Burma Issues - BI Weekly No.331

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BI Weekly No. 331

28-12-2007 - 4-1-2008

The BI Weekly archive is available on our website: www.burmaissues.org

Student protestors face serious charges in Burma

Four students who were arrested in connection with the September demonstrations are to be charged with six offences which could result in over twelve years in prison.

Ye Myat Hein, Sithu Maung, Ye Min Oo and Kyi Phyu are first-year mathematics students from West Rangoon University.

They are due to be brought before Bahan court on 2 January to face charges under sections 143 144 and 145 of the penal code on unlawful assembly, section 147 on rioting, 295 and 295 (a) on religious defamation and 505b on incitement of offences against the public tranquility.

Five of the six charges carry maximum sentences of two years each, while the sixth could lead to a further six months.

“According to section 37 of the regulations on the detention of juveniles issued by the Burmese govt in 1993, a minor should not be handcuffed or tied up, or held together with adult criminals,” Khin Maung Cho said.

“They also can’t beat them up or threaten them.”

Despite this, Khin Maung Cho said his son is being held in a cell together with 20 adult criminals in order to intimidate him.

“So this is like the authorities are violating their own regulations by putting my son with these adult criminals,” he said.

"Student protestors face serious charges", Democratic Voice of Burma, December 28, 2007

2008 will bring change to Burma

The Burmese oppositions’ prospects of dialogue with the military government remain unlikely in the near future while the junta pushes ahead with its seven-step “Roadmap.” However, astrologists say 2008 will bring change to Burma.

The international community, led by the UN, has repeatedly called for dialogue to resolve the crisis in Burma, there is little light at the end of the tunnel in 2008, said Aye Thar Aung, secretary of the Committee Representing the People’s Parliament.

“The junta’s claims are likely to be false. They made conditions for dialogue; now there are no signs of an ongoing dialogue,” he added.

The Burmese junta, through its State Peace and Development Council, characterized its hardline stance in a list of objectives released to the state-run media on Friday to mark the 60th anniversary of Burma’s independence.

Two of the five objectives read: “To ensure emergence of an enduring constitution in line with the fundamental principle and detailed basic principles adopted by the National Convention that has been completed successfully;” and “All the national people to cooperate in realizing the state’s seven-step roadmap with union spirit, patriotic spirit and the spirit of sacrifice.”

"Solution to Burma crisis uncertain in 2008", Irrawaddy, December 28, 2007

70,000 child soldiers are serving in 727 infantry battalions of the Burma army

It’s estimated that around 70,000 child soldiers are serving in 727 infantry battalions of the Burma army.

Many of them are victims of a practice enabling veteran soldiers to “buy” their discharge by recruiting new blood for the army.

“The children were threatened by army recruiters and told that if they didn’t join the army they would be sent to prison,” said a relative of one of the child soldiers.

Eleven complaints of forced recruitment of child soldiers are currently being investigated by the International Labour Organization in Rangoon, according to ILO liaison officer Stephen Marshall.

“When the investigation is completed, the government has a responsibility to report back to me the findings of its own investigation and the decision it has taken,” he told The Irrawaddy.

"Child recruits are the price of retirement in Burma's Army", Irrawaddy, December 28, 2007

Theelaythee VCD is widely being circulated in Rangoon

“Theelaythee VCD is widely being circulated in Rangoon. Almost everyone has watched this VCD and likes it. If someone has not yet watched the VCD, those who have watched it give it to them. This way, the VCD is circulating and everybody likes it,” a female student said.

The colourful Ahnyeint (variety dance) video compact disc (VCD) which captures the performance of four comedians which mock and ridicule the regime’s weak points and appalling governance, is popular among Rangoon residents and is being widely circulated.

“But you cannot get these uncensored DVDs and VCDs easily. You have to place an order and collect it the next day at the time given by the vendors because the vendors are at risk of being arrested if they are founding possession of these DVDs and VCDs,” he said.

Though some are saying that the authorities are chasing and arresting vendors who are selling such DVDs and VCDs, no one has been arrested yet.

"Theelaythee VCD popular in Rangoo", Mizzima, December 28, 2007

Government control farmland from locals

The Burmese government has seized over 1000 acres of privately-owned farmlands near Meikhtila airbase for an upcoming factory project, according to locals.

“Villagers who own farmlands in 16 villages from three village-groups were asked by an air-force officer to sign the agreement which says they acknowledge the government’s seizure of their lands for a future factory project,” said the Meikhtila resident.

“Most of the paddy rice produced in the district comes from these farmlands. They are vital food sources for all the people in the whole district.”

The airbase authorities reportedly promised the farmers compensation of twelve times their farm tax rate for the loss of land.

The tax rate for each acre of farm is 1.50 kyat.

"Government seizes farmland from locals", Democratic Voice of Burma, December 31, 2007

Burmese junta refuses to reregister three ethnic cultural groups

The Burmese military government has refused to renew the registration of three ethnic cultural groups, effectively closing them down.

Ethnic cultural groups have to renew their registration annually with the Ministry of Home Affairs, but three organizations representing Mon, Karen and Shan communities say the authorities have refused to accept their applications, giving no reason for the action.

A spokesman of the New Mon State Party, told the Irrawaddy on Friday: "The military regime didn't announce officially the closure of our cultural organizations.

Kyaw Win, a committee member of the Karen Literature and Culture Committee, told the Irrawaddy the authorities had also refused to reregister his organization.

The Shan literature and Culture Committee reported that it, too had its application blocked.

“We will not allow this action, and we will try to get pour registration back,” Kyaw Win said, “Our culture will live as long as there are Karen people.”

The Mon people felt injured by the authorities’ action, he said. “They should not restrain and destroy our culture while restoring national reconciliation and building ethnic unity.”

"Junta refuses to reregister three ethnic cultural groups", Irrawaddy, January 4, 2008

Burma reports bird flu virus among domestic chickens near Burma – Thai border town

Burma has reported an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus among domestic chickens in a village near the Burma-Thai border, state-run media reported.

The unusual deaths of domestic chickens in a village in eastern Shan State’s Mongphyat township, about 50 kilometers north of the Burma-Thai border, was reported to the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary department on Dec. 23, the state-run New Light of Burma newspaper reported.

Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus, the paper said.

A report by the department assessed that the virus spread to the area from Keng Tung township following a bird flu outbreak there on Nov. 18 when 2,058 chickens at a farm died and another 533 were slaughtered to prevent the virus from spreading.

Mongphyat is situated 58 kilometers south of Keng Tung.

The young girl was treated at the People’s hospital in Keng Tung before she was discharged.

Authorities imposed controls such as setting up restricted zones, culling poultry, disinfection of affected premises and banning the transport of chickens, the paper said.

Bird flu has recently resurfaced in parts of Asia, with human deaths reported in Indonesia and China and fresh poultry outbreaks plaguing other countries during the winter months when the virus typically flares.

"Burma reports bird flu outbreak in chickens near Burma – Thai border town", Jakarta Post, December 31 2007

"Bangladesh authorities arrest 14 Chins from Burma in Rumana village"

Bangladesh authorities arrested 14 Chins from Burma in Rumana village in Bandarban district of Chittagong hill tracts in Bangladesh for distributing Bible tracks (booklet) on November 28, 2007.

Carson Baptist Church’s Youth Ministry based in Aizawl, capital of Mizoram state, northeast India had sent 14 Chins from Burma to Bangladesh to distribute the Bengali version of Bible tracks (booklet) to Bawm tribal people in Bandarban district as part of a Christian mission to Bangladesh.

The 14 Chins arrived in Bangladesh on November 19 and were arrested in Rumana village in Bandarban town as some people complained to the authorities. The arrested Chins were later taken to jail in Bandarban town.

“They have been arrested for distributing Bible tracks but the Bangladesh government had charged them under Foreigner’s Act.” said Pu Khin, a member of Carson Baptist Church Youth Ministry.

“The case will be heard in court in Bardarban town tomorrow”, he added.

"Bangladesh authorities arrest 14 Chins from Burma", Khonumthung News, December 31, 2007

"The Thai Navy authorities arrest 72 Rohingyas for illegal enter"

The Thai Navy arrested 72 Rohingya, Muslim ethnic minorities from Burma for illegally entering the country. They were transferred to the Thai-Burmese border town of Ranong, a police source said.

An official at the Kura Buri police station told Mizzima that the Rohingyas, in the age group of 10 to 30 years, have been transferred to the Ranong immigration department.

“They were taken away by the Phannga immigration and handed over to the Ranong immigration,” the official said.

A Burmese Rights activist, from the Grassroot Human Rights Education Committee, told Mizzima that the group had visited the Rohingyas and provided food after they were informed by Thai officials.

According to a report in the Bangkok Post, Thai officials suspect a section of the Rohingyas of working with insurgents in Thailand’s southern districts and are likely to be charged with illegal entry.

Rohingyas, who mainly reside in Burma’s western coastal state of Arakan, like many other Burmese, have occasionally been reported crossing the sea into Malaysia to find jobs.

"Thai authorities arrest 72 Rohingyas for illegal enter", Mizzima News, January 4, 2008

"Rome support to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Burmese People in their struggle for democracy"

Rome City Hall decorated its facade with posters of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and French-Colombian hostage, Ingrid Betancourt.

A giant poster depicting photo of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the democracy icon of Burma, has been on display in Italian capital, Rome.

The mayor of Rome has chosen to display the huge poster in front of the capital’s town hall.

The picture shows the photo of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Ingrid Betancourt, a Colombian politician who has been taken hostage by a leftist rebel group since 2002.

The display is to reflect the support of Romans to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Burmese people in their struggle for democracy, said Cicilia Brighi, an Italian trade unionist who also has involved in the campaign.

he told the BBC Burmese Service that this campaign is important in pushing Italian government to pressure more on Burma’s military government.

"Rome shows support to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi", BBC Burmese Service, December 31, 2007

"Global gas lines remain pipedream in 2007"

India’s plan to bring gas through international pipelines was reduced to mere pipe dreams in 2007.

This year India lost Burma-India pipeline to China, is on the verge of being thrown out of Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) pipeline and no one knows whether Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project is actually feasible.

India lost Burma-India pipeline which the analysts believed would be the first of the three pipelines to materialise. Gail had plan the import of natural gas from Burma through on land pipeline from Burma through north-eastern states of the country.

India failed to convince Burma to sell gas to it instead of China. Burma invited revised bid for A1 and A3 blocks on December 4, 2006.

This development was conveyed to the consortium partners (including India) by Burma during a meeting held at Nay Pyi Taw on March 16, 2007 Burma struck to its decision to sell the gas to China.

Pakistan’s petroleum secretary Ahmad Waqar also assured Indian side that complete security will be given to that part of the pipeline which will carry gas exclusive for India.

"Global gas lines remain pipedream – Pawan Bali", The Asia Age, December 31, 2007

"Laura Bush pressure on Burma junta"

Laura Bush has taken an unusual lead role in efforts to push for change in Burma.She said in a statement marking Burma’s 60th anniversary of independence from Britain.

“We urge the regime to fulfill its promises to the United Nations Security Council, and to take more than token steps toward meaningful dialogue with Burma’s opposition,” she said.

The junta led by General Than Shwe “must release Aung San Suu Kyi and other democratic leaders, so they can begin the process of national reconciliation,” she said.

“Meanwhile, the United States stands with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all those working to make sure that by the next January 4, the people of Burma will celebrate real independence,” she said.

“Today, January 4, is the 60th anniversary of Burma’s independence. Instead of celebrating their freedom, the Burmese people live in fear, poverty, and oppression under General Than Shwe and his military regime,” said Laura Bush.

She accused the junta of having “plundered” Burma’s natural resources wealth and charged that “hundreds of innocent people remain in jail” and more are being arrested for speaking out against the regime.

“Reports suggest that the Burmese army is now massing in eastern Burma, preparing for a renewed military onslaught against Burma’s ethnic minorities. Past offensives have resulted in killings and rapes of civilians, forced labor, crop burnings, and mass relocations,” she said.

"Laura Bush urges pressure on Burma junta", Agence France presse, January 4, 2008

"Czech Foreign Minister call on Burma to take democratic path"

Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg called Thursday on Burma’s ruling junta to take the country towards democracy on the eve of the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence.

In a letter sent to the junta’s leaders, Schwarzenberg said he “hoped that Burma’s population would in the near future have the possibility to celebrate real freedom in their country on the state holiday.”

He challenged the junta to release all political prisoners, including democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, and to start talks with the leaders of democratic forces in the country.

The junta violently cracked down on peaceful protests led by Buddhist monks in September with at least 31 people killed and 74 missing, according to a UN report.

Burma won independence from former colonial power Britain on January 4, 1948.

"Czech call on Burma to take democratic path", Agence France Presse, January 4, 2008

The European Union's wants Burma at top of int'l agenda

The European Union’s special envoy on Burma said Thursday the world should maintain its focus on Burma despite recent events that are capturing headlines and he also believes China could play an even greater role in solving the situation in the country.

“There is a risk of attention to Burma, being lowered in international public opinion,” Piero Fassino, told Kyodo News, explaining that recent events such as the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and other brewing crises threaten to divert attention from the country. “I think that the first goal is to keep Burma as a top item on the international agenda.”

"EU wants Burma at top of int'l agenda", Kyodo News, January 4, 2008