American tried in Myanmar
Wed Oct 14, 4:13 am ET
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – A Myanmar-born American jailed for allegedly planning to incite unrest in the military-ruled country was brought before a court Wednesday to face charges, his lawyer said.
Nyi Nyi Aung was charged with fraud and forgery but no charges of inciting unrest, of which he was earlier accused, were leveled, said his lawyer, Nyan Win. The fraud and forgery charges each carry a prison term of seven years.
A hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 23 with testimony by prosecution witnesses, including immigration officials, the lawyer said.
Authorities arrested the U.S. citizen, also known as Kyaw Zaw Lwin, on arrival at Yangon airport on Sept. 3.
"Nyi Nyi Aung is well and in good spirits," said Nyan Win. A U.S. Embassy consular official was also present in the courtroom inside Yangon's notorious Insein prison.
Nyan Win said Nyi Nyi Aung told him and another lawyer, Kyi Win, on Monday that he was physically tortured while being interrogated during the early part of his detention.
He denied allegations by authorities about alleged plots to create unrest.
The U.S. Embassy said it has made a formal complaint to Myanmar's military government based on claims by the accused that he was mistreated in prison.
Myanmar authorities accused Nyi Nyi Aung of entering Myanmar to stir up protests by Buddhist monks, who earlier spearheaded pro-democracy demonstrations in 2007 that were brutally suppressed by the junta. Authorities said he confessed to plotting with dissident groups outside the country, and accused him of links to several activists inside Myanmar who planned to set off bombs.
Nyan Win said his client was charged with forgery for allegedly making a national identity card.
Lawyers Nyan Win and Kyi Win led the legal team that defended pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a recent high-profile trial that resulted in an extension of her house arrest. She is currently serving an 18-month sentence after previously spending 14 of the past 20 years in detention.
Nyi Nyi Aung's mother is serving a five-year jail term for political activities and his sister was sentenced to 65 years in prison for her role in the 2007 pro-democracy protests, activist groups and family members said.
Wed Oct 14, 4:13 am ET
YANGON, Myanmar (AP) – A Myanmar-born American jailed for allegedly planning to incite unrest in the military-ruled country was brought before a court Wednesday to face charges, his lawyer said.
Nyi Nyi Aung was charged with fraud and forgery but no charges of inciting unrest, of which he was earlier accused, were leveled, said his lawyer, Nyan Win. The fraud and forgery charges each carry a prison term of seven years.
A hearing has been scheduled for Oct. 23 with testimony by prosecution witnesses, including immigration officials, the lawyer said.
Authorities arrested the U.S. citizen, also known as Kyaw Zaw Lwin, on arrival at Yangon airport on Sept. 3.
"Nyi Nyi Aung is well and in good spirits," said Nyan Win. A U.S. Embassy consular official was also present in the courtroom inside Yangon's notorious Insein prison.
Nyan Win said Nyi Nyi Aung told him and another lawyer, Kyi Win, on Monday that he was physically tortured while being interrogated during the early part of his detention.
He denied allegations by authorities about alleged plots to create unrest.
The U.S. Embassy said it has made a formal complaint to Myanmar's military government based on claims by the accused that he was mistreated in prison.
Myanmar authorities accused Nyi Nyi Aung of entering Myanmar to stir up protests by Buddhist monks, who earlier spearheaded pro-democracy demonstrations in 2007 that were brutally suppressed by the junta. Authorities said he confessed to plotting with dissident groups outside the country, and accused him of links to several activists inside Myanmar who planned to set off bombs.
Nyan Win said his client was charged with forgery for allegedly making a national identity card.
Lawyers Nyan Win and Kyi Win led the legal team that defended pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a recent high-profile trial that resulted in an extension of her house arrest. She is currently serving an 18-month sentence after previously spending 14 of the past 20 years in detention.
Nyi Nyi Aung's mother is serving a five-year jail term for political activities and his sister was sentenced to 65 years in prison for her role in the 2007 pro-democracy protests, activist groups and family members said.
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Indian Ocean nations test tsunami warning system
By DENIS D. GRAY, Associated Press Writer – Wed Oct 14, 6:45 am ET
BANGKOK (AP) – Sirens blared, parents grabbed their children and hundreds ran to emergency shelters in Indonesia as countries bordering the Indian Ocean conducted a test Wednesday of a warning system set up after the devastating 2004 tsunami.
But at least one survivor was too paralyzed by memories of the killer wave to take part in mock evacuations off Aceh, Indonesia.
"What is this all for? My chest has gone tight and I am shaking," said Hamiyah, a 58-year-old woman who lost her in-laws, four children and five grandchildren in 2004.
Planned for 18 countries, the drill was intended to simulate a tsunami similar to the one sparked by the 9.2 magnitude quake off Indonesia five years ago, the United Nations said in a statement.
That quake generated waves that eradicated entire coastal communities, killing some 230,000 people in one of the worst natural disasters of modern times.
"When the siren sounded, I immediately thought of my child, grabbed her and ran," said Bakhtiar, 50, who lives in the village of Gampong Pie, along the Indonesian coastline in Aceh province.
In Aceh's Ulee Lheue village, which was all but wiped out by the tsunami, about 200 residents gathered at a mosque after an explosion was sounded from loudspeakers that was meant to signal an earthquake.
Around ten minutes later a siren blared out, starting the drill.
But Hamiyah refused to take part, breaking down and staying at home, rebuilt after the disaster, with her two surviving children.
"It reminds me of the past and makes me really sad. Please stop reminding us," she said, sobbing, as people ran for quake-proof emergency shelters, some carrying the "wounded," as a voice over mosque loudspeakers urged people not to panic.
"We want to send the message to the world that we continue to improve our disaster mitigation skills," said Aceh Vice Governor Muhammad Nazar.
Dubbed "Exercise Indian Ocean Wave 09," the drill was the first comprehensive test and evaluation of the warning system put in place after the 2004 disaster, said the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO.
It comes two weeks after a tsunami smashed into the Pacific islands of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, killing at least 183 people.
In Thailand, where more than 5,000 Thais and foreign tourists perished, no evacuation drill was planned but its National Disaster Warning Center was responding to the dummy telegrams, faxes and e-mails being sent out by the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, said Capt. Saran Thappasook.
In Myanmar, officials were to relay the warnings to tsunami-prone areas, said Thein Tun, director general of the Meteorological Department, while in Malayia 1,200 villagers on the northern resort island of Langkawi were directed to higher ground as firefighting trucks and ambulances ferried the elderly and pregnant women.
But in Sri Lanka's southern coastal village of Godawaya, a tsunami warning tower failed to emit a siren. Local fishermen who had stayed home to take part waited for a few hours and decided to go to work.
Later, officials manning the tower went around the village announcing a "tsunami threat" through loudspeakers and calling on residents to quickly move to a Buddhist temple on higher ground. Women who were at home gathered at the temple.
Air Force SGT M.G.A. Nandana declared the drill was still a success since they an alternative warning method was found in case the warning tower failed.
Ray Canterford, an official at Australia's Bureau of Meteorology, said ahead of the exercise that the Hawaii-based center would issue an earthquake alert to trigger the drill.
In Australia, the bureau would use the earthquake data from the tsunami warning center to calculate the size of any tsunami wave and estimate the time it will take to hit the Australian coast.
None of the warnings would go public, and no evacuations were planned in Australia, Canterford said.
Australia was not affected by the 2004 disaster, but is playing a role in the regional system to improve response times and international coordination. Australia has a network of wave height sensors along its coastline, and two deep sea sensors in waters between Australia's northwest and Indonesia, where some 130,000 were killed.
Under the system, Australia, Indonesia and India swap data on a tsunami threat, and Wednesday's drill will test how efficiently messages are sent among those countries, Canterford said.
"It's a real time event," Canterford said. "We believe that all or most of the countries in the Indian Ocean are a lot better prepared now than they were in 2004."
UNESCO said Wednesday's exercise would allow Indian Ocean countries to test their communications, review their emergency procedures and identify any weaknesses.
By DENIS D. GRAY, Associated Press Writer – Wed Oct 14, 6:45 am ET
BANGKOK (AP) – Sirens blared, parents grabbed their children and hundreds ran to emergency shelters in Indonesia as countries bordering the Indian Ocean conducted a test Wednesday of a warning system set up after the devastating 2004 tsunami.
But at least one survivor was too paralyzed by memories of the killer wave to take part in mock evacuations off Aceh, Indonesia.
"What is this all for? My chest has gone tight and I am shaking," said Hamiyah, a 58-year-old woman who lost her in-laws, four children and five grandchildren in 2004.
Planned for 18 countries, the drill was intended to simulate a tsunami similar to the one sparked by the 9.2 magnitude quake off Indonesia five years ago, the United Nations said in a statement.
That quake generated waves that eradicated entire coastal communities, killing some 230,000 people in one of the worst natural disasters of modern times.
"When the siren sounded, I immediately thought of my child, grabbed her and ran," said Bakhtiar, 50, who lives in the village of Gampong Pie, along the Indonesian coastline in Aceh province.
In Aceh's Ulee Lheue village, which was all but wiped out by the tsunami, about 200 residents gathered at a mosque after an explosion was sounded from loudspeakers that was meant to signal an earthquake.
Around ten minutes later a siren blared out, starting the drill.
But Hamiyah refused to take part, breaking down and staying at home, rebuilt after the disaster, with her two surviving children.
"It reminds me of the past and makes me really sad. Please stop reminding us," she said, sobbing, as people ran for quake-proof emergency shelters, some carrying the "wounded," as a voice over mosque loudspeakers urged people not to panic.
"We want to send the message to the world that we continue to improve our disaster mitigation skills," said Aceh Vice Governor Muhammad Nazar.
Dubbed "Exercise Indian Ocean Wave 09," the drill was the first comprehensive test and evaluation of the warning system put in place after the 2004 disaster, said the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO.
It comes two weeks after a tsunami smashed into the Pacific islands of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga, killing at least 183 people.
In Thailand, where more than 5,000 Thais and foreign tourists perished, no evacuation drill was planned but its National Disaster Warning Center was responding to the dummy telegrams, faxes and e-mails being sent out by the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, said Capt. Saran Thappasook.
In Myanmar, officials were to relay the warnings to tsunami-prone areas, said Thein Tun, director general of the Meteorological Department, while in Malayia 1,200 villagers on the northern resort island of Langkawi were directed to higher ground as firefighting trucks and ambulances ferried the elderly and pregnant women.
But in Sri Lanka's southern coastal village of Godawaya, a tsunami warning tower failed to emit a siren. Local fishermen who had stayed home to take part waited for a few hours and decided to go to work.
Later, officials manning the tower went around the village announcing a "tsunami threat" through loudspeakers and calling on residents to quickly move to a Buddhist temple on higher ground. Women who were at home gathered at the temple.
Air Force SGT M.G.A. Nandana declared the drill was still a success since they an alternative warning method was found in case the warning tower failed.
Ray Canterford, an official at Australia's Bureau of Meteorology, said ahead of the exercise that the Hawaii-based center would issue an earthquake alert to trigger the drill.
In Australia, the bureau would use the earthquake data from the tsunami warning center to calculate the size of any tsunami wave and estimate the time it will take to hit the Australian coast.
None of the warnings would go public, and no evacuations were planned in Australia, Canterford said.
Australia was not affected by the 2004 disaster, but is playing a role in the regional system to improve response times and international coordination. Australia has a network of wave height sensors along its coastline, and two deep sea sensors in waters between Australia's northwest and Indonesia, where some 130,000 were killed.
Under the system, Australia, Indonesia and India swap data on a tsunami threat, and Wednesday's drill will test how efficiently messages are sent among those countries, Canterford said.
"It's a real time event," Canterford said. "We believe that all or most of the countries in the Indian Ocean are a lot better prepared now than they were in 2004."
UNESCO said Wednesday's exercise would allow Indian Ocean countries to test their communications, review their emergency procedures and identify any weaknesses.
****************************************************************
U.S. hails cooperation on North Korea, sees new steps
By Chris Buckley – Wed Oct 14, 2:37 am ET
BEIJING (Reuters) – North Korea's neighbors and the United States are coordinating closely to draw the isolated state back to nuclear disarmament talks and reviewing possible next steps, a senior U.S. diplomat said on Wednesday.
Many analysts have been skeptical of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's recent avowal that he could return to six-party talks aimed at dismantling his country's nuclear weapons program.
But other governments in the stalled negotiations are working closely together on ways to bring Pyongyang back to them, Kurt Campbell, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, told reporters.
Kim made the heavily hedged commitment during a meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao this month and Campbell said there were no divisions between Washington and Beijing over how to deal with Pyongyang.
"I have rarely seen better coordination between China and the United States in particular," said Campbell, formerly a scholar specialized in Asian security.
"There is a virtually unprecedented acceptance of basic goals and ambitions associated with the six-party talks and negotiations with North Korea."
Those talks bring together North and South Korea, China, the United States, Japan and Russia.
Campbell, the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, has been in Beijing for two days of talks ahead of President Barack Obama's visit next month.
The range of issues discussed underscored the growing importance of China to U.S. policy. Campbell said they also covered Myanmar, Iran, military ties and climate change.
North Korea has said it wants bilateral negotiations with the United States to take precedence over the six-party talks, which China has hosted since 2003.
The North walked away from the talks last December and in April declared them defunct. In May, it staged its second ever nuclear test blast, drawing fresh international sanctions.
NEW NORTH KOREAN BLAST ON U.S. POLICY
On Wednesday, North Korea's main newspaper Rodong Sinmun scorned U.S. policy as "shameless, preposterous and brigandish sophism," the official KCNA news agency reported.
"It was none other than the U.S. that compelled the DPRK to have access to nuclear deterrent," KCNA quoted the paper as saying. The DPRK is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's formal name.
Campbell said North Korea's neighbors agreed the six-way talks remained key to resolving the dispute and bilateral talks could only take place in the framework of the multilateral talks.
He also said the North's neighbors may be considering fresh initiatives, but gave no details.
"We are now reviewing steps in the near future," he said, adding that the United States was also closely consulting with Japan and South Korea.
"I think we will have more to say about this shortly."
Washington is also exploring wider cooperation with Beijing on other regional trouble spots, including Myanmar and Afghanistan, Campbell said.
China is the country closest to Myanmar's military leaders and could play an important role in U.S. policy toward the isolated Southeast Asian regime, which has been under review, he said.
"We think their insights and their role and their support behind the scenes could be very valuable going forward," he said of China's potential role in Myanmar.
But Campbell suggested that some distance remained between Beijing and Washington on how to address Iran's nuclear program.
Iran is a major supplier of China's imported crude oil, and Beijing has been wary of stiffer sanctions Western powers say may be needed to deter Tehran from pushing ahead with disputed nuclear activities.
Critics say those activities could give Iran the ability to make atomic weapons. Iran says its activities are peaceful.
"We are going to need to see more cooperation and coordination between the United States and China," Campbell said of Iran.
By Chris Buckley – Wed Oct 14, 2:37 am ET
BEIJING (Reuters) – North Korea's neighbors and the United States are coordinating closely to draw the isolated state back to nuclear disarmament talks and reviewing possible next steps, a senior U.S. diplomat said on Wednesday.
Many analysts have been skeptical of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il's recent avowal that he could return to six-party talks aimed at dismantling his country's nuclear weapons program.
But other governments in the stalled negotiations are working closely together on ways to bring Pyongyang back to them, Kurt Campbell, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, told reporters.
Kim made the heavily hedged commitment during a meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao this month and Campbell said there were no divisions between Washington and Beijing over how to deal with Pyongyang.
"I have rarely seen better coordination between China and the United States in particular," said Campbell, formerly a scholar specialized in Asian security.
"There is a virtually unprecedented acceptance of basic goals and ambitions associated with the six-party talks and negotiations with North Korea."
Those talks bring together North and South Korea, China, the United States, Japan and Russia.
Campbell, the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific affairs, has been in Beijing for two days of talks ahead of President Barack Obama's visit next month.
The range of issues discussed underscored the growing importance of China to U.S. policy. Campbell said they also covered Myanmar, Iran, military ties and climate change.
North Korea has said it wants bilateral negotiations with the United States to take precedence over the six-party talks, which China has hosted since 2003.
The North walked away from the talks last December and in April declared them defunct. In May, it staged its second ever nuclear test blast, drawing fresh international sanctions.
NEW NORTH KOREAN BLAST ON U.S. POLICY
On Wednesday, North Korea's main newspaper Rodong Sinmun scorned U.S. policy as "shameless, preposterous and brigandish sophism," the official KCNA news agency reported.
"It was none other than the U.S. that compelled the DPRK to have access to nuclear deterrent," KCNA quoted the paper as saying. The DPRK is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the North's formal name.
Campbell said North Korea's neighbors agreed the six-way talks remained key to resolving the dispute and bilateral talks could only take place in the framework of the multilateral talks.
He also said the North's neighbors may be considering fresh initiatives, but gave no details.
"We are now reviewing steps in the near future," he said, adding that the United States was also closely consulting with Japan and South Korea.
"I think we will have more to say about this shortly."
Washington is also exploring wider cooperation with Beijing on other regional trouble spots, including Myanmar and Afghanistan, Campbell said.
China is the country closest to Myanmar's military leaders and could play an important role in U.S. policy toward the isolated Southeast Asian regime, which has been under review, he said.
"We think their insights and their role and their support behind the scenes could be very valuable going forward," he said of China's potential role in Myanmar.
But Campbell suggested that some distance remained between Beijing and Washington on how to address Iran's nuclear program.
Iran is a major supplier of China's imported crude oil, and Beijing has been wary of stiffer sanctions Western powers say may be needed to deter Tehran from pushing ahead with disputed nuclear activities.
Critics say those activities could give Iran the ability to make atomic weapons. Iran says its activities are peaceful.
"We are going to need to see more cooperation and coordination between the United States and China," Campbell said of Iran.
****************************************************************
MYANMAR: Burmese migrants struggle in Malaysia
PENANG, 14 October 2009 (IRIN) - In the tourist city of Penang in northern Malaysia, the Buddhist temple has become the locus of social and economic support for migrants from Myanmar.
"l was a contractor at home, but left Burma [Myanmar] 19 years ago, arriving in Malaysia after crossing from Thailand," said Aung Tin, a foreman on the construction site of a new pagoda.
Penang is one of Malaysia's main economic and industrial centres, and the Burmese Buddhist temple provides social and religious support for the Burmese community.
At the construction site, all 14 staff supervised by Aung Tin - who would only talk to IRIN using a pseudonym - are Burmese migrants.
"I left as soon as I could after the 1990 elections," said Aung Tin. "The economic situation in the country was bad for years before then, and I had not been able to generate enough work. When I saw that the army was going to keep things the same, it became clear that I could not make a living,"
In 1990, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won the last election held in Myanmar, but the military rulers overturned the result, and have run the country since.
Aung Tin left behind a wife and two sons, whom he has not seen since. His boys are now grown up, and like their father, want to leave their home country.
When Cyclone Nargis devastated Myanmar in 2008, his family's home was one of more than three million destroyed. "All my money was sent home to help repair my house," he said.
Employment magnet
Myanmar is one of the most impoverished countries in the region, and ranks 138 out of 182 countries surveyed in the UN Development Programme's (UNDP) 2009 Human Development Report.
Limited employment prospects encourage many to look for opportunities in neighbouring countries. Thailand is the main destination for Burmese workers, but Malaysia is also favoured, along with Bangladesh and India, according to a 2008 UN report on migration in East and Southeast Asia.
Accurate figures of how many Burmese are leaving Myanmar are difficult to obtain because much of the movement is irregular, say civil society groups.
Malaysia is heavily dependent on foreign labour for its construction and plantation industries, and is a magnet for migrant workers in the region. According to government statistics, there were 92,020 registered Burmese workers in 2006, comprising 5 percent of the total registered workers.
Rights groups, however, say there are also thousands of unregistered Burmese in the country; the Kuala Lumpur-based Burma Workers' Rights Protection Committee estimates there are about 500,000 registered and unregistered migrants from Myanmar in Malaysia.
And as of May 2009, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said it had registered 50,000 people of concern from Myanmar, including refugees and asylum-seekers.
Under threat
Aung Tin's story is similar to those of many migrant workers in Malaysia. He had a work permit originally but has veered back and forth between legal and illegal status since.
Many Burmese find work at construction sites, factories and food outlets, according to Malaysian rights groups. If they were recruited or brought in to work at factories, they are often provided with accommodation. But while some employers provide proper living facilities, others force their workers to live in overcrowded and cramped conditions.
Rights groups say many Burmese migrants as well as refugees do not carry legal documents, and face arrest, detention and deportation by the Malaysian authorities.
Deportees, both migrant workers and refugees, are then vulnerable to human traffickers at the Malaysia-Thailand border, who demand huge sums of money to help them get back into Malaysia, they say.
"Another problem that the Burmese face is extortion from the police," said Temme Lee, refugee coordinator for Malaysian rights group Suaram.
"Due to their lack of proper documentation, Burmese are often stopped by police. The police threaten to arrest them and demand money from them," she told IRIN.
Despite his perilous and often haphazard situation, Aung Tin is one of the better-off migrants. He earns 50 Malaysian ringgit (US$14.80) per day as foreman at the construction project.
"The monks look after us here, and try to give us work," he said.
PENANG, 14 October 2009 (IRIN) - In the tourist city of Penang in northern Malaysia, the Buddhist temple has become the locus of social and economic support for migrants from Myanmar.
"l was a contractor at home, but left Burma [Myanmar] 19 years ago, arriving in Malaysia after crossing from Thailand," said Aung Tin, a foreman on the construction site of a new pagoda.
Penang is one of Malaysia's main economic and industrial centres, and the Burmese Buddhist temple provides social and religious support for the Burmese community.
At the construction site, all 14 staff supervised by Aung Tin - who would only talk to IRIN using a pseudonym - are Burmese migrants.
"I left as soon as I could after the 1990 elections," said Aung Tin. "The economic situation in the country was bad for years before then, and I had not been able to generate enough work. When I saw that the army was going to keep things the same, it became clear that I could not make a living,"
In 1990, Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won the last election held in Myanmar, but the military rulers overturned the result, and have run the country since.
Aung Tin left behind a wife and two sons, whom he has not seen since. His boys are now grown up, and like their father, want to leave their home country.
When Cyclone Nargis devastated Myanmar in 2008, his family's home was one of more than three million destroyed. "All my money was sent home to help repair my house," he said.
Employment magnet
Myanmar is one of the most impoverished countries in the region, and ranks 138 out of 182 countries surveyed in the UN Development Programme's (UNDP) 2009 Human Development Report.
Limited employment prospects encourage many to look for opportunities in neighbouring countries. Thailand is the main destination for Burmese workers, but Malaysia is also favoured, along with Bangladesh and India, according to a 2008 UN report on migration in East and Southeast Asia.
Accurate figures of how many Burmese are leaving Myanmar are difficult to obtain because much of the movement is irregular, say civil society groups.
Malaysia is heavily dependent on foreign labour for its construction and plantation industries, and is a magnet for migrant workers in the region. According to government statistics, there were 92,020 registered Burmese workers in 2006, comprising 5 percent of the total registered workers.
Rights groups, however, say there are also thousands of unregistered Burmese in the country; the Kuala Lumpur-based Burma Workers' Rights Protection Committee estimates there are about 500,000 registered and unregistered migrants from Myanmar in Malaysia.
And as of May 2009, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) said it had registered 50,000 people of concern from Myanmar, including refugees and asylum-seekers.
Under threat
Aung Tin's story is similar to those of many migrant workers in Malaysia. He had a work permit originally but has veered back and forth between legal and illegal status since.
Many Burmese find work at construction sites, factories and food outlets, according to Malaysian rights groups. If they were recruited or brought in to work at factories, they are often provided with accommodation. But while some employers provide proper living facilities, others force their workers to live in overcrowded and cramped conditions.
Rights groups say many Burmese migrants as well as refugees do not carry legal documents, and face arrest, detention and deportation by the Malaysian authorities.
Deportees, both migrant workers and refugees, are then vulnerable to human traffickers at the Malaysia-Thailand border, who demand huge sums of money to help them get back into Malaysia, they say.
"Another problem that the Burmese face is extortion from the police," said Temme Lee, refugee coordinator for Malaysian rights group Suaram.
"Due to their lack of proper documentation, Burmese are often stopped by police. The police threaten to arrest them and demand money from them," she told IRIN.
Despite his perilous and often haphazard situation, Aung Tin is one of the better-off migrants. He earns 50 Malaysian ringgit (US$14.80) per day as foreman at the construction project.
"The monks look after us here, and try to give us work," he said.
****************************************************************
American Chronicle - Bangladesh starts reacting to maritime dispute
Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
October 14, 2009
On Thursday [October 8, 2009], Bangladesh has served legal notive on India and Myanmar to settle the disputes over maritime boundary claims before a United Nations [UN] tribunals as it decided to take the issue to a compulsory arbitration under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Disputes over the territorial waters amongst the three countries are preventing Bangladesh from extracting marine resources and establishing its sovereignty in the Bay of Bengal.
Bangladesh is yet to delimit its maritime boundary with its neighbours in Bay of Bengal, that is Myanmar on eastern side and India on its western side. Myanmar and India agreed on maritime territory between themselves but they need to solve the maritime boundary issues with Bangladesh. During the last quarter of 2008, this problem gained momentum in the area near 50 nautical miles southwest of the St. Martin Island when Myanmar sent four offshore exploration vessels [2 Bahamas registered and 2 Belize registered] escorted by 2 naval ships to facilitate the South Korean Daewoo Company to explore the oil and gas resources. The situation become complicated when the Bangladesh Navy also positioned three ships at the spot after the Myanmar side reportedly began oil and gas exploration in that area. Despite protests by Bangladesh, citing sovereignty issues, the Myanmar government said that it would continue exploration in the Bay of Bengal. It stopped the oil and gas exploration in deep-sea blocks in disputed waters, a day after Bangladesh asked China to mediate the issue. Myanmar however has claimed that withdrawal was not because of the Bangladesh request; apparently the South Korean company had completed its seismic survey in Block AD-7. Although the tension has slowed down, the crisis is yet to be solved.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS] 1982, a nation can claims 12 nautical miles of territorial sea, 200 nautical miles of Exclusive Economic Zone, and 350 nautical miles of continental shelf. Generally a state´s EEZ extends to a distance of 200 nautical miles [370kms] out from its coast. However, in the case of Bangladesh, India and Myanmar, the situation became difficult as coasts of these countries follow a curve which has led overaping of territory. Yet, neither party was interested to take it to UN, nor did they agree for joint survey mechanism, that India follows with Pakistan. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS] Bangladesh too has to file its claim by July 27, 2011.
Bangladesh´s foreign minister Dr. Dipu Moni told newsmen on October 8, 2009 that Dhaka has decided to go to the United Nations arbitration as negotiations with India and Myanmar in past 35 years failed to resolve the issue. Indian high commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty and Myanmar ambassador U Phae Thann Oo were called in to the foreign ministry earlier in the day and foreign secretary Mijarul Quayes handed the notifications to them pass it on to their governments.
The arbitration notifications were issued a day after prime minister Sheikh Hasina announced in the parliament her government´s decisive move towards exploring gas in the Bay and with the state-owned petroleum corporation, Petrobangla, holding negotiations with two international oil companies to award contracts for exploration.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in the parliament, ´We want to solve the problems with neighbouring countries without any quarrel. Problems can be solved through discussions.´
Briefing reporters, the foreign minister said that the arbitration would be initiated before a United Nations tribunal to be constituted in accordance with the principles and rules of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS].
Bangladesh appointed British jurist Vaughn Lowe QC as its arbitrator to plead the country´s case at the world body. Bangladesh submitted the notifications of arbitration within weeks after agreeing to lease out three gas blocks in the Bay of Bengal to US company ConocoPhillips and Irish Tullow. ConocoPhillips, the third largest energy company in the US, will get deep-sea blocks 10 and 11 and shallow-sea block 5 will be awarded to Tullow. But India and Myanmar sent objections to ConocoPhillips asking the company not to explore the gas blocks 10 and 11, claiming that some parts of the blocks belonged to their respective territorial waters.
Foreign secretary Mijarul Quayes in a statement said the claims of Bangladesh´s neighbours had ´unfairly cut off a significant portion of our maritime area in the Bay of Bengal and prevented us from exploring and exploiting our oil and natural gas resources´.
The Bay of Bengal has become a lucrative territory for countries, especially after India's discovery of 100 trillion cubic feet of gas in 2005-06 and Myanmar's discovery of 7 trillion cubic feet of gas. According to British Petroleum, Myanmar has 21 Trillion Cubic Feet [TCF] of gas reserves, while Bangladesh has 13.77 TCF of gas. Most of them are located in the Bay of Bengali. However, except the discovery of Sangu gas field with about .848 TCF of recoverable gas, Bangladesh has not much of exploration on the five offshore blocks so farii. Bangladesh is very keen on utilizing its offshore reserves for the country´s development after they realized that existing gas reserves were smaller than anticipated and predicted that abundant oil & gas reserves are most likely to be present in the offshore region.
In Bangladesh, oil and gas is an economic resource and is vital for the survival of 150 million people living in an area of 147,000 sq km. Gas is a major source of revenue and employment for expanding their industrial growth. Bangladesh has recently been facing shortage of gas, currently produces 1750 million cubic feet of gas a day and faces a shortage of nearly 200 million cubic feet in its daily domestic consumptioniii. This situation exists despite the existence of hydrocarbon in Bangladesh. Generally wherever gas is found oil is also normally present in its lower strata provided certain geological conditions prevail. Thus, it is expected that the offshore area of Bangladesh may be rich in oil reserves.
For several years after taking the lead in 1974 for offshore exploration, Bangladesh hibernated while India and Myanmar aggressively explored and discovered significant petroleum resources. Under the New Exploration Licensing Policy, India offered 55 blocks [24 deepwater blocks beyond 400m bathymetry] to the International Oil Companies [IOCs] in the Bay of Bengal during 2006, which is now under exploration phase. Bangladesh has claimed that the map published by the country clearly showed that blocks D-23 [8,706 square kilo meter] and D-22 [7790 square kilo meter] have overlapped Bangladesh´s block 21 declared in 1991, which is technically very hard to prove.
On the other hand, Myanmar made significant gas discovery in the block A-1 and A-3 gas fields in the Bay of Bengal in Rakhaine Province, which is adjacent to Bangladesh. Disturbing part is, Bangladesh hardly knew that Myanmar has claimed certain blocks that are overlapping with their blocks in the Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ] areas, which they have claimed in 1974. Bangladesh claimed in 2006, that Myanmar had encroached 18,000 square kilometers into Bangladesh waters and floated gas exploration tenders. The first round of talks between Myanmar and Bangladesh took place in April 2008, which was ended inconclusively without making any significant progress in resolving the issue. There seems to be a strong feeling that Bangladesh should have registered their strongest protest against Myanmar´s exploration in A-1, A-3 and India´s exploration in D-22 and 23, like India had done in 1974 and again in 2008 against Bangladesh.
In 1974, Bangladesh was the first country among the South Asian countries which declared its jurisdictions on territorial waters, economic zones, and continental shelf through a national legislation in the parliament, known as the Territorial and Maritime Zones Act 1974. Regarding the maritime boundary issue, Bangladesh had a negotiation with both India and Myanmar commenced in 1974 and since then, there were series of meetings with the representatives of both countries in the intervening years. Later, negotiations were held with India in 1982 and with Myanmar in 1986 and recently during 2008. However, negotiations remained inconclusive with both India and Myanmar.
In the case of Bangladesh, India and Myanmar, the problem arose when they have taken different approach to demarcate their maritime boundary; because of which, India and Bangladesh bilateral talk´s became inconclusive. India offers the equidistant principle as the basis for demarcating maritime boundary, where on Bangladesh favours a principle based on equity, which actually resulted in an area of overlap between them. The same difference in arguments rendered Bangladesh-Myanmar talks inconclusive as well. But, India and Myanmar [opposite States] agreed upon equidistant boundary among themselves on 23rd December 1986 through an agreement, which came into force on 14th September 1987.
According to the UNCLOS- Part V, any such dispute between any two countries should be resolved on the basis of equity and in the light of all the relevant circumstances, taking into account the respective importance of the interests involved to the parties as well as to the international community as a whole. Article 15 says, Delimitation of the territorial sea between States with opposite or adjacent coastsiv are:
"Where the coasts of two States are opposite or adjacent to each other, neither of the two States is entitled, failing agreement between them to the contrary, to extend its territorial sea beyond the median line every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial seas of each of the two States is measured. The above provision does not apply, however, where it is necessary by reason of historic title or other special circumstances to delimit the territorial seas of the two States in a way which is at variance therewith."
It is clarified that if no treaty exists otherwise [as in case of India-Bangladesh], the equidistant line should be considered as boundary. There is no historic title, nor special circumstances that exist between these two countries. No official stay order was also issued from ICJ [International Court of Justice] on this dispute. Hence, technically Indian claim gets priority over the Bangladesh claim since the former follows the equidistant principle. Assuming that India does not intrude beyond the equidistant line, it is difficult to find technical fault from Indian perspective. There has been no official complain against India lodged in ICJ as well. A similar action by Myanmar few months back sparked enmity between the nations. It should be noted that Bangladesh needs to file the claim to UN by July 27, 2011, a failure of which would enable India and Myanmar to go ahead with their lines of demarcation.
However, the Articles 76 and 82 of the 1982 UNCLOS lay down the methods of delimitation of sea boundary between adjacent states [distinct from opposite states, such as Sri Lanka and India]. According to these articles, first the states shall settle the boundary through negotiations. If negotiations fail, the principle of equity will apply, implying that justice and fairness must be the hallmark of settlement. Main argument is, delimitation of sea boundary between two adjacent states, such as Bangladesh and India, is different from that of opposite states such as India and Sri Lanka or Australia and Indonesia.
The "equidistant method" that is applicable between the opposite countries in respect of delimitation of Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ] and Continental Shelf cannot be invoked to draw the sea boundary between adjacent countries as it disregards the physical features of coastal areas and does not achieve "an equitable solution" as mandated by the UN Convention. If this method is applied, the boundary between adjacent countries will be unfair, distorted and inequitable. Therefore, sea boundary of Bangladesh with its adjacent neighbours requires to be drawn in terms of the provisions of the UN Convention so as to achieve "an equitable solution".
The unresolved martime boundary issue has surely put Dhaka, New Delhi and Yangoon in a kind of ´cold war´ situation. Sensing Dhaka´s initiatives in knocking the doors of United Nations in seeing resolution to the decade-old dispute, both New Delhi and Yangoon have started mobilizing all out diplomatic efforts in raising their voice in favor of their claim on the maritime boundary in Bay of Bengal. In this case, New Delhi will also be able to mobilize its friendly allies in the West as well take the support from Western media, as it enjoys a reputation of being a secular democratic nation in South Asia. On the other hand, Myanmar is considered to be a country ruled by autocratic military junta and Bangladesh a country, till now failing to combat rise of Islamist militancy. Naturally, the entire situation puts New Delhi rather in an advantageous situation. Now it is very important to watch the final fate of Dhaka´s efforts in settling the long-dtanding dispute. Surely, this may either end in a all party acceptable conclusion, or may further generate tension amongst the three South Asian nations.
Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
October 14, 2009
On Thursday [October 8, 2009], Bangladesh has served legal notive on India and Myanmar to settle the disputes over maritime boundary claims before a United Nations [UN] tribunals as it decided to take the issue to a compulsory arbitration under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Disputes over the territorial waters amongst the three countries are preventing Bangladesh from extracting marine resources and establishing its sovereignty in the Bay of Bengal.
Bangladesh is yet to delimit its maritime boundary with its neighbours in Bay of Bengal, that is Myanmar on eastern side and India on its western side. Myanmar and India agreed on maritime territory between themselves but they need to solve the maritime boundary issues with Bangladesh. During the last quarter of 2008, this problem gained momentum in the area near 50 nautical miles southwest of the St. Martin Island when Myanmar sent four offshore exploration vessels [2 Bahamas registered and 2 Belize registered] escorted by 2 naval ships to facilitate the South Korean Daewoo Company to explore the oil and gas resources. The situation become complicated when the Bangladesh Navy also positioned three ships at the spot after the Myanmar side reportedly began oil and gas exploration in that area. Despite protests by Bangladesh, citing sovereignty issues, the Myanmar government said that it would continue exploration in the Bay of Bengal. It stopped the oil and gas exploration in deep-sea blocks in disputed waters, a day after Bangladesh asked China to mediate the issue. Myanmar however has claimed that withdrawal was not because of the Bangladesh request; apparently the South Korean company had completed its seismic survey in Block AD-7. Although the tension has slowed down, the crisis is yet to be solved.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS] 1982, a nation can claims 12 nautical miles of territorial sea, 200 nautical miles of Exclusive Economic Zone, and 350 nautical miles of continental shelf. Generally a state´s EEZ extends to a distance of 200 nautical miles [370kms] out from its coast. However, in the case of Bangladesh, India and Myanmar, the situation became difficult as coasts of these countries follow a curve which has led overaping of territory. Yet, neither party was interested to take it to UN, nor did they agree for joint survey mechanism, that India follows with Pakistan. Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS] Bangladesh too has to file its claim by July 27, 2011.
Bangladesh´s foreign minister Dr. Dipu Moni told newsmen on October 8, 2009 that Dhaka has decided to go to the United Nations arbitration as negotiations with India and Myanmar in past 35 years failed to resolve the issue. Indian high commissioner Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty and Myanmar ambassador U Phae Thann Oo were called in to the foreign ministry earlier in the day and foreign secretary Mijarul Quayes handed the notifications to them pass it on to their governments.
The arbitration notifications were issued a day after prime minister Sheikh Hasina announced in the parliament her government´s decisive move towards exploring gas in the Bay and with the state-owned petroleum corporation, Petrobangla, holding negotiations with two international oil companies to award contracts for exploration.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said in the parliament, ´We want to solve the problems with neighbouring countries without any quarrel. Problems can be solved through discussions.´
Briefing reporters, the foreign minister said that the arbitration would be initiated before a United Nations tribunal to be constituted in accordance with the principles and rules of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS].
Bangladesh appointed British jurist Vaughn Lowe QC as its arbitrator to plead the country´s case at the world body. Bangladesh submitted the notifications of arbitration within weeks after agreeing to lease out three gas blocks in the Bay of Bengal to US company ConocoPhillips and Irish Tullow. ConocoPhillips, the third largest energy company in the US, will get deep-sea blocks 10 and 11 and shallow-sea block 5 will be awarded to Tullow. But India and Myanmar sent objections to ConocoPhillips asking the company not to explore the gas blocks 10 and 11, claiming that some parts of the blocks belonged to their respective territorial waters.
Foreign secretary Mijarul Quayes in a statement said the claims of Bangladesh´s neighbours had ´unfairly cut off a significant portion of our maritime area in the Bay of Bengal and prevented us from exploring and exploiting our oil and natural gas resources´.
The Bay of Bengal has become a lucrative territory for countries, especially after India's discovery of 100 trillion cubic feet of gas in 2005-06 and Myanmar's discovery of 7 trillion cubic feet of gas. According to British Petroleum, Myanmar has 21 Trillion Cubic Feet [TCF] of gas reserves, while Bangladesh has 13.77 TCF of gas. Most of them are located in the Bay of Bengali. However, except the discovery of Sangu gas field with about .848 TCF of recoverable gas, Bangladesh has not much of exploration on the five offshore blocks so farii. Bangladesh is very keen on utilizing its offshore reserves for the country´s development after they realized that existing gas reserves were smaller than anticipated and predicted that abundant oil & gas reserves are most likely to be present in the offshore region.
In Bangladesh, oil and gas is an economic resource and is vital for the survival of 150 million people living in an area of 147,000 sq km. Gas is a major source of revenue and employment for expanding their industrial growth. Bangladesh has recently been facing shortage of gas, currently produces 1750 million cubic feet of gas a day and faces a shortage of nearly 200 million cubic feet in its daily domestic consumptioniii. This situation exists despite the existence of hydrocarbon in Bangladesh. Generally wherever gas is found oil is also normally present in its lower strata provided certain geological conditions prevail. Thus, it is expected that the offshore area of Bangladesh may be rich in oil reserves.
For several years after taking the lead in 1974 for offshore exploration, Bangladesh hibernated while India and Myanmar aggressively explored and discovered significant petroleum resources. Under the New Exploration Licensing Policy, India offered 55 blocks [24 deepwater blocks beyond 400m bathymetry] to the International Oil Companies [IOCs] in the Bay of Bengal during 2006, which is now under exploration phase. Bangladesh has claimed that the map published by the country clearly showed that blocks D-23 [8,706 square kilo meter] and D-22 [7790 square kilo meter] have overlapped Bangladesh´s block 21 declared in 1991, which is technically very hard to prove.
On the other hand, Myanmar made significant gas discovery in the block A-1 and A-3 gas fields in the Bay of Bengal in Rakhaine Province, which is adjacent to Bangladesh. Disturbing part is, Bangladesh hardly knew that Myanmar has claimed certain blocks that are overlapping with their blocks in the Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ] areas, which they have claimed in 1974. Bangladesh claimed in 2006, that Myanmar had encroached 18,000 square kilometers into Bangladesh waters and floated gas exploration tenders. The first round of talks between Myanmar and Bangladesh took place in April 2008, which was ended inconclusively without making any significant progress in resolving the issue. There seems to be a strong feeling that Bangladesh should have registered their strongest protest against Myanmar´s exploration in A-1, A-3 and India´s exploration in D-22 and 23, like India had done in 1974 and again in 2008 against Bangladesh.
In 1974, Bangladesh was the first country among the South Asian countries which declared its jurisdictions on territorial waters, economic zones, and continental shelf through a national legislation in the parliament, known as the Territorial and Maritime Zones Act 1974. Regarding the maritime boundary issue, Bangladesh had a negotiation with both India and Myanmar commenced in 1974 and since then, there were series of meetings with the representatives of both countries in the intervening years. Later, negotiations were held with India in 1982 and with Myanmar in 1986 and recently during 2008. However, negotiations remained inconclusive with both India and Myanmar.
In the case of Bangladesh, India and Myanmar, the problem arose when they have taken different approach to demarcate their maritime boundary; because of which, India and Bangladesh bilateral talk´s became inconclusive. India offers the equidistant principle as the basis for demarcating maritime boundary, where on Bangladesh favours a principle based on equity, which actually resulted in an area of overlap between them. The same difference in arguments rendered Bangladesh-Myanmar talks inconclusive as well. But, India and Myanmar [opposite States] agreed upon equidistant boundary among themselves on 23rd December 1986 through an agreement, which came into force on 14th September 1987.
According to the UNCLOS- Part V, any such dispute between any two countries should be resolved on the basis of equity and in the light of all the relevant circumstances, taking into account the respective importance of the interests involved to the parties as well as to the international community as a whole. Article 15 says, Delimitation of the territorial sea between States with opposite or adjacent coastsiv are:
"Where the coasts of two States are opposite or adjacent to each other, neither of the two States is entitled, failing agreement between them to the contrary, to extend its territorial sea beyond the median line every point of which is equidistant from the nearest points on the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial seas of each of the two States is measured. The above provision does not apply, however, where it is necessary by reason of historic title or other special circumstances to delimit the territorial seas of the two States in a way which is at variance therewith."
It is clarified that if no treaty exists otherwise [as in case of India-Bangladesh], the equidistant line should be considered as boundary. There is no historic title, nor special circumstances that exist between these two countries. No official stay order was also issued from ICJ [International Court of Justice] on this dispute. Hence, technically Indian claim gets priority over the Bangladesh claim since the former follows the equidistant principle. Assuming that India does not intrude beyond the equidistant line, it is difficult to find technical fault from Indian perspective. There has been no official complain against India lodged in ICJ as well. A similar action by Myanmar few months back sparked enmity between the nations. It should be noted that Bangladesh needs to file the claim to UN by July 27, 2011, a failure of which would enable India and Myanmar to go ahead with their lines of demarcation.
However, the Articles 76 and 82 of the 1982 UNCLOS lay down the methods of delimitation of sea boundary between adjacent states [distinct from opposite states, such as Sri Lanka and India]. According to these articles, first the states shall settle the boundary through negotiations. If negotiations fail, the principle of equity will apply, implying that justice and fairness must be the hallmark of settlement. Main argument is, delimitation of sea boundary between two adjacent states, such as Bangladesh and India, is different from that of opposite states such as India and Sri Lanka or Australia and Indonesia.
The "equidistant method" that is applicable between the opposite countries in respect of delimitation of Exclusive Economic Zone [EEZ] and Continental Shelf cannot be invoked to draw the sea boundary between adjacent countries as it disregards the physical features of coastal areas and does not achieve "an equitable solution" as mandated by the UN Convention. If this method is applied, the boundary between adjacent countries will be unfair, distorted and inequitable. Therefore, sea boundary of Bangladesh with its adjacent neighbours requires to be drawn in terms of the provisions of the UN Convention so as to achieve "an equitable solution".
The unresolved martime boundary issue has surely put Dhaka, New Delhi and Yangoon in a kind of ´cold war´ situation. Sensing Dhaka´s initiatives in knocking the doors of United Nations in seeing resolution to the decade-old dispute, both New Delhi and Yangoon have started mobilizing all out diplomatic efforts in raising their voice in favor of their claim on the maritime boundary in Bay of Bengal. In this case, New Delhi will also be able to mobilize its friendly allies in the West as well take the support from Western media, as it enjoys a reputation of being a secular democratic nation in South Asia. On the other hand, Myanmar is considered to be a country ruled by autocratic military junta and Bangladesh a country, till now failing to combat rise of Islamist militancy. Naturally, the entire situation puts New Delhi rather in an advantageous situation. Now it is very important to watch the final fate of Dhaka´s efforts in settling the long-dtanding dispute. Surely, this may either end in a all party acceptable conclusion, or may further generate tension amongst the three South Asian nations.
****************************************************************
bdnews24.com - Tuku rules out cause for jitters about Myanmar moves
Wed, Oct 14th, 2009 3:20 pm BdST
Dhaka, Oct 14 (bdnews24.com)--Bangladesh should not be worried about the recent activities of neighbouring Myanmar along the frontiers, the state minister for home said on Wednesday.
"There is nothing to panic about Myanmar. But there should be some cautions," Shamsul Haq Tuku said while exchanging views with journalists at his office.
The government is vigilant and alert to tackle any situation, he said.
The state minister referred to the erection of barbed-wire fence and mobilisation of troops along the border within the Myanmar territory.
"The duty of the government is to safeguard sovereignty and law and order of the country. It is working with caution to tackle the situation by observing the overall condition," Tuku said.
Foreign minister Dipu Moni said on Sunday Myanmar was constructing fence inside their territory conforming to international laws.
She also rejected the media reports of heavy mobilisation of troops along Bangladesh-Myanmar border across Cox's Bazaar district.
Asked whether there is any quarter inside the government linked to the militants, Tuku said: "The government will take stern action against anybody found having any link with militancy."
"The government is determined to root out militancy. It will continue with its efforts," he said.
Curbing and uprooting of militancy is an ongoing process, the junior minister said.
"The law enforcers are taking necessary steps from their own position," he said.
A motivation committee was formed in April after the government came to office in January to create public awareness against militancy.
The committee has conducted a number of campaigns to create public awareness.
Wed, Oct 14th, 2009 3:20 pm BdST
Dhaka, Oct 14 (bdnews24.com)--Bangladesh should not be worried about the recent activities of neighbouring Myanmar along the frontiers, the state minister for home said on Wednesday.
"There is nothing to panic about Myanmar. But there should be some cautions," Shamsul Haq Tuku said while exchanging views with journalists at his office.
The government is vigilant and alert to tackle any situation, he said.
The state minister referred to the erection of barbed-wire fence and mobilisation of troops along the border within the Myanmar territory.
"The duty of the government is to safeguard sovereignty and law and order of the country. It is working with caution to tackle the situation by observing the overall condition," Tuku said.
Foreign minister Dipu Moni said on Sunday Myanmar was constructing fence inside their territory conforming to international laws.
She also rejected the media reports of heavy mobilisation of troops along Bangladesh-Myanmar border across Cox's Bazaar district.
Asked whether there is any quarter inside the government linked to the militants, Tuku said: "The government will take stern action against anybody found having any link with militancy."
"The government is determined to root out militancy. It will continue with its efforts," he said.
Curbing and uprooting of militancy is an ongoing process, the junior minister said.
"The law enforcers are taking necessary steps from their own position," he said.
A motivation committee was formed in April after the government came to office in January to create public awareness against militancy.
The committee has conducted a number of campaigns to create public awareness.
****************************************************************
The New Nation - A fight for equitable right in the sea
Dr. Md. Shairul Mashreque
Internet Edition. October 14, 2009, Updated: Bangladesh Time 12:00 AM
Bi-lateral relations with India and Myanmar are about to take a new turn. The government of Bangngladesh under compelling circumstances has taken recourse to settlement of the maritime border impasse through arbitration.
"The Indian High Commissioner and the Myanmar Ambassador were summoned to the Foreign Ministry and handed the notifications to pass on to their governments'" "This initiated the arbitration before a tribunal at the United Nations to be constituted in accordance with the principles and rules of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Bangladesh, India and Myanmar are parties to this Convention"
With this bold and laudable move the process of settling maritime boundary dispute is gaining momentum. The government is going for arbitration under international sea laws. Claim on legitimate share of sea and sea resources is thus asserted with a seemingly high spirit of patriotism and unequivocal commitment to state sovereignty.
Of course the government has taken a serious note of long standing issue like demarcation of coastal border in Bay of Bengal that it shares with India and Myanmar. Bangladesh government desired an amicable settlement of the problem that has been engendering a situation of confrontation rather than co-operation. A host of moves through diplomatic channel at the bi-lateral level intended to arrive at an understanding in accordance with the provisions of UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea (1982) ended in a fiasco. Besides there were several exchange of pleasantries among the diplomats of the three countries without any desired outcome. Some of the provisions relating to this convention are territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, sea bed, archipelagic waters, open sea, deep sea and continental shelf.
The issue has long been taken up with due seriousness so far Bangladesh is concerned. There are conflicting claims hovering around maritime boundary of three blocks 'earmarked for oil and gas exploitation in the deep bay'. Despite repeated warning of Bangladesh government that consequence could not be avoided India and Myanmar continue to ride roughshod over Bangladesh rights to sea and sea .'Disagreement has surfaced over three blocks India has claimed that two blocks,5 and 10 have overlapped their maritime boundary and Myanmar made the same claim on block 11'. It was important that Bangladesh negotiated with the two countries as it has 'equity distance with the close neighbors'
It goes without saying that Bangladesh has good relations with India and Myanmar-its 'immediate neighbors'. But there are awe fully stupendous problems with differing perspectives, conflicting interests and trade off amid clash and blame game.
Mentionably Indo-Bangla diplomatic interface as a relational matrix is not only a case in point; it is a point in itself. India has long been relishing an apparently domineering orientation to diplomatic relations with its neighbor straining its points on all strategic issues like border, trade, common rivers and sea that has caused jitters among the bordering small states especially Bangladesh. Recently its move to construct Tipai Mukh Dam has sparked a furor among think tanks and civil societies in Bangladesh. Experts believe that construction of Tipai Mukh barrage will spell disaster not only for Bangladesh but also for Indian localities near the Dam. An expert opines that Indian mega project designed to connect 'nearly 30 rivers within its territory indicates that New Delhi is pursuing 'harmone doctrine' which is a maligned one saying that 'nations have absolute sovereignty over water within border and no obligation to share it with downstream neighbors'
What matters much is big brotherly attitude of India. SAARC spirit is a mere rhetoric as India has the tendency to pursue its course muscling out militarily small and weak states. SAARC 'started with a limited charter under a cloud of suspicion.' So SAARC mechanism can hardly be used to address irritants in bilateral relation including river and maritime border issues.
However protection our maritime boundary rights through arbitration does not rule out the possibility negotiation. As foreign secretary said, 'country needed to negotiate with India as we have equity distance over maritime boundary with the neighbouring country. Bangladesh would seek equitable right in the sea in future through negotiations.
Of recent the government has approved a proposal on 'leasing out blocks5, 10, and 11 to ConocoPhilips and Tullow Oil for offshore oil and gas exploitation'. 'Bangladesh with about 15 trillion cubic feet (425 billion cubic metres) of proven and recoverable gas reserves is currently facing around 100 million cubic feet of gas shortage a day'.'
||The arbitration notification was issued after the prime minister announced in parliament the government move towards gas exploitation in the Bay'
Nevertheless there remains an apprehension that establishing sea rights through arbitration may strain friendly relations with India and Myanmar. Some may contend that arbitration contradicts the notion of a peaceful and tranquil maritime border through dialogue and negotiation and the process itself is lengthy. So further development at the diplomatic level in this direction should be examined with a good deal of circumspection considering the circumference of Indian influence. Realism of capacity building at the bilateral or tripartite points should be reflected in statesmanship and diplomatic finesse. It is necessary to iron out the differences at the bilateral meetings. Srategy choice must be critically examined. Otherwise any action based on emotion may harbour mutual suspicion and hatred.
However the challenge ahead is really a tough one. Yet Bangladesh will fight the legal battle on moral and rational grounds to thwart any malevolent external design. Such a courageous venture will come out a success in the long run.
Dr. Md. Shairul Mashreque
Internet Edition. October 14, 2009, Updated: Bangladesh Time 12:00 AM
Bi-lateral relations with India and Myanmar are about to take a new turn. The government of Bangngladesh under compelling circumstances has taken recourse to settlement of the maritime border impasse through arbitration.
"The Indian High Commissioner and the Myanmar Ambassador were summoned to the Foreign Ministry and handed the notifications to pass on to their governments'" "This initiated the arbitration before a tribunal at the United Nations to be constituted in accordance with the principles and rules of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Bangladesh, India and Myanmar are parties to this Convention"
With this bold and laudable move the process of settling maritime boundary dispute is gaining momentum. The government is going for arbitration under international sea laws. Claim on legitimate share of sea and sea resources is thus asserted with a seemingly high spirit of patriotism and unequivocal commitment to state sovereignty.
Of course the government has taken a serious note of long standing issue like demarcation of coastal border in Bay of Bengal that it shares with India and Myanmar. Bangladesh government desired an amicable settlement of the problem that has been engendering a situation of confrontation rather than co-operation. A host of moves through diplomatic channel at the bi-lateral level intended to arrive at an understanding in accordance with the provisions of UN Convention on the Laws of the Sea (1982) ended in a fiasco. Besides there were several exchange of pleasantries among the diplomats of the three countries without any desired outcome. Some of the provisions relating to this convention are territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, sea bed, archipelagic waters, open sea, deep sea and continental shelf.
The issue has long been taken up with due seriousness so far Bangladesh is concerned. There are conflicting claims hovering around maritime boundary of three blocks 'earmarked for oil and gas exploitation in the deep bay'. Despite repeated warning of Bangladesh government that consequence could not be avoided India and Myanmar continue to ride roughshod over Bangladesh rights to sea and sea .'Disagreement has surfaced over three blocks India has claimed that two blocks,5 and 10 have overlapped their maritime boundary and Myanmar made the same claim on block 11'. It was important that Bangladesh negotiated with the two countries as it has 'equity distance with the close neighbors'
It goes without saying that Bangladesh has good relations with India and Myanmar-its 'immediate neighbors'. But there are awe fully stupendous problems with differing perspectives, conflicting interests and trade off amid clash and blame game.
Mentionably Indo-Bangla diplomatic interface as a relational matrix is not only a case in point; it is a point in itself. India has long been relishing an apparently domineering orientation to diplomatic relations with its neighbor straining its points on all strategic issues like border, trade, common rivers and sea that has caused jitters among the bordering small states especially Bangladesh. Recently its move to construct Tipai Mukh Dam has sparked a furor among think tanks and civil societies in Bangladesh. Experts believe that construction of Tipai Mukh barrage will spell disaster not only for Bangladesh but also for Indian localities near the Dam. An expert opines that Indian mega project designed to connect 'nearly 30 rivers within its territory indicates that New Delhi is pursuing 'harmone doctrine' which is a maligned one saying that 'nations have absolute sovereignty over water within border and no obligation to share it with downstream neighbors'
What matters much is big brotherly attitude of India. SAARC spirit is a mere rhetoric as India has the tendency to pursue its course muscling out militarily small and weak states. SAARC 'started with a limited charter under a cloud of suspicion.' So SAARC mechanism can hardly be used to address irritants in bilateral relation including river and maritime border issues.
However protection our maritime boundary rights through arbitration does not rule out the possibility negotiation. As foreign secretary said, 'country needed to negotiate with India as we have equity distance over maritime boundary with the neighbouring country. Bangladesh would seek equitable right in the sea in future through negotiations.
Of recent the government has approved a proposal on 'leasing out blocks5, 10, and 11 to ConocoPhilips and Tullow Oil for offshore oil and gas exploitation'. 'Bangladesh with about 15 trillion cubic feet (425 billion cubic metres) of proven and recoverable gas reserves is currently facing around 100 million cubic feet of gas shortage a day'.'
||The arbitration notification was issued after the prime minister announced in parliament the government move towards gas exploitation in the Bay'
Nevertheless there remains an apprehension that establishing sea rights through arbitration may strain friendly relations with India and Myanmar. Some may contend that arbitration contradicts the notion of a peaceful and tranquil maritime border through dialogue and negotiation and the process itself is lengthy. So further development at the diplomatic level in this direction should be examined with a good deal of circumspection considering the circumference of Indian influence. Realism of capacity building at the bilateral or tripartite points should be reflected in statesmanship and diplomatic finesse. It is necessary to iron out the differences at the bilateral meetings. Srategy choice must be critically examined. Otherwise any action based on emotion may harbour mutual suspicion and hatred.
However the challenge ahead is really a tough one. Yet Bangladesh will fight the legal battle on moral and rational grounds to thwart any malevolent external design. Such a courageous venture will come out a success in the long run.
****************************************************************
Orillia Packet & Times - Burmese call for support
Posted By TEVIAH MORO, PACKET AND TIMES
Posted 1 day ago
Saw Blessing has been in Canada for nearly a decade but ties to his turbulent homeland haven't worn away.
Memories of his home in the eastern ethnic Karen state of Burma, officially known as Myanmar by its ruling junta, remain vivid.
"I miss it all the time. I miss my place, because we do have a nice home," says the 35-year-old Brampton truck driver.
But he won't go back.
"They can throw you in jail. They can do what they want, because in the jungle nobody knows. There are no journalists," said Blessing.
As a Karen, Blessing belongs to one of the ethnic minority groups that have borne the brunt of the military regime's iron fist.
Forced migrations, the destruction of villages, systematic rape and flying bullets have driven tens of thousands to refugee camps that line the Burmese border.
With elections coming up in 2010 -- and the faded hope the government will release democratic champion Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest -- activists are fearing even more catastrophe.
"We worry that there will be an increase of military attacks because of the 2010 election. The Burmese military plan to occupy all of the ethnic areas, and they will attack more, and therefore, people will suffer more," says Naw K'nyaw Paw.
Paw works at the Thai- Burmese helping refugees inside and outside of the poverty-stricken country of about 52 million.
Given the potential for increased violence, international funding for frontline aid agencies that operate along the border is crucial, says the 28- year-old Karen woman.
border Burma has experienced internal strife ever since it achieved independence from Britain in 1947.
After decades of struggles between the Burman majority and ethnic groups, Suu Kyi's National League of Democracy won the election of 1990.
But the ruling military regime didn't allow Suu Kyi and her party to take power.
Since then, the Nobel Peace Prize winner -- and daughter of national hero Gen. Aung San, who was assassinated in 1947 -- has spent most of her time in house arrest, despite international pressure to liberate her.
Over the decades, the Karen and other ethnic groups have waged an armed struggle against the regime.
Paw, who advocates globally for the Karen Women's Organization, recently travelled to Ottawa with three other Burmese aid workers to push for nding.
"We feel that the (Canadian) political parties are very supportive of our program," she said during an interview at York University, where she attended a conference on the topic of Burmese ethnicities.
A five-year $12.6-million program for aid efforts at the Burmese border administered by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is set to run out in March.
Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis, who worked with Canada's Burmese community to help victims of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, calls the funding a "drop the in the bucket."
Though the cyclone made headlines last year, Burma's struggle for democracy has since faded from the spotlight, Karygiannis said.
"So Burma is not on the horizon. It's not on the radar screen. And we've got to make sure it's on the radar screen."
Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton, a member of the Parliamentary Friends of Burma, is confident the CIDA funding will be renewed.
"I have no reason to expect that this won't continue," Stanton said.
Canada has a strong track record of supporting democratic and humanitarian causes in Burma, he said.
"There's no sign to suggest that the urgent needs there are going to subside," Stanton added.
The CIDA cash has helped fund myriad services for displaced Burmese, including a medical clinic for migrants and refugees at Mae Sot, Thailand.
Dr. Cynthia Maung, who has run the Mae Tao Clinic for two decades, says workers treated 100,000 people there last year.
Maung, internationally recognized for her humanitarian efforts, links health problems directly to human rights violations.
"Because of forced labour, forced relocation and military violence, all the diseases are widespread, like malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, diarrhea," said Maung.
Like Paw, Maung expects the number of Burmese fleeing to Thailand to increase over the next few months, adding to the already two million estimated to be living there illegally.
"The Canadian government should continue pressuring the Burmese military regime to stop the human rights violations on the border as well as working with the neighbouring countries to help the displaced population while they are suffering."
Project Umbrella Burma, a grassroots effort based in the Orillia area, has supported Maung's clinic and refugees for eight years.
The project, which raises funds for aid efforts at the border, also exports Orillia-area doctors to the clinic and teachers to a college.
Catherine Downham, the charity's chief operating officer, hopes Canada continues to show support for relief efforts.
"There are 150 reasons why Canada should continue the aid. They're doing a lot of good and they should continue to do it."
Downham, a retired teacher who's heading to Thailand later this month for an extended stay in Mae Sot and environs, is also among those who worry what next year's election will bring.
"I think there's going to be a lot of violence."
Bl e s s i n g says fighting convinced him to leave Burma in hopes of a better life.
His late father's political ties also made his family a target, he says.
"That's why we are forced to stay in refugee camps," said Blessing.
At a camp near Mae Sot, Blessing was able to study high school, something he might not have done in Burma.
After a long journey that first took him to Bangkok for a few years, he's made a life in Canada.
"Now I have two kids," he says with a smile. "I am a family man."
Posted By TEVIAH MORO, PACKET AND TIMES
Posted 1 day ago
Saw Blessing has been in Canada for nearly a decade but ties to his turbulent homeland haven't worn away.
Memories of his home in the eastern ethnic Karen state of Burma, officially known as Myanmar by its ruling junta, remain vivid.
"I miss it all the time. I miss my place, because we do have a nice home," says the 35-year-old Brampton truck driver.
But he won't go back.
"They can throw you in jail. They can do what they want, because in the jungle nobody knows. There are no journalists," said Blessing.
As a Karen, Blessing belongs to one of the ethnic minority groups that have borne the brunt of the military regime's iron fist.
Forced migrations, the destruction of villages, systematic rape and flying bullets have driven tens of thousands to refugee camps that line the Burmese border.
With elections coming up in 2010 -- and the faded hope the government will release democratic champion Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest -- activists are fearing even more catastrophe.
"We worry that there will be an increase of military attacks because of the 2010 election. The Burmese military plan to occupy all of the ethnic areas, and they will attack more, and therefore, people will suffer more," says Naw K'nyaw Paw.
Paw works at the Thai- Burmese helping refugees inside and outside of the poverty-stricken country of about 52 million.
Given the potential for increased violence, international funding for frontline aid agencies that operate along the border is crucial, says the 28- year-old Karen woman.
border Burma has experienced internal strife ever since it achieved independence from Britain in 1947.
After decades of struggles between the Burman majority and ethnic groups, Suu Kyi's National League of Democracy won the election of 1990.
But the ruling military regime didn't allow Suu Kyi and her party to take power.
Since then, the Nobel Peace Prize winner -- and daughter of national hero Gen. Aung San, who was assassinated in 1947 -- has spent most of her time in house arrest, despite international pressure to liberate her.
Over the decades, the Karen and other ethnic groups have waged an armed struggle against the regime.
Paw, who advocates globally for the Karen Women's Organization, recently travelled to Ottawa with three other Burmese aid workers to push for nding.
"We feel that the (Canadian) political parties are very supportive of our program," she said during an interview at York University, where she attended a conference on the topic of Burmese ethnicities.
A five-year $12.6-million program for aid efforts at the Burmese border administered by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is set to run out in March.
Liberal MP Jim Karygiannis, who worked with Canada's Burmese community to help victims of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008, calls the funding a "drop the in the bucket."
Though the cyclone made headlines last year, Burma's struggle for democracy has since faded from the spotlight, Karygiannis said.
"So Burma is not on the horizon. It's not on the radar screen. And we've got to make sure it's on the radar screen."
Simcoe North MP Bruce Stanton, a member of the Parliamentary Friends of Burma, is confident the CIDA funding will be renewed.
"I have no reason to expect that this won't continue," Stanton said.
Canada has a strong track record of supporting democratic and humanitarian causes in Burma, he said.
"There's no sign to suggest that the urgent needs there are going to subside," Stanton added.
The CIDA cash has helped fund myriad services for displaced Burmese, including a medical clinic for migrants and refugees at Mae Sot, Thailand.
Dr. Cynthia Maung, who has run the Mae Tao Clinic for two decades, says workers treated 100,000 people there last year.
Maung, internationally recognized for her humanitarian efforts, links health problems directly to human rights violations.
"Because of forced labour, forced relocation and military violence, all the diseases are widespread, like malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, diarrhea," said Maung.
Like Paw, Maung expects the number of Burmese fleeing to Thailand to increase over the next few months, adding to the already two million estimated to be living there illegally.
"The Canadian government should continue pressuring the Burmese military regime to stop the human rights violations on the border as well as working with the neighbouring countries to help the displaced population while they are suffering."
Project Umbrella Burma, a grassroots effort based in the Orillia area, has supported Maung's clinic and refugees for eight years.
The project, which raises funds for aid efforts at the border, also exports Orillia-area doctors to the clinic and teachers to a college.
Catherine Downham, the charity's chief operating officer, hopes Canada continues to show support for relief efforts.
"There are 150 reasons why Canada should continue the aid. They're doing a lot of good and they should continue to do it."
Downham, a retired teacher who's heading to Thailand later this month for an extended stay in Mae Sot and environs, is also among those who worry what next year's election will bring.
"I think there's going to be a lot of violence."
Bl e s s i n g says fighting convinced him to leave Burma in hopes of a better life.
His late father's political ties also made his family a target, he says.
"That's why we are forced to stay in refugee camps," said Blessing.
At a camp near Mae Sot, Blessing was able to study high school, something he might not have done in Burma.
After a long journey that first took him to Bangkok for a few years, he's made a life in Canada.
"Now I have two kids," he says with a smile. "I am a family man."
****************************************************************
October 13, 2009 11:48 AM
Myanmar Surgeons Successfully Separate Conjoined Twin
YANGON, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Myanmar surgeons have successfully performed a surgical operation to separate a conjoined twin last weekend for the fourth time in two decades, China's Xinhua news agency reported quoting sources with the Yangon Children's Hospital as saying on Tuesday.
The surgical operation was launched on Saturday on the twin girls, So Pyay Lin and So Pyay Win, whose chests were joined together.
The twin were healthy after the operation, the sources said.
During the past 20 years or more, Myanmar had successfully performed operations on renal transplant and crushed arm replanting in addition to conjoined twins.
In August 2004, Myanmar marked its successful liver transplant for the first time.
In July this year, Myanmar specialists successfully transplanted an artificial aorta into a patient with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm at the hospital in the new capital of Nay Pyi Taw. The surgical operation was carried out on a male patient, U Than Kyaw, 68, by seven Myanmar specialists on complaint of a pain in the patient's abdomen.
It was followed by the 13th successful transplant of a kidney into a young woman at Yangon General Hospital in September the same year.
The kidney, taken out from a 20-year-old donor Ma San Hti Bwa, was transplanted into her elder sister patient Ma San Phaung Bwa aged 23 with the two operations lasting a total of nearly seven hours.
The recipient's two kidneys were damaged by 80 percent and her younger sister donated one of her two kidneys, earlier report said.
Myanmar started successful kidney transplant operations in 1997.
Myanmar Surgeons Successfully Separate Conjoined Twin
YANGON, Oct 13 (Bernama) -- Myanmar surgeons have successfully performed a surgical operation to separate a conjoined twin last weekend for the fourth time in two decades, China's Xinhua news agency reported quoting sources with the Yangon Children's Hospital as saying on Tuesday.
The surgical operation was launched on Saturday on the twin girls, So Pyay Lin and So Pyay Win, whose chests were joined together.
The twin were healthy after the operation, the sources said.
During the past 20 years or more, Myanmar had successfully performed operations on renal transplant and crushed arm replanting in addition to conjoined twins.
In August 2004, Myanmar marked its successful liver transplant for the first time.
In July this year, Myanmar specialists successfully transplanted an artificial aorta into a patient with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm at the hospital in the new capital of Nay Pyi Taw. The surgical operation was carried out on a male patient, U Than Kyaw, 68, by seven Myanmar specialists on complaint of a pain in the patient's abdomen.
It was followed by the 13th successful transplant of a kidney into a young woman at Yangon General Hospital in September the same year.
The kidney, taken out from a 20-year-old donor Ma San Hti Bwa, was transplanted into her elder sister patient Ma San Phaung Bwa aged 23 with the two operations lasting a total of nearly seven hours.
The recipient's two kidneys were damaged by 80 percent and her younger sister donated one of her two kidneys, earlier report said.
Myanmar started successful kidney transplant operations in 1997.
****************************************************************
Adventist News Network - Report Targets World's Worst Religious Freedom Violators
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has identified 12 countries as the world's worst violators of religious liberty. A report released September 30 named China, India, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Myanmar (formerly Burma), North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan,...
8 Oct 2002,
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has identified 12 countries as the world's worst violators of religious liberty. A report released September 30 named China, India, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Myanmar (formerly Burma), North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam.
The Commission, an independent federal agency, is charged under U.S. law with designating countries who are engaged in, or who tolerate, particularly severe violations of religious freedom. Once identified as a "country of particular concern" (CPC) the law requires the president to take specific actions to oppose these violations.
According to the press release issued by the Commission, "the Commission found that in China, particularly severe violations have actually increased in the past year. The Chinese government has intensified its violent campaign of repression against Evangelical Christians, Roman Catholics, Uighur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, and groups--such as the Falun Gong--that have been labeled as 'evil cults.'"
Also singled out for specific mention are India, with severe violence against religious minorities; Pakistan, for failing adequately to protect religious minorities from sectarian violence; Vietnam for its repressive policies toward all religious believers; and Saudi Arabia.
"These findings by the Commission demonstrate the vital importance of maximizing support for religious freedom," says James Standish, U.S. government liaison for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. "We need to keep such human rights violations at the forefront, and to bring up these issues with government officials from these countries. We also need to encourage our elected representatives to place pressure--both economic and diplomatic--on these governments to cease such violations."
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has identified 12 countries as the world's worst violators of religious liberty. A report released September 30 named China, India, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Myanmar (formerly Burma), North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan,...
8 Oct 2002,
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has identified 12 countries as the world's worst violators of religious liberty. A report released September 30 named China, India, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Myanmar (formerly Burma), North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan, and Vietnam.
The Commission, an independent federal agency, is charged under U.S. law with designating countries who are engaged in, or who tolerate, particularly severe violations of religious freedom. Once identified as a "country of particular concern" (CPC) the law requires the president to take specific actions to oppose these violations.
According to the press release issued by the Commission, "the Commission found that in China, particularly severe violations have actually increased in the past year. The Chinese government has intensified its violent campaign of repression against Evangelical Christians, Roman Catholics, Uighur Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, and groups--such as the Falun Gong--that have been labeled as 'evil cults.'"
Also singled out for specific mention are India, with severe violence against religious minorities; Pakistan, for failing adequately to protect religious minorities from sectarian violence; Vietnam for its repressive policies toward all religious believers; and Saudi Arabia.
"These findings by the Commission demonstrate the vital importance of maximizing support for religious freedom," says James Standish, U.S. government liaison for the Seventh-day Adventist Church. "We need to keep such human rights violations at the forefront, and to bring up these issues with government officials from these countries. We also need to encourage our elected representatives to place pressure--both economic and diplomatic--on these governments to cease such violations."
****************************************************************
HRW award for poet, who ridiculed Than Shwe
by Myint Maung
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 22:12
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The imprisoned poet, who famously ridiculed the junta Supremo Senior Gen. Than Shwe, calling him ‘power crazy’ has been awarded the Hellman/Hammet prize by Human Rights Watch.
Saw Wei was selected for the prize by the New York-based group, among 37 writers from 19 countries for 2009.
The award is "in recognition of his commitment to free expression and courage in the face of political persecution," HRW said in its website.
“We are proud of Ko Saw Wei,” a family member from Rangoon told Mizzima over telephone. Saw Wei’s wife was not available as she was on her way to prison to meet her husband.
The Burma Media Association (BMA) has welcomed the award going to the Burmese poet.
“We are glad and welcome the news. We are proud of the poet. Ko Saw Wei exercised his right to freedom of expression bravely and was sent to prison,” BMA Secretary San Moe Wei, based in Thailand said.
The popular poem ‘February 14’ was published in a domestic weekly journal, ‘Ah Chit’ (Love). The word ‘power crazy Senior Gen. Than Shwe’ appeared when the first word of each stanza in the poem was pieced together.
The Burmese regime, which is known for its intolerance to criticism, arrested him and charged him under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which covers acts disrespecting the State. He was sentenced to two years in prison. He is being held in Yemethin prison in Mandalay.
The Hellman/Hammett prize was named after the American playwright Lillian Hellman. The prize is being awarded since 1989.
Aung Tun, the author of ‘History of Burmese Students Movement’ was awarded the prize in 1999.
by Myint Maung
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 22:12
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The imprisoned poet, who famously ridiculed the junta Supremo Senior Gen. Than Shwe, calling him ‘power crazy’ has been awarded the Hellman/Hammet prize by Human Rights Watch.
Saw Wei was selected for the prize by the New York-based group, among 37 writers from 19 countries for 2009.
The award is "in recognition of his commitment to free expression and courage in the face of political persecution," HRW said in its website.
“We are proud of Ko Saw Wei,” a family member from Rangoon told Mizzima over telephone. Saw Wei’s wife was not available as she was on her way to prison to meet her husband.
The Burma Media Association (BMA) has welcomed the award going to the Burmese poet.
“We are glad and welcome the news. We are proud of the poet. Ko Saw Wei exercised his right to freedom of expression bravely and was sent to prison,” BMA Secretary San Moe Wei, based in Thailand said.
The popular poem ‘February 14’ was published in a domestic weekly journal, ‘Ah Chit’ (Love). The word ‘power crazy Senior Gen. Than Shwe’ appeared when the first word of each stanza in the poem was pieced together.
The Burmese regime, which is known for its intolerance to criticism, arrested him and charged him under Section 505(b) of the Penal Code, which covers acts disrespecting the State. He was sentenced to two years in prison. He is being held in Yemethin prison in Mandalay.
The Hellman/Hammett prize was named after the American playwright Lillian Hellman. The prize is being awarded since 1989.
Aung Tun, the author of ‘History of Burmese Students Movement’ was awarded the prize in 1999.
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EU diplomats meet NLD leaders
by Mungpi
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 18:49
New Delhi (Mizzima) - A delegation of European Union diplomats on Wednesday met leaders of Burma’s opposition party – the National League for Democracy – wanting to know its stand on the ruling junta’s planned 2010 elections.
Khin Maung Swe, a central executive committee member of the NLD said, the delegation, comprising 20 diplomats, visited the NLD office in West Shwegondine Street and asked how the NLD views Aung San Suu Kyi’s cooperation to help ease sanctions, and whether the NLD is seeking power-sharing with the junta in making a demand to revise the 2008 constitution.
“Our reply is that we are not seeking for power-sharing, but are demanding a revision of the 2008 constitution, so the political process can be broad based and inclusive,” Khin Maung Swe told Mizzima
“We are not demanding power, we are asking the government to ensure that the constitution guarantees the people their rights,” Khin Maung Swe told Mizzima.
The diplomats, from Bangkok’s Swedish Embassy, Rangoon’s British, Italy, German and French embassies, according to Khin Maung Swe, were mainly visiting the office to seek information that may help shape the European Union’s common position on Burma.
EU, like the United States, has maintained sanctions against Burma’s ruling junta and in April extended its sanctions for another year.
“We believe that the visit was part of the EU’s effort to find useful information in helping Burma to achieve democracy,” the NLD leader said.
The EU delegation’s visit came days after the visit by diplomats of US, UK and Australia to the NLD office. On Friday, US, UK and Australian diplomats met detained party leader Aung San SUu Kyi and also met the NLD CEC.
Welcoming the EU delegation’s visit Khin Maung Swe said, “We are glad that the EU and the international community are taking interest in the Burma issue. We would like to urge all to take further action for Burma to achieve democracy.”
by Mungpi
Wednesday, 14 October 2009 18:49
New Delhi (Mizzima) - A delegation of European Union diplomats on Wednesday met leaders of Burma’s opposition party – the National League for Democracy – wanting to know its stand on the ruling junta’s planned 2010 elections.
Khin Maung Swe, a central executive committee member of the NLD said, the delegation, comprising 20 diplomats, visited the NLD office in West Shwegondine Street and asked how the NLD views Aung San Suu Kyi’s cooperation to help ease sanctions, and whether the NLD is seeking power-sharing with the junta in making a demand to revise the 2008 constitution.
“Our reply is that we are not seeking for power-sharing, but are demanding a revision of the 2008 constitution, so the political process can be broad based and inclusive,” Khin Maung Swe told Mizzima
“We are not demanding power, we are asking the government to ensure that the constitution guarantees the people their rights,” Khin Maung Swe told Mizzima.
The diplomats, from Bangkok’s Swedish Embassy, Rangoon’s British, Italy, German and French embassies, according to Khin Maung Swe, were mainly visiting the office to seek information that may help shape the European Union’s common position on Burma.
EU, like the United States, has maintained sanctions against Burma’s ruling junta and in April extended its sanctions for another year.
“We believe that the visit was part of the EU’s effort to find useful information in helping Burma to achieve democracy,” the NLD leader said.
The EU delegation’s visit came days after the visit by diplomats of US, UK and Australia to the NLD office. On Friday, US, UK and Australian diplomats met detained party leader Aung San SUu Kyi and also met the NLD CEC.
Welcoming the EU delegation’s visit Khin Maung Swe said, “We are glad that the EU and the international community are taking interest in the Burma issue. We would like to urge all to take further action for Burma to achieve democracy.”
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The Irrawaddy - 11 Political Activists Sentenced at Insein Prison
By KO HTWE, Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Eleven political activists, including one Buddhist monk, were sentenced to between five and 10 years on Tuesday at Rangoon Northern District Court in Insein Prison.
The court also passed down a sentence in absentia on two monks, Ashin Pyinnya Jota and Ashin Sandardika, from the All Burma Monks’ Alliance, who have fled abroad.
Sources close to prison authorities in Insein told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that Ashin Sandimar (aka Tun Naung), Kyaw Zin Min (aka Zaw Moe), Wunna Nwe and Zin Min Shein were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for violating the Explosives Law (Section 3) and the Unlawful Association Law (Section 6).
Meanwhile, Saw Maung, Aung Moe Lwin, Moe Htet Nay, Tun Lin Aung, Zaw Latt, Naing Win and Tun Lin Oo were sentenced to five years for violating Section 6.
In 2008, Ashin Sandimar, Wunna Nwe and Saw Maung were sentenced to eight years imprisonment for violating the Immigration Act (13/1) and the Illegal Organization Act (17/1), while Zin Min Shein and Tun Lwin Aung are already serving 13-year sentences for other offences related to political activities.
Therefore, Ashin Sandimar, Wunna Nwe and Tun Lwin Aung have now been convicted and sentenced to 18 years each, while Saw Maung has received 13 years, and Zin Min Shein a total of 23 years.
Bo Kyi, the joint-secretary of the Thailand-based rights group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), said, “We can say with certainty there was no free and fair verdict. They [the activists] were tortured during interrogation and were forced to admit violating these acts.”
Sources have said that some of the activists—perhaps even some of those already behind bars—tried to organize demonstrations on the second anniversary of the Saffron Revolution in September, but the authorities caught them and accused them of belonging to illegal organizations, of being terrorists, and of planning to create unrest.
Meanwhile, Burmese-American activist Nyi Nyi Aung (aka Kyaw Zaw Lwin), who was arrested in early September at Rangoon Airport, appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday.
“He has been accused of violating the Cheating Offence - Section 420, and forgery,” said his lawyer, Nyan Win.
Shortly after the arrest of Nyi Nyi Aung, 16 ethnic Arakan youths were arrested—seven in Rangoon and the others in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State. They were accused of maintaining links with the Thailand-based All Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress.
According to Assistance Association for Political Prisoner (Burma), 2,119 political prisoners are being held in prisons across the country.
By KO HTWE, Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Eleven political activists, including one Buddhist monk, were sentenced to between five and 10 years on Tuesday at Rangoon Northern District Court in Insein Prison.
The court also passed down a sentence in absentia on two monks, Ashin Pyinnya Jota and Ashin Sandardika, from the All Burma Monks’ Alliance, who have fled abroad.
Sources close to prison authorities in Insein told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday that Ashin Sandimar (aka Tun Naung), Kyaw Zin Min (aka Zaw Moe), Wunna Nwe and Zin Min Shein were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for violating the Explosives Law (Section 3) and the Unlawful Association Law (Section 6).
Meanwhile, Saw Maung, Aung Moe Lwin, Moe Htet Nay, Tun Lin Aung, Zaw Latt, Naing Win and Tun Lin Oo were sentenced to five years for violating Section 6.
In 2008, Ashin Sandimar, Wunna Nwe and Saw Maung were sentenced to eight years imprisonment for violating the Immigration Act (13/1) and the Illegal Organization Act (17/1), while Zin Min Shein and Tun Lwin Aung are already serving 13-year sentences for other offences related to political activities.
Therefore, Ashin Sandimar, Wunna Nwe and Tun Lwin Aung have now been convicted and sentenced to 18 years each, while Saw Maung has received 13 years, and Zin Min Shein a total of 23 years.
Bo Kyi, the joint-secretary of the Thailand-based rights group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), said, “We can say with certainty there was no free and fair verdict. They [the activists] were tortured during interrogation and were forced to admit violating these acts.”
Sources have said that some of the activists—perhaps even some of those already behind bars—tried to organize demonstrations on the second anniversary of the Saffron Revolution in September, but the authorities caught them and accused them of belonging to illegal organizations, of being terrorists, and of planning to create unrest.
Meanwhile, Burmese-American activist Nyi Nyi Aung (aka Kyaw Zaw Lwin), who was arrested in early September at Rangoon Airport, appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday.
“He has been accused of violating the Cheating Offence - Section 420, and forgery,” said his lawyer, Nyan Win.
Shortly after the arrest of Nyi Nyi Aung, 16 ethnic Arakan youths were arrested—seven in Rangoon and the others in Sittwe, the capital of Arakan State. They were accused of maintaining links with the Thailand-based All Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress.
According to Assistance Association for Political Prisoner (Burma), 2,119 political prisoners are being held in prisons across the country.
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The Irrawaddy - Burmese Migrants Beaten, Arrested in China
By SAW YAN NAING, Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Chinese police have been cracking down recently on illegal Burmese migrant workers with beatings commonplace and about 50 migrants arrested every day, according to sources on the Sino-Burmese border.
The crackdown started around Sept. 25. Several detained migrants have alleged they were badly beaten and were charged 300 yuan (US $44) for their release. Immediately after their release, the Burmese migrants were forcibly repatriated, said the sources.
Ma Grang, a merchant in the Chinese border town of Ruili, said he met with a factory worker named Myo Win and his friend who claimed they were badly beaten by the Chinese police, and have since returned to Burma.
“They were beaten with batons on their back, legs and chest. I saw the bruises,” said Ma Grang. “Myo Win was not able to work for a few days.”
He said that Chinese police did not systematically beat up illegal Burmese migrant workers in the past.
“However, this time, they are treating the migrants brutally,” he said.
He added that Burmese migrant workers in Ruili—a border town in southwestern Yunnan Province which lies opposite the Burmese town of Muse—are currently living in fear and dare not go outside their living quarters.
Awng Wa, a source on the Sino-Burmese border, confirmed that the Chinese authorities had increased restrictions on migrating or visiting Burmese people.
In the past, Burmese people could cross the border and stay in Ruili for more than a week at a time. With the current crackdown, Burmese are only allowed to stay on Chinese soil for seven days. Anyone violating the rule is fined 600 yuan ($88), he said.
Sources in Ruili speculated that the police crackdown had been initiated to prevent the flow of illegal Burmese migrant workers into China. Others, however, claimed the Chinese were responding to attacks by Burmese government troops against ethnic Kokang and Han Chinese migrants in Burma in August.
During the Burmese government attacks, about 37,000 ethnic Kokang—who are widely considered to be ethnic Han Chinese—and first-generation Chinese migrants had to flee from Laogai in Burma across the Chinese border. Many Chinese reported that they had lost their businesses as a consequence.
An estimated 90 percent of businesses in Laogai are—or were—owned by Chinese businesspeople.
Ma Grang said many businessmen in Ruili have suggested that the crackdown against Burmese migrants is a reciprocal gesture because of what happened to Chinese people in Burma recently.
Awng Wa told The Irrawaddy he believed both motives were in play—the Chinese police were cracking down on Burmese in revenge for the Laogai seizure, and to curtail the number of migrants crossing into Yunnan Province, he said.
By SAW YAN NAING, Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Chinese police have been cracking down recently on illegal Burmese migrant workers with beatings commonplace and about 50 migrants arrested every day, according to sources on the Sino-Burmese border.
The crackdown started around Sept. 25. Several detained migrants have alleged they were badly beaten and were charged 300 yuan (US $44) for their release. Immediately after their release, the Burmese migrants were forcibly repatriated, said the sources.
Ma Grang, a merchant in the Chinese border town of Ruili, said he met with a factory worker named Myo Win and his friend who claimed they were badly beaten by the Chinese police, and have since returned to Burma.
“They were beaten with batons on their back, legs and chest. I saw the bruises,” said Ma Grang. “Myo Win was not able to work for a few days.”
He said that Chinese police did not systematically beat up illegal Burmese migrant workers in the past.
“However, this time, they are treating the migrants brutally,” he said.
He added that Burmese migrant workers in Ruili—a border town in southwestern Yunnan Province which lies opposite the Burmese town of Muse—are currently living in fear and dare not go outside their living quarters.
Awng Wa, a source on the Sino-Burmese border, confirmed that the Chinese authorities had increased restrictions on migrating or visiting Burmese people.
In the past, Burmese people could cross the border and stay in Ruili for more than a week at a time. With the current crackdown, Burmese are only allowed to stay on Chinese soil for seven days. Anyone violating the rule is fined 600 yuan ($88), he said.
Sources in Ruili speculated that the police crackdown had been initiated to prevent the flow of illegal Burmese migrant workers into China. Others, however, claimed the Chinese were responding to attacks by Burmese government troops against ethnic Kokang and Han Chinese migrants in Burma in August.
During the Burmese government attacks, about 37,000 ethnic Kokang—who are widely considered to be ethnic Han Chinese—and first-generation Chinese migrants had to flee from Laogai in Burma across the Chinese border. Many Chinese reported that they had lost their businesses as a consequence.
An estimated 90 percent of businesses in Laogai are—or were—owned by Chinese businesspeople.
Ma Grang said many businessmen in Ruili have suggested that the crackdown against Burmese migrants is a reciprocal gesture because of what happened to Chinese people in Burma recently.
Awng Wa told The Irrawaddy he believed both motives were in play—the Chinese police were cracking down on Burmese in revenge for the Laogai seizure, and to curtail the number of migrants crossing into Yunnan Province, he said.
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Burmese warships ‘intimidating’ oil companies
Oct 14, 2009 (DVB)–Burmese warships stationed in the Bay of Bengal are intimidating two oil companies exploring in waters claimed by Bangladesh, a lawyer representing Dhaka has said.
The confrontational behaviour of Burmese ships in the area has “prevented Bangladesh from exploiting potentially huge deposits of oil and natural gas located off its coast”, said Paul Reichler, in a statement released by US-based law firm Foley Hoag.
Foley Hoag is representing Bangladesh in a United Nations arbitration over a maritime dispute between Burma and Bangladesh.
The Dhaka-based Daily Star reported on Monday that Burma had sent 12 warships and a frigate to the area, while Bangladesh was “preparing 30 warships in Chittagong and Khulna”.
The two companies, US-based ConocoPhillips and UK-based Tullow Oil, hold exploration licenses from Bangladesh.
A staff member at Tullow Oil who spoke to DVB today refused to comment on the situation.
According to Foley Hoag, Bangladesh accuses Burma of granting concessions to oil companies that "have engaged in drilling and other exploratory activities in disputed areas without prior notice to or consent by Bangladesh".
Reichler said however that Burma’s claims to maritime territory near to the lucrative oil and gas blocks were “exaggerated”.
A Bangladeshi government official, Mohamed Mijarul Quayes, was quoted in the statement as saying that the UN arbitration “will allow us to once and for all settle this dispute with our neighbours, to ensure that our sovereign rights to the natural resources in the sea are fully respected.”
“It is in keeping with our obligations under the Charter of the United Nations to seek a solution to disputes by peaceful means,” she added.
The maritime dispute has further strained relations between Naypyidaw and Dhaka following rising tension over the construction of Burma’s controversial fence along its border with Bangladesh.
The border fence has reportedly aggrieved local residents who claim that the project has caused greater militarization of the region.
Bangladesh’s foreign minister, Dipu Moni, on Monday played down reports that Burmese troops were amassing on the border, and said it was “routine practice, not a build up”.
It followed comments from Colonel Azam from the Bangladeshi Rifles (BDR), a border paramilitary force, that a “massive build-up” and “abnormal movement” of troops and armour was occurring on the Burmese side.
The BDR had last week sent three troop battalions to the border following the resumption in construction of Burma’s controversial border fence.
Reporting by Joseph Allchin
Oct 14, 2009 (DVB)–Burmese warships stationed in the Bay of Bengal are intimidating two oil companies exploring in waters claimed by Bangladesh, a lawyer representing Dhaka has said.
The confrontational behaviour of Burmese ships in the area has “prevented Bangladesh from exploiting potentially huge deposits of oil and natural gas located off its coast”, said Paul Reichler, in a statement released by US-based law firm Foley Hoag.
Foley Hoag is representing Bangladesh in a United Nations arbitration over a maritime dispute between Burma and Bangladesh.
The Dhaka-based Daily Star reported on Monday that Burma had sent 12 warships and a frigate to the area, while Bangladesh was “preparing 30 warships in Chittagong and Khulna”.
The two companies, US-based ConocoPhillips and UK-based Tullow Oil, hold exploration licenses from Bangladesh.
A staff member at Tullow Oil who spoke to DVB today refused to comment on the situation.
According to Foley Hoag, Bangladesh accuses Burma of granting concessions to oil companies that "have engaged in drilling and other exploratory activities in disputed areas without prior notice to or consent by Bangladesh".
Reichler said however that Burma’s claims to maritime territory near to the lucrative oil and gas blocks were “exaggerated”.
A Bangladeshi government official, Mohamed Mijarul Quayes, was quoted in the statement as saying that the UN arbitration “will allow us to once and for all settle this dispute with our neighbours, to ensure that our sovereign rights to the natural resources in the sea are fully respected.”
“It is in keeping with our obligations under the Charter of the United Nations to seek a solution to disputes by peaceful means,” she added.
The maritime dispute has further strained relations between Naypyidaw and Dhaka following rising tension over the construction of Burma’s controversial fence along its border with Bangladesh.
The border fence has reportedly aggrieved local residents who claim that the project has caused greater militarization of the region.
Bangladesh’s foreign minister, Dipu Moni, on Monday played down reports that Burmese troops were amassing on the border, and said it was “routine practice, not a build up”.
It followed comments from Colonel Azam from the Bangladeshi Rifles (BDR), a border paramilitary force, that a “massive build-up” and “abnormal movement” of troops and armour was occurring on the Burmese side.
The BDR had last week sent three troop battalions to the border following the resumption in construction of Burma’s controversial border fence.
Reporting by Joseph Allchin
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East Timor calls for Burma arms embargoOct 13, 2009 (DVB)–International pressure on Burma has once again intensified following calls from the East Timorese president for a United Nations arms embargo on the ruling junta.
The imprisonment of Aung San Suu Kyi in August and ongoing state-sanctioned human rights abuses provide strong justification for greater UN Security Council pressure, Dr Jose Ramos-Horta said in a statement yesterday.
“The deterioration in the political and humanitarian situation calls for a clear response by the international community,” he said, adding that recent dialogue between Suu Kyi and the junta, and new US policy to Burma, were encouraging signs.
“A combination of high-level, principled engagement with specific targeted pressure is what is required to bring the Generals to the negotiating table,” he said.
He added that a number of events that have occurred in Burma over the past two years, including the crackdown on monks protesting in September 2007, the famine in Chin state and the slow response to cyclone Nargis last year, “have shocked the world”.
“There can be no justification for selling arms to a regime which has no external threats and uses those arms simply to suppress its owns people,” he said.
Ramos-Horta won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 for his role in negotiating a peaceful solution to conflict in East Timor.
According to Amnesty International, Burma receives the majority of its arms from China, followed by Russia, Singapore, Ukraine, Serbia and Israel.
Benjamin Zawacki, Southeast Asia researcher at Amnesty International, said that China and Russia’s presence in the Security Council would likely thwart any movement on a Council-backed arms embargo.
“None of these countries, for economic reasons, and equally importantly for political reasons, would be interested in backing that,” he said.
Although an arms embargo would have considerable political consequences for the regime, militarily it may not.
“[Burma] produces enough of its arms domestically to continue oppressing its own people [and] it really has no credible border threat,” he said, adding that he thought current tension along its borders with China and Bangladesh was unlikely to develop into a full-blown conflict.
The majority of Burmese troops are armed with the domestically-made G3 and MA rifles, the latter an Israeli design.
While its domestic production “is more than enough for their domestic purposes”, Zawacki said, in the event of conflict with external forces, it would be “woefully inadequate”.
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