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VILLAGERS
FINED FOR NOT ATTENDING 'RICE COLLECTION' MEETING
Ponnagyun: Township Peace and Development
Council fined villagers for not attending a meeting called for
what the Myanmarese junta term as 'collection' of 'purchased'
rice in Ponnagyun township, close to Sittwe township of Rakhine
State, the south-western state of Myanmar, according to
Secretary of Shwenatpin Yayaka village council.
In the third week of January this year, the
Khayaka District Peace and Development Council called on a
meeting at Phara-gree village and summoned the villagers of
Shwenat-pin to attend according to what they said, the 'rice
purchase drive' meeting. In the meeting the district officials
set the last date for collection of the junta's target rice
purchase from the villagers for the season at 29th January.
As the villagers from Shwenat-pin did not attend
the meeting, the Mawata Township Peace and Development Council (Myanmarese
junta's township administration) summoned the villagers to their
office at Ponnagyun.
Fearing arrest or detention twelve of the rice
growers from Shwenatpin village went there. The township
authority charged them that they showed open disregard to the
District authority, defying the official orders by not attending
the 'meeting', and fined kyat three thousand to each of the
twelve persons.
The rest of the villagers, except the secretary
known as Hmaw-sara in the village and another farmer who was
away at that time for buying black pepper, have been charged
with 'open disobedience to the state order' a clause often used
by the Myanmarese junta and its appointed officials to oppress
the innocent farmers and villagers for failing to meet their
often arbitrary demands of rice, forced labour and any other
requirements usually for the members of the armed forces and the
junta administration.
Fearing the legal action of the township
administration, four families from the village of Shwenatpin
moved to unknown places, it was learnt.
There are forty families of fishermen and
farmers in Shwenatpin village, situated at the northern part of
Ponnagyun township
Source: Burmanet, Narinjara news, February 25,
2002
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Supreme
Court Hears Suu Kyi's Appeal
By Win Htein
Burma's Supreme Court heard an appeal from Aung
San Suu Kyi's lawyers on Wednesday concerning the drawn-out
lawsuit filed by her estranged brother regarding ownership of
her home, according to her lawyers.
"We repeatedly read our stand that no
foreigner has the right to file a lawsuit for land ownership
without permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs," U
Kyi Win, the leader of Suu Kyi's legal team, told the Democratic
Voice of Burma (DVB). "If they (the court) allow it, the
legal system has no meaning."
However, the legal team representing Aung San Oo,
Suu Kyi's brother again claimed at the appeal hearing that they
do have the legal right to file the suit. Suu Kyi's lawyers said
they are hoping a decision will be made in the next week.
The disputed home is located on Rangoon's Inya
Lake, where Suu Kyi is under house arrest. Observers feel the
regime originally backed the suit until Suu Kyi began secret
talks with the military leaders in October 2000.
Aung San Oo, who lives in the United States,
claims that he is entitled to half of the home that was
originally owned by their parents, Gen Aung San and his wife Daw
Khin Kyi. Daw Khin Kyi passed away in 1988 and Gen Aung San was
assassinated in 1947.
Source: Burmanet, Irrawaddy Online, February 25,
2002
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UN
special rapporteur meets Burmese opposition leaders
February 18, 2002
Mr Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the visiting UN special rapporteur for
human rights, met with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at her residence at
1530 [0900 GMT]today [18 February]. Also present at the meeting
were NLD [National League for Democracy] Chairman U Aung Shwe, [NLD
Vice Chairman] U Tin Oo, and [NLD secretary and spokesperson] U
Lwin. NLD spokesperson U Lwin told DVB [Democratic Voice of
Burma] that the meeting lasted about three hours and said the
following.
[U Lwin] Yes. We met today at 1530 and discussed
about three hours.
[Htet Aung Kyaw] Yes.
[U Lwin] Well, he came here because of the UN
agency's mandate and he explained about his duties and
responsibilities. Of course I cannot go into detail. As for Mr
Pinheiro he seemed to be well versed about the condition in
Burma and he said he would try his best for the good of the
country. We believed in him.
[Htet Aung Kyaw] We heard that another six
political prisoners were released today.
[U Lwin] Do you want to know? Ma Cho is from
Sanchaung, U Hla Kyaw is from Shwedaung and the chairman of NLD
Township Organizing Committee, U Maung Hla is also from
Shwedaung and organizing committee member, UMaung Than is NLD
vice chairman from Tigyaing Township, U Mya Aye is an ordinary
NLD member from Letpadan, and Daw Khin Aye Aye Mar is an unknown
lady.
[Htet Aung Kyaw] We have learned that Mr
Pinheiro went to Insein jail yesterday and met with some NLD
political prisoners. What about that?
[U Lwin] Yes, he said he met with some
prisoners.
[Htet Aung Kyaw] The last time you said there
were about 800 NLD political prisoners remaining in jails. What
is the latest figure?
[U Lwin] Well, you have to do some calculations.
I could not do that as yet. I just came to answer your call.
[Htet Aung Kyaw] Mr Pinheiro visited Insein jail
yesterday and remarked that the release of political prisoners
is a very important gesture for the progress of national
reconciliation in the country. What is your view on that?
[U Lwin] Well, his mandate is human rights and
he was merely presenting his views. He is well versed about the
country's situation and we have come to know that he is trying
very hard to help the country. But the release of political
prisoners and national reconciliation are the concerns of Mr
Razali [the UN secretary-general's special envoy].
[Htet Aung Kyaw] After news emerged some time
back about the meeting between Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and SPDC
[State Peace and Development Council]Chairman Sr Gen Than Shwe,
were there any developments in the dialogue process?
[U Lwin] Firstly, who told you about the
meeting? Nobody can confirm that and no one knows about the
developments. [End of recording] Mr Pinheiro today met with the
SPDC-sponsored Human Rights Commission, Home Minister Col Tin
Hlaing, and Police Director-General Police Maj-Gen Soe Win. He
and his delegation yesterday went to Insein Central Jail and met
and held talks with political prisoners. He spent nine hours at
the jail and met with three elderly NLD political prisoners and
Dr Salai Tun Than, who was arrested in November.
Mr Pinheiro told reporters that he was trying to
demonstrate to the authorities that the release of political
prisoners is a very important gesture for the progress of
national reconciliation in Burma. He also said he would report
on the interviews in a speech to the UN Commission for Human
Rights on 4 April. Mr Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, a Brazilian
professor, is on his third trip to Burma since his appointment
last February. He will depart Rangoon tomorrow, 19 February.
Source: Burmanet, Democratic Voice of Burma,
February 18, 2002
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Sri Lanka MPs signed for democracy in Burma
February 19: Thirteen Members of Parliament from
Sri Lanka have signed a “MP Declaration on Burma” in support
of Burma’s Members of Parliament who were elected in the 1990
elections but never allowed to convene the parliament by the
ruling military generals. According to a release of India-based
All Burma Students League (ABSL) yesterday, the Sri Lanka
Members of Parliament belonging to People’s Liberation Front (JVP)
have expressed their solidarity with the Burmese democratic
leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who remains under house arrest in
Rangoon. Her party National League for Democracy (NLD) won a
landslide victory securing more than 82 percent of the
parliamentary seats in the election held twelve years ago.
“We are grateful that we have found active
support from the MPs of Sri Lanka which has close historical
links with Burma. And we hope the support will grow”, said Ko
Moe, Central Committee member of the ABSL.
The ‘MP Declaration on Burma’ which has
attracted signatures from over 3.200 parliamentarians in 95
countries calls for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her
fellow activists, the recognition of representatives elected
democratically in 1990 to form a parliament and for effective
dialogue between the regime and the National League for
Democracy and ethnic nationalities’ representatives towards a
peaceful transition to democracy in Burma.
In India, total hundred and sixteen Members of
Parliament from various political parties had signed the
declaration.
“We are with the democratic movement in Burma
and we will do our best for the freedom for Aung San Suu Kyi and
the people of Burma”, said Mr. Nandana Gunathilaka, Member of
Parliament from Sri Lanka, in his separate letter to ABSL.
19 Members of Parliament remain in prison in
Burma and 25 MPs are in exile.
Source: Mizzima News, February 19, 2002
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Lieutenant
General of Myanmar Air Force visits site for a new air defence
base near the Bangladesh border
Maungdaw, 18th February 02: Air Defence Chief
Lieutenant General Soe Win visited Maungdaw township on the Naf
river, opposite the border of Bangladesh, our correspondent
reported.
On 9th February, the Air Defence Chief accompanied by the
Western Command Commander Brigadier Maung Oo, Tactical
Brigade Commander Lieutenant Colonel Aung Naing Tun, Nasaka
(Immigration and Security forces) Commander Lieutenant Colonel
Aung Ngwe flew in a military helicopter to a 1975 foot high
hill-top which was used as a military base by the Allied troops
during the Second World War. The high powered defence
group visited the spot for over one hour in the morning and met
with Lieutenant Colonel Win Myint, the commander of the
battalion 232 stationed there. Earlier a group of
military engineers made a feasibility study of the site for a
probable air defence base, it was learnt.
On making an inquiry about the visit, an unnamed source in the
defence forces said that, plans are going on for
constructing a hilltop air defence base there.
Source: Narinjara news, February 18,
2002
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Myanmar
envoy calls on Shahjahan Siraj
Myanmar Ambassador to Bangladesh U Ohn Thwin yesterday called on
Minister for Forest and Environment Shahajahan Siraj at his
office in the city.
During the meeting, they discussed matters
relating to environment and forest, especially environmental
problems of Bangladesh including polythene and black smoke
emitted from motorised vehicles.
They also discussed about the existing refugee
problems between the two countries and hoped that it would be
solved through high-level talks.
The Myanmar envoy also expressed his country's
keen interest in expanding bilateral trade and commerce, and
laid emphasis on strengthening the existing friendly relations
between the two neighbours.
Referring to the air pollution, the ambassador
apprised the minister that Myanmar government has banned
two-stroke engine vehicles in urban areas of the country.
Source: The Daily Star, BSS, Dhaka, February 15, 2002
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Eight
Muslims arrested for traveling without permission
February
13: The immigration officers of Burma arrested eight Muslims who were
traveling from Arakan State to Rangoon without authorities’ permission. They
were arrested at Gwa Town on their way to Rangoon on February 3. Although they
had their National Identity cards, they were traveling outside Arakan State
without permission from local police. Mizzima has learnt that they were
sentenced for 7 years imprisonment on February 7 by a court in Thandwe
Township in Arakan State.
It
is pertinent to mention here that Muslims from Thandwe Township are necessary
to take prior permission from the Military Intelligence and Immigration
Department if they want to travel outside Thandwe in Arakan State. Apart from
this so-called “Return Ticket”, three local persons have to sign a paper
guarantying their return to Thandwe. It usually takes two to three days to get
the “Return Ticket”. Moreover, a person has to pay Kyat 5,000 to the
Military for a Return Ticket.
This
has been happening in some other parts of the country as well including in
Karen State and Mon State where Muslim travelers are being asked to get down
from the buses and asked to pay money by the police and military. In some
cases, the authorities tear off the National Identity Cards of the Muslim
travelers unless they bribe the authorities.
On
the other hand, a “human career” racket of Muslims has been taking place
in Burma. Muslims from Malamyaing and Rangoon towns are being smuggled to
Thai-Burma border with Bhat 7,000 to 10, 000 for a person.
Source: Mizzima News, February 13, 2002
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Restructuring
and renaming the military administration in Rakhine State
Sittwe, 13th February 02: The administration of
Rakhine State under the State Peace and Development junta has
recently been restructured and renamed, according to our
correspondent.
The administration of Rakhine State (capital :
Sittwe) has recently been put under the control of a General,
General Phon Swe, and the administration of the state was
renamed as Dasaka (regional administration) since the Western
Command of the Myanmar army (Tatmadaw), was moved to Ann.
The outgoing commander of the previous 'Western Command',
general Aung Htwe was promoted to the Department of Defence
Services. Brigadier Maung Oo has been installed in
the vacant seat of the commander of the Western Command in
December 2001.
The naval base at Kyaukpyu has been put under Vice Admiral Mya
Swe of the Myanmar Navy since the shift of the naval
headquarters of the state to Kyaukpru (Kyaukpyu) last June.
There a naval base and submarine port has been constructed by
the help of Chinese engineers and know-how. Kyaupyu is
situated in a strategically important site on the eastern coast
of the Bay of Bengal, from where it is also possible to
keep watch over the great expanse of the bay and far beyond.
The following list contains the ten administrative bodies of the
Myanmar defence services which now control Rakhine State.
The Western Command at Ann, headed by Brigadier Maung Oo;
Dasaka (regional administration) headed by General Phon Swe;
the Dhanyawaddy Naval Headquarters, Kyaukpyu, headed by Vice
Admiral Mya Swe; Sit-sin-ye Thanachouk No. 15 (Operations
and planning headquarters) at Buthidaung headed by Colonel Khin
Naing Thein; Operations and planning
headquarters No. 9 at Kyauktaw headed by Colonel Myo Win;
Operations and planning headquarters No.5 at Taunggup headed by
Brigadier Kyi Thein; Strategical Unit No. 1 at Buthidaung
headed by Colonel Aung Naing Tun; Military Intelligence
No. 18 at Buthidaung headed by Major Thant Jin Moe; Nasaka
border immigration and security forces headquarter at Maungdaw
headed by Brigadier Aung Ngwe; Military Intelligence No.
10 Headquarters at Sittwe.
General Aung Htwe has been placed at the helm as the Defence
Services Commander-in-Chief of Rakhine State. There
are 54 battalions of forces in Rakhine State at present besides
the naval and air forces, while there were only five battalions
in 1988.
Source: Narinjara news, February 13,
2002
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Argument
over the arrest of a UNHCR employee in south western Myanmar
Maungdaw, 6th February 02: There has been an
argument between a UNHCR officer and a Nasaka immigration and
security forces major on the arrest of a local Muslim UNHCR
employee without any information either to the UNHCR office or
to the arrested person's family in the border town at the
south-western state of Myanmar, creating a lot of speculations
among the local residents as well as the international NGOs
working in the area, our correspondent quoted an unnamed source
within the local Nasaka forces.
On 22nd January this year, the Co-ordinator of
UNHCR in the northern part of Maungdaw Mr Narasima Rao and
interpreter U Kyaw Tint went to Nasaka Area No. 2 headquarter,
Aung-ju village, and met a Major Naing Lin, the
commander-in-charge of Nasaka Area 2 for the second time after
their earlier visit on 18th January.
On asking the major about Jafar Alam, a UNHCR
local employee from Khamaung-seik village, the major replied
that, though Jafar Alam had a legal wife, he allured and enticed
an unmarried girl, making her pregnant, a serious charge
according to the existing law of Myanmar. The major added
that, on the charges brought so against him by the relevant
village chief (Yayaka uggata) Jafar Alam was held 'legally' by
the Nasaka authority. The UNHCR officer demanded that,
Jafar Alam was a decent gentleman, honest and active UNHCR local
employee, widely esteemed by the people in the area.
He also added that, he (Mr Rao) had reasons to believe that,
Jafar Alam was arrested because he was suspected by the Nasaka
of providing information to the UNHCR, and that, the
character of the girl as mentioned by the major was questionable
according to the local people who told him on enquiry.
Mr Rao also hoped that, the case of Jafar Alam
be given proper hearing and investigation, and justice should be
meted out to him, or else, the international community may
bring to question the legality of the legal system prevalent
under the State Peace and Development Council junta in Myanmar.
Jafar Alam is now kept under custody in the
police lock-up room in Maungdaw, the border town of Rakhaing
state. The Nasaka Area 2 has ever since been conducting what
they described as 'investigation' on the case of Jafar Alam, it
was learnt.
Source: Narinjara news, February
6,
2002
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Myanmar
troops collect tolls from the money given to the poorby a Franch
NGO
Buthidaung, 1st February 02: The recipients of the
monetary support from NGOs have been forced to pay back a chunk
of their subsistence allowance to the village leaders and the
Myanmar troops, according to a trader from Taungbazar market of
Buthidaung in the northern part of Rakhine State in the
south-western part of Myanmar.
A Canadian official Ms Erin
accompanied by three local staff of the French NGO, ACF (Action
contré la Faim), went to Zidung-bedo village and
Ngaraing-chhaung village by a speedboat and distributed some
money to the poorest people in the area on the 16th of January,
2002. As soon as they left after their work, a platoon from
Light Infantry Battalion 551 stationed at Taung-bazar battalion
headquarter, Buthidaung township, and the local village headman
came and collected kyat 500 from each recipient as money needed
for giving security (?) to the visiting ACF officials.
ACF is working in northern part of Rakhine
State, drilling wells and ponds (for drinking water) and also on
food security programme (micro-credit, delivery of chickens and
goats, small income generating projects generally for widows or
women who are head of families, elderly people and very poor
families). ACF is one of a number of international NGOs engaged
in the region.
The trader told our correspondent that, whenever
NGO officials or the State Peace and Development Council junta
officials visit the area, the villagers there are forced
to pay tolls to the Burmese troops accompanying those persons on
security grounds, on the plea of having to spend in purchasing
food and drinks for themselves.
Source: Narinjara News, February 1, 2002
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Burmese
Army has installed new guns
New guns will be replaced to the old tool but
what has changed in the army Burmese Army has been installed
new guns, namely Myanmar Army (M.A) instead of its old guns, G-3
and
G-4.
Higher military officers have trained a new operation system to
soldiers
in the Army in which they replaced new guns; M.A-1, M.A-2, M.A-3
and M.A-4.
According to a military officer 'we will use the
new
guns and will keep the old guns, G-3 and G-4 for
resource when it needs for supplies'. After two years
test, the Army has found that the new guns have more capacity
than the old guns.
The size of M.A guns' bullet is larger than G-3
and
M-16. The M-A 1 gun is an ordinary tool but the M.A 2 is smarter
than M-A
1. M.A-3 gun is able to fold while the M.A-4 gun combines small
rocket
and auto machine styles.
These kinds of guns have been used in Mon State
and upper part of Burma, the source added. Chairman of the
village has
been appointed as chief of Village Militia Force and members of
Local Fire
Brigade have been trained as soldiers then the Burmese
army will include them as Secondary Force for the
offensive and military patrol.
Source:Burma net,Independent Mon News
Agency,January30, 2002
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Tragedy
of the Rohingyas: How long will they suffer?
Hajee M. A. Kalam
Human Rights Charter of the United
Nations declares that each and every human being must be free from any
discrimination on the basis of race, religion, language, social or
national origin etc. Moreover, from time immemorial it has been
recognized that every man is born with some inherent and inalienable
rights. But unfortunately in some member states of the UN, these
inherent and inalienable rights are being violated in a most inhuman
way. Myanmar is an example of violation of the UN Charter.
The rulers and the extremists in Myanmar
have been perpetrating cruel repression on the Rohingya population of
Arakan. Their objective is to drive the Rohingyas out of Arakan
ultimately with this heinous aim in view, they are resorting to put
all possible pressure on them including torture and killing.
Now, who are the Rohingyas ? Two major
races were historically found in Arakan of Myanmar. The Muslim
population have been known as Rohingya and the Buddhist population as
Rakhine for hundreds of years. In the 7th & 8th century many of
the Arab sailors who came for trading, settled in Arakan. Then more
settlers came from the Moghul empire of India and the province of
Bengal in particular. In 1660 Shah Shuja took shelter in Arakan with a
large entourage and most of them stayed back in Arakan.
Attracted by the simplicity, fairness and
beauty of the Muslim lifestyle, a large number of local people also
embraced Islam. These were the people who came to be known as
Rohingyas. Their way of life was quite different from other citizens
of the erstwhile Burma now called Myanmar.
The people of Arakan enjoyed freedom and
ruled their homeland for centuries together when Arakan was a
sovereign and independent state having 176-mile boundary with the then
Bengal. Today, as in the past, Arakan was surplus in agricultural,
marine and mineral resources. The Rohingyas prospered in Arakan and
their culture and religion spread beyond Arakan. Rohingya Muslim
population also kept on increasing.
During the period of Arakanese kings,
both Muslims and Buddhists, the two major ethnic nationalities i.e.
Rohingyas and Rakhies, have been living in peace and harmony.
But this happy state did not last for
long. In 1784 Burmese King Bodapaya invaded Arakan with a large army
and occupied the state and let loose a reign of terror shedding
innocent blood and plundering their properties. Thousands of Rohingyas
fled to Bengal. Many of them returned to their homeland of Arakan
after the British occupation of Arakan in 1836 and subsequently the
whole of Burma. During the British rule, the Rohingyas comparatively
enjoyed a peaceful time and were free to pursue their religion,
culture and education and Rohingyas became known as a prosperous and
dynamic race developed in all aspects of life.
With Burma getting freedom from the
British in 1948 the scenario was changed abruptly and for the worse.
Since then, expect for a brief period when Uno was prime minister, the
Rohingyas had been an ethnic race officially. The final blow came,
with the promulgation of the Citizenship Act in which Rohingyas were
not only denied of citizenship but were also not given ethnic racial
status. Thus the Rohingyas became a stateless people.
The position of the Rohingya took a
further miserable turn with military takeover in 1962. The repression
of Rohingyas continued over the years following the takeover.
Harrowing tales of forced labor, rape and mass killings were coming
out from Arakan since then. In 1994, an estimate put that no less than
5000 Rohingya youth were killed branding them as antistate elements.
As a result the Rohingyas started fleeing Arakan and took shelter in
different Muslim countries including Bangladesh. The number of
Rohingyas taking shelter in foreign lands were almost 120,000.
But the ruling junta of Myanmar and the
extremists have not stopped the persecution of the Rohingyas. They
have taken a number of inhuman measures to destroy the Rohingyas.
In view of the pitiable condition of the
Rohingyas it has become imperative to protect and preserve the rights
and identity of the Rohingyas. For this a separate body may be created
by Myanmar government which will consist of reputed Rohingya
intellectuals, religious leaders, industrialists, businessmen, lawyers
and other professionals who are either living in Arakan or have taken
shelter in other countries.
It may be added that only in 2001, 150
houses of Rohingyas were burnt down in the Arakanese capital, Akyab
and a number of Muslims were killed and wounded. In last May only in
Mangdaw town 37 mosques and prayer houses were destroyed.
Here are a few examples of human rights
violation. Rohingyas have been subjected to marriage control law which
prohibits the Muslim women to marry before the age of 25 and they have
to take permission of authorities for marriage.
Rohingyas in Arakan cannot move outside
their village or town without a permit from the authorities. In 1996 a
total of 57 mosques and madrassas were demolished. Rohingyas are
subjected to forced labor. The hapless victims have to carry their own
food and the troops do not hesitate to shoot them when found too
exhausted or sick. Rohingya students are not allowed to pursue higher
studies.
Higher taxes have been imposed on the
Rohingyas compared to other people living in Arakan. Actually there is
no hope of survival of Rohingya Muslims unless there is any
intervention by the UN Human Rights Commission, UNHCR, OIC etc.
Realising the gravity of the situation
the former Secretary General of the UN, Boutros Boutros Ghali called
for a political solution of the problem to stop this great human
tragedy. The political solution could be achieved through creation of
the aforesaid authority under the government of Myanmar to look after
the Rohingya affairs and guarantee their safety. The Rohingyas who
fled their homeland should be allowed to return without any hindrance.
Moreover all the inhuman measures inflicted on the Rohingyas should
immediately be lifted. History demands these acts of justice and fair
play from the comity of nations.
The writer is President, Arakan
Historical Society, Chittagong; founder of Naikhongchari Hajee M. A.
Kalam Degree College and a human rights activists.
Source: Burmanet, The Independent, January 25, 2002
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