AP - Monday, November 23
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – A senior official from Taiwan says four of the island's fishing vessels have been detained by Myanmar for possibly entering the country's waters without permission.
Taiwan's Fisheries Agency Deputy Director-General Tsai Jih-yao said Monday the vessels and the crew members have been held in Yangon since last week. The island's Foreign Ministry is trying to get in touch with the Myanmar government.
Tsai declined to release the names of the vessels and to say how many crew members were detained. Local media identified the two vessels as the "Ho Yi Fa" and "Min Cheng Yi" and said there are Taiwanese, Filipino and Indonesian crew members on board.
It is common for Taiwanese fishing vessels to be detained by foreign governments for entering or fishing in their waters illegally.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) – A senior official from Taiwan says four of the island's fishing vessels have been detained by Myanmar for possibly entering the country's waters without permission.
Taiwan's Fisheries Agency Deputy Director-General Tsai Jih-yao said Monday the vessels and the crew members have been held in Yangon since last week. The island's Foreign Ministry is trying to get in touch with the Myanmar government.
Tsai declined to release the names of the vessels and to say how many crew members were detained. Local media identified the two vessels as the "Ho Yi Fa" and "Min Cheng Yi" and said there are Taiwanese, Filipino and Indonesian crew members on board.
It is common for Taiwanese fishing vessels to be detained by foreign governments for entering or fishing in their waters illegally.
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Taiwan says 40 fishermen detained in Myanmar
Mon Nov 23, 1:31 am ET
TAIPEI (AFP) – About 40 fishermen from four Taiwanese boats were held in Myanmar after being intercepted by naval forces, apparently on suspicions of illegal fishing, an official and media said here Monday.
"We can confirm four fishing boats registered in (south Taiwan's) Pingtung county have been held in Yangon since last week," said Tsay Tzu-yaw, deputy director of Taiwan's Fishery Administration.
Just a handful of the fishermen were Taiwanese, including the captains, while the crew consisted of mostly Filipinos and Indonesians, the Taipei-based China Times reported.
According to the China Times, the four boats left the Thai island of Phuket on November 18.
They reported being chased by the Myanmar military the following day, before radio contact was lost.
Tsay told AFP it remained unclear why the boats were seized, but the China Times reported Monday the four vessels entered Myanmar's exclusive economic zone without permission.
Under the law of the sea, a nation has the right to outline an exclusive economic zone stretching up to 200 nautical miles from its shores and claim the right to exploit the resources within that area.
"The administration has asked (Taiwan's) ministry of foreign affairs for assistance to get information about the incident," Tsay said.
Tsay said once the government had established the reason why the fishermen had been detained, it would make efforts to get them home.
Mon Nov 23, 1:31 am ET
TAIPEI (AFP) – About 40 fishermen from four Taiwanese boats were held in Myanmar after being intercepted by naval forces, apparently on suspicions of illegal fishing, an official and media said here Monday.
"We can confirm four fishing boats registered in (south Taiwan's) Pingtung county have been held in Yangon since last week," said Tsay Tzu-yaw, deputy director of Taiwan's Fishery Administration.
Just a handful of the fishermen were Taiwanese, including the captains, while the crew consisted of mostly Filipinos and Indonesians, the Taipei-based China Times reported.
According to the China Times, the four boats left the Thai island of Phuket on November 18.
They reported being chased by the Myanmar military the following day, before radio contact was lost.
Tsay told AFP it remained unclear why the boats were seized, but the China Times reported Monday the four vessels entered Myanmar's exclusive economic zone without permission.
Under the law of the sea, a nation has the right to outline an exclusive economic zone stretching up to 200 nautical miles from its shores and claim the right to exploit the resources within that area.
"The administration has asked (Taiwan's) ministry of foreign affairs for assistance to get information about the incident," Tsay said.
Tsay said once the government had established the reason why the fishermen had been detained, it would make efforts to get them home.
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eTaiwan News - Four Taiwan fishing boats seized by Myanmar
Central News Agency
2009-11-23 10:47 PM
Taipei, Nov. 23 (CNA) Four Taiwanese fishing boats have been seized by Myanmar authorities, but their skippers and crew members are safe, a foreign ministry official said Monday.
James Chang, deputy spokesman for the foreign ministry, said the four ships were intercepted by Myanmar's navy Nov. 18, probably because they had intruded into that country's exclusive economic zone.
In addition to two ships from Pingtung County -- the Ho Yi Fa from Linbian and the Ming Cheng Yi from Donggang -- whose seizure the deputy spokesman confirmed earlier Monday, Chang listed the Hung Fa 128 and the Chin Ming Tsai 130, both from Donggang, as the two other vessels taken over by Myanmar authorities.
Chang did not disclose how many crew members were on board the two ships, saying only that the Hung Fa 128 has a Taiwanese captain.
The nationality of the other ship's captain remains unclear.
Local fishing officials said, however, that the four ships have a total of 40 crew members.
Chang said earlier Monday that the Ho Yi Fa has a Taiwanese skipper and 11 Filipino crew members, while the Ming Cheng Yi has nine Indonesian crew in addition to its Taiwanese skipper.
Chang said the foreign ministry is doing its utmost to help the ships' owners secure the release of their vessels as soon as possible.
The ships were four of 17 foreign fishing boats seized by Myanmar's Navy, according to wire service reports. Some 120 crew members of these boats were said to be detained in Insein Prison near Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city and its former capital.
Central News Agency
2009-11-23 10:47 PM
Taipei, Nov. 23 (CNA) Four Taiwanese fishing boats have been seized by Myanmar authorities, but their skippers and crew members are safe, a foreign ministry official said Monday.
James Chang, deputy spokesman for the foreign ministry, said the four ships were intercepted by Myanmar's navy Nov. 18, probably because they had intruded into that country's exclusive economic zone.
In addition to two ships from Pingtung County -- the Ho Yi Fa from Linbian and the Ming Cheng Yi from Donggang -- whose seizure the deputy spokesman confirmed earlier Monday, Chang listed the Hung Fa 128 and the Chin Ming Tsai 130, both from Donggang, as the two other vessels taken over by Myanmar authorities.
Chang did not disclose how many crew members were on board the two ships, saying only that the Hung Fa 128 has a Taiwanese captain.
The nationality of the other ship's captain remains unclear.
Local fishing officials said, however, that the four ships have a total of 40 crew members.
Chang said earlier Monday that the Ho Yi Fa has a Taiwanese skipper and 11 Filipino crew members, while the Ming Cheng Yi has nine Indonesian crew in addition to its Taiwanese skipper.
Chang said the foreign ministry is doing its utmost to help the ships' owners secure the release of their vessels as soon as possible.
The ships were four of 17 foreign fishing boats seized by Myanmar's Navy, according to wire service reports. Some 120 crew members of these boats were said to be detained in Insein Prison near Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city and its former capital.
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EarthTimes - Thai activists demand pull-out from Myanmar dam project
Posted : Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:40:12 GMT
Bangkok - Thai civil society leaders representing 189 organizations demanded Monday the government withdraw from the controversial Hutgyi dam project in Myanmar or face dire consequences. The group delivered a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva saying that international talk of engagement with Myanmar's military regime in no way negated the many objections to the Hutgyi dam and others along the Salween River that are designed to supply power to Thailand.
"We are extremely worried that local people will be devastated if dams like the Hutgyi go ahead because outsiders mistakenly think there has been a political breakthrough of some kind," said Pianporn Deetes, coordinator of the Living River Siam-Southeast Asia Rivers Network.
Plans have been in place for years to build seven large dams on the Salween to supply electricity mainly to Thailand and China. So far no progress has been made beyond minor preparatory work, but activists fear that Thailand's state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand is determined to build at least some dams.
The letter said the proposed 1,360-megawatt Hutgyi dam, 47 kilometres from the Thai-Myanmar border, would lead to major human rights abuses against minority peoples opposed to the regime and flood a great area on both sides of the border. It said there would not be a transparent enquiry into the need for construction in a country where military rule remains controversial and contested.
Thailand's close economic ties with the regime are in stark contrast to those of most Western democracies, which have imposed economic sanctions on the country.
Such sanctions are deemed ineffective as long as Myanmar's main trading partners - Thailand, India and China - refuse to follow suit.
Posted : Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:40:12 GMT
Bangkok - Thai civil society leaders representing 189 organizations demanded Monday the government withdraw from the controversial Hutgyi dam project in Myanmar or face dire consequences. The group delivered a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva saying that international talk of engagement with Myanmar's military regime in no way negated the many objections to the Hutgyi dam and others along the Salween River that are designed to supply power to Thailand.
"We are extremely worried that local people will be devastated if dams like the Hutgyi go ahead because outsiders mistakenly think there has been a political breakthrough of some kind," said Pianporn Deetes, coordinator of the Living River Siam-Southeast Asia Rivers Network.
Plans have been in place for years to build seven large dams on the Salween to supply electricity mainly to Thailand and China. So far no progress has been made beyond minor preparatory work, but activists fear that Thailand's state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand is determined to build at least some dams.
The letter said the proposed 1,360-megawatt Hutgyi dam, 47 kilometres from the Thai-Myanmar border, would lead to major human rights abuses against minority peoples opposed to the regime and flood a great area on both sides of the border. It said there would not be a transparent enquiry into the need for construction in a country where military rule remains controversial and contested.
Thailand's close economic ties with the regime are in stark contrast to those of most Western democracies, which have imposed economic sanctions on the country.
Such sanctions are deemed ineffective as long as Myanmar's main trading partners - Thailand, India and China - refuse to follow suit.
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Fox59.com - Samaritan's Feet hands out shoes, hope to Burma refugees
A group of kind hearted Hoosiers reach out to others who now call Indiana home. On Sunday more than 400 Karen refugees from Burma received new shoes and a hot meal.
9:27 AM EST, November 23, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS - Four area churches organized the outreach at First Baptist Church at 86th and College, along with Samaritans Feet, a relief organization which provides shoes to the less fortunate around the world.
Organizers also washed the feet of those they were helping.
"It's really a demonstration of love," explained Todd Melloh of Samaritan's Feet. "It's not just a matter of handing shoes out, but it's about giving them hope and showing them god's love."
Indianapolis reportedly has one of the largest groups of Karen refugees in the country.
A group of kind hearted Hoosiers reach out to others who now call Indiana home. On Sunday more than 400 Karen refugees from Burma received new shoes and a hot meal.
9:27 AM EST, November 23, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS - Four area churches organized the outreach at First Baptist Church at 86th and College, along with Samaritans Feet, a relief organization which provides shoes to the less fortunate around the world.
Organizers also washed the feet of those they were helping.
"It's really a demonstration of love," explained Todd Melloh of Samaritan's Feet. "It's not just a matter of handing shoes out, but it's about giving them hope and showing them god's love."
Indianapolis reportedly has one of the largest groups of Karen refugees in the country.
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WBKO Bowling Green - Myanmar Refugees Fulfill Their Needs at Church
It's a touching story of how one local church provides a sanctuary for Myanmar refugees.
Posted: 4:56 PM Nov 22, 2009
Reporter: Rachel Collier
Email Address: Rachel.Collier@wbko.com
It's a touching story of how one local church provides a sanctuary for Myanmar refugees.
The group of people don't have much by American standards, but as the refugees show, it's the little things that really matter.
It started out with just three refugees attending the church. The word spread and today they had the biggest group yet--78. And one lady at Holy Spirit Catholic Church gives them a ride. Karen Lee, a parishioner there, makes multiple trips back and forth across Bowling Green transporting the refugees to and from church each Sunday.
"Kids run out and they're waving. It's just really beautiful to see. Just when I pull up," said Lee.
But communicating with the group is hard. A few speak broken english, and that's how Father Jerry Riney found out what they wanted most. "We have discovered that some of them were Catholic back in Myranmar, and so when they were asked what they needed, they wanted to come to church, they wanted to come to mass," said Riney.
Lee says it's hard not being able to talk to them, but kindness is a universal language.
"I find I don't have to say a lot because each one of them as they come onto the bus they say hello, and thank you, and as they get off they say thank you and goodbye." "There's a lot that they can teach us," adds Riney, "because we take so much for granted, and they have so little."
When Lee's mother unexpectedly died of cancer this summer, she says she felt lost. But now her outlook has changed. "It was hard for me to come back to church, especially when we did the sign of peace, because my mother and I always hugged, and then I found out I didn't have anyone to hug with, and now I do," said Lee.
Lee says the church has taken truck-loads of clothing, linens, and pots and pans to the refugees.
If you'd like to donate, Father Riney says the immigration office would be the place to call.
It's a touching story of how one local church provides a sanctuary for Myanmar refugees.
Posted: 4:56 PM Nov 22, 2009
Reporter: Rachel Collier
Email Address: Rachel.Collier@wbko.com
It's a touching story of how one local church provides a sanctuary for Myanmar refugees.
The group of people don't have much by American standards, but as the refugees show, it's the little things that really matter.
It started out with just three refugees attending the church. The word spread and today they had the biggest group yet--78. And one lady at Holy Spirit Catholic Church gives them a ride. Karen Lee, a parishioner there, makes multiple trips back and forth across Bowling Green transporting the refugees to and from church each Sunday.
"Kids run out and they're waving. It's just really beautiful to see. Just when I pull up," said Lee.
But communicating with the group is hard. A few speak broken english, and that's how Father Jerry Riney found out what they wanted most. "We have discovered that some of them were Catholic back in Myranmar, and so when they were asked what they needed, they wanted to come to church, they wanted to come to mass," said Riney.
Lee says it's hard not being able to talk to them, but kindness is a universal language.
"I find I don't have to say a lot because each one of them as they come onto the bus they say hello, and thank you, and as they get off they say thank you and goodbye." "There's a lot that they can teach us," adds Riney, "because we take so much for granted, and they have so little."
When Lee's mother unexpectedly died of cancer this summer, she says she felt lost. But now her outlook has changed. "It was hard for me to come back to church, especially when we did the sign of peace, because my mother and I always hugged, and then I found out I didn't have anyone to hug with, and now I do," said Lee.
Lee says the church has taken truck-loads of clothing, linens, and pots and pans to the refugees.
If you'd like to donate, Father Riney says the immigration office would be the place to call.
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Latest News :2009.11.23
China Knowledge Online - Sino-Myanmar oil pipeline starts construction
Nov. 23, 2009 (China Knowledge) - China National Petroleum Corp, the parent of PetroChina Co Ltd, has started building a 771-kilometer oil pipeline that will connect China and Myanmar, sources reported.
According to an officer of CNPC, the pipeline will stretch from Madh Island to Kunming by way of Dali and Chuxiong, Yunnan Province. Initially, the pipeline will carry 12 million tons of crude oil per year. Ultimately, it will be able to carry 22 million tons per year.
In addition, CNPC is conducting a feasibility study for the construction of a refinery with a processing capacity exceeding 10 million tons a year in Kunming.
China has received more than 10 million tons of crude oil from Kazakhstan through a pipeline. A pipeline connecting China and Russia is expected to start construction by the end of this year.
Reportedly, CNPC on Nov. 22 signed a memorandum of understanding to expand a refinery in Khartoum, Sudan.
The Chinese oil giant and a local firm each hold a 50% stake in the refinery, which went into operation in May 2000 with a designed processing capacity of 2.5 million tons per year. The annual capacity was increased to 5 million tons in June 2006.
At present, the refinery supplies 80% of the refined oil in Sudan.
China Knowledge Online - Sino-Myanmar oil pipeline starts construction
Nov. 23, 2009 (China Knowledge) - China National Petroleum Corp, the parent of PetroChina Co Ltd, has started building a 771-kilometer oil pipeline that will connect China and Myanmar, sources reported.
According to an officer of CNPC, the pipeline will stretch from Madh Island to Kunming by way of Dali and Chuxiong, Yunnan Province. Initially, the pipeline will carry 12 million tons of crude oil per year. Ultimately, it will be able to carry 22 million tons per year.
In addition, CNPC is conducting a feasibility study for the construction of a refinery with a processing capacity exceeding 10 million tons a year in Kunming.
China has received more than 10 million tons of crude oil from Kazakhstan through a pipeline. A pipeline connecting China and Russia is expected to start construction by the end of this year.
Reportedly, CNPC on Nov. 22 signed a memorandum of understanding to expand a refinery in Khartoum, Sudan.
The Chinese oil giant and a local firm each hold a 50% stake in the refinery, which went into operation in May 2000 with a designed processing capacity of 2.5 million tons per year. The annual capacity was increased to 5 million tons in June 2006.
At present, the refinery supplies 80% of the refined oil in Sudan.
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November 23, 2009 12:12 PM
Myanmar To Block Liquor Advertisement In Media Next Year
YANGON, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- The Myanmar authorities will block any commercial advertisements of liquor in media such as journals, magazines and books published in the country, China's Xinhua news agency said citing the local weekly Flower News' report Monday.
Aimed at preventing youths from being absorbed in drinking and creating bad manner, the ban will be effective from Jan 1, 2010.
Usually, such advertisements are found in the media especially when sport tournaments and products promotion are launched.
The country has banned advertisements of cigarette and liquor on billboards in the Yangon municipal area to prevent immature youths from leading a wrong path of life.
Myanmar has also prohibited smoking in university campuses in the country since December 2006 in an effort to create smoking-free environment for the health of the university students.
Myanmar To Block Liquor Advertisement In Media Next Year
YANGON, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- The Myanmar authorities will block any commercial advertisements of liquor in media such as journals, magazines and books published in the country, China's Xinhua news agency said citing the local weekly Flower News' report Monday.
Aimed at preventing youths from being absorbed in drinking and creating bad manner, the ban will be effective from Jan 1, 2010.
Usually, such advertisements are found in the media especially when sport tournaments and products promotion are launched.
The country has banned advertisements of cigarette and liquor on billboards in the Yangon municipal area to prevent immature youths from leading a wrong path of life.
Myanmar has also prohibited smoking in university campuses in the country since December 2006 in an effort to create smoking-free environment for the health of the university students.
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Times of India - Gold rush: Brisk biz at Myanmar pavilion
TNN 23 November 2009, 02:48am
NEW DELHI: The skyrocketing gold prices notwithstanding, the Myanmar pavilion, which is selling jewellery, is one of the hot spots at ongoing
India International Trade Fair (IITF). Here, people are thronging to buy gold jewellery with precious stones. Stall keepers say that a majority of the buyers are either old clients.
For 38-year-old Seema Bhattacharya, it was her friend who persuaded her to buy an expensive gold and ruby set from one of the stalls at the Myanmar pavilion. ‘‘The craftsmanship of these jewellery is something that you will not get in India. And even if you get it here, it is going to cost you a bomb as the making charges are very high,’’ said Seema.
Like Seema, there were many who didn’t think twice before shelling out money to buy beautifully-crafted jewellery. ‘‘We have been displaying our stuff at the trade fair for nearly a decade. We have a long list of loyal customers. People usually buy small things and get it checked by outside. This is how they develop confidence in our product, ‘’said George Htay, supervision, Paramount Gems and Jewellery from Myanmar.
Apart from their regular clients, stall keepers say they are getting a lot of new clients too. ‘‘All our jewellery is in 18 carat gold and the stones are real. We tell our clients that they can come back to us within two days if they have any problem,’’ said Htay.
So from emerald, topaz, diamonds to ruby, one can buy these precious stones in gold jewellery as per their budget. But a majority of them prefer to buy gold with ruby.
‘‘Ruby is our specialty. We get ruby stones straight from the mines. Not only this, the labour is cheaper in our country, so we can adjust the price,’’ said Htay.
TNN 23 November 2009, 02:48am
NEW DELHI: The skyrocketing gold prices notwithstanding, the Myanmar pavilion, which is selling jewellery, is one of the hot spots at ongoing
India International Trade Fair (IITF). Here, people are thronging to buy gold jewellery with precious stones. Stall keepers say that a majority of the buyers are either old clients.
For 38-year-old Seema Bhattacharya, it was her friend who persuaded her to buy an expensive gold and ruby set from one of the stalls at the Myanmar pavilion. ‘‘The craftsmanship of these jewellery is something that you will not get in India. And even if you get it here, it is going to cost you a bomb as the making charges are very high,’’ said Seema.
Like Seema, there were many who didn’t think twice before shelling out money to buy beautifully-crafted jewellery. ‘‘We have been displaying our stuff at the trade fair for nearly a decade. We have a long list of loyal customers. People usually buy small things and get it checked by outside. This is how they develop confidence in our product, ‘’said George Htay, supervision, Paramount Gems and Jewellery from Myanmar.
Apart from their regular clients, stall keepers say they are getting a lot of new clients too. ‘‘All our jewellery is in 18 carat gold and the stones are real. We tell our clients that they can come back to us within two days if they have any problem,’’ said Htay.
So from emerald, topaz, diamonds to ruby, one can buy these precious stones in gold jewellery as per their budget. But a majority of them prefer to buy gold with ruby.
‘‘Ruby is our specialty. We get ruby stones straight from the mines. Not only this, the labour is cheaper in our country, so we can adjust the price,’’ said Htay.
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Myanmar biggest hydropower plant to be put on test run
www.chinaview.cn 2009-11-22 12:08:29
YANGON, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- The construction of Myanmar's biggest hydropower plant, Yeywa, is nearing completion and the test run on one of the turbines of the plant will be launched during next month, the local weekly Voice reported Sunday.
The construction of the dam on the Myitnge River involved a number of Chinese companies on contracts signed with the Myanmar side since 2004.
The project costs over 600 million U.S. dollars including 400 million dollars borne by the government and 200 million dollars by China, reports said.
The Yeywa hydropower plant, located 50 kilometers southeast of Mandalay, has an installed capacity of 790 megawatts (mw) and can produce 3.55 billion kilowatt-hours (kwh) per year on completion.
The electricity generated will be transmitted to the whole country through Kyaukse, Meikhtila and Mandalay on 230 kilo-volt double cable lines, experts said.
Meanwhile, in May this year, Myanmar added one more hydropower station, the Shweli-1, in the northern part of Shan state.
The Shweli-1, located at Manthet Village, 27.2 kilometers southwest of Namkham, possesses an installed capacity of 600 mw which can produce 4.022 billion kwh yearly.
Up to now, Myanmar has a total installed generating capacity of1,684 mw. In 2008-09, it generated 6.62 billion kwh of electricity, according to official statistics.
www.chinaview.cn 2009-11-22 12:08:29
YANGON, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- The construction of Myanmar's biggest hydropower plant, Yeywa, is nearing completion and the test run on one of the turbines of the plant will be launched during next month, the local weekly Voice reported Sunday.
The construction of the dam on the Myitnge River involved a number of Chinese companies on contracts signed with the Myanmar side since 2004.
The project costs over 600 million U.S. dollars including 400 million dollars borne by the government and 200 million dollars by China, reports said.
The Yeywa hydropower plant, located 50 kilometers southeast of Mandalay, has an installed capacity of 790 megawatts (mw) and can produce 3.55 billion kilowatt-hours (kwh) per year on completion.
The electricity generated will be transmitted to the whole country through Kyaukse, Meikhtila and Mandalay on 230 kilo-volt double cable lines, experts said.
Meanwhile, in May this year, Myanmar added one more hydropower station, the Shweli-1, in the northern part of Shan state.
The Shweli-1, located at Manthet Village, 27.2 kilometers southwest of Namkham, possesses an installed capacity of 600 mw which can produce 4.022 billion kwh yearly.
Up to now, Myanmar has a total installed generating capacity of1,684 mw. In 2008-09, it generated 6.62 billion kwh of electricity, according to official statistics.
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Channel News Asia
Myanmar detains over 120 Indonesian, Taiwanese fishermen
Posted: 23 November 2009 1813 hrs
YANGON(CNA) - More than 120 mostly foreign fishermen have been arrested and detained in Myanmar's notorious Insein prison for illegal fishing, official sources told AFP Monday.
Most of the group were Indonesian and the rest were Filipinos, Taiwanese and Myanmar nationals, the official said on condition of anonymity.
"More than 120 fishermen were arrested and sent to Insein prison on Friday for their illegal fishing," the official told AFP.
He said authorities had discovered about 10 illegal fishing vessels but declined to give further details.
Another official confirmed the detention, saying they were likely to be charged under the immigration act.
The Indonesian and Philippine embassies in Myanmar's main city Yangon could not be reached for confirmation, but a Taiwanese fisheries official confirmed that about 40 fishermen from four Taiwanese boats were being held.
"We can confirm four fishing boats registered in (south Taiwan's) Pingtung county have been held in Yangon since last week," said Tsay Tzu-yaw, deputy director of Taiwan's Fishery Administration.
A few of the fishermen were Taiwanese, including the captains, while the crew consisted of mostly Filipinos and Indonesians, the Taipei-based China Times reported.
The newspaper said the four boats had left the Thai island of Phuket on November 18 and were chased by the Myanmar navy the following day, before radio contact was lost.
Tsay said the Taiwanese government was still gathering information on the arrests before beginning efforts to get the fishermen home.
Under the law of the sea, a nation has the right to outline an exclusive economic zone stretching up to 200 nautical miles from its shores and claim the right to exploit the resources within that area.
Myanmar possesses a 2,229 kilometre-long (1,385 miles) coastline along the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.
Myanmar detains over 120 Indonesian, Taiwanese fishermen
Posted: 23 November 2009 1813 hrs
YANGON(CNA) - More than 120 mostly foreign fishermen have been arrested and detained in Myanmar's notorious Insein prison for illegal fishing, official sources told AFP Monday.
Most of the group were Indonesian and the rest were Filipinos, Taiwanese and Myanmar nationals, the official said on condition of anonymity.
"More than 120 fishermen were arrested and sent to Insein prison on Friday for their illegal fishing," the official told AFP.
He said authorities had discovered about 10 illegal fishing vessels but declined to give further details.
Another official confirmed the detention, saying they were likely to be charged under the immigration act.
The Indonesian and Philippine embassies in Myanmar's main city Yangon could not be reached for confirmation, but a Taiwanese fisheries official confirmed that about 40 fishermen from four Taiwanese boats were being held.
"We can confirm four fishing boats registered in (south Taiwan's) Pingtung county have been held in Yangon since last week," said Tsay Tzu-yaw, deputy director of Taiwan's Fishery Administration.
A few of the fishermen were Taiwanese, including the captains, while the crew consisted of mostly Filipinos and Indonesians, the Taipei-based China Times reported.
The newspaper said the four boats had left the Thai island of Phuket on November 18 and were chased by the Myanmar navy the following day, before radio contact was lost.
Tsay said the Taiwanese government was still gathering information on the arrests before beginning efforts to get the fishermen home.
Under the law of the sea, a nation has the right to outline an exclusive economic zone stretching up to 200 nautical miles from its shores and claim the right to exploit the resources within that area.
Myanmar possesses a 2,229 kilometre-long (1,385 miles) coastline along the Bay of Bengal and Andaman Sea.
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Burma: 2008 a year characterized by natural disaster, severe political repression
Tue, 2009-11-24 01:01 — editor
Bangkok, 24 November, (Asiantribune.com):
The year 2008 proved to be a critical year in Burma’s recent history. Compounding an environment of ongoing human rights abuse, 2008 was a year characterized by natural disaster, severe political repression and the reverberations of the previous year’s popular uprising.
The Human Rights Documentation Unit (HRDU) has released Burma Human Rights Yearbook 2008, marking the 15th anniversary of the publication.
The Year Book pointed out that the advent of Tropical Cyclone Nargis in May provided the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) military junta with an opportunity to demonstrate to the international community that political differences could be set aside for the good of those affected by the devastating storm.
It further added that instead, Burmese regime’s recalcitrance, obfuscation and outright corruption cost untold Burmese lives and showed a weary international community that the situation Burma may well get worse before its gets better.
Burma Human Rights Yearbook 2008, consisting of 1,092 pages in length and comprised of approximately half a million words in 21 separate thematic chapters, the Burma Human Rights Yearbook 2008 represents the single largest, most comprehensive and most inclusive report ever compiled meticulously detailing the appalling human rights situation in Burma.
According to the report, “While regime reluctance to permit foreign assistance in the cyclone relief effort could have been explained as the paranoia of a reclusive and xenophobic Police State after many years of isolation, the cynicism of conducting a referendum on the SPDC-backed draft Constitution in the middle of a national emergency could be afforded no such concessions.
“The stage management of the May 2008 referendum and concomitant abuses of fundamental freedoms carefully documented in the Burma Human Rights Yearbook 2008 provide an ominous warning that the forthcoming 2010 parliamentary elections are unlikely to be free or fair.
“The Burma Human Rights Yearbook 2008 presents clear evidence that all of these violations and more were ongoing throughout 2008 in a climate of near-complete impunity and are designed to keep Burma’s civilian population subservient to the autocratic rule of the military.
“In addition to the SPDC’s gross negligence and mishandling of cyclone relief efforts and the convening of a referendum widely viewed as fraudulent, a broad spectrum of human rights abuses continued to be perpetrated across the country. Burma’s civilian population continued to be subject to systematic violations including arbitrary arrest, torture and extra-judicial execution, rape, forced labour, extortion, the curtailment of fundamental freedoms, religious and ethnic discrimination, forced relocation, recruitment of child soldiers, deprivation of livelihood and the destruction of property, among others.
“With the proposed 2010 parliamentary elections looming, the Yearbook 2008 provides an excellent contextual tool and platform for a discussion of continued political repression within Burma and the ramifications of rights abuse, particularly the doubling of political prisoners over the course of 2008, suffocation of political space and prospects for inclusion of ethnic minorities in the post-election political landscape. “
The Year Book ln spite of the sheer volume of evidence clearly demonstrating the SPDC’s unrelenting oppression of the Burmese population, several of Burma’s neighbours, including China, India and Thailand continue to prop up the regime as they vie for a percentage of Burma’s considerable natural resources. However, this kind of engagement can easily lead to maintenance of the status quo; economic interests must not be allowed to subjugate the rights of the Burmese people.
It is with a considerable measure of regret that the HRDU reflects on the last 15 years of comprehensive human rights documentation and sees very little improvement in the rights situation of Burma’s citizens. Sadly, many of the issues examined in the Burma Human Rights Yearbook 2008 are the same as those discussed in the very first Burma Human Rights Yearbook, 15 years ago. Despite the frustrating lack of progress, the circumstances in Burma demand that documentation and advocacy efforts continue to ensure that the abuses of the SPDC remain at the forefront of international attention.
Tue, 2009-11-24 01:01 — editor
Bangkok, 24 November, (Asiantribune.com):
The year 2008 proved to be a critical year in Burma’s recent history. Compounding an environment of ongoing human rights abuse, 2008 was a year characterized by natural disaster, severe political repression and the reverberations of the previous year’s popular uprising.
The Human Rights Documentation Unit (HRDU) has released Burma Human Rights Yearbook 2008, marking the 15th anniversary of the publication.
The Year Book pointed out that the advent of Tropical Cyclone Nargis in May provided the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) military junta with an opportunity to demonstrate to the international community that political differences could be set aside for the good of those affected by the devastating storm.
It further added that instead, Burmese regime’s recalcitrance, obfuscation and outright corruption cost untold Burmese lives and showed a weary international community that the situation Burma may well get worse before its gets better.
Burma Human Rights Yearbook 2008, consisting of 1,092 pages in length and comprised of approximately half a million words in 21 separate thematic chapters, the Burma Human Rights Yearbook 2008 represents the single largest, most comprehensive and most inclusive report ever compiled meticulously detailing the appalling human rights situation in Burma.
According to the report, “While regime reluctance to permit foreign assistance in the cyclone relief effort could have been explained as the paranoia of a reclusive and xenophobic Police State after many years of isolation, the cynicism of conducting a referendum on the SPDC-backed draft Constitution in the middle of a national emergency could be afforded no such concessions.
“The stage management of the May 2008 referendum and concomitant abuses of fundamental freedoms carefully documented in the Burma Human Rights Yearbook 2008 provide an ominous warning that the forthcoming 2010 parliamentary elections are unlikely to be free or fair.
“The Burma Human Rights Yearbook 2008 presents clear evidence that all of these violations and more were ongoing throughout 2008 in a climate of near-complete impunity and are designed to keep Burma’s civilian population subservient to the autocratic rule of the military.
“In addition to the SPDC’s gross negligence and mishandling of cyclone relief efforts and the convening of a referendum widely viewed as fraudulent, a broad spectrum of human rights abuses continued to be perpetrated across the country. Burma’s civilian population continued to be subject to systematic violations including arbitrary arrest, torture and extra-judicial execution, rape, forced labour, extortion, the curtailment of fundamental freedoms, religious and ethnic discrimination, forced relocation, recruitment of child soldiers, deprivation of livelihood and the destruction of property, among others.
“With the proposed 2010 parliamentary elections looming, the Yearbook 2008 provides an excellent contextual tool and platform for a discussion of continued political repression within Burma and the ramifications of rights abuse, particularly the doubling of political prisoners over the course of 2008, suffocation of political space and prospects for inclusion of ethnic minorities in the post-election political landscape. “
The Year Book ln spite of the sheer volume of evidence clearly demonstrating the SPDC’s unrelenting oppression of the Burmese population, several of Burma’s neighbours, including China, India and Thailand continue to prop up the regime as they vie for a percentage of Burma’s considerable natural resources. However, this kind of engagement can easily lead to maintenance of the status quo; economic interests must not be allowed to subjugate the rights of the Burmese people.
It is with a considerable measure of regret that the HRDU reflects on the last 15 years of comprehensive human rights documentation and sees very little improvement in the rights situation of Burma’s citizens. Sadly, many of the issues examined in the Burma Human Rights Yearbook 2008 are the same as those discussed in the very first Burma Human Rights Yearbook, 15 years ago. Despite the frustrating lack of progress, the circumstances in Burma demand that documentation and advocacy efforts continue to ensure that the abuses of the SPDC remain at the forefront of international attention.
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The Nation - ASEAN: from defiance to accommodation
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
Published on November 23, 2009
WHAT FORMER ASEAN heavyweight leaders Indonesian President Suharto, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed had in common was a passionate belief in the regional grouping and a readiness to defend the Asean identity and values. They did it with valour and stood firm against heavy criticism from non-Asean countries. In short: no kowtowing to external demands without a consensus.
During the first three decades, their unyielding leadership and attitude was the mantra guiding Asean from an obscure regional grouping to an international player. The 13-year Cambodian conflict, for instance, allowed Asean to show its mettle and patience. From 1979-1992, Asean diplomats and representatives roamed the world lobbying for votes at the annual UN deliberations and garnering support for their unwavering efforts to drive out foreign military occupation of Cambodia.
Their joint vision of a united Asean that could resist external pressure and meddling was well-known. At its inception, Asean was perceived as a pawn in the global power plays as part of the broader Cold War. The grouping has continued to show it has a mind of its own - sometimes much to the irritation of their Western allies and friends.
Burma's hard-headed approach throughout the 1990s was the bench mark of such resistance. Asean countered Western pressure not to admit the pariah state as an Asean member because of its horrible human rights violations and political oppression. Both Suharto and Mahathir strongly backed Burma's membership in Asean against growing international opposition. Burma subsequently joined Asean in 1997. They argued that as countries in the region, they were better placed to resolve their problems.
The days of Asean's defiance are gone. New body languages and rhetoric have quickly emerged within the region. Obviously, Asean has benefited by riding piggy-back on rising Asia. Several factors have contributed to these dramatic shifts both outside and inside Asean.
Last year's global economic and financial crisis caused by the West has pushed the role of Asian economies to the forefront in ameliorating the turmoil. The continued growing influence of China and India - both key dialogue partners of Asean - has further strengthened the grouping's international role and position.
Within the regional grouping, the transformation came last December when Asean adopted a charter and transformed itself into a rule-based organisation. Of course, the jury is still out on how effective the organisation can be in years to come as some Asean members have not yet complied with their new obligations and commitments. After 16 years of procrastination, the setting up of the Asean Intergovernment Commission for Human Rights in October indicates the grouping's willingness - in a slow and evolutionary manner - to accept international norms and standards.
At his meeting with Asean leaders two weeks ago in Singapore, US President Barack Obama even endorsed Asean centrality in future attempts to build a new regional architecture. Indeed, Washington's recognition of Asean as a driving force has an overall positive impact on the future US role in Asean and the Asian region as a whole. As a result, a new Asean is emerging that is no longer uptight and defensive.
Watching US-Asean leaders talking about cooperation and coexistence at regional and global levels, one could be optimistic that the grouping has taken a new mode - a willingness for closer cooperation with dialogue partners to resolve common challenges.
Such confidence and trust in Asean has taken more than three decades to evolve. When Asean initiated the dialogue partner system in 1977 it was purely for selfish reasons of augmenting its regional interest through increasing bargaining power, widening marketplace, as well as access to technological know-how and financial assistance.
In the previous two summits in Thailand, Asean as a whole responded and engaged much better with external players. It was more open to new ideas. The members were more willing to listen, as articulated by Prime Minister Abhist Vejjajiva, the Asean chair, to proposals made by Japan and Australia. Unlike past scepticism, Asean is welcoming new approaches that will strengthen its role. In the case of building a regional architecture, Asean is no longer adamantly insisting on the Asean+3 process.
But there is a worrying trend in intra-Asean relations. The Thai-Cambodian dispute, with personalised elements, has already rocked the cradle of Asean's cardinal principle of non-interference and good neighbourliness. Despite the appeal of "maximum restraint" to the conflicting parties and mediation efforts from Asean Secretary General, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, very few Asean members were ready to do so. As Surin put it, the appeal is part of what he described as "effective dynamics" inside Asean as a rule-based organisation.
Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo wrote to him expressing support while Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem has written to Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong calling for restraint.
Asean has a weak spot when it comes to resolving disputes among members. Within the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, Asean has a High Council for such a purpose but none has used it. They prefer international arbitration. Fortunately, no Asean members have gone to war against each other in the past 42 years. For the time being, Thailand and Cambodia have yet to climb down. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was briefed on the situation by Abhisit and Prime Minister Hun Sen in Singapore, has assigned Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa to follow up on the development and determine if Indonesia, on behalf of Asean, can have a role. If the current Thai-Cambodian conflict and boiling nationalism continues unchecked and unresolved, it could lead to large-scale arms clashes that could tarnish Asean at the most pivotal time.
In the near future, Asean leaders must also show it is worthwhile for the dialogue partners to increase their engagements with their headquarters through their permanent offices. The US and China have already decided to open them by early next year. Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, New Zealand and the EU would probably follow suit soon. Other two dozen countries, who already have their ambassadors accredited to Asean, would have to do the same later.
By Kavi Chongkittavorn
Published on November 23, 2009
WHAT FORMER ASEAN heavyweight leaders Indonesian President Suharto, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed had in common was a passionate belief in the regional grouping and a readiness to defend the Asean identity and values. They did it with valour and stood firm against heavy criticism from non-Asean countries. In short: no kowtowing to external demands without a consensus.
During the first three decades, their unyielding leadership and attitude was the mantra guiding Asean from an obscure regional grouping to an international player. The 13-year Cambodian conflict, for instance, allowed Asean to show its mettle and patience. From 1979-1992, Asean diplomats and representatives roamed the world lobbying for votes at the annual UN deliberations and garnering support for their unwavering efforts to drive out foreign military occupation of Cambodia.
Their joint vision of a united Asean that could resist external pressure and meddling was well-known. At its inception, Asean was perceived as a pawn in the global power plays as part of the broader Cold War. The grouping has continued to show it has a mind of its own - sometimes much to the irritation of their Western allies and friends.
Burma's hard-headed approach throughout the 1990s was the bench mark of such resistance. Asean countered Western pressure not to admit the pariah state as an Asean member because of its horrible human rights violations and political oppression. Both Suharto and Mahathir strongly backed Burma's membership in Asean against growing international opposition. Burma subsequently joined Asean in 1997. They argued that as countries in the region, they were better placed to resolve their problems.
The days of Asean's defiance are gone. New body languages and rhetoric have quickly emerged within the region. Obviously, Asean has benefited by riding piggy-back on rising Asia. Several factors have contributed to these dramatic shifts both outside and inside Asean.
Last year's global economic and financial crisis caused by the West has pushed the role of Asian economies to the forefront in ameliorating the turmoil. The continued growing influence of China and India - both key dialogue partners of Asean - has further strengthened the grouping's international role and position.
Within the regional grouping, the transformation came last December when Asean adopted a charter and transformed itself into a rule-based organisation. Of course, the jury is still out on how effective the organisation can be in years to come as some Asean members have not yet complied with their new obligations and commitments. After 16 years of procrastination, the setting up of the Asean Intergovernment Commission for Human Rights in October indicates the grouping's willingness - in a slow and evolutionary manner - to accept international norms and standards.
At his meeting with Asean leaders two weeks ago in Singapore, US President Barack Obama even endorsed Asean centrality in future attempts to build a new regional architecture. Indeed, Washington's recognition of Asean as a driving force has an overall positive impact on the future US role in Asean and the Asian region as a whole. As a result, a new Asean is emerging that is no longer uptight and defensive.
Watching US-Asean leaders talking about cooperation and coexistence at regional and global levels, one could be optimistic that the grouping has taken a new mode - a willingness for closer cooperation with dialogue partners to resolve common challenges.
Such confidence and trust in Asean has taken more than three decades to evolve. When Asean initiated the dialogue partner system in 1977 it was purely for selfish reasons of augmenting its regional interest through increasing bargaining power, widening marketplace, as well as access to technological know-how and financial assistance.
In the previous two summits in Thailand, Asean as a whole responded and engaged much better with external players. It was more open to new ideas. The members were more willing to listen, as articulated by Prime Minister Abhist Vejjajiva, the Asean chair, to proposals made by Japan and Australia. Unlike past scepticism, Asean is welcoming new approaches that will strengthen its role. In the case of building a regional architecture, Asean is no longer adamantly insisting on the Asean+3 process.
But there is a worrying trend in intra-Asean relations. The Thai-Cambodian dispute, with personalised elements, has already rocked the cradle of Asean's cardinal principle of non-interference and good neighbourliness. Despite the appeal of "maximum restraint" to the conflicting parties and mediation efforts from Asean Secretary General, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, very few Asean members were ready to do so. As Surin put it, the appeal is part of what he described as "effective dynamics" inside Asean as a rule-based organisation.
Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo wrote to him expressing support while Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem has written to Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong calling for restraint.
Asean has a weak spot when it comes to resolving disputes among members. Within the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, Asean has a High Council for such a purpose but none has used it. They prefer international arbitration. Fortunately, no Asean members have gone to war against each other in the past 42 years. For the time being, Thailand and Cambodia have yet to climb down. Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was briefed on the situation by Abhisit and Prime Minister Hun Sen in Singapore, has assigned Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa to follow up on the development and determine if Indonesia, on behalf of Asean, can have a role. If the current Thai-Cambodian conflict and boiling nationalism continues unchecked and unresolved, it could lead to large-scale arms clashes that could tarnish Asean at the most pivotal time.
In the near future, Asean leaders must also show it is worthwhile for the dialogue partners to increase their engagements with their headquarters through their permanent offices. The US and China have already decided to open them by early next year. Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, New Zealand and the EU would probably follow suit soon. Other two dozen countries, who already have their ambassadors accredited to Asean, would have to do the same later.
*******************************************************************
The Irrawaddy - Junta Crimes to be Raised in The Hague
By ARKAR MOE - Monday, November 23, 2009
The Burma Lawyers’ Council (BLC) is attending a Nov 18-26 meeting of the Assembly of State Parties to the International Criminal Court in The Hague to discuss the Burmese military government's alleged crimes against humanity, war crimes and other human rights abuses.
BLC General Secretary Aung Htoo, who is based in exile, has been attending the meetings in the Netherlands as an NGO delegate from Burma for the first time.
According to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) web site, the grouping will discuss "ICC Campaigns in Asia: Prospects and Challenges in Afghanistan, Burma and Indonesia" on Nov. 25.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday, Thein Oo, the chairman of the BLC, said, “We intend to cooperate with International Criminal Court and to create a network to take more action against the Burmese military junta. Moreover, we intend to share our experience of the junta’s abuses and crimes, and discuss how we can cooperate to establish a regional network.”
He added: “We expect the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) to cooperate among state parties and put more pressure on the Burmese junta through the UN and the ICC. We especially want to lobby harder because representatives of China and other world powers will be attending."
The CICC is a network of over 2,500 nongovernment organizations which work closely with the ICC.
“Actually, we all need to practice alternative approaches to the Burmese military junta and pave ways for preventive actions,” Thein Oo said.
The director of Thailand-based rights group Human Rights Education Institute of Burma, Aung Myo Min, told The Irrawaddy on Monday: “It’s very hard to put the issue of the Burmese junta's crimes against humanity to the ICC because Burma is not yet a signatory to the ICC. But, the UN Security Council can take the junta to task about its deplorable humna rights record. The Burmese regime has commited many crimes such as the conscription of child soldiers and the systematic rape of ethnic women which should be put before the ICC.”
The Burmese military authorities issued Order 1/2009 in April, blacklisting the BLC as an unlawful association. This order came alongside a campaign of defamation in the Burmese state-run press, which denounced the BLC as an “enemy of the state,” and accusing BLC members, in particular those working with the ICC, of “violating the rule of law of Burma.”
The ICC was established in 2002 as a permanent international tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The ICC has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute crimes which have been committed or are being committed if a given state’s judicial system is unable or unwilling to investigate and take legal action to ensure justice.
In July, the CICC called on the Security Council to press for the surrender and trial of President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and others wanted for serious crimes committed in Darfur.
By ARKAR MOE - Monday, November 23, 2009
The Burma Lawyers’ Council (BLC) is attending a Nov 18-26 meeting of the Assembly of State Parties to the International Criminal Court in The Hague to discuss the Burmese military government's alleged crimes against humanity, war crimes and other human rights abuses.
BLC General Secretary Aung Htoo, who is based in exile, has been attending the meetings in the Netherlands as an NGO delegate from Burma for the first time.
According to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) web site, the grouping will discuss "ICC Campaigns in Asia: Prospects and Challenges in Afghanistan, Burma and Indonesia" on Nov. 25.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday, Thein Oo, the chairman of the BLC, said, “We intend to cooperate with International Criminal Court and to create a network to take more action against the Burmese military junta. Moreover, we intend to share our experience of the junta’s abuses and crimes, and discuss how we can cooperate to establish a regional network.”
He added: “We expect the Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC) to cooperate among state parties and put more pressure on the Burmese junta through the UN and the ICC. We especially want to lobby harder because representatives of China and other world powers will be attending."
The CICC is a network of over 2,500 nongovernment organizations which work closely with the ICC.
“Actually, we all need to practice alternative approaches to the Burmese military junta and pave ways for preventive actions,” Thein Oo said.
The director of Thailand-based rights group Human Rights Education Institute of Burma, Aung Myo Min, told The Irrawaddy on Monday: “It’s very hard to put the issue of the Burmese junta's crimes against humanity to the ICC because Burma is not yet a signatory to the ICC. But, the UN Security Council can take the junta to task about its deplorable humna rights record. The Burmese regime has commited many crimes such as the conscription of child soldiers and the systematic rape of ethnic women which should be put before the ICC.”
The Burmese military authorities issued Order 1/2009 in April, blacklisting the BLC as an unlawful association. This order came alongside a campaign of defamation in the Burmese state-run press, which denounced the BLC as an “enemy of the state,” and accusing BLC members, in particular those working with the ICC, of “violating the rule of law of Burma.”
The ICC was established in 2002 as a permanent international tribunal to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. The ICC has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute crimes which have been committed or are being committed if a given state’s judicial system is unable or unwilling to investigate and take legal action to ensure justice.
In July, the CICC called on the Security Council to press for the surrender and trial of President Omar al-Bashir of Sudan and others wanted for serious crimes committed in Darfur.
*******************************************************************
The Irrawaddy - Tokyo Support for NLD Stand on 2010 Election
By SAW YAN NAING - Monday, November 23, 2009
The conditions set by Burma's opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) for its participation in the election planned for 2010 won the support of around 400 participants in a symposium in Tokyo on Monday.
The conditions, contained in the so-called Shwegondaing Declaration of April 2009, include the unconditional release of all political prisoners; a review of the provisions in the 2008 Constitution “not in accord with democratic principles”; and an all-inclusive free and fair poll under international supervision. The declaration is named after the Rangoon district where the NLD has its headquarters.
About 400 Burmese dissidents, regional activists, foreign diplomats, Japanese government ministers and parliamentarians attended the Tokyo symposium.
Several Burmese dissidents contacted by The Irrawaddy on Monday said the Shwegodaing Declaration is the only gateway to reach genuine national reconciliation in Burma.
They urged the Japanese government not to support the 2010 election and called for a boycott of the poll if the declaration's conditions were not met.
Tin Win, a Burmese dissident living in Tokyo and one of the organizers of the symposium, said the international community, including Japan, should give a clear message to the Burmese regime that they won't recognize the result of the 2010 elections if the junta fail to respond to the demands of the NLD.
The symposium was also attended by regional activist groups such as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus, People Forum of Burma, members of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation and 26 representatives of Burmese opposition and ethnic groups, mostly based in Japan.
Tin Win said Japan government ministers attending the symposium promised the Burmese dissidents to undertake a serious review of Japan's Burma policy. He said it was especially encouraging that ministers from the newly-elected Democratic Party of Japan and Japanese scholars had been actively involved in the symposium.
Burma watcher Jeff Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University’s Japan campus, said Japan's Democratic Party was a stronger supporter of human rights in Burma than the outgoing government. Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada are both members of a parliamentary Burma study group and are therefore well-informed and sympathetic about the plight of the Burmese and political prisoners, Kingston said.
“If Aung San Suu Kyi is to play a role in lifting sanctions, the junta has to create conditions that will enable her to so do and that means restoring her political rights, allowing free and fair elections and respecting the outcome even if military proxies do not prevail,” said Kingston.
By SAW YAN NAING - Monday, November 23, 2009
The conditions set by Burma's opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) for its participation in the election planned for 2010 won the support of around 400 participants in a symposium in Tokyo on Monday.
The conditions, contained in the so-called Shwegondaing Declaration of April 2009, include the unconditional release of all political prisoners; a review of the provisions in the 2008 Constitution “not in accord with democratic principles”; and an all-inclusive free and fair poll under international supervision. The declaration is named after the Rangoon district where the NLD has its headquarters.
About 400 Burmese dissidents, regional activists, foreign diplomats, Japanese government ministers and parliamentarians attended the Tokyo symposium.
Several Burmese dissidents contacted by The Irrawaddy on Monday said the Shwegodaing Declaration is the only gateway to reach genuine national reconciliation in Burma.
They urged the Japanese government not to support the 2010 election and called for a boycott of the poll if the declaration's conditions were not met.
Tin Win, a Burmese dissident living in Tokyo and one of the organizers of the symposium, said the international community, including Japan, should give a clear message to the Burmese regime that they won't recognize the result of the 2010 elections if the junta fail to respond to the demands of the NLD.
The symposium was also attended by regional activist groups such as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus, People Forum of Burma, members of the Japanese Trade Union Confederation and 26 representatives of Burmese opposition and ethnic groups, mostly based in Japan.
Tin Win said Japan government ministers attending the symposium promised the Burmese dissidents to undertake a serious review of Japan's Burma policy. He said it was especially encouraging that ministers from the newly-elected Democratic Party of Japan and Japanese scholars had been actively involved in the symposium.
Burma watcher Jeff Kingston, director of Asian Studies at Temple University’s Japan campus, said Japan's Democratic Party was a stronger supporter of human rights in Burma than the outgoing government. Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada are both members of a parliamentary Burma study group and are therefore well-informed and sympathetic about the plight of the Burmese and political prisoners, Kingston said.
“If Aung San Suu Kyi is to play a role in lifting sanctions, the junta has to create conditions that will enable her to so do and that means restoring her political rights, allowing free and fair elections and respecting the outcome even if military proxies do not prevail,” said Kingston.
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Families criticize ILO over sentencing
Nov 23, 2009 (DVB)–The International Labour Organisation should do more to protect those who complain about abuses in Burma, the families of men imprisoned recently after complaining to the UN body said.
Pleas for the release of 12 farmers who were last month sentenced to up to five years with hard labour after filing complaints to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) last week called for their release.
Along with the farmers, their lawyer, Pho Phyu, who had helped them file the complaints, was sentenced earlier this year to four years in prison. Labour activist, Zaw Htay, who had also assisted with the complaint, was handed a 10-year sentence in January.
“Everyone who contacted to the ILO is now in prison so we dare not complain to them anymore,” said a family member speaking on condition of anonymity. “The ILO should do something with this.”
The wave of sentencing stems from a case in which 5000 acres of farmland in Aunglan township, in central Burma’s Magwe division, were confiscated last year by the Burmese army.
The farmers, with the help of Pho Phyu and Zaw Htay, had complained to the ILO, which is the only organisation in Burma with a mandate to tackle issues of land confiscation, as well as forced labour.
Although the Burmese government signed an agreement with the ILO not to retaliate against complainants, the organisation has repeatedly expressed concern about the government’s commitment to the agreement.
A report released by the ILO last week said that the number of complaints received regarding forced labour in Burma had nearly doubled in the past five months, with more than half of these relating to under-age recruitment into the army.
It warned however against the assumption that an increase in complaints automatically corresponds to wider use of forced labour in Burma.
“[The increase] appears to result from heightened awareness generally of citizens’ rights under the law, the maturing and expansion of the facilitators’ network, and an increased readiness to present complaints,” it said.
The organization, which began investigating forced labour in Burma in 1998, last week adopted a resolution calling for the release of imprisoned political activists in the country.
Meanwhile, nine people arrested in September after being found with images of detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi are facing multiple charges in a Mandalay courtroom, including sedition.
Family members told DVB last week that they have been barred from visiting the defendants, one of whom is reportedly in poor health.
Reporting by Nan Kham Kaew and Aye Nai
Nov 23, 2009 (DVB)–The International Labour Organisation should do more to protect those who complain about abuses in Burma, the families of men imprisoned recently after complaining to the UN body said.
Pleas for the release of 12 farmers who were last month sentenced to up to five years with hard labour after filing complaints to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) last week called for their release.
Along with the farmers, their lawyer, Pho Phyu, who had helped them file the complaints, was sentenced earlier this year to four years in prison. Labour activist, Zaw Htay, who had also assisted with the complaint, was handed a 10-year sentence in January.
“Everyone who contacted to the ILO is now in prison so we dare not complain to them anymore,” said a family member speaking on condition of anonymity. “The ILO should do something with this.”
The wave of sentencing stems from a case in which 5000 acres of farmland in Aunglan township, in central Burma’s Magwe division, were confiscated last year by the Burmese army.
The farmers, with the help of Pho Phyu and Zaw Htay, had complained to the ILO, which is the only organisation in Burma with a mandate to tackle issues of land confiscation, as well as forced labour.
Although the Burmese government signed an agreement with the ILO not to retaliate against complainants, the organisation has repeatedly expressed concern about the government’s commitment to the agreement.
A report released by the ILO last week said that the number of complaints received regarding forced labour in Burma had nearly doubled in the past five months, with more than half of these relating to under-age recruitment into the army.
It warned however against the assumption that an increase in complaints automatically corresponds to wider use of forced labour in Burma.
“[The increase] appears to result from heightened awareness generally of citizens’ rights under the law, the maturing and expansion of the facilitators’ network, and an increased readiness to present complaints,” it said.
The organization, which began investigating forced labour in Burma in 1998, last week adopted a resolution calling for the release of imprisoned political activists in the country.
Meanwhile, nine people arrested in September after being found with images of detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi are facing multiple charges in a Mandalay courtroom, including sedition.
Family members told DVB last week that they have been barred from visiting the defendants, one of whom is reportedly in poor health.
Reporting by Nan Kham Kaew and Aye Nai
*******************************************************************
Discrepancies highlighted in US citizen trial
Nov 23, 2009 (DVB)–The lawyer for an American citizen currently standing trial in Burma last week highlighted what he said was an inconsistency in one of the key charges brought against his client.
The Burmese-born United States’ citizen, Kyaw Zaw Lwin (also known as Nyi Nyi Aung), is standing trial in a Rangoon courtroom on charges of fraud and of carrying excessive amounts of the Burmese currency into the country.
He was arrested in early September upon arrival at Rangoon International Airport, with initial speculation that the Burmese government had linked him to a Rangoon bomb plot.
His lawyer, Nyan Win, said that testimonies from four prosecution witnesses were heard in Friday’s court hearing.
“Nyi Nyi Aung was accused of possession of Burmese currency exceeding value of $US2000,” he said. “But by the time he was arrested, he was still waiting in a queue to reach the airport’s custom checkpoint to make a personal declaration [of the items and money he was carrying.]”
“The government prosecutors said they had already handed a declaration form to passengers to fill out on the plane before it landed,” he added.
“[Nyi Nyi Aung] handed that to the officials so he didn’t have to go through the custom check point. This is an interesting point.”
The defendant was recently allowed to see his relatives for the first time since he was detained in Rangoon’s Insein prison on 3 September, a family member told DVB.
His aunt said in September that US embassy staff who had visited him in prison reported that he had been denied food for eight days and showed signs of being beaten.
Meanwhile, another lawyer for Nyi Nyi Aung, Kyi Win, has been appointed as deputy chair for the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party’s legal-advisory committee.
Kyi Win, along with Nyan Win, had represented detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during her three-month trial earlier this year.
The committee’s duty is to assist the Central Executive Committee by providing legal advice to NLD members and civilians during trials. He will be joined by nine other lawyers in the committee.
“This committee will provide lawyers and legal assistance to NLD members and civilians by request when they are facing charges,” said Kyi Win.
Reporting by Khin Hnin Htet and Thurein Soe
Nov 23, 2009 (DVB)–The lawyer for an American citizen currently standing trial in Burma last week highlighted what he said was an inconsistency in one of the key charges brought against his client.
The Burmese-born United States’ citizen, Kyaw Zaw Lwin (also known as Nyi Nyi Aung), is standing trial in a Rangoon courtroom on charges of fraud and of carrying excessive amounts of the Burmese currency into the country.
He was arrested in early September upon arrival at Rangoon International Airport, with initial speculation that the Burmese government had linked him to a Rangoon bomb plot.
His lawyer, Nyan Win, said that testimonies from four prosecution witnesses were heard in Friday’s court hearing.
“Nyi Nyi Aung was accused of possession of Burmese currency exceeding value of $US2000,” he said. “But by the time he was arrested, he was still waiting in a queue to reach the airport’s custom checkpoint to make a personal declaration [of the items and money he was carrying.]”
“The government prosecutors said they had already handed a declaration form to passengers to fill out on the plane before it landed,” he added.
“[Nyi Nyi Aung] handed that to the officials so he didn’t have to go through the custom check point. This is an interesting point.”
The defendant was recently allowed to see his relatives for the first time since he was detained in Rangoon’s Insein prison on 3 September, a family member told DVB.
His aunt said in September that US embassy staff who had visited him in prison reported that he had been denied food for eight days and showed signs of being beaten.
Meanwhile, another lawyer for Nyi Nyi Aung, Kyi Win, has been appointed as deputy chair for the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party’s legal-advisory committee.
Kyi Win, along with Nyan Win, had represented detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during her three-month trial earlier this year.
The committee’s duty is to assist the Central Executive Committee by providing legal advice to NLD members and civilians during trials. He will be joined by nine other lawyers in the committee.
“This committee will provide lawyers and legal assistance to NLD members and civilians by request when they are facing charges,” said Kyi Win.
Reporting by Khin Hnin Htet and Thurein Soe
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Burma to open private schools and hospitals
Nov 20, 2009 (DVB)–Private schools and hospitals abolished under the former Ne Win regime in Burma are to reopen in an attempt to generate more revenue in the country and improve the struggling sectors.
The government’s health ministry announced a 21-point criteria list for the opening of private hospitals starting from early next year.
Dr Kyee Myint, deputy director of the ministry’s health department, said that candidate health centers who meet the 21 conditions will be granted permission to run as hospitals.
“We have already announced this in the news,” he said. “This is a programme intended to bring profit to the nation by assisting in the development of private businesses.”
Private schools will be allowed to open at the start of the 2010 academic year, the education ministry has announced.
Guidance was recently given to private boarding tuition centres to prepare for the transition, with statistics delivered on school size, location, number of buildings and teachers, planned budget and school administration structures.
“This is only to test the capability of the candidates,” said Major Maung Latt, owner of Soe San boarding tuition in the capital, Naypyidaw, which has been flagged for consideration.
“Maybe in about one year, some government schools will be opened for auction [to replace with private schools]. Nothing is definite at the moment.
“It would be better for the education,” he added. “Why should the private boarding tuition centers be in existence now if the government schools were good enough?”
Well-known private tuition centres in Burma charge between 1.5 million and two million kyat ($US1,500 to $US2,000) per student each year.
People working in the education sector in Burma have said the move could lead to the development of more education-based businesses in the country.
Private schools once existed in Burma, but were abolished by former military leader Ne Win’s Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) government when it came to power in 1964.
Reporting by Ahunt Phone Myat
Nov 20, 2009 (DVB)–Private schools and hospitals abolished under the former Ne Win regime in Burma are to reopen in an attempt to generate more revenue in the country and improve the struggling sectors.
The government’s health ministry announced a 21-point criteria list for the opening of private hospitals starting from early next year.
Dr Kyee Myint, deputy director of the ministry’s health department, said that candidate health centers who meet the 21 conditions will be granted permission to run as hospitals.
“We have already announced this in the news,” he said. “This is a programme intended to bring profit to the nation by assisting in the development of private businesses.”
Private schools will be allowed to open at the start of the 2010 academic year, the education ministry has announced.
Guidance was recently given to private boarding tuition centres to prepare for the transition, with statistics delivered on school size, location, number of buildings and teachers, planned budget and school administration structures.
“This is only to test the capability of the candidates,” said Major Maung Latt, owner of Soe San boarding tuition in the capital, Naypyidaw, which has been flagged for consideration.
“Maybe in about one year, some government schools will be opened for auction [to replace with private schools]. Nothing is definite at the moment.
“It would be better for the education,” he added. “Why should the private boarding tuition centers be in existence now if the government schools were good enough?”
Well-known private tuition centres in Burma charge between 1.5 million and two million kyat ($US1,500 to $US2,000) per student each year.
People working in the education sector in Burma have said the move could lead to the development of more education-based businesses in the country.
Private schools once existed in Burma, but were abolished by former military leader Ne Win’s Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) government when it came to power in 1964.
Reporting by Ahunt Phone Myat
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