadership role. Here, The Irrawaddy lists some of the military's most significant confrontations with the NLD in Parliament over the last one year and nine months. Copper Mine On Feb. 26, 2016, military appointees in the Lower House stood up to protest remarks by an NLD lawmaker about the controversial Letpadaung copper mine in Sagaing Division, a joint venture between a Chinese firm and a military-run conglomerate. NLD lawmaker U Kyaw Aung Lwin, representing Magwe Division's Sidoktaya Township, brought up the copper mine while speaking in support of a proposal tabled by NLD lawmaker Khin San Hlaing calling for scrutiny of an apparent quick-fire sale of state-owned land and projects during the country's transition period. Vice President On March 14, 2016, military representative General Than Soe objected to the NLD candidate for vice president, Henry Van Thio, questioning his eligibility for living abroad. Constitutional Tribunal On March 28, 2016, military representative Lieutenant Colonel Tun Lin Oo submitted a proposal opposing the nomination of two of nine Constitutional Tribunal members put forward by President U Htin Kyaw. Lawmakers voted not to discuss the proposal. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and senior military officials attend the official power transfer ceremony on March 30, 2016 at the presidential residence in Naypyitaw. / The Irrawaddy State Counselor On April 5, 2016, military lawmakers refused to cast ballots and stood up to register their protest against a bill creating a key new post of state counselor for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who is barred from becoming president under the Constitution even though her party won the supermajority it needed to form a government in the 2015 general election. Military lawmakers said the bill was "unconstitutional."  Brigadier General Maung Maung labeled the vote "democratic bullying," referring to the NLD's dominance in the legislature. Overnight Guest Registration On June 3, 2016, military representatives claimed that revoking provisions of Myanmar's colonial-era Ward or Village Tract Administration Law, which requires citizens to register overnight guests, would jeopardize the country's national security in both the Lower House and Upper House. NLD lawmakers argued that the amendments to the law were drafted in line with democratic norms. Democratic Federal Union On Aug. 30, 2016, when Union Parliament Speaker Mahn Win Khaing Than announced Parliament's support for the first Union Peace Conference under the NLD government, military lawmaker Major General Than Soe objected to the phrase "democratic federal union" in the statement, claiming the wording violated the Constitution. Special Cases Assessment Commission On Feb. 27, 2017, military officials objected to extending the term of the Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission, chaired by U Shwe Mann, arguing that it was not formed in line with the 2008 military-drafted Constitution. Ex-General U Shwe Mann, a close ally of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was a former Parliament speaker and served as USDP chairman until he was removed from the post during a reshuffle in August 2015. 'Dictatorship' Remark On, Aug. 22, 2017, military representative Major General Than Soe objected to remarks by NLD lawmaker Daw Ei Ei Pyone describing the problems in Rakhine State as a "legacy of dictatorship" and criticizing the military for not doing enough to protect local people despite its huge budget. "What did she mean 'bad dictatorial regime?' Who did she mean? We want to know clearly. We don't accept the branding of successive governments as bad dictatorial regimes," he said. At his request, Daw Ei Ei Pyone's comments were struck from the record. Fiscal Year On Oct. 23, 2017, military representatives joined USDP lawmakers in calling for reconsideration of proposed changes to the fiscal year by the Union Parliament. Military representative Major Thaung Htike Soe argued that the current fiscal year had been used for the past 40 years and that changing it would cause inconvenience. The Union Parliament endorsed the NLD's proposal to move the start of the fiscal year to October staring in 2018. Currency Design On Nov. 17, 2017, the entire bloc of military appointees in the Lower House and one lawmaker from the USDP stood up in opposition to a motion to reinstate the image of the country's late independence hero General Aung San on the country's currency. Military appointee Lieutenant Colonel Kyaw Min Hlaing said the proposal should not be considered while the country's economy was growing slowly, citing the cost of redesigning and printing new notes. The post NLD's Stiffest Opposition in Parliament Not Who Many Expected appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Gender Trumps Ability in Myanmar’s Patriarchal Society Posted: 29 Nov 2017 03:24 AM PST Less than two months before 2017 comes to and end, Myanmar is expecting a change in administration. This time, it will not be at the top level but on the ground, as new village and ward administrators will be elected with terms lasting until 2020. According to Yaung Chi Thit, a community-based organization engaged in the promotion of human rights, while Myanmar has 16,743 ward and village administrators nationwide at present, only 87 of them are women—only about 0.5 percent. The eligibility criteria laid out in Chapter 3 of the Ward and Village Tract Administration Law 2016 does not discriminate on the grounds of sex. Either men or women, 25 years of age or older are eligible to contest. But even for qualified and capable women, a glass ceiling still exists. This is the case for a woman administrator in Karenni State. She served as the administrator of her village for years on behalf of her busy husband who was officially elected the administrator. The village likes her as their upstanding and outspoken administrator but when she says she wants to contest the upcoming election to take the position herself, villagers shake their heads. "My villagers don't want people to think that they had to elect me, a woman, because no man in the village was capable of doing the administrator's job. So they asked me to register with my husband's name [for the village administrator election]. But I want to serve as an administrator under my name," said the woman. This case is a prime example of gender taking precedence over ability in Myanmar's patriarchal society. The eligibility criteria further requires that the administrator be respected by society, serve with dignity and possess the ability to perform the assigned duties with willingness and enthusiasm to the benefit of the community and the Union. Ability, willingness and enthusiasm are key attributes of an administrator. But even women who possess these attributes in spades are overlooked in a male-dominated society. Daw Mon Mon Aung, the administrator of Ward (E) in Yangon's North Okkalapa Township, is one of a few women whose ability is appreciated by her community. But still she is confronted with challenges because of her gender. "Though the job is about performing the assigned duties well, people support male administrators and say they are fit for the job while they doubt women's ability," she said. "So, I have had to try to harder to win their trust and of course, there are more challenges," she added. This reminds the author of what a woman administrator said at an event titled "May Toh Kabar" [Women's World] to raise public awareness about women's rights in Yangon some two years ago. "The job is two times harder for women than men. There are people who are watching whether we do the job well, and we have to prove that we can. At the same time, we have to do household chores so that the family members do not get annoyed with us," she said. While people would praise a male administrator who neglected his family in the name of community service, they expect female administrators to handle community work and household chores at the same time. As the job involves going out with men at night for checks on unlawful activities, female administrators also have to preserve their modesty to prevent their morals being questioned by others, the administrator continued. "Only when there is community and family that support and understand us, will we be able to truly serve the public interest," she said. When it comes to serving the interests of the community and the country, there is a dire need for Myanmar to distinguish between actual inability and a stereotypical perception of women's inability. In a 2016 forum on women, peace and security in Karenni State, discussions included increasing the participation of women in politics. It was not until 2012 that women's forums could be held across the country, in part because it was difficult to get permission from authorities and also because of people's attitudes toward women's issues. While these forums used to be difficult to organize, today they demand greater female participation in politics and the peace process. Women's voices are their strength, and it is important that these voices be heard by concerned authorities, in particular those in the legislative and executives branches. Otherwise, gender equality will remain an illusion. In Karenni State, people often give rice to local administrators as a gesture of gratitude for their service. But this token is not granted to female administrators, locals say. "People have yet to learn to respect female administrators. Much remains to be done in this regard," said a local. Generally, the law allows both sexes to stand for ward and village administrator elections, but there are unwritten rules and norms that bar women. There is a lot to be done to empower women, change the laws, and most importantly, change people's attitudes toward women. Women's forums seek to increase women's participation in politics, as well as guarantee their safety. The safety of women in conflict zones is a pressing issue, which has led to an increase in female administrators in Karen State, where serious clashes have occurred throughout decades. "Following armed conflicts and clashes, women filled administrator posts. Not because women were prioritized, but because male administrators were subject to investigation by both sides [Tatmadaw and non-state armed groups]. Male administrators were often threatened and tortured. But, they were less likely to do the same to female administrators," said a participant at a women's forum in Karenni State in 2016. "We had to take on the role of administrator in order to stabilize the community. And we also have to give appropriate answers to questions from both armed sides. We were always worried about the prospect of being detained," said a female administrator from Karen State. The ward and village tract administration law also requires that an administrator not be a member of an armed organization or in communication with an unlawful association. So, there is a likelihood that there will be more female administrators in conflict areas. Women have called for a 30 percent quota in parliament and government, but there must be greater efforts to link international conventions on women's rights with the country's strategies in order that that vision can become a reality. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which Myanmar ratified in 1997, mandates gender equality. Women's rights organizations and activists in cooperation with the government and parliament are obliged to link CEDAW and the National Strategic Plan for Advancement of Women (2013-22) in order that Myanmar's glass ceiling is shattered for the benefit of women as well as the country. Nan Phyu Phyu Linn is a women's rights activist. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. The post Gender Trumps Ability in Myanmar's Patriarchal Society appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Parents Demand Govt Take Action Against Religious Cult Posted: 29 Nov 2017 02:05 AM PST PATHEIN — Parents have urged the Irrawaddy regional government to abolish a Christian cult after their children who joined the group refused to return home for no apparent reason. Parents of 14 families from the Yangon, Bago and Irrawaddy regions and Karen State and three ministers of the Irrawaddy regional government, the regional advocate-general and the chief of the regional police force met at Sakaw Karen Baptist Church in Pathein on Monday. The Christian cult, called Soul Family, led by Mahn Kyaw Soe, has reportedly conducted 40-day classes for "would-be" disciples, most of who are around 20. Moreover, the leader also allegedly urged his young followers to shun their parents and relatives, and arranged marriages for them without the consent of their parents. Naw Htoo Say from Thandaunggyi Township in Karen State, who met the Irrawaddy government officials, said: "Our children refused to go back with us. After we went to take them, Mahn Kyaw Soe moved them to other places. Some parents don't even know where their children are." "I requested the regional government abolish this group, which has been sowing discord between parents and their children, and help us get back our children," he told The Irrawaddy. Irrawaddy Region Municipal and Religious Affairs Minister U Kyaw Myint promised to present the case to the regional cabinet meeting and take action against the cult on criminal and religious grounds. "Many people have been affected by this cult, which is based in around nine places in Myanmar. It is likely that the more the cult expands, the more people may be affected. So, we'll gather enough evidence to charge the cult for criminal and religious offences," he said. According to the accounts of those who have left the cult, it asked members to do unpaid jobs locally and even in Singapore on the pretext of making offerings to God, in a way that appears to be human trafficking and forced labor. Naw Thay Hla, a former member of Soul Family, quit after attending the 40-day induction course. "I attended the 40-day class in Kyonpyaw because my daughter encouraged me to do so. After the training, one of the group leaders, Daw Nilar Tun, said we had to make an offering [to God]. She chose six or seven people from each group. "So, I asked her what the offering was, and she said we had to work. The cult sent young members to a shoe shop in Yangon's Sanchaung Township as well as building materials shops in Pauk Khaung. And they are not paid for their work," Naw Thay Hla told The Irrawaddy. The cult, which has six leaders including Mahn Kyaw Soe, has branches in Singapore, Thailand's Mae Sot district, and the townships of Thandaunggyi in Karen State, Loikaw in Karenni State, Taungoo and Pauk Khaung in Bago Region, North Dagon and Sanchung in Yangon Region and Kyonpyaw, Kyaunggon, Kangyidaunt, Myaungmya and Pathein in the Irrawaddy Region, according to the Myanmar Council of Churches. The Myanmar Baptist Convention and Myanmar Council of Churches have also distanced themselves from the group, saying that its sermons do not conform to the teachings of the Bible. U Nyan Tun Kyaw, who is in charge of the Soul Family branch in Hlel Seik village in Kyonpyaw Township, said the group pays homage only to God in line with the freedom of religion bestowed to citizens, and denied it was a Christian cult. The group has not registered with the government as a religious organization and has no plan to do so, he said. The wages earned by the members are used to buy food, which is shared among members, he added. "Members share labor and food as a community," U Nyan Tun Kyaw said. Regarding the parents' claim that their children are refusing to return home, he said, "It is nothing to do with us. It is their personal freedom." The Irrawaddy regional government has banned gatherings for prayers at the house of U Nyan Tun Kyaw in Hlel Seik village, and warned it would take legal action if the ban were violated. Parents also sent letters on Monday to Union Religious Affairs Minister Thura U Aung Ko and Irrawaddy Region Chief Minister Mahn Johnny, urging them to outlaw the cult. The post Parents Demand Govt Take Action Against Religious Cult appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Cambodia PM Leaves for China to Seek More Aid Posted: 28 Nov 2017 11:41 PM PST PHNOM PENH — Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, under Western donor pressure over a crackdown on his critics ahead of 2018 elections, will seek more aid and investment from China during a visit this week, his aide said. Hun Sen's aide, Sry Thamrong, said the prime minister will attend a special summit on Nov. 30-Dec. 3, which will be held by the Communist Party of China (CPC) with other political parties under Chinese President Xi Jinping's theme, turning the world for the better and without interference. Hun Sen will also meet President Xi and Chinese investors to talk aid and investment with the aim of creating more jobs in Cambodia, Sry Thamrong said. "Especially, we need more bridges on the Mekong River. We also need many more roads, trains, sky trains. These are the things that we need in the future," Sry Thamrong told reporters at Phnom Penh International Airport before the departure. China is already the biggest donor to Cambodia and its support has bolstered Hun Sen in the face of criticism of what his opponents say amounts to the destruction of democracy. The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was banned earlier this month by the Supreme Court at the government’s request. That followed the arrest of its leader Kem Sokha for plotting to take power with American help. The United States has stopped election funding ahead of next year's general election and threatened further concrete steps. The European Union has raised a potential threat to Cambodia's duty free access. China has supported Cambodia's crackdown, making no criticism of the government, which is one of Beijing's most important allies in Southeast Asia after more than three decades in power. The post Cambodia PM Leaves for China to Seek More Aid appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Eight Die in Magwe Coal Mine Blast Posted: 28 Nov 2017 11:11 PM PST YANGON — Eight people were killed in a coal mine collapse in Minbu Township in Myanmar's central Magwe Region on Monday, while four others—two Chinese supervisors and two Myanmar miners were injured and are still receiving treatment at a local hospital. The accident happened after a pipe used for injecting oxygen into the tunnel of the mine exploded, chief of the regional fire services department U Aung Win Sein told The Irrawaddy. The blast took place at a depth of about 45 to 90 meters in a tunnel of the coal mine, which is owned by Han Htet Co. "They died for two reasons, some were deprived of oxygen, and some were killed in the collapse," he said. Five bodies were recovered on Tuesday and rescue operations were ongoing to retrieve three others, he added. The inside of the Han Htet coal mine after the collapse. (Photo: Yan Aung Htun / Facebook) U Hsan Tun, the administrator of Ngape Township, said: "It seems that the oxygen pipe blasted and the vibration resulted in the collapse. According to the photos taken by firefighters, it seems that the mine collapsed inside." Firefighters, police, departmental personnel and locals have joined the rescue efforts. Among those killed were a Chinese supervisor, an interpreter and Myanmar miners, he said. The Magwe Region government permits 40 coal mines in the region and imposes a tax of 3,000 kyats per ton for production. Translated from Burmese by Thet Ko Ko. The post Eight Die in Magwe Coal Mine Blast appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Thai Police Arrest 16 Protesting Against Coal-fired Power Plant Posted: 28 Nov 2017 09:32 PM PST BANGKOK — Thai authorities have arrested 16 people who were protesting against the construction of a coal-fired power plant, drawing criticism of the military government from rights activists and environmentalists. The planned power plant in the southern province of Songkhla will consist of two 1,000-megawatt units, and is part of a power development plan to 2036, but activists object to its expected environmental and health impact on communities in the area. The 16 protesters were arrested on Monday as they travelled from Thepa district, the site of the plant, to the provincial capital to present a petition to Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who was due in the city on Tuesday for a meeting. "This incident shows the true face of Thailand's military dictators, who have committed a long list of abuses and repressions since the May 2014 coup," Sunai Phasuk, Thailand researcher for US-based group Human Rights Watch, told Reuters. Six protesters were injured in a scuffle with police, said anti-coal activist Supat Hasuwannakit. "The use of force was uncalled for," Supat told Reuters. A few police officers were injured, police said, adding that the 16 had been charged with blocking traffic, assaulting authorities, and resisting arrest. Police have requested that a court detains them. Tara Buakamsri, country director for Greenpeace Southeast Asia, said in a statement the action against the protesters reflected a "complete failure" by the government to promote a peaceful and inclusive society. "The Thepa power plant has no legitimacy to be built," the group said. The first unit of the power plant is due to begin operating in 2021. Its environmental health impact assessment was completed in August and is pending approval by the National Environment Board. The post Thai Police Arrest 16 Protesting Against Coal-fired Power Plant appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Pope Calls for Peace in Myanmar on Diplomatically Fraught Trip Posted: 28 Nov 2017 09:24 PM PST YANGON — Pope Francis called on the people of Myanmar on Wednesday to embrace peace and reconciliation as their country emerges from nearly five decades of military rule still riven by ethnic conflicts and communal strife. The pope made his appeal at an open-air mass in Yangon on the third day of a visit fraught with diplomatic risk over a military crackdown that has triggered the flight of about 625,000 Muslim Rohingya from the predominantly Buddhist country. In a speech on Tuesday, he did not use the highly charged term 'Rohingya,' following the advice of Vatican insiders who feared it could set off a diplomatic incident and turn Myanmar's military and government against minority Christians. However, his call for justice, human rights and respect for all were widely seen as applicable to the Rohingya, who are not recognized as citizens or as members of a distinct ethnic group. The mass exodus from Rakhine state to the southern tip of Bangladesh began at the end of August when the military launched a counter-offensive in response to Rohingya militant attacks on an army base and police security posts. Scores of Rohingya villages were burnt to the ground, and refugees told of killings and rapes. The United States said last week that the military's campaign included "horrendous atrocities" aimed at "ethnic cleansing." Myanmar's military has denied all accusations of murder, rape and forced displacement. 'Wounds of Violence' Only about 700,000 of Myanmar's 51 million people are Roman Catholic. Thousands of them travelled from far and wide to Yangon to see the pope, and many attended Wednesday's mass on the grounds of what had been racecourse during British colonial times. Among the tens of thousands there were priests, nuns, diplomats, leaders of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s ruling National League for Democracy, and members of ethnic groups in traditional garb who sang songs and waved Myanmar and Vatican flags as they waited for the pope. "We may never get such a chance again. The pope lives in Rome and we can't afford to go there," said Bo Khin, 45, a teacher who travelled on a truck to Yangon with a group of 15 relatives from the city of Mandalay. "We feel very happy, joyful that he visited us in Myanmar." Bells chimed as Francis arrived. Standing in the back of a white truck, he smiled, waved at the crowd and looked relaxed as he headed to a pagoda-style canopy to celebrate mass. In his homily, he called on the country’s people to "anoint every hurt and every painful memory" and promote "the reconciliation and peace that God wants to reign in every human heart and in every community." "I know that many in Myanmar bear the wounds of violence, wounds both visible and invisible," he said, urging them to shun temptation to seek healing from anger and revenge. Myriad Ethnic Conflicts Prayers were then read by members of the congregation in the Shan, Chin, Karen, Kachin and Kayan languages. The prayer in Karen read: "For the leaders of Myanmar, that they may always foster peace and reconciliation through dialogue and understanding, thus promoting an end to conflict in the states of Kachin, Rakhine, and Shan, we pray to the lord." When she came to power in 2016, Nobel peace laureate and longtime champion of democracy Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said her number one priority was ending multiple ethnic conflicts that have kept Myanmar in a state of near-perpetual civil war since independence in 1948. That goal remains elusive and, although Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains popular at home, she has faced a barrage of international criticism in recent weeks for expressing doubts about the reports of rights abuses against the Rohingya and failing to condemn the military. Although she formed Myanmar's first civilian government in half a century, her defenders say she is hamstrung by a constitution written by the military that left the army in control of security and much of the apparatus of the state. Vatican sources say some in the Holy See believe the pope's trip to Myanmar was decided too hastily after full diplomatic ties were established in May during a visit by Daw Aung san Suu Kyi. Francis leaves on Thursday for Bangladesh, where he will meet a group of Rohingya refugees in the capital, Dhaka. The post Pope Calls for Peace in Myanmar on Diplomatically Fraught Trip appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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The Irrawaddy Magazine

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• Pope Francis Preaches Unity on Visit to Myanmar
• Hundreds Displaced in Recent Myanmar Army, AA Clashes in Need of Assistance
• Give and Go: Foundation Connects Donors with Poor Mon Schools
• Karen Minister Envisions Development Through Coal Power
• ANP Chairman Aye Maung Resigns
• Parliamentary Committee to Urge Govt to Privatize Failing State-owned Factories
• Pope Stresses Unity in Diversity, Avoids Mentioning ‘Rohingya’
• Ex-Political Prisoner Makes Art From Plastic Refuse
• Indonesia Extends Bali Airport Closure Due to Agung Eruption
• Myanmar 2050: Visions of the Future Inspire Art Exhibition
• Pope Meets Myanmar’s Military Chief in Shadow of Rohingya Crisis
• Ten Things to Do in Yangon This Week

Pope Francis Preaches Unity on Visit to Myanmar Posted: 28 Nov 2017 06:09 AM PST YANGON — Pope Francis said religious differences need not be a source of division and distrust during his speech in Myanmar's capital Naypyitaw on Tuesday. The leader of the Roman Catholic Church arrived in Myanmar on Monday for a four-day visit, becoming the first pontiff to visit the Buddhist-majority Southeast Asian country where Christians make up less than 6.2 percent of the population and Muslim account for less than 5 percent. "Religious differences need not to be a source of division and distrust, but rather a force for unity, forgiveness, tolerance and wise nation building," he said in a speech delivered to government cabinet members, officials and guests from different faiths in Naypyitaw after his meeting with the country's President U Htin Kyaw and State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday afternoon. "I would like my visit to embrace the entire population of Myanmar and to offer a word of encouragement to all those who are working to build a just, reconciled and inclusive social order," said the pope. The papal visit to Myanmar coincides with international pressure on the country over human rights abuses against the Rohingya Muslim minority. More than 600,000 Rohingya have fled to neighboring Bangladesh after army security clearance operations in late August and allegations of killings, rape and arson. Last week, Myanmar and Bangladesh reached an agreement for a repatriation process. Pope Francis was warned, including by Myanmar's Cardinal Charles Bo, to avoid using the term "Rohingya" during his visit so as not to upset the host country or trigger a backlash, as the government, military and a majority of the people reject the term and instead refer to the Rohingya as Bengali, implying they are immigrants from Bangladesh. During his speech the pope avoided the term and did not mention the plight of the Rohingya. Pope Francis also expressed his appreciation for the peace efforts of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's government through the Panglong Peace Conference "in an attempt to end violence, to build trust and to ensure respect for the rights of all who call this land [Myanmar] their home." "As the nation now works to restore peace, the healing of those wounds must be a paramount political and spiritual priority," he said. In her greeting speech to the pope on Tuesday at the same event, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said Myanmar was trying to achieve mutual understanding and harmony among the different communities in Rakhine State. "Papal understanding on peace, national reconciliation and social harmony that me and all Myanmar people have been longing for brings strength and hope for Myanmar," said she. The pope will hold a mass for the Catholic faithful in Yangon on Wednesday. He will leave Myanmar for Bangladesh on Thursday to visit Rohingya refugee there. Prior to his meetings with the president and state counselor, Pope Francis on Monday received Myanmar military Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who has been internationally condemned for alleged human rights abuses against the Rohingya by his troops. On Tuesday, the Pope met 17 representatives of several faiths including Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists and Hindus at the Archbishop's House in Yangon. U Aye Lwin, a Muslim representative who joined the meeting, told The Irrawaddy that the pope focused on unity and peace and did not talk about Myanmar specifically. "He said diversity has its value and dignity. Harmonizing the diversity is peace, urging us to seriously value diversity as it leads to peace and loving kindness," said U Aye Lwin, paraphrasing the pope. The Muslim representative said the papal visit was "symbolic" and will help the country cope with the challenges it is facing. The post Pope Francis Preaches Unity on Visit to Myanmar appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Hundreds Displaced in Recent Myanmar Army, AA Clashes in Need of Assistance Posted: 28 Nov 2017 04:44 AM PST CHIANG MAI, Thailand — Hundreds of displaced people from Paletwa Township, Chin State, are stranded at Shin Let Wa village near the Kaladan River and in need of support, while reports of others fleeing to India continue. Since early this month, more than 330 ethnic Chin, Rakhine and Bamar people from Paletwa Township fled their homes due to clashes between the Myanmar Army and the Arakan Army, according to relief workers. The Indian Express reported last Friday that more than 1,200 people from Myanmar had sought shelter in Lawngtlai District, Mizoram, northeast India, after crossing the Myanmar-India border. Until this week, the sound of gunfights could be heard near the border, said Paletwa resident U Kyaw Khin, who is also a member of the Paletwa Township social relief team. U Kyaw Khin, who went to meet the displaced people in Shin Let Wa last Thursday, said: "The refugees are still stranded on the bank of the Kaladan River. They are sleeping in the school and healthcare buildings." They need healthcare, U Kyaw Khin said, as one woman had recently given birth without the assistance of trained medics. Relief groups and the Chin State government have donated medical supplies, but there are not enough healthcare workers in the area to properly treat the displaced. The route between the inland Paletwa and the border to India has been closed at Kalet Chaung tributary since Nov. 4 by the Arakan Army (AA). On Nov. 5, the AA warned locals to avoid using the waterways on the Kaladan River and nearby tributaries as "the Myanmar Army had intensified offensives in AA-controlled areas." "We could not make contact with or visit the villages near the border since Nov. 4," added U Kyaw Khin. People who continued using the waterway were sandwiched between the fighting. Two died and three were injured in the second week of November. A college student who was travelling by boat was fatally shot on Nov. 8 and a 60-year-old woman was also shot and killed on a boat on Nov. 11. The AA has also suffered casualties. Last week, its spokesman said two of its members were killed and four were wounded in the latest round of clashes between the Myanmar Army and its troops in Paletwa and Buthidaung townships. The clashes between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army in Buthidaung Township in northern Rakhine State have added to the burden placed on local villagers. The area has been restive since Myanmar Army clearance operations following a militant attack in late August, which caused more than 620,000 Rohingya Muslims to flee to neighboring Bangladesh. Some 30,000 Arakanese villagers and its subgroups were also displaced, but many have returned to their villages with the help of the government, according to U Tun Aung Thein, a Rakhine State lawmaker from Buthidaung. U Tun Aung Thein said the majority of those recently displaced to India were likely from Paletwa and not Buthidaung. Paletwa villagers were also displaced in 2015 when the AA and Tatmadaw forces engaged. The post Hundreds Displaced in Recent Myanmar Army, AA Clashes in Need of Assistance appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Give and Go: Foundation Connects Donors with Poor Mon Schools Posted: 28 Nov 2017 04:38 AM PST YE TOWNSHIP, Mon State — Students waved their hands and sang along to a popular tune being played by a band of visiting Mon musicians. From the study hall, more students shouted in glee as the song came to end, clapping their hands to show their gratitude to the singers. It was a happy day at the only high school in Ye Township. "Our mission today was to see Mon students enjoy music, and we want to encourage you to study hard too." Nai Sapie, a popular Mon singer, told the students. "The day we have more educated people, that will be the day we get our freedom," he said, referring to the political situation in Mon State. Like most Mon state schools, Arn Din high school lacks both resources and financial backers. But, it was a bit different today as members of the Mon community visited to make donations to support the education of Mon children. Ah Ar is the name of local charitable group led by a monk named Aot Jae, who came to distribute white boards for the high school in Arn Din village. Aot Jae brought the Mon singers along with him, as he donated a dozen white boards to the school, while the Mon troupe provided entertainment for the students. In addition to the white boards, Aot Jae also handed out small black boards to the students. It is the third year he has made such donations. "I have donated small black boards to about 8,000 students. The white boards are for the schools," he said, adding that he had already spent 4.5 million kyats on such equipment this year. Aot Jae is a former Mon activist who was sentenced to a 15-year term. He was released in 2010 after serving two years of his sentence when former President Thein Sein issued a nationwide amnesty for political prisoners. Aot Jae travelled to Thailand, Malaysia, and the U.S., where members of local ethnic Mon communities donated money. It is this money he has used to support Mon schools in Myanmar. He explained the meaning behind "Ah Ar," the name of his organization, which he said translates as "Give it and go." He said that when he meets Mon people who want to donate money for education or other purposes he urges the to accompany him. "As soon as they tell me that, we go to the school that needs the donation," he said. The funds have also been used to build schools and to buy food for Mon rebels undergoing military training. "It depends on the type of help the donors want to provide," he said. In addition to the donors, the Mon singers expressed an eagerness to come along with him on the trip out of respect for Aot Jae and his good works. "Education is the first priority for our Mon children. We need to look at other developed countries, education is their first priority," Aot Jae said. Today, the high school in Arn Din village removed their old black boards and replaced them with them with the dozen new white boards donated by Ah Ar. Each white board costs 50,000 kyats. There are 300 students at the school from primary level through to 10th grade. The school is part of the Ministry of Education system but overseen by the Mon National School Department, which in turn is under the control of the New Mon State Party. The party reached a ceasefire agreement with the central government in 1992 but still controls parts of the state. Since 1972 it has run its own schools under the Mon National Education Department. In all, it operates, 156 schools, employing 800 teachers and serving 17,000 students. "We are very glad you have come to support our school. This will be a big help," Nai Majoor, a school teacher in Arn Din told Aot Jae. He said there were 18 teachers at the school who earned monthly salaries of 90,000 kyats. The salary was low, but Nai Majoor said that it was okay because the teachers felt they were serving the Mon community. The post Give and Go: Foundation Connects Donors with Poor Mon Schools appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Karen Minister Envisions Development Through Coal Power Posted: 28 Nov 2017 04:10 AM PST Karen State, 283 kilometers southeast of Yangon, has been devastated by years of fighting between ethnic Karen armed groups and the government army. Peace was restored to the region in 2012. The state is home to more than 1.5 million people and relies mainly on border trade with neighboring Thailand. But only two foreign companies, employing about 880 people, have started up since the end of the Thein Sein administration in 2010. The National League for Democracy (NLD) government has been in power for almost two years, but economic growth in the state remains slow. To attract foreign investment, the state government is attempting to address power shortages by building a coal-fired power plant. The Irrawaddy interviewed Nan Khin Htwe Myint, chief minister of Karen State, at her office over the weekend about her commitment to economic reform. "Don't even think about development without electricity," she said. The NLD government has been in power for two years. What significant improvements have there been since you took office? We have precise policies for the transportation, electricity and agriculture sectors. To deal with our state's electricity requirements pragmatically, we want a coal-fired plant to provide power quickly and are still contacting [companies] to set up hydropower projects as a long-term solution for electrification. Some interested investors have also come to observe the situation on the ground. I think the state government can implement [the project] in early 2018 because we have completed 90 percent of the paperwork and are just awaiting a final decision from the Union government. When will you start work on your first project? The coal-fired plant will start in early 2018. Will the plant be able to power the entire state? It can supply the whole state, all seven townships. Which sector provides the state with the most revenue, for example agriculture or trade? At the moment we basically export about $80,000 [worth of goods] to Thailand and import nearly $2 million every day. We have only three, maximum five, types of products for export to Thailand, but the traders import about 45 to 50 [types of] products. If I am not wrong, we earned 300 million kyats [about $220,000] in revenue last year. The agriculture sector is not very satisfied with us, so I can say border trade is the main source of income for the state. Do you have any plans for the state's economic reform? I think we can transform seven townships if we really have electricity in the coming years. For example, the Myawaddy, Kwakareik and Hpa-An regions could be designated economic zones. Thandaung and some regions of Hpapun are dominated by agriculture. So we want to improve the agriculture sector, for example by cultivating coffee that grows like a tree and bamboo plantation as well. We can lease land to interested companies in the forest and on vacant land. I do believe that if we can overcome the region's power shortage then factories and industrial zones will arrive automatically, and I hope they can offer lots of jobs to locals, especially those who are working abroad. But the Kyain Seik Gyi region still needs to remove landmine if we are keen to expend the agriculture sector there. What are the main challenges facing your state government at the moment? One of the major challenges is simply manipulation of uneducated people. For instance, most locals have no idea about coal-fired plants. They would agree with the government's plans to carry it out, but a group of people is purportedly undermining our ambitions, probably for political reasons and business interest, probably companies from the neighboring country who sell electricity to our state, and also maybe some political parties that want to disrupt our success. It has become a big obstacle for us at the moment. What type of coal is the plant going to burn? Will it be lignite or something else? I don't know about technical issues as I mainly focus on policy guidelines. I think the relevant ministries can explain the specifics. As far as I know, our state possesses lignite coal. Where is that coal located? There are at least three coal-rich sites in our state. We can get coal in the Kyauk Khet region of Myawaddy Township, Hpa Pun and Kyain Seik Gye. But the rest of them are not legally approved for mining projects as the regions were [restricted] for years. Peace has been restored to those regions now, so we can legally allow mining projects. The explosive power of Karen State's coal is much higher than that of Shan coal. Certainly there is sufficient lignite for the company in the state, but the company will import from abroad, maybe from Indonesia. Does that mean the government would allow coal mining in those regions? Of course we must allow it because we have coal resource in the state. It will be very helpful for Karen State. If the price and quality of imported coal and domestic coal are the same, then we prefer to use the local product. Have experts told you about the advantages and disadvantages of generating electricity from coal? We studied [coal plants] ourselves instead of consulting with experts because we observed them with our own eyes [referring a visit to the Tijit coal plant]. We must have a business perspective if we want economic growth. It's impossible to have economic development without electricity. Coal is a quick path to bringing economic growth to the state if we can sell the electricity to others. And we can get a share of the revenue from it when our state becomes a federal state; as you know, ethnic people are demanding democratic federal union. Has the Toyo Thai Power company explained the potential advantages and disadvantages of the clean coal technology that will be used at the plant? From what I have learned about clean coal technology, it cannot prevent harm to the environment 100 percent. Any kind of project has negative impacts on our environment. But we have to understand that our country has done worse things before this clean coal project. Can you give some examples of the worst cases? For example, the cement factory that currently operates in Karen State; it produces 900 tons of cement but emits a lot of carbon because it uses limestone. A new cement factory — capacitive 4,000 tons — can pollute too, but it's not much if we compare it with the old one because it uses the latest technology. We went to see the Tijit coal-fired plant in Shan State and it had been upgraded in recent years. We learned that the situation in Shan is better even though the coal plant is not applying the latest technology. We will try to have a clean-coal plant and have already instructed the company to meet Japan's standards on clean coal. And we will also allow interested experts to check the quality of the coal plant if there are any accusations about the plant in the future. The previous government was planning to build the Hatgyi hydropower project on the Salween River but delayed it for several reasons. What is the status of that project now? That place is located in an area controlled by the Karen National Union Brigade No. 5, and we haven't reached an agreement regarding the hydro project. It seems they are not willing to do it even though they have signed off on the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the government. Because the issue is controversial I don't want to go into details. We are looking for some areas for hydropower projects that are located in peaceful regions and have found four or five places. They are studying the details. But we can't get many megawatts from them; they might be 15-20 megawatt mini-hydro projects. What is the situation of foreign direct investment in Karen State and which country dominates in that sector? China and Thailand are the main investors here. Mostly they are interested in investing in electrification projects such as hydropower, coal-fired plants, solar panels and wind turbines. But very few companies have come to inquire about wind turbine projects. Solar power projects do not meet our requirements because sunlight is available for only seven months a year. If they distribute electricity in practice, one unit could cost around 400 kyats. So it was canceled. On the other hand, foreign companies are not interested in investing in small-scale megawatt projects, such as 30 or 40 [megawatts]. So we have only a big [coal plant project] with Japan. You know the Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) and Nippon Foundation helped us a lot with the peace process; they even provided structures for displaced people. The Hong Kong-owned Fulltex Sweater factory currently operates with 800 employees in our state. That's the only big foreign company here. Another one, an underwear company, is from Thailand; it has only 80 workers.  We have some small businesses like candle and concrete blocks producers. Nothing special here; that's it. The post Karen Minister Envisions Development Through Coal Power appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

ANP Chairman Aye Maung Resigns Posted: 28 Nov 2017 04:03 AM PST YANGON – Arakan National Party (ANP) chairman Aye Maung submitted his resignation letter to the party's central executive committee on Monday, citing mounting internal discord. The party officially confirmed his resignation on Tuesday. The letter, which went viral on Facebook Tuesday morning, accuses committee members of disunity and party supporters of attacking him during past party conferences and on social media. Commenting on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak with the media, a committee member told The Irrawaddy that the resignation was expected as the chairman had expressed uncertainty about his future with the party during a committee meeting in October. Since then some party members have speculated that Aye Maung was likely to found a new political party with some core ANP members. An Arakanese Lower House lawmaker, Daw Khin Saw Wai, of the ANP, disputed the reports of forewarning, claiming the chairman had not discussed his resignation with committee members in advance. As for the impact of Aye Maung's departure, she said it would depend on how much popular support he retains. "How many people will follow him? Will he get strong public support as he leaves the ANP?" asked Daw Khin Saw Wai. She said she would stay with the ANP if the chairman were to form a new party. In his resignation letter, Aye Maung complained that some of his colleagues had started working against him despite his seven years with the party, adding that similar internal strife had allowed the Arakanese Kingdom to be defeated by Burma. He also blamed committee members of causing internal friction when two candidates from the ANP challenged each other for the Rakhine State Parliament's deputy speaker seat in June, following the death of deputy speaker Phoe Min from gastric cancer. The letter also states that the committee's decision to dismiss Sittwe Township Secretary Aung Than Wai for the misuse of party funds was "wrongly addressed" and resulted in "disintegration" among both party members and ANP supporters in rural areas. "I feel that I am responsible for all these consequences as chairman of the party. Thus, I would like to request to quit as chairman and as a party member in line with Section 65" of the party's rules and regulations, the letter says. The letter also urges responsible ANP members to open the books on the party's election expenses and on its contributions to Arakanese people displaced by attacks in northern Rakhine State by militant Muslim groups in recent years. The Irrawaddy was unable to reach Aye Maung or ANP central executive committee member for comment on Tuesday. The post ANP Chairman Aye Maung Resigns appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Parliamentary Committee to Urge Govt to Privatize Failing State-owned Factories Posted: 28 Nov 2017 01:54 AM PST NAYPYITAW — The Lower House Investment and Industrial Development Committee, which has been inspecting 24 state-owned factories operating at a loss, is set to submit its preliminary report in December that will urge the government to privatize these factories. "We've decided that the factories should be privatized in different ways depending on the conditions of each factory. For example, they may be transformed into public-private partnerships or joint ventures or run on a profit-sharing basis," U Aung Kyaw Kyaw Oo, a lawmaker from Yangon's Hlaing Township and a member of the parliamentary committee, told The Irrawaddy. There are difficulties in assessing the causes of the loss at each factory, and it has been difficult to obtain accurate and reliable data, he added. The committee formed two teams comprised of officials from the Ministry of Planning and Finance, the Ministry of Industry and representatives of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) to assess the profits and losses of these factories set up by the military regime. "We don't have much capacity to write technical, economic and financial reports for each factory. So, we only assessed policies. We will highlight some interesting figures from each factory in the report," he told The Irrawaddy. "We'll submit the preliminary report by the end of this month. This is just initial report and we'll submit recommendations later. We will inform the public after presenting the report," Banks and Monetary Affairs Development Committee chairwoman Daw Khin San Hlaing told The Irrawaddy. Among the factories operating at a loss are steel plants in Mandalay Region's Myingyan and Shan State's Pangpet, paper mills in Irrawaddy Region's Thabaung Township, and heavy industry in Bago Region's Thagara, as well as textile factories. U Than Lwin, advisor to one of Myanmar's largest conglomerates Kanbawza Group, suggested that the government should not privatize all of the factories but continue operating some – such as the Burma Pharmaceutical Industry (BPI) – at a loss for the public good. Though mismanagement is to blame for the losses at certain factories, the National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government should not overgeneralize the situation and privatize them all, he added. "Looking at public health, operating BPI at a loss is a good thing, done with good intentions," U Than Lwin said. "But on the other hand, establishing steel factories concerns government policy. If it continues operating this, it should at least break even," he added, calling on the government to only keep operating factories at a loss if they benefit the public welfare. Union Industry Minister U Khin Maung Cho told reporters in Naypyitaw on Nov. 9 that the NLD-led government has been able to make one of textile factories in Myingyan Township of Mandalay Region that was operating at a loss profitable after 18 months of overhaul and partnership with a private company. The post Parliamentary Committee to Urge Govt to Privatize Failing State-owned Factories appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Pope Stresses Unity in Diversity, Avoids Mentioning ‘Rohingya’ Posted: 28 Nov 2017 01:47 AM PST YANGON — Pope Francis met leaders of several faiths in majority-Buddhist Myanmar on Tuesday, stressing the importance of "unity in diversity" but making no mention of the Muslim Rohingya who have fled en masse to Bangladesh after a military crackdown. The pope held private talks with Myanmar's military chief in Yangon on Monday, the first day of a visit fraught with tension after the United States accused the Southeast Asian nation of "ethnic cleansing" against its Muslim Rohingya people. The leader of the Roman Catholic church will also travel to Bangladesh, where more than 620,000 Rohingya have fled to escape what Amnesty International has dubbed "crimes against humanity." Myanmar's army has denied accusations of murder, rape, torture and forced displacement that have been made against it. "Unity is always a product of diversity," Francis told leaders of the Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu, Jewish and Christian faiths in Yangon, according to Vatican officials who gave a briefing on the 40-minute meeting. "Everyone has their values, their riches as well as their differences, as each religion has its riches, its traditions, its riches to share. And this can only happen if we live in peace, and peace is constructed in a chorus of differences." Aye Lwin, a prominent Muslim leader who was at the meeting, told Reuters he had asked the pope to appeal to Myanmar's political leaders "to rescue the religion that we cherish, which could be hijacked by a hidden agenda." Only about 700,000 of Myanmar's 51 million people are Roman Catholic. Thousands of them have travelled from far and wide to see him and more than 150,000 people have registered for a mass that Francis will say in Yangon on Wednesday. Tension Over the Word 'Rohingya' The pope was later flying to the capital, Naypyitaw, where he will meet government leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel laureate and democracy champion who has faced criticism from around the globe because she has expressed doubts about the reports of rights abuses against the Rohingya and failed to condemn the military. Francis' trip is so delicate that some papal advisers have warned him against even saying the word "Rohingya," lest he set off a diplomatic incident that could turn the country's military and government against minority Christians. The pope is due to deliver a speech after meeting Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The Rohingya exodus from Rakhine state to Bangladesh began after Aug. 25, when Rohingya militants attacked security posts and the Myanmar army launched a counter-offensive. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week called the military operation "ethnic cleansing" and threatened targeted sanctions for "horrendous atrocities." Myanmar's government has denied most of the accusations made against it, and the army says its own investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by troops. Myanmar does not recognize the Rohingya as citizens nor as members of a distinct ethnic group with their own identity, and it even rejects the term "Rohingya" and its use. Many people in Myanmar instead refer to members of the Muslim minority in Rakhine state as illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Francis is expected to meet a group of Rohingya refugees in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, on the second leg of his trip. Vatican sources say some in the Holy See believe the trip was decided too hastily after full diplomatic ties were established in May during a visit by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The pope has already used the word Rohingya in two appeals from the Vatican this year. A hardline group of Buddhist monks, previously known as Ma Ba Tha, said on Monday it welcomed the pope's visit but warned, without elaborating, of "a response" if he spoke openly about the Rohingya. The post Pope Stresses Unity in Diversity, Avoids Mentioning 'Rohingya' appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ex-Political Prisoner Makes Art From Plastic Refuse Posted: 28 Nov 2017 01:21 AM PST San Zaw Htway, a former political prisoner cum artist known for his collages made from recycled plastic bags, has been diagnosed with advanced liver cancer brought on by the dire prison conditions he endured as a political prisoner and poor healthcare after his release. The Irrawaddy revisits a profile about the artist published in the October 2014 edition of the Irrawaddy Magazine to help raise awareness about his condition and elicit support for him. For those who would like to help San Zaw Htway, please make a donation here. RANGOON — Give him plastic bags of any color, and this former political prisoner will turn them into a work of art. Instead of acrylic paint and brushes, San Zaw Htway opts to work with not only plastic bags, but also cardboard, instant coffee packets and other recycled goods. He taught himself to make painting-like collages with these materials while he was serving time under the former military regime. "They're all I need," boasted the 40-year-old, pointing to scissors and adhesive containers littered across the floor of his studio in Rangoon. In one corner of the second-floor studio sits of a pile of smoothed plastic wrappings that otherwise would have been destined for a garbage can. The article ‘From Plastic, Ex-political Prisoner Makes Art’ as it appeared in The Irrawaddy Magazine’s October 2014 issue. Since his release from prison in 2012, San Zaw Htway has held five solo shows in Burma, in addition to teaching his collage techniques to orphans and children living with HIV. Now his work is gaining international attention. He has been shortlisted for the 2014 Artraker Award, which recognizes artists who are making a difference in highly challenging environments. The works of 12 candidates from 10 countries, including Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, will be exhibited from Sept. 18-25 at London's a/political gallery. "Being shortlisted means a lot to me because recycled collage art is still not well embraced in Burma," said San Zaw Htway at his home, while preparing for his trip to the capital of England. A collage by San Zaw Htway./ The Irrawaddy "Despite my access to paint and brushes now, I still stick to recycled collage art because it's environmentally sustainable and I want the art trend to develop in Burma," he added. Painting was a childhood hobby for San Zaw Htway. When he was sentenced to 36 years in prison for his anti-government political activities in 1999, he was only a college freshman majoring in history. He spent 13 years in prison, during which time he was put in solitary confinement and he went on hunger strikes. Burmese prisons are notorious for their squalid conditions and restrictions on prisoners' rights, with even reading and writing prohibited. San Zaw Htaw said he saw art as a way to defy prison authorities. "I intentionally did it to show them that they can't control everything in our lives," he said. "But the problem was how to make it happen, since painting materials were not allowed." The student activist decided to make collages with materials within his reach. When his family sent him foods wrapped in plastic bags, he turned the bags into a canvas on which he plastered colorful cuttings from instant coffee packets and shampoo sachets. He scavenged prison garbage cans for plastic sheets in colors that caught his eye. He washed them, smoothed them out and applied them onto the makeshift canvas with the help of a smuggled scissor and glue. A collage by San Zaw Htway./ The Irrawaddy Working late at night under the faint glow of a light bulb that dangled on the ceiling of the corridor outside his cell, he was careful to hide his work from prison authorities, taking days to finish a single collage. He produced portraits of Burmese democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi and collages of peacocks, the emblem of Burmese student and democracy movements. Some of his works reflected his longing for freedom, including "Blue Moon on the Highway," one the three collages that have been chosen for the exhibition in London. "I was lying awake one night in 2009 and I heard the occasional swishes of buses on the highway outside the prison. I felt a surge of longing to be on one of those buses, so I poured out my feeling onto the collage," he said. Htein Lin, a prominent Burmese contemporary artist and another former political prisoner, said San Zaw Htway's nomination for the Artraker Award and his participation in the exhibition would be a source of pride for Burmese artists and their country. A collage by San Zaw Htway./ The Irrawaddy "I like his recycled artwork, not only for its promotion of environmental sustainability, but also for its reflection of an important message behind all forms of prison artwork: You can lock up our bodies, but not our emotions and our creativity," he said. Apart from being a collage artist, San Zaw Htway is a counselor for former political prisoners and their families. Earlier this year he joined a training program—organized by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) with support from Johns Hopkins University—and now he offers counseling sessions five days per week. "As a former political prisoner myself, I know very well to what extent we and our families have been mentally affected by what we faced for years. Counseling is one of the best ways to cure their traumas," he said. When asked how he felt to be participating in the exhibition in London, he said he was happy. "My prison experience has taught me that no matter how dire the situation is, there is a way to achieve what you want to do," he said. "That is my message to anyone who sees my art." The post Ex-Political Prisoner Makes Art From Plastic Refuse appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Indonesia Extends Bali Airport Closure Due to Agung Eruption Posted: 27 Nov 2017 08:38 PM PST JAKARTA/AMED, Indonesia — Indonesia's transportation ministry said on Tuesday it will extend the closure of Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport for a further 24 hours because of ash from the eruption of the island's Mount Agung volcano. A report from local aviation navigation authorities showed that "aircraft flight channels are covered with volcanic ash" the ministry said in a statement. Bali airport, about 60 km (37 miles) from the volcano, will be closed until 7 a.m. local time on November 29, it said. Ten alternative airports have been prepared for airlines to divert inbound flights, including in neighboring provinces. A separate notice showed Lombok airport had been reopened, after an earlier closure overnight due to the eruption. Agung rises majestically over eastern Bali to a height of just over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). On Monday, authorities ordered 100,000 residents living near the volcano to evacuate immediately, warning that the first major eruption in 54 years could be "imminent." An 8-10 km (5-6 miles) exclusion zone has been imposed around the summit. Agung's last eruption in 1963 killed more than 1,000 people and razed several villages by hurling out pyroclastic material, hot ash, lava and lahar. On Tuesday, life continued largely as normal in villages surrounding Agung, with residents setting up traditional markets and offering prayers as the volcano continued to spew tall columns of ash and smoke from its crater. Many residents evacuated in September when the alert was last raised to the highest level have returned to their homes and farms due to worries over their livelihood and livestock. Indonesia's Volcanology and Geological Disaster Mitigation Centre (PVMBG), which is using drones, satellite imagery and other equipment, said predictions were difficult in the absence of instrumental recordings from the last eruption 54 years ago. It warned that if a similar eruption occurred, it could send rocks bigger than fist-size up to 8 km (5 miles) from the summit and volcanic gas a distance of 10 km (6 miles) within three minutes. Recordings now show the northeast area of Agung's peak has swollen in recent weeks "indicating there is fairly strong pressure toward the surface," PVMBG said. The post Indonesia Extends Bali Airport Closure Due to Agung Eruption appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Myanmar 2050: Visions of the Future Inspire Art Exhibition Posted: 27 Nov 2017 08:32 PM PST When it comes to popularity, there is no doubt that State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's status is unrivalled in Myanmar. Dubbed the national icon of modern Myanmar, she is still as active and elegant as ever despite her advanced years. Many of her supporters do not like to see or hear any perceived criticism of her and, therefore, there is reason to believe they would get angry at a representation of the State Counselor with a wrinkled face and white hair. This portrait, however, is not Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at present, but in 2050, when she would be 105, and is one of the paintings being shown at the ongoing 'Myanmar 2050' art exhibition in Yangon. "Remain Unchanged," a painting of a female traditional dancer by Ni Po Oo, reflects his belief that Myanmar's traditional culture will live on. "I have depicted the facial wrinkles that she will get when she is 105. Though she will have wrinkles because of her age, take a look at her shiny eyes. This means she is always ready [to work] for her country," said artist Hla Tun. The exhibition features the paintings and sculptures of a total of 35 artists who have envisioned Myanmar in 2050. Myat Kyawt created a sculpture made of kitchen utensils. "This sculpture represents Myanmar's diversity as I envision Myanmar as a more united and dynamic country by 2050," he said. Myat Kyawt created a sculpture made of kitchen utensils to represent Myanmar's diversity and latent dynamism. Myint San Myint's creations include a 10,000-kyat banknote with the picture of Gen Aung San, who is widely regarded as Myanmar's independence hero, and a 5,000-kyat banknote with the picture of his daughter, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. "It has been a long time that our banknotes have had no images of humans," Myint San Myint said. Ni Po Oo depicted the figure of a female traditional dancer, which he entitled 'Remain Unchanged.' "Despite scientific and technological advancement, I believe that Myanmar's traditional culture will live on," he said. The exhibition will be on display at the River Gallery on 37th Street in Yangon's Kyauktada Township until Sunday. Myint San Myint envisioned a 5,000-kyat banknote carrying the image of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi The post Myanmar 2050: Visions of the Future Inspire Art Exhibition appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Pope Meets Myanmar’s Military Chief in Shadow of Rohingya Crisis Posted: 27 Nov 2017 08:25 PM PST YANGON — Pope Francis held talks on Monday with Myanmar's military chief at the start of a delicate visit to a majority-Buddhist country that the United States has accused of "ethnic cleansing" against its Muslim Rohingya people. The leader of the Roman Catholic church will also visit Bangladesh, where more than 620,000 Rohingya have fled to escape what Amnesty International has called "crimes against humanity." Myanmar's army has denied accusations of murder, rape, torture and forced displacement that have been made against it. The pope's first meeting in Yangon was with military commander Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in St. Mary's Cathedral in the heart of the Southeast Asian nation's largest city. "They discussed the great responsibility of authorities of the country in this time of transition," Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said after the 15 minutes of talks, which were followed by an exchange of gifts. Francis presented the general with a commemorative medal of his visit, and Min Aung Hlaing gave the pope a harp in the shape of a boat and an ornate rice bowl, Burke said. The army chief told the pope that "there's no religious discrimination in Myanmar and there's the freedom of religion," according to a statement on the Facebook page of Min Aung Hlaing. "Every soldier's goal is to build a stable and peaceful country," the army chief was paraphrased as saying in the statement. Members of ethnic minority groups in traditional dress welcomed Francis at Yangon airport, and children presented him with flowers as he stepped off his plane. He waved through an open window at dozens of children waving Vatican and Myanmar flags and wearing T-shirts with the motto of the trip – "love and peace" – as he set off in a car. Only about 700,000 of Myanmar's 51 million people are Roman Catholic. Thousands of them travelled by train and bus to Yangon, and they joined crowds at several roadside points along the way from the airport to catch a glimpse of the pope. More than 150,000 people have registered for a mass that Francis will say in Yangon on Wednesday, according to Catholic Myanmar Church spokesman Mariano Soe Naing. "We come here to see the Holy Father. It happens once in hundreds of years," said Win Min Set, a community leader who brought a group of 1,800 Catholics from the south and west of the country. "He is very knowledgeable when it comes to political affairs. He will handle the issue smartly," he said, referring to the sensitivity of the pope’s discussions about the Rohingya. Large numbers of riot police were mobilized in Yangon but there were no signs of any protests. Sensitivity Over Word 'Rohingya' The trip is so delicate that some papal advisers have warned Francis against even saying the word "Rohingya," lest he set off a diplomatic incident that could turn the country's military and government against minority Christians. The Rohingya exodus from Rakhine state to Bangladesh's southern tip began at the end of August, when Rohingya militants attacked security posts and the Myanmar Army launched a counter-offensive. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson last week called the military operation "ethnic cleansing" and threatened targeted sanctions for "horrendous atrocities." Myanmar's government has denied most of the accusations made against it, and the army says its own investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing by troops. Myanmar does not recognize the Rohingya as citizens nor as members of a distinct ethnic group with their own identity, and it even rejects the term "Rohingya" and its use. Many people in Myanmar instead refer to members of the Muslim minority in Rakhine state as illegal migrants from Bangladesh. Francis is expected to meet a group of Rohingya refugees in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, on the second leg of his trip. The most tense moments of his Myanmar visit were expected to be the private meeting with the army chief and, separately, with civilian leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on Tuesday. Vatican sources say some in the Holy See believe the trip was decided too hastily after full diplomatic ties were established in May during a visit by State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The state counselor's reputation as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been tarnished because she has expressed doubts about the reports of rights abuses against the Rohingya and failed to condemn the military. The pope has already used the word Rohingya in two appeals from the Vatican this year. Asked if he would say it in Myanmar, Burke said Francis was taking the advice he had been given seriously, but added: "We will find out together during the trip … it is not a forbidden word." A hardline group of Buddhist monks, previously known as Ma Ba Tha, said it welcomed the pope's visit but warned, without elaborating, of "a response" if he spoke openly about the Rohingya. "I hope he doesn’t touch on sensitive issues that Myanmar people couldn’t accept," said Tawparka, a spokesman for the group, who goes by a single name. "There’s no problem if he talks about Islam, but it's unacceptable if he speaks about Rohingya and extreme terrorists." The post Pope Meets Myanmar's Military Chief in Shadow of Rohingya Crisis appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

Ten Things to Do in Yangon This Week Posted: 27 Nov 2017 06:44 PM PST Youth Development Festival | Dec. 1-3 This festival features literature, arts, sports, IT and science activities as well as book sales, seminars and musical performances. Dec. 1-3, 9 am to 5 pm. Yangon University Campus.   India-Myanmar Charity Bazaar | Dec. 2 There will be Indian food, games, handicrafts and exciting raffle gifts like airline tickets, hotel stay vouchers, jewelry, cruises and more. Dec. 2, 11 am to 5 pm. Indian House, No.35, Than Ta Man Road (Near the American Center, Yangon), Dagon Tsp. Tickets 5,000 kyats at the Embassy of India, Coriander Leaf, and Marina Restaurant.   Cocktail Cruise | Dec. 1 Tuk Tuk Thai Cafe, Gekko, Union Bar & Grill, & Parami Pizza take to the Yangon River for a night of live jazz, cocktails and finger food. Dec. 1, 6:30 pm to 9 pm. Botahtaung Jetty. Tickets 45,000+ per person at the above-mentioned restaurants.   Musical Charity | Dec. 1 Celebrated singers will perform for charity. Dec. 1, 6:30 pm. National Theater, Myoma Kyaung Street. Tickets 10,000 to 50,000 kyats at 09-77009157, 09-455573442. Photo Exhibition: Cultural Heritage of Myanmar | Nov. 30 to Dec. 2 This exhibition will showcase more than 100 photos contested in the 'Cultural Heritage of Myanmar' photo contest organized by the Italian Embassy and Italian Trade Agency. Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, Myanmar Deitta Gallery, No. 49, 3rd Floor, 44th Street, Botahtaung Tsp.   Pre-Christmas Sales | Dec. 1-3 Special sales and entertainment programs ahead of Christmas at Myanmar Plaza. Dec. 1-3. Myanmar Plaza, Kabar Aye Pagoda Road. My World My Fan My Show: Ye Lay | Dec. 2 Singer Ye Lay will sing for his fans at People's Park. Dec. 2, 6 pm. People's Park. Tickets 9,000 to 30,000 kyats at City Mart shopping centers (Yankin & Myaynigon) and 09-770950004.   Umbrellas: Exhibition | Nov. 25 to Dec. 4 Thiha showcases his watercolor works depicting umbrellas used in Myanmar society. Nov. 25-Dec. 4. Lokanat Galleries, 62 Pansodan St, 1st Floor, Kyauktada Tsp.   Aung Naing Maung: 13th Solo | Nov. 25-29 This exhibition showcases portraits of Myanmar's political celebrities and paintings depicting Myanmar traditions. Nov. 25-29. 43 Art Gallery, 43rd Street, Botahtaung Tsp.   Fundraising Art Exhibition for San Zaw Htwe | Dec. 1-3 Former political prisoner-turned-artist San Zaw Htwe is suffering from serious liver cancer, and faces financial difficulties. Sixteen artists are organizing an art exhibition to raise funds for his medical expenses. Dec. 1-3. Pansodan Scene, at the corner of Pansodan Street and Maha Bandoola Street. The post Ten Things to Do in Yangon This Week appeared first on The Irrawaddy.

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