The Myanmar Times’ Nyan Lynn Aung interviews U Nyi Pu, National League for Democracy’s chair for Rakhine State and a Pyithu Hluttaw representative from Gwa township constituency 2, also rumoured to be in line for the state chief minister’s post.
The National League for Democracy did not win a large number of votes in Rakhine State and most seats went to the third-largest party in the country, the Arakan National Party (ANP). How do you think the two parties will be able to negotiate?
Since the beginning, before and after the election, we have said that we would cooperate and negotiate with ethnic parties. But some people wrongly interpreted what we said and accused the NLD of not offering negotiations and deceiving people. In fact, the NLD always opens the door [to negotiations]. They [other parties] have to show their willingness to engage [and tell us] which type of negotiation they want or what kind of topic they want to discuss. (Courtesy of Myanmar Times)
Monday, February 8, 2016
Border Guard Police Gang-Rape Two Rohingya Women
The Myanmar (Burmese) Border Guard Police locally known as BGP raped two Rohingya women in northern Maungdaw at 8:30 PM last Friday.
It has been learnt that a gang of four BGP including a Corporal– from the camp at ‘Zaydi Pyin hamlet of Londoong village tract’ – raided at ‘Pan Myaung hamlet of Ngasa Kyu village tract on February 5 evening. Meanwhile, they, in two separate groups, raided two homes belong to two Rohingyas, Sayed Alam Abul Kalam and Sayed Ahmed, respectively, where they (BGP) gang-raped the women.
“Sayed Alam has been married with a woman, Shamshidah (daughter of) Gura Meah, 25, for two years. However, they haven’t had any children yet. So, they are the only two members in their family.
As the BGP entered their home, they, without a proof, alleged Sayed Alam of using Bangala Phone and asked him to give to them. He said he neither possesses a Bangala Phone nor knows how to use a mobile phone. Soon after, the BGP handcuffed and tied his hands and legs with ropes. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
It has been learnt that a gang of four BGP including a Corporal– from the camp at ‘Zaydi Pyin hamlet of Londoong village tract’ – raided at ‘Pan Myaung hamlet of Ngasa Kyu village tract on February 5 evening. Meanwhile, they, in two separate groups, raided two homes belong to two Rohingyas, Sayed Alam Abul Kalam and Sayed Ahmed, respectively, where they (BGP) gang-raped the women.
“Sayed Alam has been married with a woman, Shamshidah (daughter of) Gura Meah, 25, for two years. However, they haven’t had any children yet. So, they are the only two members in their family.
As the BGP entered their home, they, without a proof, alleged Sayed Alam of using Bangala Phone and asked him to give to them. He said he neither possesses a Bangala Phone nor knows how to use a mobile phone. Soon after, the BGP handcuffed and tied his hands and legs with ropes. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
Ethnic Sectarianism will Threaten Peace Deal
The demands and activities of ethnic minority groups have been much in the news recently. The demands have been issued by armed ethnic groups and also by unarmed groups that are planning to form political parties. Political activism was suppressed under the junta and the change of government has enabled ethnic minorities greater freedom to speak out about their aspirations and concerns.
But the resurgence of a sectarian attitude among ethnic minority political leaders is likely to become one of the challenges for the incoming National League for Democracy government. This week I want to discuss whether the NLD can overcome this challenge.
News has emerged about the formation of a Kachin Republic Party that wants Kachin State to become an independent republic. The KRP’s provisional secretary, U Lashi Yawna, said the demand for an independent state differentiates the group from the Kachin Independence Organisation, and its armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army. He said the KIO had relinquished its original goal of establishing an independent state when negotiated a ceasefire with the government in 1994 that held until 2011. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
But the resurgence of a sectarian attitude among ethnic minority political leaders is likely to become one of the challenges for the incoming National League for Democracy government. This week I want to discuss whether the NLD can overcome this challenge.
News has emerged about the formation of a Kachin Republic Party that wants Kachin State to become an independent republic. The KRP’s provisional secretary, U Lashi Yawna, said the demand for an independent state differentiates the group from the Kachin Independence Organisation, and its armed wing, the Kachin Independence Army. He said the KIO had relinquished its original goal of establishing an independent state when negotiated a ceasefire with the government in 1994 that held until 2011. (Courtesy of Frontier Myanmar)
Australia’s migrant tide
The immigrant surge throughout the world is not just south to north. Migrants are surging to Australia, too, and Australia’s highest court has ordered a temporary respite from a migrant threat like that in Europe and North America.
Australia’s high standard of living, freedom from religious persecution and a broad welfare net makes the land down under a target for millions of Asians. Many migrants are legitimate refugees seeking shelter for life and limb, but many others are economic migrants chasing jobs or professional careers.
In a test case involving a Bangladeshi woman, the Australian high court ruled that the strategy of holding migrants in New Guinea and on the equatorial island of Nauru until questions about status satisfies the law. Despite being a verified refugee whose status is sanctioned by the Nauruan government, the woman can be confined to the island’s immigration detention center. (Courtesy of Washington Times)
Australia’s high standard of living, freedom from religious persecution and a broad welfare net makes the land down under a target for millions of Asians. Many migrants are legitimate refugees seeking shelter for life and limb, but many others are economic migrants chasing jobs or professional careers.
In a test case involving a Bangladeshi woman, the Australian high court ruled that the strategy of holding migrants in New Guinea and on the equatorial island of Nauru until questions about status satisfies the law. Despite being a verified refugee whose status is sanctioned by the Nauruan government, the woman can be confined to the island’s immigration detention center. (Courtesy of Washington Times)
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Radical Buddhist Firebrand Ba Ma Tha Monks Anti Muslim Campaign Growing Stronger in Myanmar
A sordid video from 2012, in Myanmar displays the brutal murder of a woman at the hands of Muslim assailants. The attackers raped the woman as well.
ABC News reports that her death served a catalyst, of sorts, regarding the growing hostility between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar. For the most part, the relationship between majority Buddhists and minority Muslims are globally overlooked in the Southeast Asian nation as tensions continue to rise.
The video received thousands of views until Facebook effectively blocked it on Feb. 1. However the video still ignited widespread violence between majority Buddhists and minority Muslims in the Southeast Asian nation. (Courtesy of inquisitr.com)
ABC News reports that her death served a catalyst, of sorts, regarding the growing hostility between Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar. For the most part, the relationship between majority Buddhists and minority Muslims are globally overlooked in the Southeast Asian nation as tensions continue to rise.
The video received thousands of views until Facebook effectively blocked it on Feb. 1. However the video still ignited widespread violence between majority Buddhists and minority Muslims in the Southeast Asian nation. (Courtesy of inquisitr.com)
Malaysian Authorities Crackdown on Refugees at UNHCR Office
Malaysian Police, Immigration and other enforcement authorities have been jointly conducting operations against illegal migrants at many places in the country for a few days now.
The joint authorities also launched crackdowns on the refugees queuing up before UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) Office in Kuala Lumpur and subsequently arrested many of them respectively on February 4 and 5, which left many in shock. Among the Refugees arrested, most of them were from Myanmar including Rohingya and Chin Refugees.
“They nabbed everyone lined up to enter UNHCR Office. After verification, the Refugees with UNHCR Cards were released. Those without UNHCR Cards, with Asylum Seeking Documents and expired UNHCR cards (and went to the office for renewing cards) were arrested.
They also demanded UNHCR authorities to hand over the Refugees waiting within the office premise for different refugee issues. However, UNHCR didn’t do that. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
The joint authorities also launched crackdowns on the refugees queuing up before UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) Office in Kuala Lumpur and subsequently arrested many of them respectively on February 4 and 5, which left many in shock. Among the Refugees arrested, most of them were from Myanmar including Rohingya and Chin Refugees.
“They nabbed everyone lined up to enter UNHCR Office. After verification, the Refugees with UNHCR Cards were released. Those without UNHCR Cards, with Asylum Seeking Documents and expired UNHCR cards (and went to the office for renewing cards) were arrested.
They also demanded UNHCR authorities to hand over the Refugees waiting within the office premise for different refugee issues. However, UNHCR didn’t do that. (Courtesy of Rohingya Vision TV)
NLD appoints Shwe Mann to head legal advisory panel
Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party has nominated Mr Shwe Mann, one of the country's most powerful politicians, to head a prominent legal advisory panel, as the freshly elected Parliament prepares to choose a new president.
Mr Shwe Mann, the No. 3 in the junta that ran Myanmar for half a century before giving way to a semi-civilian government in 2011, grew closer to Ms Suu Kyi in the legislature's last term, becoming a key adviser after her massive election win in November.
The election, in which Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won 80 per cent of the elected seats, kicked off a lengthy transition that will end on April 1, when the new government officially begins its term. (Courtesy of Straits Times)
Mr Shwe Mann, the No. 3 in the junta that ran Myanmar for half a century before giving way to a semi-civilian government in 2011, grew closer to Ms Suu Kyi in the legislature's last term, becoming a key adviser after her massive election win in November.
The election, in which Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won 80 per cent of the elected seats, kicked off a lengthy transition that will end on April 1, when the new government officially begins its term. (Courtesy of Straits Times)
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