|
A
Rohingya fisherman looted by NaSaKa
By our
correspondent
Maungdaw November 19: On November 11,2001. A
team of NaSaKa border security forces, belonging to camp. No. 15
at Padan village (Patanza) in NaSaKa area No. 7, extorted all
the fish caught by a fisherman named Abdul Mataleb of Kharipara,
a village in the outskirts of Maungdaw town, while he was
fishing in the Naf river, which demarcates Burma-Bangladesh
border. When the poor fisherman asked for money the NaSaKa
forces detained him at their camp under a false and fabricated
charge of visiting Bangladesh without permission, said a
fisherman fishing in the Naf river.
"Kaladan Press" is an independent news
group disseminating and reporting news and information covering
western Burma in particular.
Source: Kaladan Press Network , 22 November 2001
TOP
Rohingya farmland confiscated
By our correspondent
Buthidaung November 18: The army had
ordered further confiscation of 6400 acres of Rohingya farmland
in Buthidaung township, located between Pranchay village tract
on Maungdaw-Buthidaung road and the mouth of Alechaung creek.
The land were already surveyed by commander of the Brigade No.15
with personnel from survey department on November 10,2001, said
a landowner.
The farmers were ordered to leave their farmland
immediately after harvest. Temporary tents were constructed on
it where Lun Htin special police forces have been stationed
causing great trouble to the farmers, who, therefore, are
expecting a very poor harvest. People of the area think that a
Lun Htin regiment will be established on the confiscated land.
Source: Kaladan Press Network , 22 November 2001
TOP
NaSaKa and BDR traded fire in the Bay
By our correspondent
Teknaf November 17: On November 14, 2001, a
section of 6 NaSaKa border security forces, from NaSaKa Area No.
7, in a mechanised boats, was chasing 4 fishing boats trawling
in Bangladesh waters close to St. Martin Island. On
information, a team of Bangladesh Border Security Force (BDR),
from St. Martin camp, in a speed boat, rushed and intercepted
the NaSaKa whereupon exchange of fire between the two groups
occurred in which a Rohingya, who was in the NaSaKa boat, namely
Kala Shuna was killed. He hailed from Alithan Kyaw of Maungdaw
township. This was told by a relative of the deceased.
For a long time, NaSaKa forces have reportedly
been attacking and robbing the fishing trawlers and other boats
in the Bay and Naf river.
Source: Kaladan Press Network , 22 November 2001
TOP
Five Canadian Cities Join in Global Action
for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
By Tin Maung Htoo
Toronto-- Five Canadian cities: Toronto,
Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Admonton have joined in hand
with dozens of other cities around the world in a global action
calling for the release of pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi and about two thousands political prisoners in Burma.
Coinciding with the 10th anniversary of her
Noble Peace Prize, a high profile committee was formed in
Norway comprising a number of Noble Peace Laureates and
politicians including Norwegian Prime Minister, former U.S.
State Secretary Madeleine Albright, and former Philippine
president Corazon Aquino.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi who has been under house
arrest, along with severe restriction for years, is unlikely to
attend the centennial ceremony of the Noble Peace Prize in
Norway while three dozens of living award winners are expected
to gather in Oslo on Dec 10.
As a result, the new setup committee call a
worldwide action on Dec 8, and in response, supporters and
activists from almost two dozens of countries including Canada
have joined in solidarity movement. And it is expected that more
cities and countries will take part in the action.
In Canada, a conference call took place this
Monday and representatives from Canadian Friends of Burma,
Burmese Students' Democratic Organization, Burma Watch
International, Toronto and Vancouver Burma Roundtables
participated for the preparation and coordination of a variety
of actions in Canada.
Toronto- and Vancouver-based activists also held
their Roundtables last Sunday and finalized their action plans
ranging from exhibitions, candlelight vigils to press
conferences, ceremonies and MPs signatures collecting campaign.
Activists in Canada are now collecting
signatures of Federal Members of Parliament in support of a call
for release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners
in Burma as activists in other countries are doing. The leading
campaign committee is also collecting signatures online at -
www.burmapeacecampaign.org in support of this global action.
Source: Burma Media Association , 21 November 2001
TOP
A
Rohingya Sampan man stabbed to death
Buthidaung November15: A Rohingya sampan man was
stabbed to death on his sampan, at the mouth of the Kadirpara
creek joining the Mayu river, at about 4 a.m. on the day of 30th
October 2001, while he was transporting goods to Buthidaung, a
relative of the victim said.
The boatman named Muktul Hussain (27), son of
Madu, from Kadirpara of Yaungchang village track in Buthidaung
township, North Arakan, was stabbed to death by some Rakhine
muggers from Toorpara of the same village tract. The muggers
looted and carried away the sampan to unknown place. When the
father of the victim went to lodge FIR with the police station
at Buthidaung town, the police did not register the case. At
last, the dead body was buried at the village graveyard of
Kadirpara.
Source: Kaladan Press Network , 18 November 2001
TOP
Two
SPDC Soldiers were killed and 20 Injured in Rakhine State
SITTWE, NOV 17: Two soldiers were killed and 20
injured when a bomb was threw in the military compound (light
Infantry Battalion-542) in Mray Phon township in Arakan State on
October 29, 2001.
On October 29 at 8:18 PM, Corporal Nanda
verbally assaulted Private Soe Nay Myo. They were drunk and
attacked each other for a while. Then Private Soe Nay Myo took
the bomb and off the switch. The bomb went off quickly and both
men were killed on the sport. 20 other were seriously injured.
After the powerful expulsion occurred, the
Western command of the SPDC issued a straight order to all
military infantry stations in the Arakan State that none of the
bombs and ammunitions can store in the barracks.#
Source by local reporter from sittwe
Source: Narinjara News , 17 November 2001
TOP
Humiliating Marriage Restriction
Maungdaw November 15: On 5th October 2001, a
religious leader, namely Maulvi Abul Bashar of Gonapara in
Shweza village track (Shujarpara), adjacent to Maungdaw town,
made a prayer to the Chairman of the Township Peace and
Development Council (TPDC) of Maungdaw for permission to give
his young daughter Kumira Begum in marriage to a boy. After 15
days the authorities, including the Commander of NaSaKa Area 6,
instructed the camp commander of Lower NaSaKa camp at on the
mouth of the Tat creek, Maungdaw, to investigate and deal with
the matter.
On receipt of the instruction, the commander of
the camp summoned the guardians of both girl and boy to appear
before him with their family registration cards. When the father
of the girl Maulvi Abul Bashar approached the commander with
necessary documents, the commander, on examination of the family
registration card, found a very small ink spot over the
age of the girl, which has, in fact, been seen from the date of
its issue. Then the commander started accusing Maulvi Abul
Bashar of tampering with his daughter's age and hit him several
times and detained him in the camp. After 3 days his relatives
had to bribe the camp commander a sum of Kyat 30,000/- for his
release and on 28th October 2001 permission to solemnize the
marriage was granted.
Since many years Rohingyas are required to
obtain prior permission from SPDC for the marriages of their
wards, but the other communities are exempted from this.
Generally the marriageable age of a Rohingya boy is fixed at 25
while girl at 20. But there has been no written order issued for
this marriage restriction. It absolutely depends on the officers
concerned and it differs from officer to officer. Sometimes,
marriageable age for the boy is fixed at 26, 27 or 30 and for
girl at 22 or 25.
Editor
Kaladan Press Network
Source: Kaladan Press Network , 18 November 2001
TOP
Muslim villagers
arrested during police hunting against Christian converts
By our correspondent
Buthidaung November 10: On
October 10, 2001 the Chairman of the Buthidaung Township PDC,
Arakan State, summoned to his office all those people from 60
households, who were recently converted into Christianity from
Pranchay, a Rakhine village near Buthidaung town, with a total
of 75 houses. When the converts failed to appear before the
Chairman of the township PDC, a team of police force with a
strength of 7 men was sent to the village on October 21, but the
converts have gone into hiding. The police continued to station
in the Pranchay village while hunting down the converts, said
concerned villagers.
According to the villagers,
every night the police patrol goes round the nearby Rohingya
villages while making arrests of the inmates selectively, on
false and fabricated charges, with intent to squeeze money from
the innocent villagers. All those arrested were released by
paying bribes ranging from Kyats 5,000 to 7,000 per person on
demand.
Wachila, Kuandine Maungnama,
Nanragon Maungnama, Pranchay Rwatheik and Pranchay Rwagri are
among those villages subjected to police harassment. Although
the matters were reported by the village PDCs to the concerned
township authorities, no action has been taken against the
culprits. Rather, the police station at Buthidaung are reported
to have been encouraging its forces to continue harassment
against the Rohingyas.
Source: Kaladan Press Network ,
13 November 2001
TOP
Reuters:
Myanmar's military makes big cabinet changes
YANGON, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Myanmar's ruling military council
announced major cabinet changes on Sunday, one day after it
dismissed two top officials in one of the most sweeping changes
in the government in recent years.
Diplomats and analysts said the changes in the past two days,
involving a senior member of the State Peace and Development
Council (SPDC) and three deputy premiers, were efforts by the
secretive ruling body to inject young blood into an ageing
leadership.
They said the SPDC's moves would unlikely lead to any changes
in Myanmar's domestic or foreign policies.
The analysts said they did not detect any power struggle among
the current top three leaders -- SPDC Chairman Than Shwe, Vice
Chairman and Army Commander in Chief Maung Aye, and Secretary
One and national intelligence chief Khin Nyunt.
``The changes show the unity and strength of those top three.
They still seem to have a tight grip on the government,'' said a
retired local politician.
State media said the SPDC orders, signed by Khin Nyunt, gave
no reasons for the dismissal of Secretary Three, Lieutenant
General Win Myint, who was widely regarded as the fourth most
powerful man in the country.
Win Myint was formerly military commander of Myanmar's
western region before he joined the SPDC in late 1997. The
sacked general was lately chief of Myanmar Economic Holdings
Company, a state firm with diverse monopolies in mining,
banking, fishery and trading sectors.
Also sacked was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Military Affairs Lieutenant General Tin Hla. He was head of
state-run Myanmar Economic Corporation.
Tin Hla, who had supervised economic affairs and interests of
the armed forces, is not a member of SPDC. The military has been
running the country since 1962.
Diplomats said both Win Myint and Tin Hla had long been
rumoured to have had personal business connections with the
private sector.
OUT WITH THE OLD
The SPDC on Sunday announced retirements of five more cabinet
ministers, including two deputy premiers -- Vice Admiral Maung
Maung Khin, 72, and Lieutenant General Tin Tun, 70.
Three other affected ministers -- aged around 60, which is
the official retirement age -- were Minister for Culture Win
Sein, Minister for Cooperatives Aung San, and Minister for
Immigration and Population Saw Tun, all former senior army
officers.
None of five retired ministers affected by the Sunday
announcements served as SPDC members.
Government sources close to the two retired deputy premiers
said Maung Maung Khin and Tin Tun had requested permission to
quit for health reasons.
Diplomats speculated that there could be more purges of
senior government officials or cabinet members ahead of the
fourth anniversary of the formation of the SPDC on November 15.
The SPDC includes most members of the previous ruling State
Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) which seized power in
1988 and later changed its name to SPDC in 1997.
It was not clear when or if the SPDC would name successors of
the dismissed and retired officers. Most of the remaining SPDC
members are powerful regional army commanders.
Analysts say among those rumoured as good prospects for
promotion are Major General Tin Aung Myint Oo, commander of
Myanmar's north east region, and Major General Thein Sein who
has been in charge of the military in triangle border areas of
Myanmar, Laos and Thailand.
Source: Burmanet , 11 November 2001
TOP
Grief turns to outrage over student murders
By Latafat Ali Siddiqui, Special to Arab News
TORONTO, 13 November — Two Muslim students,
who were stabbed to death last week, were laid to rest here
yesterday.
Naeem Amiji, 21, and his 23-year-old sister
Nuzhat were killed in mysterious circumstances in a Mississauga
high-rise building. Police are still trying to ascertain the
motive behind the crime. (See Editorial on Page 10)
According to reports, severely wounded Naeem had
made desperate attempts to seek help of the neighbors. Before
collapsing on the stairway between the 21st and 22nd floors of
Monarch Plaza in the heart of Mississauga city, Naeem had
pounded on several doors. As a last resort to save his life, he
also pulled fire alarms. The firefighters with an ambulance
rushed to the spot but it was too late.
Naeem succumbed to his injuries while on his way
to hospital. "My heart was breaking when I heard about the
tragedy," said Syed Zaidi, 23, a resident of Mississauga.
"I’m yet to recover from the shock,"
said Catherine Young, also a resident of the area. "It’s
a tragedy for all of us," she added.
Ray Manathunga, 19, a resident of Monarch Plaza
and student of University of Toronto said he never thought that
someone had been killed in our area. "I thought it was a
fire when I saw the firefighters around our building."
The neighbors are still wondering why Naeem
didn’t call the police’s emergency number — 911. Naeem’s
apartment has been sealed off and forensic specialists have
collected records to trace the culprits.
After the autopsy, the bodies of the victims
were handed over to their father Shujauddin Amiji, who flew in
here with his wife and elder son Husnain. His other married
daughter, who is living in Sri Lanka, is also rushing to Canada
to join her family here.
Shujauddin, who is currently staying in a
relative’s apartment, is still in a state of shock and unable
to talk to journalists. "How painful it is to bury your own
son and a daughter simultaneously," he said while wiping
out his tears.
The prayers for the departed souls were held
yesterday at Bayview Avenue mosque where relatives, family
friends and classmates of Naeeem and Nuzhat expressed their
shock and grief over the tragic deaths of the two brilliant
students.
"I knew both Naeem and Nuzhat. They both
were extraordinary students," said Aziz Dohadwalla who
recently immigrated to Canada from Saudi Arabia. "I
developed a friendship with Shujauddin Amiji in Jeddah and our
families were having a get together in Canada too," he told
Arab News yesterday.
"I was in shock when I heard the tragic
news about Naeem’s death, my classmate. Oh! my God, who killed
that innocent boy," said Ahmad Kamal.
K.S. Ramkumar adds from Jeddah: The murder of
the students in Toronto has shocked the expat community in the
Kingdom. Those who had recently become Canadian citizens were
particularly shocked.
One immigrant based in Jeddah told Arab News
that his son had known Naeem Amiji. "I lived in the same
building with my family for nearly five years and my son was a
friend of Naeem’s," the immigrant said.
"I returned to the Kingdom with my family
to work after a five-year stay and completing all the
immigration formalities," he said.
"Naeem, his sister and their entire family
were nice people. We’re as much shocked as their near and dear
ones," the immigrant, a Palestinian, said. "We were
informed on the phone about the tragedy by one of our former
neighbors three days ago."
Source: Arab News , 13 November 2001
TOP
Extortion of money from
poor Rohingyas
By our correspondent
Maungdaw November 11: Since
early October each Rohingya fisherman trawling in Naf river and
the Bay have to pay an amount of Kyat 1,000 per week to the
NaSaKa border security forces. Those who couldn’t pay in time
are harassed by the NaSaKa in various ways. This verbal order of
the NaSaKa puts the poor Rohingya fishermen in great hardship,
said a fisherman.
At present, extortion by the
police becomes widespread particularly in North Arakan. They
used to arrest any Rohingya under false and imaginary charges,
beat and harass them to extract money. Even the poor vegetables
vendors are not spread. On 14 October, a policeman belonging to
"Sar Khom Baw" police camp, under Maungdaw township,
had reportedly extorted a sum of Kyat 320/- from a poor
vegetables vendor, namely Ali Akbar, son of Syed of the same
village. The amount was his total proceeds from the whole day
sale of vegetables, an eyewitness said.
16 October when the victim with
help of the village PDC chairman, reported it to the
camp-in-charge, the latter detained him instead of justice.
Later, the village chairman himself had to bribe the police
officer a sum of Kyat 1,500/- to get the poor vendor released,
the eyewitness said.
In another development, on
October 16, a team of three policemen had arrested one Ghulam
Hussain, son of Faridul Alam of Maung Ngnma Palaytaung village,
from his house, a place about one mile from Buthidaung town and
tortured him into paying the police a sum of Kyat 6,000/- for
his release. Another villager, namely Hasan son of Abdul Shukur
of the same village also faced the same fate and had to pay the
police a sum of Kyat 7,000/-. Although the village chairman and
secretary had reported it to the township authorities and
concerned police officer, no action has been taken against the
culprits. Instead, the villagers were given stern warning not
lodge any further complaints about it. This police harassment
against the Rohingya villagers is thus continuing without let or
hindrance. This was reported to Kalandan Press by a group of
villagers.
Editor
Kaladan Press
Source: Kaladan Press Network , 13 November 2001
TOP
U.S.-RUSSIA SUMMIT
(New York, November 12, 2001)-The Bush
administration should make human rights protections a central
part of the emerging new relationship with Russia, Human Rights
Watch said today.
In a letter sent on the eve of the Crawford,
Texas summit with Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, Human
Rights Watch urged President George W. Bush to seek new
guarantees on political freedoms and on accountability for
abuses commited in the Chechnya conflict. Russia has
allowed unprecedented military and intelligence cooperation with
the United States in the fight against terrorism, which many
believe will fundamentally change the U.S.-Russia relationship.
"The Russian government frequently compares
the U.S. war on terrorism with its own efforts in
Chechnya," said Elizabeth Andersen, executive director of
Human Rights Watch's Europe and Central Asia division.
Russian and international human rights groups
continue to document abuses by Russia's forces in Chechnya,
including extrajudicial executions, torture and arbitrary
arrest.
"President Bush needs to tell President
Putin that the U.S. will not be associated with such
atrocities," said Andersen. "The war on terrorism is
not blanket permission to commit abuses against civilians with
impunity."
When the two presidents met last month in
Shanghai, President Bush said that the war on terrorism must not
become a "war against minorities," and that it must
"distinguish between those who pursue legitimate political
aspirations and terrorists."
The Human Rights Watch letter also cited other
human rights concerns in Russia, including press freedoms and a
spate of criminal investigations of journalists and academics on
highly questionable espionage charges.
"President Putin wants Russia's integration
with a larger democratic community," said Andersen.
"But this can succeed only if he and his government uphold
the principles of democracy and human rights at home."
-------------------------------------------------
For more Human Rights Watch coverage of
Chechnya, visit
http://www.hrw.org/campaigns/russia/chechnya
Source: Human Rights Watch , 12 November 2001
TOP
Narinjara News: US official meets Myanmar
general
12/11/2001
YANGON, NOV 11: Visiting US Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State Matthew Daley met with the No. 3
general in Myanmar's ruling junta, lt. Gen. Khin Nyunt, official
press reported Sunday.
The news light of Myanmar newspaper report did
not give any further details of their meeting Saturday at the
Defence Ministry in the capital yangon.
Daley's visit comes as Myanmar's military regime
undertakes its biggest Cabinet shake up in recent years. Over
the weekend, official press announced that its No. 4 general and
six ministers had been sacked.
Source: Narinjara News , 12 November 2001
TOP
KALADAN PRESS
NETWORK: 5 more landmines exploded
By our correspondent
Cox’s Bazar, November 4: Five landmines were
exploded on Burma-Bangladesh border, in between pillar Nos. 42
and 43, at about 1315 hours on 29 October 2001, bordering
villagers of both Arakan and Bangladesh said. Some wild animals
were killed but no human causality is reported. According to
villagers, more mines were brought in boxes to the NaSaKa
(border Security Forces) area No. 1, 2 and 3 in the township of
Maungdaw, Arakan. Local people are now living in daily fear of
mine incident.
Kaladan Press" is an independent news group
disseminating and reporting news and information covering
western Burma in particular.
Source: Kaladan Press Network , 4 November 2001
TOP
Large Muslim Gatherings Prohibited
By Maung Maung Oo
November 07, 2001—Muslims seeking to publicly
worship in Burma have found themselves in quite a bind after a
government issued directive was handed down on November 5. The
directive calls for a ban on all mass gatherings by Muslims,
including those intended for worship, according to a source in
Rangoon.
The aim of the move is to protect national
security and it was sent to administrative offices throughout
the country, the source added. The government has also banned
the sale of any item related to the celebration of Osama bin
Laden or US President George W Bush.
Another mandate sent to regional administrative
offices said that anyone found to be inciting religious riots in
the country will be charged under section 5 (j) of the Emergency
Provision Act and will be given a minimum of ten years in
prison. 5(j) is usually reserved for pro-democracy supporters.
The act allows for summary judgements with no legal defense.
Meanwhile in Kawthaung, Muslims were planning to
hold a ceremony to remember the innocent lives already lost in
the Afghan-war. As news spread of this alleged plan government
authorities in the region stepped up security measures to block
any type of mass rally, according to an Irrawaddy source in
Ranong, a Thai border town opposite Kawthaung in Burma.
There is a high concentration of Muslims in
southern Burma due to its close proximity to Malaysia and
southern Thailand. Last month, numerous religious clashes broke
out between Buddhists and Muslims in central Burma. Curfews were
implemented in Prome, Pegu and Hinzada as well as other smaller
towns.
Source: Irrawaddy , 7 November 2001
TOP
KALADAN PRESS NETWORK: Further
restriction on Rohingya under the pretext of Taliban scare
By
our correspondent
Maungdaw October 21: On October 12, 2001, Major
General Myint Zaw had flown to Maungdaw in a helicopter and
inspected the headquarters of NaSaKa, area 1,2,and 3. He was
accompanied by Director of NaSaKa and other military officials.
According to sources concerned, the general had instructed the
local authorities and military officials to further curb on the
movement of the Rohingya people under the pretext of so-called
Taliban scare. He also warned them to watch out for the
insurgency. He was finally, flown Rangoon from a border place of
Shaheb Bazar, in northern Maungdaw on 14 October.
Source: Kaladan Press Network , 5 November 2001
TOP
The
Irrawaddy: AAPP Book Release
November 06, 2001
By Ko Thet
November 06, 2001—Former political prisoners
from Burma are set to release a book today that accurately
depicts life inside the notorious walls of Burmese prisons. The
book, titled "Spirit for Survival", contains one poem
and almost twenty essays that vividly describe the trials and
tribulations of prison life in the military-ruled country of
Burma.
The book has been published by the Mae Sot-based
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP).
Mae Sot is a Thai-Burma border town that is home to a variety of
groups fighting for democracy in Burma.
The authors of the essays are all active members
of AAPP and have spent time in numerous Burmese prisons,
including the infamous Insein prison that lies on the outskirts
of Rangoon.
The book also contains two articles from Burmese
opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s highly acclaimed book,
"Letters from Burma". Suu Kyi was awarded the 1991
Nobel Peace Prize.
An excerpt from an essay titled, "Let’s
Fight Against the Unjust", by Ko Tate, states, "Some
people were arrested for possessing guns. Later, all of the
Karen villagers near that place were arrested, tortured or
killed. Is this the building of national solidarity?"
The author’s point is that despite the
military government’s claim that it is working towards a
democratic system, people throughout Burma continue to be
harassed, tortured and imprisoned for speaking out against the
regime.
Another impressive piece, "Could Mandela
Survive Here", was written by Moe Aye, who was incarcerated
in Insein prison. Moe Aye writes, "I admire Nelson Mandela
who spent twenty-seven years in a South Africa prison, but I
wonder whether Mandela could have survived in Insein
prison."
The author goes on to describe the deplorable
conditions found at Insein prison and just how difficult
survival is for political prisoners being held there.
The book also allows us a look at the strong
spirit and bravery shown by the thousands of innocent
individuals imprisoned for simply standing up for what they
truly believe in: freedom and democracy.
Although the book only tells the stories of a
few courageous individuals, other former political prisoners who
have read the book say it is an extremely accurate portrayal of
just how bad life is inside the walls of Burmese prisons.
Bo Kyi, joint secretary of the AAPP said,
"Whoever can pay the postal charges for sending the book,
we would be glad to mail them a copy."
He also added that the book is not for sale, but
donations would be greatly appreciated. The money will go to a
fund to help rehabilitate former political prisoner.
The AAPP can be contacted at <bkstudent21@yahoo.com>
Source: Burmanet , 6 November 2001
TOP
Junta to Issue ID Cards
By Maung Maung Oo
November 06, 2001—Burma's Ministry of
Immigration and Population issued a directive on October 20
stating that members of cease-fire groups living in Rangoon and
Mandalay are eligible for national identification cards,
according to a source in Rangoon. The order states that
individuals who have lived in Rangoon or Mandalay for the past
five years are eligible.
The ID card in Burma equates to full
citizenship. The groups with the most applicants thus far are
from the Wa and Kokant, according to the source.
"The Wa have been recommending that Chinese
immigrants who illegally migrated from main-land China to
Rangoon and Mandalay take this opportunity to also
register," said a businessman from Rangoon's China town.
"Many of the recent Chinese immigrants have connections
with the Wa and Kokant through different business
dealings," he added.
Ethnic Chinese and Indians born on Burmese soil,
however, have never been granted the aforementioned ID cards and
despite the latest directive they are still being prohibited
from attaining full citizenship. Their children are also
disbarred from attending institutions of higher education such
as medical school and technological universities.
The government also stated that individual
families would also be registered with the government. All
Burmese citizens have state issued ID cards and the members of
each family are registered with the government under what are
called 'family registration lists'.
Burmese authorities often conduct surprise
checks late at night to examine these registration lists. If
someone is found residing in the particular home and is not on
the list they are subjected to arrest and detainment.
There are two types of cease-fire groups in
Burma, groups who have surrendered their arms and groups who
still maintain their arms. The registration will be open to
members of both groups if they can meet the eligibility
requirements.
Burmese citizens are becoming increasingly
displeased with the ruling military government for its allowance
of an increased population of Chinese migrants in Mandalay,
Burma's second largest city and the heart of Burmese culture.
A few years ago, high-ranking officers located
at Immigration Departments along the Burma-China border were
arrested for issuing ID cards to illegal Chinese immigrants in
return for bribes. The officers are currently imprisoned for the
violation. Over 100,000 illegal Chinese immigrants are thought
to have become Burmese citizens by bribing immigration officers.
Source: Irrawaddy , 7 November 2001
TOP
Narinjara News: Myanmar's rice exports up
sharply
5/11/2001
YANGON, Nov 4: Myanmar exported 346,500 tons of
rice in the first eight months of this year, up 330.97 per cent
compared with the same period of 2000, the country's Central
Statistical Organization said in its latest data, reports Xinhua.
The foreign exchange, earned through the export
of rice during the period, amounted to 40.63 million US dollars,
up 218.92 per cent from the corresponding period of 2000, it
added. Although Myanmar's rice export had dropped from 111,700
tons in 1998 to 63,700 tons in 1999, it picked up to 141,600
tons in 2000.
To meet its food demand and to export, Myanmar
has since November 1998 leased out 467,370 hectares of vacant,
virgin, fallow and wetland for cultivation by private
entrepreneurs. At the same time, it has also exempted the import
customs duties levied on agricultural implements including
pesticide, fertilizer, improved variety and machinery. Myanmar's
cultivable land stretches 18.225 million hectares, of which
10.25 million have been put under crop, while 8.1 million remain
to be utilized.
Source: Narinjara News , 5 November 2001
TOP
VOA
News:The Japanese embassy in Rangoon says the agreement was
signed Thursday
2 Nov 2001 13:59 UTC
by Ambassador Shigeru Tsumori and Burma's Deputy
Finance Minister Than Tun.
Japan is Burma's largest aid donor. It halted
non-humanitarian aid to Rangoon after the military takeover in
September of 1988, but earlier this year announced plans for a
$28 million financial aid package for a dam project.
Before 1988, Japanese financial assistance to
Burma made up about 60 percent of the southeast Asian country's
foreign aid.
The United States and European Union have
extended economic sanctions against the military government in
Rangoon, despite nearly year long talks with detained opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for
Democracy won Burma's general elections in
Source: Burmanet, 5 November 2001
TOP
Narinjara News: A Kaman Muslim Woman fails to
seek Justice
Cox's Bazaar, 5 Nov 01: A retired Muslim Woman teacher of
the ethnic Kaman community lost her life's savings in a business
partnership with a Ko Pauk, another Kaman businessman, according
to a trader from Maungdaw available at Cox's Bazaar, the
southern town of Bangladesh.
The Muslim woman, Daw Su Su Khaing, got engaged
into a legal joint venture partnership with the man, exporting
bamboo and nipa palm to Bangladesh. When Ko Pauk
misappropriated the money of the woman, fleeing into the
Bangladesh territory, Daw Su tried to go to the law and lodge a
complaint against the man at Maungdaw in vain.
The Military Intelligence 18 stationed at
Maungdaw, the western town of Myanmar close to Bangladesh, took
a bribe of 500,000 kyat from the accused and secretly sent him
to Yangon, the trader told Narinjara.
Daw Su finding no other alternative broke down
into sobs and returned home to Kasey Quarter, Sittwe, the
capital of Rakhine State.
Source: Narinjara News , 5 November 2001
TOP
Press Release: ARAKAN INDEPENDENCE ALLIANCE
ARAKAN
Dated: November 2, 2001
In the recent weeks following the terrorist attacks of
September11, 2001 in the United States, there have been several
news reports which have suggested possible links between
terrorist organizations and Arakan Rohingya National
Organisation (ARNO) and National United Party of Arakan (NUPA),
leading groups for Arakan Independent movement.
On September 2000, recognizing the need for unity between
Arakan’s two majority communities of Rakhine and Rohingya, the
NUPA and the ARNO formed the Arakan Independence Alliance (AIA).
The AIA seeks an indivisible independent Arakan where all its
people enjoy freedom, equality and peace without regard to race,
religion or culture and an Arakan which has peaceful and mutual
beneficial relation with its neighbors.
Based on this aims, the AIA reiterates its condemnation of the
September 11 terrorist attacks. The AIA calls on the
international community to root out terrorism in all its forms,
including terrorism practiced by a state as well as by
individuals and groups.
In Arakan, the Burmese military regime known as SPDC (State
Peace and Development Council), has practiced state terrorism on
all its people, including ethnic cleansing by way of
Burmanization, forced marriage and religious persecution. In
addition, SPDC and other like minded organizations have
attempted to exploit the September 11 tragedy by further fanning
the flame of anti-Muslim sentiment through attempting to link
Muslims active in the Arakan independence movement to
terrorists.
As opposed to the SPDC, the AIA does not support terrorism of
any kind. All activities of the AIA are focused on our Arakan
and the liberation of our homeland.
Joint Committee
Arakan Independence Alliance
Arakan
Source: AIA , 2 November 2001
TOP
Narinjara News: The State-owned Power House grounds hired to
Karaoke Joints
4/11/2001
Maungdaw , Nov 4 : The state-owned
power house grounds have been hired to a privately owned karaoke
joint for lack of funds to run the only government Power House
in Sittwe, according to an officer of the State Power House at
Maungdaw who wished to remain anonymous. Government fund
shortage to run the powerhouse regularly has compelled the
authority to take the latest initiative.
Daw Thaung Ma, wife of a retired army personnel
hired the grounds from the State Power House authority to run a
sophisticated karaoke joint. The shop opens from six in
the evening to twelve midnight. Beer and various alcoholic
drinks are sold in the joint, besides 'illegal' but openly
understood prostitution after nine in the evening. While
most of the general people can hardly afford to buy enough food
for the family, thirty-six karaoke joints in the town are mostly
attended by the army personnel, some of the members of the law
enforcing agencies, and top 'businessmen' otherwise known
as smugglers.
The official further added that, even in the
interior remote places of Rakhine State, there are a number of
karaoke joints operating unofficially under the direct
supervision and godfathership of the law enforcing agencies.
Underage girls as young as thirteen and fourteen are seen to
loiter in those joints soliciting customers.
Source: Narinjara News , 4 November 2001
TOP
Malaysia
to deport 300,000 foreigners to free up jobs: report
Malaysia, facing an economic slowdown, will
reportedly deport about 300,000 foreign workers to free up jobs
for locals.
Home Ministry parliamentary secretary Abu Zahar Isnin was quoted
by newspapers as saying the government had decided to cut short
the stay of foreign workers in the country to three years, .
Foreign workers in the manufacturing, construction and services
industries were previously allowed to work for six years while
those in estates were given work permits for seven years.
Abu Zahar said employers would be given three months to send
workers home, adding that employers who failed to send them back
would not be allowed to hire foreign workers in future.
Malaysia is home to more than a million foreign workers, mainly
from Indonesia, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Burma and the
Philippines.
(28/10/01, 19:55:22 AEST)
Source: Radio Australia , 28 October 2001
TOP
Myanmar
national dies of AIDS in Khulna jail
KHULNA, Oct 27: A Myanmar
national died of AIDS in Khulna jail today, reports UNB.
The Jail Super said Moth (30)
died of AIDS at 8 am was suffering also from tuberculosis.
A fisherman, Moth was taken into
custody along with fellow fishermen along with a trawler for
intrusion and fishing in Bangladesh waters. When undergoing
trial Moth was transferred to Khulna Jail from Bagerhat in
September last year. The date of his arrest could not
ascertained immediately.
His body was sent to hospital
for autopsy.
Officials said the body would be
cremated here. They dismissed the prospect of sending the body
to his home in Myanmar.
Moth is the 12th man died of
AIDS in Bangladesh. Six others are under treatment while 157
people were detected carrying germs of the deadly disease,
informed.
Source: The Independent , 27 October 2001
TOP
Courier News Service: October 27, 2001
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. State Department has
again singled out Burma to be on a blacklist of countries of
"particular concern" because of restrictions on
religious freedom. Besides Burma the other countries Included on
the list are China, Iran, Iraq, Sudan and North Korea, as well
as the Taliban rulers of Afghanistan.
In its annual International Religious Freedom
Report, released on Friday, the State Department says that there
was "a significant increase in the level of anti-Muslim
violence" in Burma during the period between July 2000 and
June 2001. Burma's military government "may have
acquiesced" in some of this violence against Muslims, the
report states.
The report singles out riots during February in
Sittwe, the capital of Arakan state, when "government
security and firefighting forces did little to prevent attacks
on Muslim mosques, businesses, and residences".
It says there are credible reports "that at least some of
the monks that led attacks on Muslims were military or USDA
instigators dressed as monks". Since that time,
the report says "the Government has tightened already
strict travel restrictions for Muslims in the area, essentially
preventing any Muslims from travelling between Sittwe and other
towns in the region. There is an unconfirmed report that in late
March or early April 2001, seven Arakanese politicians were
sentenced to 7 to 12-year prison terms for inciting the riots.
The report says that anti-Muslim riots which
broke out in Toungoo in Bago division in May "followed the
same pattern as those in Sittwe".
"The fighting, security and firefighting
forces did not intervene, and Muslim mosques, businesses, and
residences were targeted. Again there were credible
reports that the monks that appeared to be inciting at least
some of the violence were USDA or military personnel dressed as
monks. After 2 days of violence the military stepped in and the
violence immediately ended, but not before there was widespread
destruction of Muslim homes and businesses and, reportedly,
several Mosques. An estimated 10 Muslims and 2 Buddhists were
killed in this incident."
"There also are reports that local
government authorities alerted Muslim elders in advance of the
attacks and warned them not to retaliate to avoid escalating the
violence. While the specifics of how these attacks began and who
carried them out may never be documented fully, it appears that
the Government was, at best, very slow to protect Muslims and
their property from destruction. The violence significantly
heightened tensions between the Buddhist and Muslim communities
during the period covered by this report."
According to the U.S State Department,
"there are credible reports that SPDC authorities have
systematically repressed and relocated Muslims to isolate them
into certain areas. For example, Rakhaing Muslims have been
forced to donate time, money, and materials toward buildings for
the Buddhist community. There now are certain townships in the
Rakhaing
State, Thandwe, Gwa, and Taunggup, for instance,
which are 'Muslim-free zones'. Muslims no longer are
permitted to live in the areas, mosques have been destroyed, and
lands confiscated. To ensure that the mosques are not rebuilt,
they have been replaced with government owned-buildings,
monasteries, and Buddhist temples."
"Authorities also have issued a court order
in Rakhaing stating that the killing of a Muslim will be
punished with a minimal 3-month sentence while, in contrast, the
sentence for a Muslim hitting a Buddhist will be 3 years. In
northern Arakan State, there are credible reports that, by the
end of the period covered by this report, the Government
systematically was destroying mosques in some small villages. In
one area, local authorities already had destroyed at least 10 of
40 mosques that had been designated for destruction. The
mosques, which typically are little more than thatch huts,
reportedly were constructed without proper authority by
villagers who had difficulty getting to mosques in neighboring
towns due to strict travel restrictions on Muslims."
The report also points to Burma's military
intelligence spy network as one of the key instruments in
controlling religious groups and their activities. "Through
its pervasive internal security apparatus, the Government
generally infiltrated or monitored the meetings and activities
of virtually all organizations, including religious
organizations. It systematically restricted efforts by
Buddhist clergy to promote human rights and political freedom,
discouraged or prohibited minority religions from constructing
new places of worship and, in some ethnic minority areas,
coercively promoted Buddhism over other religions, particularly
among members of the minority ethnic groups."
"The Government prohibited Christian clergy
from proselytizing in some areas, and in at least one instance,
soldiers beat clergy to discourage them from proselytizing.
It also maintained restrictions on the local publication of the
Bible and on Christian and Muslim material in general. Christian
groups have experienced difficulties in obtaining permission to
build new churches, while Muslims allege that they essentially
are banned from constructing any new mosques anywhere in the
country."
Source: Burmanet , 29 October 2001
TOP
POSTCARD
action alert: BURMA'S MUSLIM MINORITY IN
DANGER
Reports appear to indicate an increasing climate
of victimization of Burma's Muslim minority. Civil unrest
including the destruction of Muslim shops and houses has taken
place in Burma's towns and cities in recent weeks. Travel and
worship restrictions have been tightened on Muslims by Burma's
regime. Reports indicate stepped up persecution of Muslim
Rohingya civilians in the western state of Arakan.
Terrorist attacks in the US and conflict in
Afghanistan may have contributed to the vulnerability of Burma's
Muslim minority. The regime or citizens of other ethnic groups
may think that they can justify anti-Muslim activities as part
of "the war on terrorism." Links to terrorist groups
from other parts of the world may be produced or cited from
press mentions, to condone violence against Muslim minority
civilians in Burma.
In order to help prevent the current climate of
tension, restriction and violence directed at Muslims in Burma
from escalating into an even worse situation, postcards could be
sent to the leaders of the three predominantly Muslim member
states of ASEAN
(Association of Southeast Asian Nations.) This
might encourage them to pressure Burma's regime to ease
restriction and repression of Muslims. Burma's regime has been
known to use anti-Muslim violence as a way to distract popular
frustrations; scrutiny from the ASEAN neighbors might discourage
that tactic. If the ASEAN leaders do act, it will doubtless be
through "quiet diplomacy" rather than any public
statements.
Below is a recent report on the situation of
Burma's Muslims; sample postcard text; and addresses for the
heads of state of Brunei, Malaysia and
Indonesia. If you only have time to do one postcard, please
write to Dr. Mahathir of Malaysia.
PLEASE SEND ONLY POSTCARDS!! -- due to the
current fear of substances sent in letters/envelopes.
Sample POSTCARD text:
"Dear ---
I am very concerned about the increasing
persecution of innocent Muslim civilians in Burma (Myanmar.)
Muslims are now the targets of riots and
repressive measures across Burma. The Muslim minority is
vulnerable to violent attacks and may be pushed out of Burma as
refugees. I hope that your government will use diplomacy to
ensure that your fellow ASEAN member Burma protects rather than
persecutes its Muslim minority."
Adresses for POSTCARDS:
Malaysia -
Dr. Dato Seri Mahathir Mohamed
Prime Minister
Jalan Dato Onn
50502 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Indonesia -
President Megawati Sukarnoputri
Office of the President
15 Jalan Merdeka Utara
Jakarta, Indonesia
Brunei -
Sir Muda Hassanal Bolkia
Sultan
Istana Darul Hana
Bandar Seri Begawan Brunei Maura
Brunei
===
letter campaign by Project Maje
www.projectmaje.org
===
Source: Mizzima News, 29 October 2001
TOP
|
