News & Articles on Burma

Tuesday, 23 August, 2011
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Political Prisoners, Human Rights on NLD Agenda with UN Envoy
By SAW YAN NAING Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Discussions relating to the release of political prisoners and the Burmese army's human rights abuses in ethnic areas will be prioritized at an upcoming meeting between a UN human rights envoy and the opposition party, National League for Democracy (NLD), said party spokesman Nyan Win.

UN Special Rapporteur to Burma Tomas Ojea Quintana is now in the Burmese capital Naypyidaw where he is a guest at Tuesday's parliamentary session. He is scheduled to meet with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD central executive committee in Rangoon on Wednesday, said Nyan Win.

Quintana will also meet with other political parties that contested the general election last year, including the National Democratic Force (NDF) and Democratic Party (Myanmar), according to Khin Maung Swe, a spokesman for the NDF.

The UN envoy will spend five days in Burma. His current visit comes after Suu Kyi met Burma's President Thein Sein on Friday for the first time.

Quintana has been a vocal critic of the Burmese government and has previously proposed a UN Commission of Inquiry (CoI) to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity that have allegedly been committed by the Burmese army in ethnic areas in eastern Burma.

Quintana said in an earlier statement ahead of his trip to Burma that his mission “takes place in a somehow different political context, with a new government in place since April,” and said that his main objective is to assess the human rights situation from that perspective.

The UN envoy proposed the CoI in April 2010, and it is now supported by US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and several EU nations.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said on Monday that he was encouraged by last week’s meeting between Thein Sein and Suu Kyi, with both figures voicing satisfaction with discussions aimed at finding common ground on issues that would benefit the country.

The UN chief said he expects further steps to be taken toward achieving a sustained high-level dialogue focused on national reconciliation. He reiterated his call for the release of all political prisoners as a matter of priority to give an opportunity to all citizens of Burma to contribute to the promotion of national reconciliation and democratic transition. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21945
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UN and US, EU Lawmakers Welcome Suu Kyi-Thein Sein Talks
By LALIT K JHA Tuesday, August 23, 2011

WASHINGTON—United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and a top US lawmaker welcomed last week’s meeting between Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and President Thein Sein and expressed hope that it would pave the way towards a real representative democracy in the country.

“The Secretary-General is encouraged by the meeting on Aug 19 in Naypyidaw between President U Thein Sein of Myanmar [Burma] and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as both have expressed satisfaction about their talks aimed at finding common ground on matters beneficial to the people and the country,” a UN statement said.

Ban “expects the meeting to be followed by further steps towards a sustained high-level dialogue focused on national reconciliation,” the statement added. The UN chief also reiterated his call for the release of political prisoners “as a matter of priority.”

Meanwhile, US Senator John McCain, who recently visited Burma, applauded the Burmese government for allowing Suu Kyi to travel to Naypyidaw, where she met Thein Sein.

“Aung San Suu Kyi's visit to Naypyidaw follows other recent travels in the country that the government has permitted her to make,” he said. “This is a small but very positive step, and I hope it represents the beginning of a real and meaningful process of dialogue and reconciliation between Aung San Suu Kyi and the government in Naypyidaw,” McCain said.

The US State Department also welcomed recent developments in Burma.

“We’re encouraged by the talks with the government,” said State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland, speaking to reporters last week. “We’re also encouraged that she was able to travel, that she was able to speak when she traveled, and that the government met its responsibilities to keep her safe and secure.”

At the same time, she said, the US will judge the developments in Burma by the steps the government takes “to open democratic space,” and not by their statements.

“As the Secretary [of State Hillary Clinton] said on her trip to the region, I believe in her Chennai speech, we have been calling on this new government in Burma not only to talk the talk, but to walk the walk,” said Nuland.

“So we will judge it by the walk that it walks,” she said, adding that “We were encouraged that Aung San Suu Kyi was able to travel, that she was able to speak, that she’s in dialogue with the government. We want to see those measures continue.”

Developments in Burma were also welcomed by the EU. Michael Mann, the spokesperson for EU foreign policy chief Cathy Ashton, said they “very much welcome this positive step.” http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21944
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Will Ethnic Issues Be Sidelined?
By SAW YAN NAING Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Burma’s ethnic armed groups say they are worried that recent moves by the country's government to reach out to pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and exiled Burmese dissidents could put ethnic conflicts on the back burner and create divisions between mainstream political players and long-marginalized minorities.

In recent weeks, the government of President Thein Sein has appeared to take a softer stance toward Suu Kyi, at a time when fighting in predominantly ethnic areas continues to heat up after a series of clashes between Burmese forces and former ceasefire groups.

Over the weekend, Suu Kyi made her first visit to Burma's new capital, Naypyidaw, where she met with Thein Sein, who formed a new government in March following last year's widely criticized election.

Suu Kyi, who also made an appearance at a government-sponsored economic workshop during her trip to Naypyidaw, emerged from her first encounter with Thein Sein saying she was “happy and satisfied” with her meeting with the president and other officials.

Before this trip, she met with Minister of Labor Aung Kyi and was allowed to travel twice outside of Rangoon, to the ancient capital of Pagan and to Pegu.

Meanwhile, last week Thein Sein made a public statement suggesting exiled dissidents could be permitted to return to Burma and form new organizations.

Several ethnic leaders have cautiously welcomed these developments as signs of a possible thaw in the decades-old enmity between pro-democracy forces and Burma's military rulers, but many are also concerned that it could lead to ethnic issues once again being pushed aside by other priorities.

La Nan, the joint secretary of the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO), said the government appears to be trying to separate Suu Kyi from her party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), as well as from her supporters and ethnic minority groups.

He also described the recent moves, including the offer to allow exiled dissidents to return to Burma, as a “smokescreen,” since there has been no evidence of real change on the ground.

“So far, they [the government] have said nothing about releasing political prisoners and ethnic leaders. This is something we really need to keep in mind,” said La Nan.

Despite his misgivings, however, he added that he didn't think Suu Kyi would simply allow herself to be used by the government. Instead, he said, she would find her own way to cooperate.

He also noted that the current situation is like a reversal of the government policy of the 1990s, when the junta that installed itself in power in 1988 sidelined Suu Kyi but signed ceasefire agreements with 17 ethnic armed groups, including the KIO.

“Now it is like they only want to deal with the opposition, while they keep the ethnic armed groups on the sidelines,” he said.

As in the past, however, the government seems determined to deal with ethnic armed groups on a one-by-one basis, refusing to respond to demands for a nationwide ceasefire and negotiations with the recently formed ethnic alliance, the United Nationalities Federal Union (UNFC).

Nai Hang Thar, the secretary of the UNFC and the New Mon State Pary, said that the government's recent actions are nothing new.

“It is our experience that when they open one front line, they try to stop fighting on another. So while they are attacking the ethnic armed groups, they are avoiding trouble with the opposition groups,” he said.

Khu Oo Reh, the secretary of the Karenni National Progressive Party, said ethnic minorities have always been marginalized by mainstream politics.

“The government never considers giving ethnic minorities a chance to participate in politics at the national level. We need justice and equality in politics,” he said.

Naw Zipporah Sein, the general secretary of the Karen National Union, echoed this sentiment, saying that Burma's ethnic divisions are too deeply rooted to simply be forgotten.

“There will be no real change if the government only focuses on mainstream politics and ignores the ethnic groups. Change will only come with the involvement of all ethnic minorities,” she said. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21946
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Burma to Run US $3.2 Billion Deficit
By KO HTWE Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Burma will run a deficit of about 2.2 trillion kyat (US $3.2 billion) in the 2011-2012 fiscal year, according to the Public Accounts Committee of the country's Pyitthu Hluttaw, or Lower House of Parliament.

Maung Toe, the secretary of the committee, told MPs on Tuesday morning that the government expected to raise 5.78 trillion kyat ($8.4 billion) in revenue in the current fiscal year, while expenditures were budgeted at 7.983 trillion kyat ($11.6 billion).

“Tin Yu, a USDP Upper House MP from Rangoon Division, asked why spending on healthcare was so low, and [Health Minister Pe Thet Khin] said that it was because of budget constraints,” said Upper House MP Khin Swe, also from the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

It was the first time since 1987 that budget figures have been presented in Parliament.

Both houses of Burma's new national legislature have 15-member accounts committees that are required to submit reports to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (a combination of both houses) at the request of the Ministry of Finance and Revenue.

During today's presentation, Maung Toe provided no details about government expenditures.

However, an official document released earlier this year, known as the government gazette, showed that nearly a quarter of this year's budget would go to the military.

According to the government gazette, 1.31 percent of the budget is allocated to healthcare, while 4.57 percent is spent on education and 0.26 percent goes to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

Burma's second parliamentary session convened in Naypyidaw on Monday. The first session convened its first session of Parliament in 22 years on Jan 31. http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21948
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Bangkok Post
UN chief urges Burma to step up reforms

Published: 23/08/2011 at 05:32 PM
Online news: Asia

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed talks between Burma's president and democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, calling on both sides to build on the tentative improvement in relations.

A photograph released by the Myanmar News Agency shows Myanmar's democracy champion Aung San Suu Kyi, left, with President Thein Sein during their meeting at the presidential office in capital Naypyidaw on August 19. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the talks, calling on both sides to build on the tentative improvement in relations.

Ban is "encouraged" by Friday's meeting, the highest level dialogue between the Nobel laureate and the authorities since her release from seven years of house arrest in November, according to a statement received on Tuesday.

The UN chief "expects the meeting to be followed by further steps towards a sustained high-level dialogue focused on national reconciliation.

"Whether these and other recent developments will move Burma forward depends on how all parties choose to work with each other," the UN said. "It is in the national interest that they seize the opportunity to extend and accept conciliatory gestures to achieve durable peace and unity."

Suu Kyi was released from detention just days after November elections that were marred by cheating and the absence of her party.

Her meeting with President Thein Sein, a former general who took power in March, came amid signs that the Burma regime is seeking to improve its image by reaching out to critics.

But more concrete reforms -- such as the release of around 2,000 political prisoners and improved rights and freedoms within Burma -- remain elusive.

"The secretary-general reiterates his call for the release of political prisoners as a matter of priority, so that all citizens of Burma are able to contribute to advancing the prospects of national reconciliation and democratic transition in their country," the UN statement said.

Burma has permitted UN rights envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana to visit this week for the first time in more than a year, in another apparent softening of its stance.

Quintana has been a vocal critic of Burma's rulers, enraging the generals after his last trip by suggesting that human rights violations in the country may amount to crimes against humanity and could warrant a UN inquiry. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/asia/253119/un-chief-urges-burma-to-step-up-reforms
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Does Burma’s President really know what people want?
By Zin Linn Aug 23, 2011 1:44PM UTC

Throughout the past week, Burma’s new government has released a number of statements signifying its attitude to commence the settlement course with ethnic armed-groups and political opponents domestic and exile. Regrettably, those offers have been considered invalid.

According to the speech delivered by President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (Burma) U Thein Sein at the first Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Union Parliament) second regular session, he and his government has been gearing up to work with the international community, the government’s media highlighted on Monday.

For instance, the president said, “Our government has inherited traditional foreign policy which has never been harmful to international and regional stability and security and it is maintaining friendly relations with global nations. What’s more, we are trying to stand tall as a dutiful member of the global family in international and regional organizations. For this reason, we have officially proposed to take the ASEAN chairmanship in 2014. We are extending the hand of friendship to all global nations and all international organizations including the ASEAN.”

At the same time, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs Wunna Maung Lwin received Human Rights Special Rapporteur on Myanmar (Burma) Mr Tomas Ojea Quintana and party at the ministry in Naypyitaw on Monday. They discussed progress of Myanmar, improvement and protection of human rights.

The UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Myanmar (Burma), Mr Quintana, has constantly recommended the establishment of the UN-mandated Commission of Inquiry (UN-COI) into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. He also warns that ‘ failing to act on accountability in Myanmar will embolden the perpetrators of international crimes and further postpone long-overdue justice.’

Former UN Special Rapporteurs on Burma, Prof Paulo Sergio Pinheiro and Yozo Yokota support it.

However, Thein Sein emphasized that his new government was working for “citizen rights.”

“We are ready to co-operate with the international community,” he added.

Thein Sein concluded his speech by saying, “We know what happen to people and what people want. And we are striving our best to fulfill their needs to the full extent. To conclude my speech, I promise that our government as a democratically-elected government will do our best for the interests of the people.”

Thein Sein told members of parliament that his government will pay attention to oppositions’ suggestions. He said the government has already prepared to talks on peace with armed ethnic groups since the progress of the frontier areas is dependent on stability.

But, the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has rejected an offer of new peace talks from the President Thein Sein government which released a ceasefire statement on August 18.

On 19 August, Thein Sein met key opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi for the first in the highest level exchange of ideas between the Nobel laureate and the authorities since her release from house arrest in November, after the controversial election.

The journalists were allowed to attend Monday’s second Parliamentary session under some limitations made by the current government. Burma’s democratic parliamentary system was stopped when late general Ne Win seized power in 1962.

Thein Sein’s government has set its sights on being allowed to hold the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2014 — a year before the country’s next scheduled polls.

Although Thein Sein’s government seems to make softer its political stance against its opponents in recent weeks, it fails to do more tangible improvement. For example, the release of political prisoners and approval of press freedom remain intangible.

To sum up, if the president has honest political aspiration, firstly, he should release political prisoners and secondly, declare a nationwide ceasefire to show evidence for meaningful political dialogue with all dissident groups. Thirdly, the president should broadcast a general amnesty in quest of peace, stability and real development of the country. http://asiancorrespondent.com/63151/does-burma%E2%80%99s-president-really-know-what-people-want/
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Migrants tell of 'ruined lives'
By Wanapa Khaopa
The Nation: Published on August 23, 2011

Many people from neighbouring countries, who believe that work in Thailand is the ticket to a better life, pay to be smuggled here, oblivious to the risks of human trafficking. They often end up in conditions that are hellish.

Many migrants seeking paid work end up enslaved in brothels, factories, homes or fishing boats. In the case of women, this can take the form of sexual slavery.

Burmese man Ye, and Sanda, a Christian woman from Chin State in the same country, were among 12 trafficked migrants who shared their bitter stories recently with Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking. Ezeilo travelled throughout Thailand for 12 days this month to assess the situation here for a report to be submitted to the UN Human Rights Council next year.

After being trafficked into Thailand, Ye, who had been told he would be paid Bt4,200 a month, was forced to work on a fishing boat for free, after being told he would have to pay off debts incurred in bringing him here.

Ye told of migrants who, exhausted and unable to continue working, were simply pushed into the sea. He said he felt hopeless and hated the captain of the boat, who took advantage of him and the other workers.

Another migrant worker told Ye he had already paid off his debt but was forced to con?tinue working, and had been doing so for 10 years. Every time he tried to escape, the Thai police would catch him and return him to the boat, where his debt was topped up with a fee for his attempt to flee.

Ye worked for eight months on one boat. He was never paid for his work and forbidden to keep any cash of his own. Compared to Burma, whose government is often damned as repressive, he felt Thailand was even more like a prison. Once a worker boards a fishing boat, he said, there was often no escape.

Finally, however, Ye was able to escape. He said he could never forgive the captain. He wanted all Burmese thinking of coming to Thailand to hear his story, so they could be spared the same fate.

Sanda, the Christian Chin woman, was trafficked by a Mon couple to work at a construction site in Thailand, only to find herself working without pay in the fishing industry and sexually enslaved.

Sanda had to gut about 50 kg of fish per day for the Mon couple, but never received payment. They said her wages were taken to cover fees paid to "buy" her, and for her rent, which was Bt600 per month.

Every night when she returned to the room, Sanda said she fought the Mon man, who demanded sex. Essentially a sex slave, she fears she may have been infected with HIV.

Sanda was held for one month by the couple before another Mon man "bought" her from the couple and helped her escape. They later married. Sanda and her husband now work at different construction sites, earning Bt200 each per day. Life is a struggle as she has a lot of debt and has to support herself and her children.

Coming to Thailand ruined her life, Sanda said. Since arriving she has been looked down on as if she was not human, she said. Other migrants told her she could expect no legal protection in Thailand.

"There is no law here," Sanda said. She does not want any more Burmese people to come to the Kingdom and suffer as she has. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Migrants-tell-of-&039;ruined-lives&039;-30163412.html
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Burmese economy suffers in world economic slump: President Thein Sein
Tuesday, 23 August 2011 12:34 Myo Thant

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The ripple effect of the slowing world economy has created “crises” in Burma’s economy, President Thein Sein told a joint session of Parliament on Monday.

Speaking at the opening of the second regular Union Parliament, he said, “Due to external factors of instability in the international monetary system and the stagnation of the world economy, the Burmese economy suffered a ripple effect. Because of these related effects, our domestic economy encountered some crises too.”
Burmese President Thein Sein wears traditional dress during the opening session of the Parliament on Monday. Photo: Mizzima

Burmese President Thein Sein wears traditional dress during the opening session of the Parliament on Monday. Photo: Mizzima

Adding to the country’s economic woes was unusually heavy rainfall that damaged paddy fields and destroyed rice and other agricultural crops.

“The government is working in association with private sectors trying to reduce the production costs in farming for our farmers,” he also said.

Thein Sein told industrialists and traders on August 16 that the government will buy 1 million tons of rice as reserve rice for the country , according to the Myanmar Times. The rice will be bought from Irrawaddy, Sagaing and Pegu regions, and the government will build storage shelters to stockpile the rice.

The US dollar price fell to a record low of 680 kyat on Tuesday in the Burmese foreign exchange market. The falling dollar price has impacted exporters, the travel and tour industry and workers who earn their wages in US dollars and send “remittances” into the country.

Regarding the ongoing civil war in ethnic areas and other ethnic issues, he said: “We are expressing our sincere beliefs to the armed ethnic groups which do not yet accept the State Constitution, and we are opening our door of peace to them for the benefit of the entire people.”

Thein Sein, a former general and prime minister under the military government, also said that strict action would be taken against corruption and people contributing to a “red tape” system of bureaucracy.

In the economic area, he said that the state had a target to reduce poverty to below 16 per cent by 2015. He said Burma was working to assume the chairmanship of Asean in 2014.

In his opening session address, Shwe Mahn, the Lower House speaker, said that the government would take into consideration the criticism made by both domestic and foreign media, and that journalists would be granted access to cover Parliament news. During the first parliamentary session, journalists were not allowed to observe Parliament in session.

Speaker Shwe Mahn moved a motion to form 19 Lower House committees including democracy and fundamental rights of citizens, human rights, ethnic unity and peace, farmers’ affairs, international affairs, economic and trade, transport communication and construction, culture and public relations, agriculture and livestock, investment and industry development.

Finance and Revenue Minister Hla Tun moved a motion to amend the Profit Tax Law, Stamp Duty Law, Court Fees Act, and various trade tax and income tax laws.

A total of 211 MPs attended the Upper House session and 389 MPs attended the Lower House session on Monday.

On Tuesday, the lower and upper houses will convene separately and a joint session of Parliament will convene again on Friday, MPs told Mizzima. http://www.mizzima.com/business/5818-burmese-economy-suffers-in-world-economic-slump-president-thein-sein.html
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Burmese politicians tell Quintana to work for release of political prisoners
Tuesday, 23 August 2011 10:09 Ko Wild

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Burmese human rights activists and opposition political party leaders urged visiting UN human rights special rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana to focus on the issue of releasing all political prisoners in Burma.

In a file picture taken in 2010, UN human rights envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana talks to the press at Rangoon International Airport. Quintana has returned to Burma for a five-day visit. Photo: AFP

In a file picture taken in 2010, UN human rights envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana talks to the press at Rangoon International Airport. Quintana has returned to Burma for a five-day visit. Photo: AFP
“I have many friends who are imprisoned for their political conscience. The release of these prisoners is our daily hope,” Chin National Party (CNP) chairman Zo Zam told Mizzima. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners – Burma (AAPP-B) said that there are 1,995 political prisoners in Burma.

Quintana’s five-day visit kicked off on Sunday. He will meet with a wide range of high-level government officials, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and senior leaders of her National League for Democracy (NLD) party during his visit. He will also visit and observe the ongoing Parliament session in Naypyitaw.

He met with Union Chief Justice Tun Tun Oo, Union Attorney General Dr. Tun Shin, Labour Social Welfare and Resettlement Minister Aung Kyi on Monday morning and Defence Minister Major General Hla Min and presidential advisers in the evening. He also met Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, Myanmar Human Right Commission chairman and Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Lieutenant General Ko Ko, and Deputy Chief of Police Force Police Brigadier General Zaw Win on behalf of the Police Chief on Sunday.

Qunitana has visited Burma three times since 2008. He was barred from visiting for nearly one and half years after he asked the UN Commission for Human Rights to investigate alleged war crimes and human rights violations committed by the previous military regime. He was allowed to meet with Suu Kyi on his fourth visit.

The Thailand-based Human Rights Education Institute of Burma (HREIB) Director Aung Myo Min said: “He should study the political prisoners issue and what’s happening in Shan, Kachin and other states rather than superficial and cosmetic changes in the country.” Fighting between government troops and ethnic armed forces has broken out in Kachin and Shan states amid charges of further human rights abuses.

The Shan Nationalities Development Party (SNDP) finance department chief Saw Than Myint said he would meet with Quintana on Thursday.

National Democratic Force (NDF) party political chief Khin Maung Swe said that he saw Quintana as an envoy who will focus on important tasks.

“We must call for releasing all political prisoners as an important demand. We will talk about this issue,” he said.

National League for Democracy (NLD) party spokesman Nyan Win told the Voice of America (VOA) Burmese Service on Sunday that he believed the new government was ready for changes and meetings between officials and Quintana seemed to indicate a gradual policy change.

Quintana will hold a press conference on Thursday and submit a report to the UN General Assembly at the end of the year. http://www.mizzima.com/news/prisoner-watch/5815-burmese-politicians-tell-quintana-to-work-for-release-of-political-prisoners.html