Burma army’s New Year greeting to Rohingya community

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma’s Engineering army (GE)  destroyed seven-shop, looting goods and battered severely to the Rohingyua shopkeepers in Fokira Bazar, of Maungadaw north on the night of December 29, as New Year greeting to Rohingya community, said a local elder who denied to be named.

“Six army personnel led by Captain Thet Min from G.E battalion, who came to Maungdaw to supervise the construction of Burma-Bangladesh barbed wire fence, went to the Fokirabazar market with heavy drunk where the army ransacked the market and looting goods from the shops without any provoking to them on December 29, at about 10:00pm.”

“More soldiers came to the market by a truck - after run away from the market while the shopkeepers protected their shops and market together - destroyed seven shops completely, looting many goods and severely beat up to every shopkeeper whom they met where many shopkeepers got injuries.”

“Local people informed the event to the military camp which is established permanent camp at Fokira Bazar.”

The GE soldiers went back to their camp, after destroying shops, looting goods and severely beating up shopkeepers who were halted by permanent soldiers in the area. The GE soldiers were severely beaten by the permanent soldiers and sent them to their camp, said a local elder preferring not to be named.  

The permanent camp commander Lt. Col.Than Naing (established camp) and the commander of GE military camp held a meeting regarding the incident where the two commanders decided that the Captin Thet Min, who led the event,  was transferred to Buthidaung township and also decided to pay Kyat 100,000  to the owners of shopkeepers per each as compensation.

“Why does the GE army destroy the shops, looting goods and severely beat up to the Rohingya shopkeepers without any provoking?” asked a local schoolteacher. 

“We are very happy because of seeing immediate action against the culprits,” said a local trader.

Indonesian, Burmese officials hold wide-ranging talks

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Netalegawa ended wide-ranging discussions with top Burmese officials and visited with Aung San Suu Kyi at her residence in Rangoon on Wednesday.

National League for Democracy General-Secretary Aung San Suu Kyi and Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa following a meeting in her home in Rangoon on Wednesday, December 28, 2011. 

After the 45-minute meeting, Netalegawa held a press conference at the Sedona Hotel for the foreign and domestic media. “I told Aung San Suu Kyi how Asean could help in advancing democratic change in Burma and briefed her about current developments in Asean,” he said. “She reciprocated by telling me about the current developments in Burma and the democratization process in the country.”
It was his second meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, following a visit in late October.
The Indonesian delegation and Burmese officials held extensive talks during the Second Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation meeting.
Netalegawa said: “Indonesia will uphold its stance and its commitment to the democratization process, including the continuing, ongoing peace talks with ethnic armed groups, releasing political prisoners and an all-inclusive free and fair by-elections.”
The Xinhua news agency reported on Wednesday that the joint meeting discussed advancing good governance, democracy and human rights. In addition, Indonesia volunteered to offer advice from the Election Commission of Indonesia, the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia and the Indonesian Institute of Science to establish contact and cooperation with their counterparts in Burma.
In the area of economic cooperation, the talks involved promoting direct trade and eliminating barriers preventing expansion of trade with the intent to achieve a target of 500 million U.S. dollars in trade value by 2015. Capacity building programs in the fields of forestry, agriculture, fishery, transport and banking were also discussed.
In social and cultural cooperation, the meeting touched on a commitment to establish cooperation in the fields of information and technology, and to strengthen cultural and tourism cooperation by promoting religious tourism and sister-pagoda cooperation.
The first Burma-Indonesia joint bilateral meeting was held in Jakarta in February 2007. Netalegawa is on his third visit to Burma.

Burmese Urban Refugees in Bangladesh Don't Want Return to Burma in Present Conditions

Dhaka: Burmese urban refugees in Bangladesh do not want to return to Burma with the current situation in Burma, despite an agreement between the Burmese and Bangladesh governments to repatriate the refugees, report refugee sources.












The agreement to repatriate Burmese urban refugees was reached at a meeting earlier this month between President Thein Sein and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Naypyidaw in Burma, said a report of the AFP, quoting a senior immigration ministry official of Burma.



Ko Ni Min, an urban Burmese refugee living in Cox's Bazar, said, "Most of Burmese refugees do not want to return back to Burma with the current situation because there has been no change in Burma, particularly in politics, social affairs, and business. At the same time, there are no equal rights or human rights in Burma for ethnic people. We can face many problems in Burma if we return because there is no guarantee for us."
The Burmese government will take back some of its refugees from neighboring Bangladesh, but hundreds of thousands of Muslim refugees, the Rohingya, will not be covered by the deal as Burmese officials claim they are not Burmese citizens but Bengalis who migrated around the time of World War II when both countries were under British rule, the report added.
The refugees in Bangladesh who meet four key criteria will be allowed to return to Burma. Burma is expecting around 2,500 refugees will meet the criteria, which includes legal proof of citizenship.
Ko Soe Lin, who is also an urban refugee said, "Even though Bangladesh and Burma reached an agreement to take back none of the Muslim refugees in Bangladesh, we are unable to return back to Burma. We came here to struggle for democracy in Burma, and without democracy in Burma, we can not return back to Burma."
In Bangladesh, there are over 300 Burmese urban refugees recognized by the UNHCR, most of whom are Arakanese and Chin. They came to Bangladesh after the nationwide democracy movement in Burma in 1988.
Ma Soe Mi Mi Than, also an urban refugee in Bangladesh, said, "We want to return back to Burma as Burma is our motherland. But the situation in Burma has not changed as much as people think. We should look at the situation of Burma under the present government closely to see what will happen in the near future."
According to the AFP report, UNHCR has not been officially informed of any repatriation of refugees but it is seeking clarification on any new deals from both governments, UNCHCR external officer in Bangladesh,

What will happen in 2012 Burma politics?

(Commentary) – The way the political game was played in 2011 will have a huge impact in 2012 Burma politics. 2011 was the year Burma took on a new political shape from dictatorship to quasi-civilian government. Right after the quasi-civilian Burmese government came in to power amid alleged fraud votes, the most powerful military chief, Senior Gen Than Shwe and Vice Senior Gen Maung Aye, were technically retired from their post.
Throughout 2011, the quasi-civilian Burmese government has continuously showed that it was changing and they were not the same with the previous government. It suspended controversial U$ 3.6 billion Myintsone dam project. It announced a peace offer to ethnic armed groups. President Thein Sein met with opposite leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It relaxed media censorship somewhat. It granted amnesty including about 200 political prisoners. It secured the rotating Asean chair for 2014. It amended the political registration law, and the NLD left the 1990 elections result behind and re-registered as a political party. Some ethnic armed groups formed the UNFC to face the Burmese government. Burmese soldiers launched offensive wars against the KIA and SSA (N).  It engaged in several talks with non-cease-fire groups and reached a ceasefire with UWSA, NDAA-ESS, SSA(S) and the DKBA, but UNCF members still are in talks with Burmese government. It formed the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC). Unlike previous Burmese governments, the quasi-civilian Burmese government officials including President Thein Sein’s advisors have interactions with domestic media, exile media and the foreign media. Also, many foreign diplomats such as US secretary Hillary Clinton were in and out in the country.
The reforms that it has taken may be fake or a strategic show or whatever in 2011, but it was welcomed with caution and calls for further change.
 It is important to analyze the possible 2012 Burmese government policy   based on what it has done in 2011. It changed political party registration law in 2011, and it shows it has the capacity of changing   the rules or laws in future if it wants to do so. The so-called lower house and upper house are neither the real decision-makers nor lawmakers; they are instead just for democratic style show. In fact, President Thein Sein, Vice President Thiha Thura  Tin Aung Myint and U Khin Aung Myint, and Thura Shwe Mann are the decision makers and the main players in the government body. Among them, President Thein Sein and Thura Shwe Mann will be popular again in 2012 as the moderate and reformer.
So, instead of trying to change something in those two houses of Parliament, Daw Aung San Suu  Kyi and opposite groups should try to convince them, if they  are elected as MPs and want to change any law or rule. Of course, finding asolution in those two houses is theoretical right, but it could be a waste of time since the main players are  decision-makers and policy-makers rather than the  upper house and lower house. It is the reality of how the Burmese government is functioning.  Until the next general election, we will likely see the same Burmese government with the same leadership style.
If it granted amnesty to all of political prisoners including the 88-generation group in 2012, the democratic movement and national reconciliation process will move faster. 88-generation group members were in fact the de facto ones who organized the 8888 uprising and 2007 demonstration. It is important to note that many Burmese politicians and activists still believe people power is the only solution to end the era of dictatorship in Burma. Of course, the Arab spring successes were because of people power.
Without Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, change for Burma may look impossible and unimaginable, but Burmese people have the power to change Burma. They need to realize that they cannot depend on her alone to change the country, and then they can empower themselves and finally they can bring down the quasi-civilian government like the Arab spring ended dictators’ era in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. If they wait for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to change Burma, it be like watching a very long and boring movie without knowing when it will end. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will not encourage mass demonstrations against the government as long as the relationship between her and government is good. Government officials likely will tell her to help them maintain tstability.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi seems well prepared to promote her party campaign with the help of artists in 2012. She has met with many actors and actress, singers, composers and directors in 2011. Her road to Parliament will not be difficult one, but how much she can make difference in parliament is questionable because of 75 per cent USDP and 25 per cent military members.
Exiled political and human rights groups need to reassess how they should campaign in 2012 as their funders will likely turn to  organizations inside Burma.
If the Burmese government granted amnesty to all of political prisoners in 2012, more and more exiles will return to Burma. Their return will significantly impact Burma politics inside and outside Parliament.  Their return will mean very much for Burmese people and their country. However, they will face a hot debate with their opponents, who were never in exile, over why they left the country when it was bad if they enter into the Burmese political arena.  It doesn’t mean they are not welcome, but it means they will face such challenges.
Burma tied with Afghanistan as the world’s second most corrupt nation. The culture of the corrupt society will be a continued challenge to government again in 2012. Anti-corruption will not end in Burma as long as no action against current and former government officials is taken. It could take at least a decade to end the corrupt culture in business and government offices. The most significant step for anti-corruption will be to bring corrupt upper echelons officials and their cronies to account, and the previous corrupt officials, including the then Senior-General Than Shwe and former Vice Senior Gen Maung Aye, to justice. It will also serve a very strong warning that no one is allowed to be corruptfor any reason. In 2012 or during his tenure, President Thein Sein will probably try to enforce his clean government and good governance policy that could bring them to justice. Otherwise, President Thein Sein speech on clean government and good governance in 2011 will not apply to anyone including the past and present corrupt officials.
 Since Burma is the second poorest country in Asia, after Afghanistan, President Thein Sein’s poverty reduction effort can’t dramatically make changes as long as Western sanctions remain, as long as the corrupt culture in the country is not eradicated, and as long as the civil wars are not stopped in border areas. 
The government’s peace offer to ethnic armed groups in 2011 could convince the UWSA, NDAA-ESS, SSA(S) and DKBA to sign cease-fire agreements, but the UNFC members including two of the strongest ethnic armed groups, the KIA and KNU, couldn’t reach cease-fire agreements, with the government. It shows that the Burmese government will likely reconsider its approach to non-ceasefire groups.  The deal with ethnic armed groups, especially the UNFC members, will not be enough, and it must include a promising political dialogue with incentives. Probably, the UNFC members will continue talking with the government; but they will likely stick to the principles of the UNFC. It means each group can engage separately in talks with the government, but in order to reach the final peace agreement, they will likely remain united and tell the government to seek agreements through the UNFC. There is a possibility that the government will at least sit down with the UNFC to talk.
President Thein Sein may take a risk on his reform process, including a change of Burmese military leadership. That’s the risk that he must take if he really wants to work out his reform process.
The government will try to better its relationship with the international community, and to push to end Western sanctions in 2012, telling the international community including USA that its relationship with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is smooth, and it has signed cease-fire agreements with some ethnic armed groups and it is still trying to sign cease-fires with non-ceasefire groups, it has released political prisoners, and it has improved its human rights record, so now is time to end their sanctions against Burma.
Burma politics is complicated, some even call it sick politics. The conflicts and ethnic issues also remain unresolved and civil wars will continue with human rights abuses. The government has a lot to do to improve its human rights record. On mainstream politics, Suu Kyi and her party are preparing to enter Parliament in 2012. She can be a political mentor and counselor who can push government officials for change in Burma.   What will really happen in 2012 Burma politics is unpredictable. However, it is sure that there will be many things to follow during the 201 political game. 2012 will likely be the decisive year of Burma that determines if it really moves toward democracy or not.

Judgments come from Nasaka Head office: Maungdaw Magistrate

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Most of the judgments come from Burma border security force (Nasaka) head office, stated U Khin Zaw ,Maungdaw Magistrate to the lawyers who are working in the Maungdaw law court.

“We are just reading the judgment in the court after hearing the case which had come to us from Nasaka head office.”

The statement came out after hearing a case of a young Rohingya –Syed Ali son of Ali Akbar hailed from block number 2 - where all the witness and medical reports favorer to him, but the court sentenced him five years and six months on December 23, said a lawyer from Maungdaw law court.

The false case – communicating a young girl - was filed against by block administration officer with Nasaka personnel. The Rohingya community in Maungdaw is not allowed to meet or communicate a girl which the authorities made it as a crime.

“The authority forced him with allegation of meeting with a girl at night and filed a case which sentenced him five and half year jail from Maungdaw law court.”

“But, the judgment had come to law court from Naska head office to read the judgment in the public after hearing the case,” said an officer from court.

“We are just sitting at court and the judgment comes from Nasaka head office and other concerned authority which we are reading at the court room.”

The authority mention, it is a crime for talking and meeting between young boy and young girl. It is free for young generation in 21 century and every can talk and meet anywhere if the boy and girl agree on it as per article number 16 of Universal Declaration Human Rights (UDHR).

Kutupalong local youths rob refugees

Ukhiya, Bangladesh: Kutupalong local youths are robbing Rohingya refugees in the local market where the refugees buy their daily uses goods from a local market near the camp under the Ukhiya police station, said a refugee on condition of anonymity.

“Shamsu - 47, a refugee from Kutupalong makeshift camp - was robbed by local goons at Kutupalong local market on December 26, at about 9:00pm.”

Shamsu met with local goons (youths) –sitting in the market and watching people (especially refugees) who are coming from Cox’s Bazar or other part of Bangladesh – while he got down from a microbus  which was coming from Cox’s bazar, according to eyewitness from Kutupalong Bazar.

“The local goons (Youth) also enter the makeshift camp every day and harassing the unregistered refugees – using fake note to the small grocery shops, distributing female refugees, looting and stealing chicken.”

“He had 15,000 taka and one mobile phone when he got down from bus and the local goons called and talked with him at the market.”

Later, he was handed over to gang leader who was former village member of Kutupalong village where the goons  leader order to  search him and found money and mobile which were taken by the gang leader, according to a local elder from Kutupalong village.  “The gang leader released him with empty pocket.”

However, the next day, someone closed to gang leader requested where Shamsu received 5000 taka and mobile phone, said a local.

“Shamsu is a dry fish trader, sells dry fish in the locals’ market for survival as he is a unregistered refugee in Bangladesh who fled from his home land - northern Arakan- for persecutions – movement and marriage restriction, education, health and religious persecutions, force labor, land confiscation, extortion and no permission to build resident building or religious building,” said a religious leader from camp.

Abul Kalam - a refugee from Kutupalong makeshift camp- was abducted by local youths  on December 23 at about 4:00 pm, for prohibited the local youths who frequently enter the camp and disturb the refugees’ females and harassing refugees. He was kept in a local area where severally beat up by the local youths and forcefully took a statement that included giving 5000 taka. 

Similarly, Salim, a daily labor working in the Kutupalong local market, was beaten by local youths on December 24 with an allegation which said that he had beaten a local villager in the forest last year and demanding money for compensation. Nobody – authorities and local elders – were interesting to involve in the event.

Authority bans again on prayer calling (Azan) in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The concerned authority – District and Township administration offices- had banned again on prayer calling (Azan) with loudspeakers in Maungdaw on December 28, according to a religious leader from Maungdaw.

“The order was dispatched to village administration offices by U Aung Myint Soe, the district administration officer and U Kyi San, township administration officer.”

“Some of the village administration officers from Burma border security force (Nasaka) area number 6  were ordered to their villages not to use the loudspeakers while prayer calling (Azan) in the Mosques.”

U Than Htun,the village administration officer, Shwezar village had ordered not to use loudspeakers while prayer calling in the Mosques on December 27, according to an elder from the village.

“The massage was again called by Captain Hay Win Min Htun, the officer in charge of camp 14 under Nasaka area 6 while the Nasaka called meeting with village’s elders and villager administration officer on December 27.”

“We stopped to call with loudspeakers for prayer calling in the Mosques after the meeting in the Shwezar village tract.”

“It is the new civilian government styles for moving the discipline democracy which the head of the state U Thein Sein stated that freedoms of religious are available in the country, but the authorities are going to stop some systems of religious other than Buddhist in northern Arakan where Rohingya community who believed Islam are resided.”

The ruling party – Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) –promised and ensured the Rohingya community that will remove restriction on marriage, education, movement, building worships places when the party came to campaign for election 2010 in northern Arakan. But, the promised and ensured which given in the election were disappeared and more imposed restriction on Rohingya again.

“Burma persecutes the Rohingya, the minority Muslim group of northern Arakan, denying them citizenship and harassment and persecution of all Human Rights abuses.In particular, it said Rohingya women suffer at the hands of the government. Freedom House has reported mass military rapes of Rohingya women. Fearing for their lives, many of these women have fled the country to Bangladesh. According to UN Watch – a nonprofit NGO – stated a recent session on women’s rights of the Forum on Minority Issues of the UN Human Rights Council.

First Government Head Meets Suu Kyi

Thailand’s prime minister holds talks with the opposition figure who says she is anxious to get elected.

Aung San Suu Kyi (L) speaks with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in Rangoon, Dec. 21, 2011.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra held unprecedented talks on Wednesday with Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who conveyed her eagerness to get elected and lead the country, according to Yingluck’s spokeswoman.

The talks were held during a two-day visit to Burma, making Yingluck the first ever head of state to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, who was under house arrest for most of the past two decades until her release a year ago.

Yingluck’s spokeswoman Thitima Chaisang told RFA that the discussions were primarily held in order to “get to know each other.”

“Aung San Suu Kyi [said] she would like to manage the country and she wants to be elected—she would like to win the election, but that it depends on the people. So Prime Minister Yingluck cheered Aung San Suu Kyi on to get the win,” Thitima said.

Aung San Suu Kyi is preparing to stand as a candidate in a by-election in early 2012. She could not participate in landmark general elections held in November last year as she was released by the then-ruling military junta after the polls.

Yingluck also asked Aung San Suu Kyi about her goals as head of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, the spokeswoman said.

“Aung San Suu Kyi told us that she wants to use the ideas and opinions of the people as the fundamental [strategy] and would like to make benefits for the people and would like to cooperate with the people,” she said.

Yingluck met with the Nobel laureate at 7:30 p.m. in Rangoon after meeting with Burmese President Thein Sein earlier in the day, Information Committee member of Aung Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party Ohn Kyaing told RFA.

"Aung San Suu Kyi and the Thai prime minister met at the Thai ambassador's residence for nearly an hour. They talked very friendly and frankly," he said, without providing further details of their discussion.

The pro-democracy leader also discussed national reconciliation in Burma and relations with neighboring countries, particularly neighbor Thailand.

“She said [that no matter whether a] short- or long-term [bilateral] relationship, we should take it seriously … because we have to stay with people. People from these countries have to meet with people of the other countries—this is her idea,” Thitima said.

Aung San Suu Kyi stressed to Yingluck that Burma and Thailand should work together to set an example.

Leaders meet

Earlier, Yingluck met with President Thein Sein in the capital Naypyidaw where she had been attending the 4th General Mekong Sub-Region (GMS) Summit to discuss development of land transport in the region.

The GMS comprises Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, Laos, Vietnam, and China.

In addition to energy and transport proposals, Yingluck also discussed a number of humanitarian issues with Thein Sein, according to spokeswoman Thitima.

Burma agreed to reopen the border crossing at Myawaddy and to release eight Thai prisoners from Kawthaung prison.

The Thai prime minister expressed her hope that reforms would continue in Burma and congratulated Thein Sein on initiating peace accords with ethnic armed groups located in the country’s remote border regions.

Yingluck informed Thein Sein that Thailand would repair the Thai-Burmese Friendship Bridge and a connecting road in Myawaddy as requested by Burma, and asked for support on a plan to develop a roadway from the Dawei industrial complex in southern Burma to western Thailand.

Both countries also pledged to increase their joint offshore gas production in Burma.

Thaksin backing

Yingluck’s visit to Burma was initially explored by her brother, ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, during a trip to the country last week, the Bangkok Post reported Tuesday.

Thaksin told the Post in a telephone interview from Dubai, where he lives in self-imposed exile, that he travelled to Burma last Thursday and visited Thein Sein and former military junta chief Than Shwe.

He said that he helped to smooth the way for Yingluck to visit with Aung San Suu Kyi and that the meeting shows the importance Burma places on relations with Thailand. Burmese leaders have never before allowed the heads of other countries to hold a sit down with the opposition leader.

"Relations between Thailand and Burma have never faded since my time. I never used a stick to deal with Burma like the superpowers did. I always used a carrot to deal with it," Thaksin told the Post.

He also said that as prime minister, he had once offered Burma an opportunity to use Bangkok as a venue to draw up its constitution and a stage from which to plead its case to Western countries for lifting economic sanctions against it.

Critics say Thailand’s plan to build transport and energy ties with Burma may ultimately end up lining the pockets of Thaksin and his closest allies.

During his tenure between 2001 and 2004, Thaksin’s government invested heavily in land transport, energy, and telecommunications development in then-military ruled Burma.

He specifically ordered the Thai Foreign Ministry to help Burma secure a 4 billion baht (U.S. $127.7 million) loan from the Export-Import Bank of Thailand to buy equipment from his telecoms empire.

When asked by RFA about Thaksin’s previous business dealing with the Than Shwe regime in Burma, Yingluck spokeswoman Thitima refused to answer any further questions and ended the interview.

Suu Kyi Urges Japan to Promote Democracy in Burma

Pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has urged Japan to strengthen Burma’s democratic institutions as Tokyo launches a fresh engagement initiative with Naypyidaw that promises more investment for economic and social development.
“If democratic institutions are strengthened in the country, economic development will be stronger too,” Suu Kyi told reporters at a press briefing after she met Japanese Foreign Minister Kocihiro Gemba at her lakeside house in Rangoon on Monday evening.
“Therefore, I hope Japan will consider strengthening democratic institutions in the country while it aids humanitarian works as well as social and economic development,” she added.

Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba, left, at a press briefing in Rangoon with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Nobel Laureate also emphasized the importance of national reconciliation, resolving civil wars and maintaining peace for the development of democracy in the country. And she added that humanitarian aid and development should reach all ethnic minority areas equally.Gemba held a meeting with President ex-Gen Thein Sein in Naypyidaw and Suu Kyi in Rangoon, indicating that the East Asian superpower is looking for investment opportunities in Burma.
He said that Japan wants to help Burma fight poverty and that the two nations agreed to discuss a treaty to protect Japanese investments in the country.
Apart from investment and help combating poverty, Japan will also provide aid for Burma’s health, education and agriculture sectors, claimed Gemba.
Gemba also met his Burmese counterpart Wunna Maung Lwin in Naypyidaw on Monday before flying to Rangoon.
“This visit will be a big turning point for Japan-Burma relations,” Gemba was quoted by Kyodo News Agency as telling Wunna Maung Lwin.
On the meetings between Thein Sein and Gemba, state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar reported: “They cordially discussed matters related to bilateral multi-faceted cooperation, including strengthening of bilateral friendly ties, bilateral economic cooperation, seeking of ways and means to render assistance by Japan, encouragement and assistance for Myanmar’s democratization, national reconciliation and bilateral culture exchanges.”
Gemda is the first Japanese foreign minister to visit Burma since 2002. His visit came after a Japanese delegation, led by Kimihiro Ishikane, deputy director-general of the Japan Foreign Ministry’s Southeast & Southwest Affairs on Official Development Assistance (ODA), last month.
Both sides talked about the new Naypyidaw government's development policies and Japan’s assistance programs through ODA for sustainable economic development in Burma, according to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Although Japan is keen to invest in Burma and cooperate with the Burmese government to achieve development, Burma’s tentative moves towards democratization and protecting human rights have also been significant in Tokyo's policy of providing assistance.
“Japan believes that it is important for Myanmar, having just recently shifted to civilian rule, to become a democratic nation based on a market economy and social stability,” said a statement from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Nov. 28.
“Therefore, Japan intends to implement economic cooperation while watching for improvements in democratization and human rights situations.”
Burma is one of the areas in which Japan has used “ODA diplomacy” effectively. From 1960 to 1988, Japan was the main contributor of development aid to the Southeast Asian nation—a value totaling US $2.1 billion including compensation for the Japanese occupation during World War II.
However, Japan stopped ODA to Burma in 1988 in reaction to the military junta's coup and brutal crackdown on the democracy uprising. But Japan still assisted Burma in less direct methods—such as loans for Rangoon International Airport and the Baluchaung Hydropower project in Karenni State.
From 1991 to 2003, Japanese aid to Burma totaled over 900 billion yen and was closely aligned to democratic reforms.
Tokyo decided to approve the airport loan following Suu Kyi's release from her first house arrest in 1995, and the hydropower project aid was offered after her subsequent release from house arrest in 2002.

BGB increases raids in border areas to curb Malaysia sea voyagers

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Since the accident of December 14, a series of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) raids in Burma-Bangladesh border---Teknaf and Shapuri Dip---and have prevented a number of boats from illegally setting sail, said a local trader from Shapuri Dip.

According to police, dozens of wooden boats overloaded with Rohingyas and Bangladeshi migrants, have attempted to go to Thailand or Malaysia since October after the monsoon came to an end.

On December 14, a boat carrying 110 boatpeople - mostly Rohingya community - capsized in the Bay of Bengal, some of them died and some were missing.

Bangladesh authorities have deployed secret agents along the border to see any move by traffickers to get sea voyagers into the boats to attempt the risky journey to Malaysia, said an aide of BGB from Teknaf.

“However, many boats have avoided Bangladesh authorities and went to Thailand and Malaysia.”

There are over 28,000 registered refugees, who live in two official Nayapara and Kutupalong UN camps. But, there are about 200,000 to 300,000 "unofficial" refugees, according to government official.

Refugees, by utter frustration in the un-official camps, mostly they try to attempt the boat trip to Thailand or Malaysia. “We have no food, no education, and no health and even we have no security in the camp,” said a refugee preferring to be named said. 

“The risky sea journey is better than the unpleasantness and starvation in the refugee camps in Bangladesh. Refugees know that the trip is like a suicide. But do we have any alternative?”

Bangladesh stopped an UN-managed program to help Rohingya refugees resettle in third countries last year.

“We went to Malaysia as we think that Malaysia is the best country for carving out a new life. The huge majority hopes to secure unregistered work as manual laborers on construction sites,” said another refugee leader.

“The boatpeople knew that their journey was risky such as--- the threat of capsize and drowning in the sea and the arrest of Thai authorities, if their boats go astray into Thai territorial waters. So, it is a big question that why do the Rohingyas go to Malaysia leaving their motherland?”

UN described that Rohingya community is one of the most persecuted minorities on earth.

46 sea voyagers arrested in Cox’s Bazar district

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Coast Guard arrested 23 Malaysia sea voyagers on December 24, night nearby Saint Martin Island while going to Malaysia by a fishing trawler and police arrested 23 sea voyagers in Cox’s bazar while boarding to a fishing trawler on December 25, said a fisherman from Shapuri Dip who denied to be named.

“A fishing trawler with more people was suspected, chased and seized by coast guard on December 24 which was going to the deep sea crossing nearby Saint Martin Island,” according to Coast Guard official. 

According to one of the boatpeople, “We were boarding to an engine boat since December 20, from Soyonkhali river of Sokoria upazila under the Cox’s Bazar district for Malaysia sea voyage. But, the engine was stopped and the trawler has been floating in the sea for three days after giving trouble by engine.”

“A fishing boat rescued us but dalal (agent) accompanied by driver (Maji) taking their equipment fled to the seashore by taking another boat at night.”

“The arrestees are - 11 Rohingyas and 12 Bangladeshis who were handed over to the Teknaf police station, filing a case against sea voyagers.”

“The Coast Guards are red alert for 24 hours for human trafficking from the Bay of Bengal to Malaysia,” said Coast Guard officer Masood Sickdar of Saint Martin.

In addition, on December 24, at about 8:30 pm, another Rohingya Mohamed Abu Taher (22), son of late Mohamed Ismail, hailed from Akyab (Sittwe) accompanied by one Bangladeshi was arrested by BGB of Shapuri Dip when driving an engine boat at the Bangladesh side. He has no any document. Later, they were sent to Teknaf police station, said BGB Company Commander Shabuddin.

Similarly, police arrested 23 more Malaysia-bound people, including 13 Bangladeshis and 10 Burmese nationals, from different areas of the Cox’s Bazar town early yesterday.

Of them six were held at Bak Khali`r Ghat in Nuniarchhara, one was held at Shahid Swaranir More and the rest were rounded up from Al Farid Hotel in Laldighir Par area after midnight.

Of the arrestees, five hailed from Jessore, two from Bogra, two from Pabna, four from Narsingdi and the rest, including the two brokers, are Burmese nationals.

The boatpeople have to pay Taka 20,000 to 30,000 per each to the agent in advance and the rest money (Taka 70,000)  will be paid after reaching at Thailand or Malaysia, said another boatpeople.  

Police said sea voyagers were gathering at the Ghat of Cox’s Bazar from different parts of the town as part of their plan to get on a boat and sail for Malaysia at dead of night with the aim to illegally enter the South-East Asian country.

No rests passengers vehicles in Maungdaw south

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The passengers’ vehicles which ply from Maungdaw – Anndin are not able to take a rest in Maungdaw south after arriving, said a driver from Maungdaw.

“The Officer of Burma border security force (Nasaka) camp number 18 of Inndin is requisitioned the passengers’ vehicles which arrived in Inndin and kept the vehicles with security personnel whole night where the officer didn’t pay anything.” 

“Aung Zaw Min, Sub-lieutenant, the officer in charge, is giving order to requisition the passengers’ vehicles.”

The security personnel move with requisition vehicles whole night and where the driver and staff are not able to take a rest to work the next day and the security personnel didn’t pay anything to the driver for vehicles, said an officer from village administration office.

“The security personnel used the vehicles to move around the Thawin Chaung (Baara) and Tinnbawkway (Khudaung) which far from camp 18 of Inndin.”

“No vehicles want to ply Maungdaw- Inndin route for security personnel requisition and haven’t able to take a rest in the night while the vehicles are in Inndin. The local people are facing more difficult to go and back Maungdaw and Inndin.”

“Sometimes, the motorcycles are also requisition by security personnel for their personnel purpose and the cycles owners have to full fuel the tank of cycles.”

In the camp, there are motorcycles for use of camp, but the security personnel are using public cycles to use for ther personnel, said a trader who always ply to Maungdaw  for his business.

Camp Security police harass refugees intolerable

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Camp security police inspector Nurul Islam unnecessarily has been harassing the refugees of Nayapara official camp since he was transferred to the camp, said a refugee elder from the camp.

“The police inspector Nurul Islam poked Ms Hamida Khatun’s private organ with a stick on December 12 which was intolerable behavior for a female in social society for disregarded of his order by her husband.”

“Hamida (30), wife of Shabbir Ahmed, MRC # 23140, Block B/1012/ 4 of Nayapara official camp.”

Shabbir Ahmed was summoned to the police outpost of refugee camp by camp security police inspector Nurul Islam on December 12 as he was implicated in a false and fabricated stealing case where Shabbir did not go to the office of Inspector Nurul Islam which made police Inspector very angry with the victim’s husband, said a relative of Shabbir from the camp. 

“Hamida Khatun – wife of Shabbir Ahmed - was called to police officer office at about 8:00 pm for not appearing of shabbir. Police officer scolded very roughly and poked her private organ with a stick when she had reached at police officer office.After that, she was let to go to her shed. She was seriously wounded in her private organ that she did not dare to expose it because of shame and did not give any objection to the higher authority immediately.”

The inspector also threatened to Hamida Khatun, “I am a freedom fighter, no one can give me any harm.”

The inspector has been harassing to other refugees also since he was transferred here, a female refugee said preferring not to be named.

Later,Hamid gave a written complaint to the Camp-in-Charge against the police officer, but there is no action against the officer.

A refugee leader said, “We have been suffering here by police and local as well as we had suffered in Burma.”

Besides, on December 20, Mushana Begum (32), wife of Nurul Amin, MRC # Z-1643; Block# E/943/3, Nayapara official camp, was severely scolded, even she was called a prostitute by the said inspector for being late to enter  the camp ( at about 5:30 pm) after visiting the Leda refugee camp, but forced her standing position from 5:40 pm to 10:30 pm in officer office, said a close relative of Ms Mushana.     

Moreover, on December 24, Zubair, the secretary, the management committee of Nayapara camp, was severely humiliated by a police patrol group led by Saiful Islam for being late to locate a room in the camp, in which three Rohingyas came from Burma to see their relatives. Police wanted to arrest them.  But, the secretary did not know the exact location of the room, so he wanted to take time to know exact location. Therefore, he was late to say the exact location. This patrol party was also sent by inspector Nurul Islam, said a refugee leader from the camp.

BGB pushes back Rohingya to Burma

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) pushed back Rohingya to Burma on December 26, said a local from Teknaf.

“The pushed back Rohingyas were arrested at Whykong BGB check-post while they were going to Cox’s Bazar with vehicles.”

The BGB arrested them from different vehicles which were going to Cox;s Bazar from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, according to official.

“The arrested and pushed back Rohingyas are:- Abdu Sukkur, Nurul Alam, Abu Jamir, Mohamed Noor, Mohamed Jasim, Nabi Hussain, Ledu Meah, Mohamed Reiz and Abdul Majid.”

“BGB pushed back the Rohingya at about 3:00pm from Lamba Bill exit point under Teknaf police station,” according to Major Shamsuzaman Mohamed Ariful Islam, the operation officer from Battalion 42.

On the other hand, BGB arrested three Rohingyas from Shapuri Dip under Teknaf police station and pushed back to Burma on December 25, sources said

Judgments come from Nasaka Head office: Maungdaw Magistrate

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Most of the judgments come from Burma border security force (Nasaka) head office, stated U Khin Zaw ,Maungdaw Magistrate to the lawyers who are working in the Maungdaw law court.

“We are just reading the judgment in the court after hearing the case which had come to us from Nasaka head office.”

The statement came out after hearing a case of a young Rohingya –Syed Ali son of Ali Akbar hailed from block number 2 - where all the witness and medical reports favorer to him, but the court sentenced him five years and six months on December 23, said a lawyer from Maungdaw law court.

The false case – communicating a young girl - was filed against by block administration officer with Nasaka personnel. The Rohingya community in Maungdaw is not allowed to meet or communicate a girl which the authorities made it as a crime.

“The authority forced him with allegation of meeting with a girl at night and filed a case which sentenced him five and half year jail from Maungdaw law court.”

“But, the judgment had come to law court from Naska head office to read the judgment in the public after hearing the case,” said an officer from court.

“We are just sitting at court and the judgment comes from Nasaka head office and other concerned authority which we are reading at the court room.”

The authority mention, it is a crime for talking and meeting between young boy and young girl. It is free for young generation in 21 century and every can talk and meet anywhere if the boy and girl agree on it as per article number 16 of Universal Declaration Human Rights (UDHR).

BGB increases raids in border areas to curb Malaysia sea voyagers

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Since the accident of December 14, a series of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) raids in Burma-Bangladesh border---Teknaf and Shapuri Dip---and have prevented a number of boats from illegally setting sail, said a local trader from Shapuri Dip.

According to police, dozens of wooden boats overloaded with Rohingyas and Bangladeshi migrants, have attempted to go to Thailand or Malaysia since October after the monsoon came to an end.

On December 14, a boat carrying 110 boatpeople - mostly Rohingya community - capsized in the Bay of Bengal, some of them died and some were missing.

Bangladesh authorities have deployed secret agents along the border to see any move by traffickers to get sea voyagers into the boats to attempt the risky journey to Malaysia, said an aide of BGB from Teknaf.

“However, many boats have avoided Bangladesh authorities and went to Thailand and Malaysia.”

There are over 28,000 registered refugees, who live in two official Nayapara and Kutupalong UN camps. But, there are about 200,000 to 300,000 "unofficial" refugees, according to government official.

Refugees, by utter frustration in the un-official camps, mostly they try to attempt the boat trip to Thailand or Malaysia. “We have no food, no education, and no health and even we have no security in the camp,” said a refugee preferring to be named said. 

“The risky sea journey is better than the unpleasantness and starvation in the refugee camps in Bangladesh. Refugees know that the trip is like a suicide. But do we have any alternative?”

Bangladesh stopped an UN-managed program to help Rohingya refugees resettle in third countries last year.

“We went to Malaysia as we think that Malaysia is the best country for carving out a new life. The huge majority hopes to secure unregistered work as manual laborers on construction sites,” said another refugee leader.

“The boatpeople knew that their journey was risky such as--- the threat of capsize and drowning in the sea and the arrest of Thai authorities, if their boats go astray into Thai territorial waters. So, it is a big question that why do the Rohingyas go to Malaysia leaving their motherland?”

UN described that Rohingya community is one of the most persecuted minorities on earth.

Refugee abducted from unregistered camp

Ukhiya, Bangladesh: A refugee from Kutupalong makeshift camp was abducted by local youths yesterday at about 4:00 pm, said a refugee leader from the makeshift camp.

“The refugee prohibited the local youths who frequently enter the camp and disturb the refugees’ females and harassing refugees.”

Abul Kalam (45), the abducted refugee from Kutupalong makeshift camp, said a relative.

“Kalam was kept in a local area where severally beat up by the local youths and forcefully took a statement that included giving 5000 taka within two days.”   

If he fails to give 5000 taka, he will be abducted again, according to sources.

A refugee committee member told the Kaladapress, “We fled from Burma to Bangladesh for persecution, extortion, taxes, forced labor and etc. by Burmese authority. We are facing same problem in Bangladesh.”

“We live in small huts and miserable condition and working hard for our survival; we don’t disturb the local people. But, we don’t know why local youths harass us inside the camp and where is safe place for us.”

Similarly, Salim, a daily labor working in the Kutupalong local market, was beaten by local youths today with an allegation which said that he had beaten a local people in the forest last year and demanding money for compensation. Nobody – authorities and local elders – were interesting to involve in the event.

Extort kyat 700,000 for no marriage permission

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma border security force (Nasaka) extorted kyat 700,000 from two couples without taking marriage permission from concerned authority in Maungdaw on December 18, said a Nasaka aide on condition of anonymity.  

“Saiful Islam (30), and Abas Meah (40) are two brothers and sons of Dr. Noor Mohamed, hailed from Fokira Bazar of Maungdaw Township, are two bridegrooms of the two couples who had paid the money to Nasaka.”

The two brothers married recently without taking marriage permission from the local Nasaka officer because the Nasaka deliberately takes a long  time to issue marriage permission after taking a big amount, said a trader from the locality. 

“Saiful Islam is the new bridegroom, but Abas Meah took second wife as his first wife was dead two years ago.”

A group of Nasaka personnel from Fokirabazar went to the bridegrooms’ home where Nasaka arrested the two bridegrooms and kept detained in the camp on December 18. However, they were released after paying Kyat 700,000, said a close relative of the victims who denied to be named. 

In Arakan State, the Rohingya community is not allowed to marry without marriage permission from concerned authorities. The widowers have to wait at least two years to take another wife or remarried. The bridegroom is to be clean-shaved and not to take more than two children.  The couple must be over 18-year old. 

There is no restriction to non-Rohingya communities. The authority pretends that they have the duty to control the birth rate for the Rohingya community, in reality; they intend to reduce population growth of Rohingya community, giving many kinds of mentally harassment and extorting money, said a Rohingya elder from the locality.

Office boys block to meet officer in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Office boys from Maungdaw administration office are blocking the people to meet township administration officer in Maungdaw since long, said a village administration officer from Maungdaw.

“The office boys – Maung Maung Chay, Htun Naing and Hla Win – are working in Maungdaw administration office since last ten year without shifting anywhere from these post and office.”

“The office boys are carrying files one place to another inside the office and watching at the door of officer’s room. Anyone need to meet the officer, must pay money first the office boys to enter the office room.”

“The officer boys are all Rakhine community and they are harassing the people (especially Rohingya community) to visit the office,” said an elder from Maungdaw.

“The village administration officers need to meet the officer every month in the office to report the situation of their village to the officer, but, the office boys held the village administration officers to enter the officer room with paying money.”

The office boys  also give ideas how to extort money from the local people (especially Rohingya community) where the office boys are going as bodyguard of Township officer and the office boys ask money from local for township officer  when the officer visited any place in the rural areas.

“The township officer is silent where his office boys are talking the local people for money for their case settlement for him. This is the duty of office boys from Maungdaw township administration office.”

Security officers create false case to extort money in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Security officers and their collaborators are creating false case to extort money from Rohingya community in Maungdaw on December 15, 2011, said an elder from Maungdaw block 3.

“Security officer –Than Tun, Corporal, surveillance officer, district police department, Maungdaw- with his collaborator were kept a packet of Yaba tablet under the stairway of Kala (Aung Naing Soe)’s house in Myoma Kyayoungdan village on the midnight of December 14.”

“The collaborator is also from Myoma Kyayoungdan village, able to go the victim’s house anytime without fear and doubt.”

The security officer Than Tun consulted with one of his colleague from district police department where his colleague advised to inform to the office to raid Kala’s house. Corporal Than Tun delayed his operation to arrest Kala and to extort money from him with his plan, said a politician from Maungdaw.  

“But, the colleague of Than Tun informed Kala about detail plan of security officer to arrest and to extort the money. Kala who went to the Burma border security force (Nasaka) headquarter and report all detail of creation of false case by security officer to extort money from him. The Nasaka personnel from headquarter checked the report as per kala information where the Nasaka personnel found all  and arrested the collaborator and security officer for interrogation. But ,the security officer was free and staying in the office where the collaborator was kept in detention.”

“The officer had given bribe the Nasaka investigation officer and the officer was set free from the case.”

Similarly, Mohamed Siddque and Eliyas hailed from Shwezar village were arrested by Nasaka captain Nay Win Min Tun with false allegation of drug smugglers and kept them in the Nasaka outpost camp number 14. They were released after taking 500,000 kyat and one million kyats, said a village administration office member.

“The Nasaka captain Nay Win Min Tun is working with his collaborator Rashid who faced a drug trafficking case in Nasaka headquarter and now working for Nasaka where he is harassing and disturbing the Shwezar villagers to extort money.”

“This is creation to extort from Rohingya community with create false cases and  harassing the people.”

10-Rohingya boatpeople arrested at Teknaf

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Ten Rohingya boatpeople were arrested by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), yesterday night from Teknaf while preparing to go to Malaysia, said a local elder from Shapuri Dip on condition of anonymity.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel with arrested ten Rohingya sea voyagers in Teknaf

“Ten sea voyagers were arrested by BGB personnel led by Nayeb Sufador Mohamed Wazib Uddin of Sapran BGB out-post while hiding in a big backyard of areca palm to avoid arrest from BGB and Coast Guard and police yesterday.” 

“The arrested sea voyagers are - Mohamed Seraz (25), Mohamed Taher (16), Shona Meah (25), Eman Hossain (26), Noor Hossain(25), Abul Hossain (40), Salim Ullah (16),  Aman Ullah(21), Abdul Hamid (38), son of Noor Mohamed, and Nurul Hakim (60).”

“The sea voyagers have already paid Taka 30,000 per each to Salim Maji (driver), son of Ghura Meah, hailed from Lombori village of Teknaf, and Gaffor Maji, hailed from Fansari Para of Saparan union for the voyage of Thailand or Malaysia,” according to an arrestee.

The BGB filed a case at Teknaf police station against the sea voyagers, said BGB official and the 42 Battalion Commander Lt.Col Zahid Hussan confirmed it. 

An engine boat with 110 boatpeople had been sunk in the Bay of Bengal on the night of December13 where some people were dead and missing till now.

The voyage to Malaysia from Bangladesh and Burma is a risky route where some boatpeople were died on the way with risky boat which sank in the sea, some were arrested by Thailand and Burma, but voyagers from Burma and Bangladesh are still not stopped to go that risky route.

“Recently, a police officer from Rangoon came to Maungdaw Township, and then went to Maungdaw south where an engine boat was sank while going to Malaysia and died some of the boatpeople. The officer held a meeting at the village inviting all the villagers and told that not to send people to Thailand or Malaysia as they are being arrested by Thai or Burma’s authorities and sent to jail.  In future, the political situation of Burma including the Arakan State will be changed. So, it is not necessary sending people to abroad for earning,” said a village elder quoting the police officer who had participated in the meeting.

Nearly 200 people -- half of them Rohingyas -- have been arrested and some 10 boats seized since the latest wave of migration began in early November, according to Teknaf police chief Mahbubul Haq.

"We have put undercover agents along the border. They are tipping us off to any moves by traffickers to get Rohingyas and Bangladeshis into the boats to attempt the journey.”

"But I am afraid many boats may have evaded our crackdown and set sail anyway."

"Traffickers charge only around 20,000 taka ($300) for a boat ride to Malaysia, which is at least 15 times cheaper than the migration fees being charged by recruiting agencies."

Rohingya, one of the most persecuted minorities on earth, thousands of Muslim Rohingyas -- who are not recognized as citizens in Burma -- stream across the border into Muslim-majority Bangladesh every year, according to description by the United Nations which published in AFP “Bangladesh cracks down on boat migrants to Malaysia.”

Bangladesh recognizes 28,000 of them as registered refugees, who live in two official UN camps near the border. This figure is a fraction of the 200,000 to 300,000 "unofficial" refugees, according to government estimates.

"For many refugees, the risky sea journey is better than the squalor and near starvation in the refugee camps in Bangladesh. A lot of Rohingyas know that the trip is like suicide. But do they have any choice?," said Mujibur Rahaman -, a registered refugee at the UN's Kutupalong refugee camp – and he said “The Rohingyas are driven by a sense of "utter frustration" to attempt the boat trip to Malaysia.”

Scores missing after Indonesia ship wreck

Bad weather is making the search for survivors difficult as most of them are still missing

About 33 people rescued so far after a boat carrying more than 200 migrants sank off the coast of east Java.

A boat believed to be carrying more than 200 migrants, many of them from the Middle East, has sunk off Indonesia's main island of Java, local media reported.
Police blamed the accident on overloading, telling the official news agency Antara on Saturday that the vessel appeared to have been carrying more than twice its capacity.

So far only 33 people have been rescued, Sahrul Arifin, the head of emergency and logistics at the East Java Disaster Mitigation Centre, said.
Bad weather is making the search for survivors difficult as 182 are still missing.
He said strong waves wrecked the wooden boat about 90km out to sea. "Our search and rescue team have begun sweeping the water around where the accident took place but we are now sending body bags to that area."
Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen, reporting from Indonesian capital Jakarta, said that "chances of finding any more survivors was getting slimmer by the hour as the boat sank almost 20 hours ago".
One of the survivors, Esmat Adine, told Antara that the vessel began rocking from side to side, which triggered widespread panic.
The passengers were very tightly packed, and therefore had nowhere to go, said the 24-year-old Afghan migrant.
"That made the boat even more unstable and eventually it sank," he added.
Overcrowded boat

Adine said that he and others survived by clinging on to parts of the broken vessel until they were picked up by the local fishermen.
He estimated that more than 40 children were on the ship. It was not immediately clear if any were rescued.
"It is another case of an overcrowded boat meeting with disaster. There have been similar accidents in the past as migrants come to Indonesia on their way to Australia," Al Jazeera's Vaessen said.
"Lots of people in Indonesia are involved in the business, basically a big people-smuggling business, where lots of money is involved.
"These people [migrants] pay thousands of dollars to take these journeys."
Indonesia, a sprawling archipelagic nation of 240 million people, has more than 18,000 islands and thousands of kilometres of unpatrolled coastline, making it a key transit point for smuggling migrants.
Those on board on Saturday - apparently heading to Australia - were from Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
Last month, a ship carrying about 70 asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan capsized off the southern coast of Central Java; at least eight people died.

UN Launches Relief Aid in Kachin State Conflict Zones

The UN began initial efforts on Tuesday to provide aid for refugees in the armed conflict areas of Kachin State in northern Burma, where sporadic fighting continues despite Burmese President Thein Sein’s reported instruction to government troops that they should hold fire except in self-defense.
On Monday evening, a small UN team arrived in Laiza, a town on the China-Burma border where the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has its military headquarters. They brought with them six truckloads of essential household materials. 
This is the first time that the Burmese government has allowed a UN organization access to KIA-controlled areas since armed conflict between government troops and the KIA broke out June, with clashes consistently recurring since that time.
The over 34,000 war refugees who sought shelter in Laiza have previously received no international or Burmese government aid during the over six months of fighting, forcing them to survive on handouts from local Kachin aid groups and the KIA.
The UN team includes staff from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the UN Organization for Humanitarian Assistance, whose task is to launch an initial relief effort and perform an assessment of the situation.
“As part of the UN team, UNICEF provided 300 family kits, which contain essential household items to cover the basic domestic (cooking, personal hygiene) and shelter needs (blankets and cloths) for as many families,” said Zafrin Chowdury, the spokesperson for UNICEF in Rangoon.
“It is UNICEF and the UN's hope that more convoys with UN supplies will be allowed to reach all those displaced and in need,” he added.
An estimated 40,000 locals have been displaced in the war-torn areas of Kachin State, but until Tuesday the Burmese government authorities had only allowed the UN World Food Program to distribute food to the nearly 6,000 refugees in the government-controlled areas of Kachin State.
The KIA and local aid groups have welcomed the relief efforts by the UN and independent NGOs for the refugees, as many refugees are suffering from malnutrition and are in need of medical care, said La Rip, an official representing the local Kachin Development Group.
Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN special human rights rapporteur for Burma who had called for UN access to the conflict zones of Kachin State, also welcomed the news that relief efforts would be allowed and repeated the urgent need for Burmese civilian authorities to have the power to control the military when dealing with ethnic minority groups.
Fighting in the region continues despite reports that Thein Sein, an ex-army general, issued a written statement signed on Dec. 10 ordering Burmese army chief Gen. Min Aung Hlaing to halt military operations against the KIA except for self-defense purposes.
The statement has not yet been publicly announced, but its existence was revealed to local journalists on Monday by the Kachin State chief minister at a fund-raising ceremony for Kachin war refugees.
There does not appear to be any current prospect of a formal ceasefire agreement between the KIA and the government troops because the KIA's political wing, the Kachin Independence Organization, has explicitly said that it is seeking a political dialogue with the goal of autonomy and will not accept Burma’s current parliamentary system dominated by former military generals under the military-drafted 2008 Constitution, which they say includes only minimal rights for ethnic minorities.
The issue of autonomy has not been an integral part of recent ceasefire agreements between the government and ethnic Shan and Wa armed groups, but the Burmese officials have said that the ethnic groups can work to achieve such an outcome by joining the Parliament and pushing for changes in the Constitution. 
“We are not informed of the reported order by President Thein Sein to the army to hold attacks against us, but nonetheless the fighting will go on because the government army has already occupied a number of our military bases in its recent offensives and because we are yet to hold a true political dialogue with the government,” said KIO/KIA spokesperson La Nan, adding that the Burmese army reinforced its troops in Myitkyina and Bhamo townships of Kachin State on Monday.

US Wants Burma to Have Good Relations with its Neighbors

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US Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan, right, during their meeting at Foreign Ministry in Seoul, on Oct. 7, 2011

 

WASHINGTON — The US wants Burma to have good relations with its giant neighbors China and India, a senior US diplomat said ahead of trilateral talks with India and Japan and as the US special envoy for Burma is in Beijing to brief Chinese officials on Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's trip to Burma earlier this month.
“We seek a country that has a good, strong, trustful relationship with all its neighbors, principally India and China. We will be in close consultations with both of them about the developments inside the country,” said Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell.
Washington aims to promote further reform in Burma, he said, adding that the US wants to coordinate its efforts with Japan and India during talks with diplomats from those countries to be held next week.
“We would like to compare our overall strategy,” said Campbell, citing the release of political prisoners, the greater opening of political space, an easing of ethnic tensions and progress towards national reconciliation, and the removal of military ties between Naypyidaw and Pyongyang as areas in which the three countries should “speak in one voice.”
Campbell said that the US also wants to coordinate its Burma policy with Asia's two largest democracies in other areas, such as “capacity building, rule of law, agricultural issues and health concerns.”
The trilateral meeting, scheduled to be held in Washington next Monday, will be the first of its kind, and will cover a range of key regional and global economic, military and strategic issues.
Meanwhile, the US special envoy for Burma, Derek Mitchell, told reporters in Beijing that Burma's greatest challenge is national reconciliation, noting that the country needs to resolve the division between the ethnic minorities and the Burman majority if it is to achieve lasting stability.
“I think that remains the biggest concern that we all must have about the stability of the country,” said Mitchell. “You can have artificial stability through force of arms, but that’s not sustainable.”
Mitchell also referred to the impact Burma's conflicts have had on its neighbors.
“I won’t speak for China, but I know there are cross-border impacts of all of this that affect ... Thailand, affect India, Bangladesh, and many of the neighbors. This is something we ought to think about and hopefully assist in the right way Burma’s development towards national reconciliation,” he said.

Scores missing after Indonesia ship wreck

Only 76 people rescued after a wooden vessel carrying 380 migrants sank off the coast of the Indonesian island of Java.

Last Modified: 17 Dec 2011 21:56

A wooden ship believed to be carrying more than 380 migrants, many of them from the Middle East, sank off Indonesia's main island of Java, local media have reported.

Police blamed the accident on overloading, telling the official news agency Antara on Saturday that the vessel appeared to have been carrying more than twice its capacity.

So far only 76 people have been rescued,  said Sahrul Arifin, the head of emergency and logistics at the East Java Disaster Mitigation Centre.
He said strong waves wrecked the wooden boat about 90km out to sea. "Our search and rescue team have begun sweeping the water around where the accident took place but we are now sending body bags to that area."
One of the survivors, Esmat Adine, told Antara the vessel began rocking from side to side, which triggered widespread panic.
The passengers were very tightly packed, and therefore had nowhere to go, said the 24-year-old Afghan migrant.
"That made the boat even more unstable and eventually it sank," he added.

Adine said that he and others survived by clinging onto parts of the broken vessel until they were picked up by local fishermen.
He estimated that more than 40 children were on the ship. It was not immediately clear if any were rescued.
Indonesia, a sprawling archipelagic nation of 240 million people, has more than 18,000 islands and thousands of kilometres of unpatrolled coastline, making it a key transit point for smuggling migrants.
Those on board on Saturday - apparently heading to Australia - were from Afghanistan, Turkey, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.
The private television station Metro TV reported that 33 people had been found alive and that perhaps 215 others were still missing.
Last month, a ship carrying about 70 asylum seekers from Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan capsized off the southern coast of Central Java; at least eight people died.

Suu Kyi, Chinese ambassador meet in Rangoon

Aung San Suu Kyi has reached out to the Chinese ambassador in Rangoon, according to China’s foreign minister, who said the two met privately, according to a Reuters news agency report. He declined to say when or where the meeting took place.

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi 

The meeting would mark the highest-level contact in two decades between China and Burma’s opposition.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said China's top diplomat, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, would travel to Burma for a meeting next week of Mekong River countries.
Liu said that ambassador Li Junhua's meeting with the Nobel Peace Prize laureate was in response to a request from her.
The ambassador "listened to Aung San Suu Kyi's ideas," he said.
Suu Kyi's chief of staff, Khun Tha Myint, told Reuters that the meeting happened on Dec. 8 at Suu Kyi's residence, and lasted just over one hour.
"The meeting went very well," he said. "It was very cordial and friendly."
China is Burma’s closest foreign ally, but relations took a step back after the new Burmese government suspended the construction of Burma’s largest hydropower project in September, which was funded by China. Almost all of the electricity would have gone to China.
China also invests heavily in infrastructure, an oil and gas pipeline to transport fuel to southern China and other basic resource areas.
Recently, the U.S. has approached Burma in an effort to establish a closer relationship, and help the once-isolated country to move forward on democratic reforms.
Suu Kyi’s move comes only a few weeks after the visit of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Burma. Observers say the U.S. and China are engaged in a not-so-subtle effort to protect their geo-political interests in Burma, which forms a buffer between China and India.

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Selection or election for village administration officer post in Buthidaung

Buthidaung, Arakan: An election for village administration officer post was held in Buthidaung Township, on December 8. But the election became selection after bribing money to concerned authority, said a village elder from the locality on condition of anonymity.

“An election for village administration officer was held in Sein Nyin Pya (Sein Dee Pran) village, Buthidaung south with four competitors - Abdul Hashim (graduate), Mohamed Sadek (matriculation), Sidique Ahmed (under matriculation), and Nurul Islam (Class III).”

The election was held by the order of district administration officer as the former administration officer was sacked from his post earlier due to corruption. But, the election was held under supervision of Buthidaung Township administration officer.  

Villagers peacefully voted in the election and Abdul Hashim got most votes and Nurul Islam got the least votes among the participants. But, when the result was declared Nurul Islam had won the election. Therefore he became the village administration officer of the village.

“Nurul Islam is USDP member and also bribed two million Kyat to the Township Administration officer  before the election,” said a local trader who denied to be named.

“Nurul Islam is neither speaking nor writing in Burmese. How does he rule his village? Local villagers said that one of the USDP members namely Mohamed Noor will do all the works on behalf of Nurul Islam,” said another local businessman.

“This is a selection, not election,” said the township administration officer while villagers asked , according to a schoolteacher who denied to be named.

“The officer selected the uneducated man means they authority wants the village administration officer to do anything what the higher authority ordered.”

“People across the country and international community said that there were some changing in Burma, but there is no changing in northern Arakan and the political persecutions against the Rohingya community is going on,” said a local politician.

Local youth openly looting Rohingya refugee

Kutupalong, Bangladesh: A group of local youth from Kutupalong is looting unregistered Rohingya refugee in the day time openly, said an elder Refugee from the camp.

“The group is led Afsar son of Shuna Ali healed from Kutupalong area and enter the refugee camp with fake  500 taka note where the group buy goods from glossary  shop.” 

“If the Refugee shopkeepers denied to accept the fake note, the local youths said it is your and you kept the money we toke the goods.”

“The local youths also looted and took chickens from refugee in front of refugee females in the day time, if the owner of chickens stopped the youth, the youth beat the refugees.”

We are facing big problem to complain about fake note to the concerned camp security force as the fake note is in our hand and we have no evidence that it was paid by local youth, said a refugee shopkeeper from camp.

“The camp security police didn’t bar the youth who are entering into camp and made upside down with fake note, but, to harass and to extort money from refugee the police came to camp at any time.”

“We are not registered in Bangladesh as a refugee, so every local enter to the camp where they harass, loot and rape the refugee without any fear of arrest. The police also not protect the refugee while the refugee face problem,” said a religious leader from camp.

Police arrest 24 boat-people while going to Malaysia

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Bangladesh police arrested 24 boat-people including three traffickers (Dalal) on December 10, while going to Malaysia with a shaky engine boat from Bay of Bengal near Shamlapur of Teknaf union, according to police official of Teknaf police station.

“On information, at about 3:30 am, a group of police led by Sup-Inspector (SI) Mashrul from Bahar Sara Shamlapur police station went to the north Shil Khali village under Teknaf upazila and arrested the 19-boat people including three agents.”

“The arrested are identified as Jakir Ahmed (55), Imam Hussain (22), Mofiz Alam (45), Mohamed Yasin (35), Shoffi Alam (20), Hussain Ahmed (44), Feroz Ahmed (19), Forid Alam (35), Abdullah (20), Mohamed Hussain (22), Habi Bullah (25), Abdu Malek (40), Shamshuddin (40), Osiur Rahaman (34), Jahed Hussain (20) and Sayedullah (45).”

In similar way, on that day, at about 4:00 am, another group of police led by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Habib of Ukhiya police station arrested five Rohingyas from Siyankhali village while going to Malaysia with risky boat. They are identified as Zahed Hussain (20), Korim Ullah (21), Anam Ullah (19), Mohamed Esuf (24), and Lalu (20). They all belong to Maungdaw South, said a police aide from Ukhiya police station. 

The police of Shamlapur also arrested three agents--- Boshir Ahmed (42), son of Shunali, Dulu Hussain (55), son of Sultan Ahmed, hailed from Bazar Para of Shapuri Dip and Ershdur Rahman (33), source said from police station.

Boat-people from Arakan State came to Bangladesh from various points of Burma- Bangladesh border, mainly from Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung townships and Sittwe (Akyab), the capital of Arakan State, though there were many people died recently after sinking boat in the sea  while going to Malaysia. Besides, the concerned authorities of Bangladesh also arrested many boat-people, agents and seized engine boats. But, Rohingya people are eager to go to Malaysia taking with perilous voyage through Bangladesh, said an elder from Shapuri Dip who denied to be named.  

“What are the reasons, the Rohing people want to go to Malaysia leaving their motherland with risky journey,” asked a trader from Maungdaw Town.  

Among the boat-people, most of them are Rohingya community and some are Bangladeshis. Most of the boat-people are under the age of 20 to 25. The names of the boat-people have been cut off from their family lists after fleeing their homes. As a result, they are not allowed to enter again their native place. So, they become stateless people whether they are able to go to Malaysia or not, said a parent of one of the boat-people preferring not to be named.

More difficult for female Rohingya to travel in Bangladesh

Teknaf, Bangladesh: The female Rohingya communities from northern Arakan who travel for medical treatment, are facing more difficult in Bangladesh than Burma, said a female patient from Maungdaw.

“We are checking whole body including female private area by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) female staff while entering to Bangladesh entry point (Teknaf Land port) and Dum Dum Meah check post, for searching drug (Yaba) which come from Burma to Bangladesh).”

“The Burmese authority didn’t search like this, but the authority searches the female passengers, not private area. If the authority got information, they search everywhere they suspect.”

“Are all the Rohingya communities are drug smugglers, so the authority is going to check all the people who enter the entry point?”

The custom and Immigration officers are also collecting money from Rohingya community who enter into Bangladesh, it is fee or extortion, said a trader who always visit Bangladesh for his business.

“The officers are collecting 200 taka from a passenger while reporting and to get entry permit on their passport.”

While we are going back to our home land, the BGB female personnel again check as same as entry time. Why it is also for drug checking?, said the female patient from Maungdaw.

“BGB female personnel took secretly Taka 10,000 from a female Rohingya from Maungdaw while they were checking when the female didn’t find her money; the passengers asked the BGB personnel to return the money. Then the BGB personnel return the money. It is happen on December 2 at the evening,” said a female passenger from Maungdaw.

“The checking was only for harassment of the Rohingya community who had come to Bangladesh for medical treatment where they are not getting any medical facility in their home land and are not able to travel to Akyab for restriction of movement where they can get the medical facility. It is the life of Rohingya in northern Arakan – no education, no medical, no job, can’t able to marriage freely, no religious freedom, no permit to travel one place to another, force looting their foods grain and etc.”

Authorities loot paddy from Rohingya community in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The authorities – Burmese border security force (Nasaka) and village administration officer - are looting paddy from Rohingya community from Nasaka area number 6, since December 10, said a school teacher from Maungdaw.

“The Nasaka personnel with Kawlim Ullah – the village administration officer of Kyaukpyinsek (Nari Bil)- went to the village  where they (Nasaka and village officer) forcefully enter Rohingya home and took the paddy from granary without informing the owner.”

“The Nasaka personnel and village officer took 7-10 tins of paddy from granary where the Rohingya community stocked for their yearly rations.” (One tin is equal to 1.25 Bushel / 40.9136 liters)

The concerned authorities are only going to the residents who had someone in the abroad – Malaysia and Middle East countries- only, according to an elder from Nari Bil village.

“It start now in our village, may be it will continuous to other villages soon if the Nasaka and villager officer seen it is profitable for them. If nobody oppose for it.”

“The village administration officer ordered to his official staff to break the granary and took the paddy which amount they want.”

It is first time happening in Maungdaw, where the Government officers are looting public foods grain from the yearly foods stock which will give Rohingya community starvation in the future, said a politician from Maungdaw.

“After election, the civilian government announced that the country is moving towards the democracy and freedom of speech, but, in northern Arakan, where is democracy and freedom of speech. If anyone oppose the authority activates against the Rohingya community, he/she will be punished by the authority. So, the Rohingya become dumb in their home land for authority activates.”

Force collect money from vehicles for human trafficking posters

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Authorities from Buthidaung are collecting money from vehicles after sticking human trafficking posters on vehicles, said an owner of vehicles from Buthidaung.

“The authorities – Township administration office and traffic police department- of Buthidaung forced the owners/ drivers to pay money to them after sticking poster on the vehicles.”

“The traffic police department collected 3000 kyat per vehicles; 2000 kyat for Township administration office and one thousand for traffic police department.”

The posters are for advertising of human trafficking which show the risk and getting problem in their life, said a school teacher from Buthidaung.

“The posters are distributed by high authority to advertise public awareness about human trafficking.”

“But, the authorities are collecting money from all vehicles which are plying Maungdaw and Buthidaung. It also collects money from vehicles which are plying inside Buthidaung municipal areas.”

Boat full of boatpeople sinks in Bay of Bengal

Teknaf, Bangladesh: A Malaysia-bound trawler carrying some 110 boatpeople capsized near Shapuri Dip in the Bay of Bengal on December 14, in the early morning, said an elder from Shapuri Dip who denied to be named.  

However, all the passengers were rescued by fishing boats that were fishing in the Bay of Bengal, said Abbdu Rahim a survivor from Zaliya Para of Shapuri Dip. .

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Teknaf Police Station Mahbubul Haque said, "I have heard that a Malaysia-bound trawler has capsized. None has complained to me yet. We can't confirm the incident."

Survivors Mohammad Amin, Kala Meah and Tayub of Konna Para of Shapuri Dip said they were going to Malaysia with the help of local agents--- Firoz, Ismail, Sharif Hossain, Yunus, Dholu Hossain, Shabbir Hussain, Mohamed Alam, Abdul Hakim, Salim Ullah, Jaffar, Arof Ullah, and Salim.

“Three small boats from Shapuri Dip which can able to ferry 15 to 20 passengers per boat to a medium size engine boat which was anchored to the northern side of Shapuri Dip in the Bay of Bengal. After ferrying all the passengers to the said boat, it started along with 110 passengers to ferry again to another big vessel which was also anchored in the Bay of Bengal nearby Saint’s Martin Island. However, after a few moments, the boat sank in the Bay of Bengal because of over loading and entering water from the bottom of the boat. “

“When the passengers made hue and cry, nearby fishing boats rushed to the spot and rescued all of them. “ 

"There were Rohingyas and Bengalis among the passengers. So, we didn't know all of them," said a survivor.

Nevertheless, local people believe that about five passengers, may be died who were inside the boat, under deck (Folkha), but so far, local people did not find any dead body, said a local fisherman from Shapuri Dip. 

Illegal and risky journey by engine boats to Thailand or Malaysia has been a common happening in the area for the last couple of years. People take the journey in winter when the sea remains calm. The route runs through the Bay of Bengal to Thailand. From there, somebody who is actively looking for employment is taken to Malaysia over land, said a local businessman from Teknaf.

“Over the years, many boats capsized killing passengers. The Indian and Thai coast guards arrested many of the fortune-seekers. The Rohingya ethnic people of Arakan, Burma intruded into Bangladesh territory due to alleged persecution of Burmese junta.”

According to our reporter from Shapuri Dip, an engine boat along with 56 passengers (boatpeople) went to Malaysia today night from Shapuri Dip. This boat was managed by Moulvi Mujib from Teknaf, Jaffar and Nur Alam from Shapuri Dip. The diver (Maji) of the boat is another Nur Alam from Burma. 

The agents or brokers collected Kyat 30,000 before going to Malaysia or Thailand and after arriving at Malaysia the boat people have to pay Taka 70,000 per each, said a boat people who is survived.