March 20-25, 2015

The Irrawaddy News Magazine (Thailand based – privately run)

“Life Goes On in Kachin Camps, But the Future Is Bleak” March 25, 2014

• Since a ceasefire broke down in mid-2011 in Kachin region, more than 100,000 people have been displaced and more than half of those are estimated to be living in camps largely administered by the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and located along the Burmese-Chinese border.
• Testimonies from various IDPSs suggest that returning to their villages is looking less and less likely. More than 47 separate villages in the region are empty as more than 2,000 people are living in the Hpun Lun Yang camp.
• Work at the IDP camps is rare and it is becoming increasingly difficult for the thousands of people to receive food and aid from NGOs and the KIO. Health problems abound.
• The future is not looking bright and many fear that they will not be able to see their villages soon. 

The Irrawaddy News Magazine (Thailand-based privately run)

“Four Detained, Charged at Burma Constitutional Amendment Rally” March 26, 2014

• Four rights activists from the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society group were detained in central Burma and charged with a controversial law that prohibits protesting without permission. (Article 18 of the Constitution). The activists demonstrated in support of amending Burma’s military-drafted 2008 constitution before the 2015 elections.
  • Currently, the charter includes measure that ensure the military’s place in national politics and in Parliament, and a clause that means NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi cannot become president, among numerous other unpopular clauses
• Protester Than Naing said that his group’s had demand to hold a protest was denied. They group did tell the police on Monday that they would be protesting nonetheless.
• The 88 Generation, the NLD and other organizations feel that it is difficult to pass laws in the Burmese parliament because one quarter of the seats are allocated to the military. Questions of proportional and demographic representation should be encouraged, the group argues.

Democratic Voice of Burma (privately run)

"Burma’s badly needed census may have come too soon” March 25, 2014. 

• As part of an ongoing effort to increase a successful development of projects in Burma, the country started a population census.
• The process has done little to build trust between the government and ethnic minorities who have provide sensitive personal data.
• Inter-ethnic tensions are particularly rife in Arakan State, even prior to the census, because many Arakanese believe that the Rohingya population should not be included in the census as they feel that the Rohingya are illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.
• There are concerns of an escalation to violence. Some Observers suggest that a postponement of the census might be in the best interest of the country.
• The UNFPA says that US$58.5 million is being spent on Burma’s 2014 census - US$15 million is paid by the Burmese government. There seems to be a willingness to push forward, despite the risk of anti-Rohingya and antiMuslim violence looming. 

IRIN Asia: Myanmar (privately run)

“Muslims rebuild homes as communal tensions ease in central Myanmar” March 20, 2014.

• In Meiktila, thousands of residents displaced by communal violence over a year ago are finally allowed to rebuild their homes. This initiative is part of a government-approved plan allowing more than 400 families with ownership documents to return and rebuild their homes with the help of private donors and local NGOs.
• Pierre Peron, a spokesperson for OCHA said that, “there is still a lot of work and construction to be completed, but we are please to see that the process is moving in the right direction.”
• Human Rights Watch reported that more than 800 homes were destroyed and 35 buildings were damanged in Meiktila in March of 2013.
• Presently, there are over 4,00 internally displaced persons in the region, most of whom are Muslims living in IDP Camps.
• The government plan has stated that those with land titles will be resettled in homes built by the Chan Aye, and those without will be resettled in 20 three story blocks to be built by the government and private donors.
• Nevertheless, there is some opposition to this scheme because many have lost their land titles. Some IDPs complain that they will need more assistance from the government to get back on their feet and to find employment.
• In Meiktila the situation between Muslims and Buddhists remain calm but many still believe that the Rohingya caused the violence and tensions that escalated last year. The communities are coming together and have even formed neighborhood watch groups, comprised of both Buddhists and Muslims to patrol the communities at night
  • It is encouraging to see that locals are taking matters into their own hands.

Burma News International (privately run)

“HRW slams Myanmar’s proposed curbs on interfaith marriage” March 25, 2014

• Human Rights Watch has said that Myanmar should scrap the proposed restrictions on interfaith marriage, warning that the “blatant discrimination” threatens religious freedom and women’s rights.
• Following a campaign spearheaded by a hardline monk, President Thein Sein has asked parliament to consider the proposed intermarriage restrictions. In a letter to lawmakers, Thein Sein said the legislation will give “protection” to Buddhists.
• HRW’s Asia director said that, “it is shocking that Burma is considering enshrining blatant discrimination at the heard of Burmese family law (…) this law would strip away from women their right to freely decide whom to marry, and would mark a major reversal for religious freedom and women’s rights in Burma.”
• HRW and the international community have already criticized Myanmar over its “two-child policy” that it has attempted to implement in some areas to specifically target Rohingya Muslims.

Myanmar News.net (privately run)

“KIO refuses to allow census on its territory” March 20, 2014

• The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) has rejected a request from the government to collect census data on territory under the KIO’s control because of continued fighting between the Kachin Independence Army and the government forces. The KIO is concerned about security.
• Officials say it is unfortunate that the KIO refuses to cooperate with the census because the demographic information will be used to evaluate the allocation of development projects throughout the country.
• Nevertheless, the government managed to collect some census data in Kachin State in six townships in Putao District. 

Burma News International (privately run)

“MSF ‘encouraged’ by talks but Rakhine clinics still closed” March 24 2014

• MSF says it is encouraged by talks with the government on the possibility of re-opening its clinics in Rakhine State. Dr Liu, president of MSF International, participated in the talks.
• Discussions included ideas on how the MSF can work more closely with the Ministry of Health to deliver medical assistance to the people of Rakhine.
• Dr Liu also traveled to some of the communities outside of the state capital and had productive conversations with authorities and community leaders about working with them to improve mutual trust.
• MSF representatives worry that the thousands of people they had been treating in Rakhine State are no longer able to access the basic medical services they need. Although the Ministry of Health has taken steps to fill the gap created by the suspension of MSF, replacing a program of this size is challenging. 

Myanmar National Times (joint state/privately run)

“US urges action on Rohingya discrimination” March 25, 2014

• A US congressional panel has urged Myanmar to end discrimination against the Rohingya, saying human rights are vital to the nation’s democratic reforms. The House Foreign Affairs Committee approved a resolution calling on Myanmar to “end all forms of persecution and discrimination” against the Rohingya.
• Chairperson of the committee Ed Royce expressed alarm at the violence against Rohingya and Myanmar’s restrictions on medical aid group Doctors Without Borders. Royce explained that, “sadly, this is what happens when a government refuses to recognize its own people.”
• The resolution does not present any specific US counter-measures.
• Myanmar’s ambassador to Washington, Kyaw Myo Htut said that his country hopes to improve relations with the US and appreciates the support and encouragement. He welcomed the report but said that some points do not reflect reality.
• The international community continuously urges the Burmese government to improve relations with the Rohingya. The government of Myanmar has denied many of the claims that authorities are discriminating against the Rohingyas.