Hillary Clinton visit: Burma hails new chapter in ties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hillary Clinton is the first secretary of state to visit Burma since 1955

Burmese President Thein Sein has hailed a "new chapter" in relations with the US during talks with Hillary Clinton in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw.

Mrs Clinton, the most senior American to visit the country in half a century, told the president she was "encouraged" by recent policy changes.
The US maintains tight sanctions on senior figures in Burma's hierarchy.
But a series of reforms this year has led to speculation that decades of isolation could be about to end.
However, US officials have stressed that there is unlikely to be any major announcements on sanctions during Mrs Clinton's trip.
Analysts say the US is more likely to consider symbolic gestures such as upgrading its mission in Burma to a full embassy.
Mrs Clinton's talks with Burma's leadership got under way on Thursday when she met Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin before the talks with President Thein Sein.
"I am here today because President Obama and myself are encouraged by the steps that you and your government have taken to provide for your people," Mrs Clinton told Thein Sein as the two sat down for talks.
Thein Sein said her visit would prove to be a "milestone".
"Your excellency's visit will be historic and a new chapter in relations," he said before the start of the closed-door meeting.
BBC state department correspondent Kim Ghattas, travelling with Mrs Clinton, says the top US diplomat's visit is both a reward for the reforms that have already taken place and an incentive for Burma's government to do more.
The US secretary of state said before the trip she was quite hopeful that "flickers of progress" could transform into a real movement for change.
'No resistance' Mrs Clinton is the first secretary of state to visit Burma since 1955.
The country was taken over by the military in 1962 and ruled by a brutal and unpredictable junta until last year, when the army ceded power to a nominally civilian government.

REFORM IN BURMA

• 7 Nov 2010: First polls in 20 years
• 13 Nov: Aung San Suu Kyi freed from house arrest
• 30 Mar 2011: Transfer of power to new government complete
• 14 Aug: Aung San Suu Kyi allowed to leave Rangoon on political visit
• 19 Aug: Aung San Suu Kyi meets Burmese President Thein Sein
• 6 Oct: Human rights commission established
• 12 Oct: More than 200 political prisoners freed
• 13 Oct: New labour laws allowing unions passed
• 17 Nov: Burma granted Asean chair in 2014
• 18 Nov: NLD says it is rejoining political process

Although the government is still dominated by figures from the previous military regime, it has introduced several important reforms, and released groups of political prisoners.

The visit comes weeks after President Barack Obama toured Asia and made a series of announcements bolstering American commitments in the region.
Observers have portrayed the new US focus on Asia as an attempt to counter China's attempts to become the pre-eminent power in the area.
And Chinese state media has reacted furiously to Mrs Clinton's visit to Burma.
The Global Times, which often runs bombastic nationalistic editorials, warned the US not to impinge on China's interests.
"China has no resistance toward Myanmar [Burma] seeking improved relationship with the West, but it will not accept this while seeing its interests stamped on," said a comment piece in the paper.
China has invested heavily in Burma, particularly in the energy sector.
But big Chinese-funded projects such as a hydroelectric dam in the north have provoked resentment among Burmese and led to an upsurge in fighting between ethnic rebels and the army.
Mrs Clinton landed in the remote capital, Nay Pyi Taw, on Wednesday afternoon. After her meeting with Thein Sein, she is due to head to the main city Rangoon to meet pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy recently re-registered as a political party, and she is expected to stand for parliament in forthcoming by-elections.
The NLD had operated outside the political system for two decades, and Ms Suu Kyi spent much of that time in detention. She was freed shortly after the current government came to power.

Can Clinton, Suu Kyi change Burma?

(Commentary) – As the first U.S. secretary of state to visit Burma in 50 years, Hillary Clinton’s trip marks a turning point, and there is high expectation that Burma may finally be coming out of the cold.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton speaks during the Special Session on Gender at the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Korea on November 30, 2011. Photo: AFP

Soon after its independence from Britain, British travel writer Norman Lewis wrote in the early 1950s that in comparison to Vietnam, Burma had remained isolated and mysterious.  He wrote that “while in Vietnam the established authority was challenged by a united opposition with a single ideology, the Burmese government was opposed by two separate bands of communists, two versions of a heterogeneous organization called the People’s Voluntary Organization, in which many bandits had enrolled, 10,000 or so Seven Day Adventist Karens, and a small army of mutinous military police.”
Even today, while resisting the central government’s ethnocentric nationalism and chauvinism for decades, Burma’s various opposition groups, while they share a common goal for democracy, have never unified under a common leadership or set of principles.
Following the Saffron Revolution of 2007, the Burmese military regime was viewed negatively by the world at-large. With the fresh memory of monks’ blood on their hands, it could no longer use the blunt force of violence against Aung San Suu Kyi, as it did during the 2003 Depayin Massacre. The army finally released Suu Kyi from house arrest in 2010, but it has continued its brutal assaults on ethnic minorities in conflict areas. However, simultaneously, the new government began a concerted charm offensive on all fronts, including it pursuit of separate cease-fires with armed ethnic groups.
The military’s rapid warming up to Suu Kyi and the NLD caught many in the political opposition camp by surprise. There was no time to openly discuss or mull over the political choices made by Suu Kyi, but people trusted her instincts. However, some political factions still remain far apart in areas throughout the country.
Looking back to 1886, James George Scott wrote, “Large trading towns of Burma will be for all practical purposes absorbed by the Chinese traders, just as in Singapore... And Burma is a country that has never known, and can never know, famine except as a direct result of civil war and misrule. It is perhaps a pity that the Burmese have not more vigor about them, but, on the other hand, it would be a pity if so simple and contented and genial a people were to be spoilt by a new and sordid desire for the acquisition of wealth.”
Burma and China seemed so utterly different then, but since the 1988 crackdown in Burma and the 1989 uprising in China, the two countries have become key political and economic allies. The question is whether the United States can now move Burma from its deep embrace of China?

Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets with musicians in November to discuss songs to use in the campaigns of National League for Democracy candidates. Photo: Mizzima

With the assassination of General Aung San, the father of Suu Kyi, after Burma’s independence from Britain, the dream of a peaceful and democratic Burma quickly faded. Distrustful of the population, the Burmese army took over political and economic control, and according to commentator Mary P. Callahan, “after cleaning house inside the army, Gen. Ne Win led the ultimate offensive against civilian parliamentary rule in March 1962.”  Again in 1990, under a new name and a new set of army generals, an even more brutal military junta grabbed political power back from the election-winning National League for Democracy. Callahan concluded that there would be no easy solutions to the problem of dissembling this security-obsessed state and replacing it with a new one that treats citizens with dignity and accountability. The removal of the handful of top generals and colonels from the government, and their replacement with fraudulently elected officials, will not transform the century-old command relationship between the state and society overnight.
Callahan also rightly noted that many ethnic minority leaders question whether a democratic government based in central Burma would really commit national resources to development programs in ethnic border areas. And as the world focuses on Suu Kyi and her political party, many minority leaders worry that their needs are not being taken into account.
The political uncertainty in Burma’s tortured history rivals that of Gorbachev and Deng Xiaoping. Surely a change of clothes from military uniforms to civilian garb cannot, at this stage, be equated with a true change of heart to embrace genuine democratic reforms in Burma.
Regardless, Clinton’s visit signifies the Americans’ willingness to invest major political capital in Burma. Clinton brings with her not only the momentum of a global outcry for freedom, but also as a leading member of the U.S. administration, she can also use her influence to help reconcile Burma’s various political factions, including the military, democracy activists, and ethnic nationalities.
As Suu Kyi says, most Burmese may not understand English, but they all know the meaning of democracy and freedom. So far, Suu Kyi seems to have set aside her differences with Thein Sein. The recent gains, including the halt of a major dam project, the symbolic release of a handful of political prisoners, and the slight relaxation of press freedoms have been attributed to their renewed relations.
Whether it is only a superficial gesture or a true commitment on the part of the current Burmese government, as Ko Myat Soe, a former student leader now living in the United States, observed, twilight is finally descending on the dictators. This is a perfect time for Clinton to go to Burma and meet with Suu Kyi.
Even though she has been released from house arrest, like all other Burmese, Suu Kyi is not yet truly free. In order to fulfill her promises and those made by her father, Burma still has to release all political prisoners and must bestow equal political rights on ethnic nationalities by laying down the groundwork for a true and democratic political process.
For Clinton, it’s a little bit of a tightrope walk right now. It requires delicate steps, one by one. But one thing is certain: it’s the twilight of the military dictators in Burma. Everyone in Burma, including the generals, wants U.S. help. Expectations are high. This is a once in a lifetime opening in which the world’s two most respected women can bring positive change to Burma.

Five millions kyat for village administration officer post in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: A Rohingya had given five millions kyat for village administration officer post to District administration officer in Maungdaw recently, according to politician from Maungdaw.

“Rashid, the Rohingya, had given five millions kyat to U Aung Myint Soe, the district administration officer of Maungdaw who supervised the village administration officer election in the villages of Maungdaw Township.”

“The money was carried by Ahyas hailed from Poung Zarr - a notorious collaborator of authority- for district administration officer of Maungdaw U Aung Myint Soe.” 

“The money was given for the election of Labawzarr village administration officer.”

But, the villagers from Labawzarr village supported and casted their vote to Kaseim for their village head of the administration office and win in the election while it was held, said a school teacher from Labawzarr.

“The villagers didn’t support Rashid as their village administration officer and now the Ahyas who took money from Rashid, is trying to change the result of election and to appoint Rashed as head of village administration office with money.”

We are worrying for Kaseim, as  Ahyas and Rashed are trying to use the power of district administration officer  with bribing five millions kyat to him, said an elder from the Labawzarr village.

Bangladesh pushes back 16 Rohingya

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Guard Bangladesh (BGB) pushed back 16 Rohingya who were arrested from the Teknaf-Cox’s Bazar highway road on November 27, according to a trader from Teknaf.

“The Rohingya who were going to Cox’s Bazar with different vehicles on Teknaf-Cox’s Bazar highway road and BGB arrested them at their check point on the road.”

Later, they were pushed pack to Burma through the entry point of Whykong.

Similarly, the BGB arrested Nazim Uddin, 26, hailed from Shabran under Teknaf police station, a drug trafficker with 3970 Yaba tablets while he was going to Cox’s Bazar from Shamalapur through the marine drive road on November27, said an elder from Shamalapur.

Nazim was handed over to the Teknaf police station and file a case of drug trafficking against him, an official said from Teknaf police station. 

On the other hand, BGB seized five sacks of fertilizer, three sacks of rice, seventy kg of potatoes and twenty litters of diesel with a row boat from Naff river on November 27, while it was being smuggled to Burma, according to official from BGB.

Living in the Racial Fault line: Rohingyas Look like Bengalis but are the People of Burma

Who are the Rohingyas? An Arakani xenophob named Aye Chan says they are "Bengalis" from Bangladesh, and many of his hoodlum followers even call Rohingyas the "Talibans"; some even call them as "terrorists" perhaps because most Rohingyas are Muslims and some racist people it is easy to find all Muslims as being terrorists. However, research shows that Rohingyas look like Bengalis but aren't Bengalis. If Rohingyas are not Bengalis, who are they?  Rohingyas are a mixture of people beginning from indigenous Chandra people of pre 10^th century Arakan, and also Rohingyas in them had Arab and Persian traders from the 7^th century settled in Arakan, and the Bengali Sultan's soldiers send to Arakan with General Sindi Khan to help restore Noromikhala in the mid-15^th century, and finally they also had in their people Bengali slaves captured from lower Bengal during the 16^th and early 17^th century from raids by Mogh (Rakhine) pirates in the Bay. These flows of people from the north and west of Arakan are recorded in history.1 These people who looked like Indians and Bengalis were scattered all around Arakan but due to their racial differences, eventually were pushed out to the Mayu frontier in the north. "Rohingya" as an official name adapted during the 50's in the last century by its leaders to serve as a survival mechanism for its people to unitedly face the destiny of attack and expulsion by the brutal military regime and its Arakanese collaborators. However, the name "Rohingya was in use recorded by an early British historian of Burma.2 In Arakan not surprisingly, "Rakhine" is also a new name changed from the historic name "Mogh"  Most of the Rohingyas look like Bengalis because Bengalis have similar historic backgrounds as the Rohingyas have from the past. The racially motivated discrimination and expulsion of the Rohingya people has been an ongoing phenomenon for years for these people. The latest large scale push was during 1942, the 1978 and 1993 and even now in a smaller scale.3

Historically speaking, Arakan was an Indian land but occupied by the racially mongoloid people during the 11^th century removing the Indian Chandra dynasty. The dark skinned Rohingyas called by the Rakhines as "Kalas" are the indigenous Rohingyas. Rohingyas look like Bengalis but aren't Bengalis. Like the Rakhines (Moghs) are racially like Burmese, so racially Rohingyas are like Bengalis. This is clearly because Arakan is a racial fault line. It is for this reason that there are Rakhines, Chakmas, Thanchaingas, Moghs, who are racially mongoloid people in Bangladesh. They are now Bangladeshi citizens. In contrast the Rohingyas in Arakan, Burma were denied of their citizenship in the 1982 constitutional reform by the racist military government of Burma. This change was done unfortunately (on record) with the help of some Arakani xenophobs like Aye Kyaw, Aye Chan and Ashin Nayaka who enjoy freedom and democracy in abroad but keep racist skeletons at home in Arakan; calling the Rohingya people as the "Influx Viruses". In this act of suffering of a people, causing genocide and crime against humanity, the xenophobes even call themselves as democrats-ofcourse, it is acceptable in Burma to the military's Burmese way to democracy. Thus Rohingya issue remains unresolved and the suffering of these racially different Burmese people living in the faultline continues.

17 rescued, around 138 missing while boat capsized in Bay of Bengal

Teknaf, Bangladesh: About 17 people were rescued and around 138 were missing while a Malaysia voyage’s boat capsized in the Bay of Bengal on November 23, at night, according to an elder from Alaythankyaw, Maungdaw south.

The Rohingya boat-people dead body floating in the Naf River

“The boat was capsized between Saint Martin and Shapuri Dip Island at the Bay of Bengal of Burma side.”

“The boat was capsized while it attacked the rock between Saint Martin and Shapuri Dip Island.”

The Burmese border security force (Nasaka) and its collaborators boarded 155 Rohingya boat people – 120 from Maungdaw and 35 from Buthidaung- after collecting 300000 kyat per head where Nasaka took 30000 kyat per head, according to a school teacher from Maungdaw.

The camp-in-charge of Donkhali (Pa Yaunbang Gyi) Nasaka camp had given green signal to board the boatpeople from the Nasaka camp. The permission was issued by the Major Kyaw Aung, the commander of Nasaka area 7 as the Nasaka was involved in this trafficking of boat people, according to an aide of Nasaka.

The Nasaka collaborators are:- Abul Kalam, hailed from Lamba Ghona, Moslim, hailed from Dawn Khali, and Yasin from Konna Para- who are now hiding in the Donkhali (Pa Yaunbang Gyi)  Nasaka camp because some of the concerned  authorities from Maungdaw Town went to the spot to inquiry the event.

“The rescued 17 persons are being hidden by the Nasaka personnel as fear of exposing their involvement in the boatpeople trafficking. But, the Nasaka demands money from the rescued boatpeople to stay continuously in their villages,” the aide said

The dead bodies floating in the Naf River are not allowed to collect and bury by their relatives and villagers. The dead bodies were drowned in the sea by the Nasaka personnel after fastening heavy stone with dead bodies for destroying the evidences of the event. 

The Rohingya community in northern Arakan is facing same as before such as discriminations - restriction of movement, marriage, education, health, employment and etc.-.  Though there is some reforms appear to be marked in the Burma, the repression and oppression of the Rohingya community are not stopped, said a trader from Maungdaw.

The Nasaka is using the policy of “killing two birds in one shot” means the Nasaka is trying to reduce the population of Rohingya community from Arakan soil and earning money by giving permission to go abroad. But, there is no permission for Rohingya community to enter their homeland again.

Exclusive - Suu Kyi to run in upcoming Myanmar by-election

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will run in an upcoming by-election, a senior official in her party said on Monday, three days after her National League for Democracy ended its boycott of the country's political system.
It will be the first time the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has competed in an election since 1990, when her landslide electoral victory was voided by generals intent on maintaining power.

Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi speaks at a ceremony to mark the country's National Day at the National League for Democracy (NLD) party's head office in Yangon November 20, 2011.

"Aung San Suu Kyi intends to stand for the by-election but it's a bit early to say from which constituency she will run," Nyan Win, a senior official in her party, told Reuters.
Suu Kyi, the daughter of late independence hero Aung San and a staunch opponent of the military dictators, spent 15 of the previous 21 years in detention before her release from house arrest a year ago.

Suu Kyi to run for Myanmar parliament seat

YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi will run in a parliamentary by-election expected by the end of the year, a top party official said on Monday, three days after her popular movement ended its boycott of the country's political system.

Myanmar's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi speaks at a ceremony to mark the country's National Day at the National League for Democracy (NLD) party's head office in Yangon

It will be the first time the Nobel Peace Prize laureate contests a seat herself having not stood as a candidate in her National League for Democracy's (NLD) 1990 election landslide, which was ignored by the then military regime and led to her lengthy incarceration.
"Aung San Suu Kyi intends to stand for the by-election but it's a bit early to say from which constituency she will run," Nyan Win, a member of the NLD's executive committee, told Reuters.
There are 48 seats available in Myanmar's new senate and lower house, which will be contested in polls expected by the end of the year.
The NLD was officially dissolved by the military junta for refusing to take part in last year's parliamentary polls because of "unfair and unjust" laws that would have prevented hundreds of its members from becoming lawmakers.
The legislature convened in February and is Myanmar's first since the late 1980s, when a unicameral "People's Assembly" controlled by the military's Burma Socialist Programme Party was scrapped.
Suu Kyi is the daughter of late independence hero Aung San and was a staunch opponent of the military during its 49 years of totalitarian rule. However, she has shown willingness to work with the new civilian government approved by parliament in March, even though it is run by former junta generals.
On Friday, the NLD voted unanimously to register the party and re-enter the political fray following an amendment to the constitution allowing those who have served sentences for crimes to take part in elections. Many NLD members, including Suu Kyi, are current or former political prisoners.
Since the annulled 1990 polls, Suu Kyi, 66, has spent most of the time in detention. She was released a year ago and still chooses to live in the lakeside house that on and off was her prison for 15 years.
U.S. ENDORSEMENT
She had earlier given no indication she herself was interested in becoming a lawmaker.
Her decision comes after Myanmar won a powerful endorsement on Friday, with U.S. President Barack Obama announcing Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would visit the resource-rich country neighbouring China, citing "flickers of progress."
Clinton will be the highest-ranking American to visit Myanmar since a 1962 military coup. She will go to Myanmar for two days early next month and plans to meet Suu Kyi.
Clinton has said credible elections are one condition for ending U.S. sanctions, along with the release of more political prisoners and peace with ethnic minorities. Myanmar released 230 political prisoners last month and another amnesty is expected in the coming weeks and months.
The NLD, Myanmar's biggest opposition force, would have dominated parliament had the 1990 result been accepted by the junta. The regime annulled the 1990 result only last year, arguing that the NLD's win could not be recognised because it was in breach of a constitution drafted 18 years later.
Suu Kyi commands considerable influence over the party and Ko Ko Hlaing, a senior advisor to President Thein Sein, said on the sidelines of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Bali last week that the NLD's decision to re-register was a "significant step."
The presence of Suu Kyi in parliament would be another dramatic sign of openness that could give more legitimacy to the retired generals in control of the country, who are seeking acceptance, engagement, support and investment from the international community.
Part of its plan was to expedite that process by lobbying to chair ASEAN in 2014, two years ahead of schedule.
The new government has started dialogue with Suu Kyi, moves welcomed by the West, which has imposed sanctions on the country because of its poor human rights record.

Bangladesh urges UNHCR to take effective steps to repatriate refugees

Chittagong, Bangladesh: Dr Abdur Razzaque, the Food and Disaster Management Minister of Bangladesh urged the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to take effective steps to repatriate the Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh on November 20, according to official statement.

“He made the call when UNHCR assistant high commissioner Janet Lim met him at the Secretariat.”

Razzaque also said that the Rohingyas are an extra burden for densely populated Bangladesh. “Although Bangladesh is a poor country, it has been continuing its assistance to the Rohingyas, considering the humanitarian ground.”

Janet Lim requested the Bangladesh government to take steps to ensure nutrition of Rohingyas who are living in shelter centres in Bangladesh.

Besides, Bangladesh - as a principled position, had never pursued ‘forced repatriation’ of refugees- Dipu Moni the foreign ministry said in a press released.

Bangladesh is cooperating with the UNHCR to support the voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya refugees through diplomatic negotiations with Burma, Dipo Moni said.

The foreign Minister also said that at around 9,000 of the refugees were earlier cleared by the Burma government in 2005.

The repatriation of Rohingya to Burma should remain strictly voluntary, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner Janet Lim stated.

According to a group of refugees, “We will go back to our motherland if the Burmese authorities give us citizenship with Rohingya ethnicity and equal rights as other ethnics groups.”

A politician on condition of anonymity said that if the Burmese authorities do not grant full citizenship with ethnicity and equal rights to the Rohingya refugees, the refugees will never go back to Burma.

The politician also said, “We fled to Bangladesh from Burma because of persecution and human rights abuses by the military regime. We will not jump again into the same persecution and human rights abuses by the military regime. We would rather die in Bangladesh or elsewhere.”

Three religious students jailed in southern Arakan

Mrauk-U, Arakan State: Three religious students were jailed on November 4, 2011 for traveling to their home town from Kyauktaw where they studying at a religious school (Madrasa), according to Muslim Liberation Organization of Burma (MLOB) statement.

“Md. Haleb (32), son of Ibrahim and Alam Gir (18), son of Md. Nasir, both hailed from the Kongbaung village of Mrauk Oo while Noor Shofi (18), son of Abdu Salam, hailed from Setkya village of Minbya Township.”

“The three students went to Kyauktaw town in 2010 for religious study. However, being closed their Madrasa, they were returning to their homes by steamer during June 2011. But, they were arrested by the immigration officer of Mrauk-U with allegation of so-called illegal traveling. Later, they have been sent to the police station of Mrauk-U.”

“The three students were produced on court, and had been sentenced to two and half years’ imprisonment per each by the court on November 4”, a relative of one of the victims said from Sittwe (Akyab), who denied to be named.  

“One of them was sent to Sittwe (Akyab) jail and the two other were sent to Rangoon jail after imprisonment,” according to the MLBO statement.

It is very much concerned for the Muslim community in Arakan for the continuous persecution in Arakan State against the Muslims, even under the President Thein Sein’s civilian new government, according to U Kyaw hla,  the MLOB chairman. 

U Kyaw Hla, chairman, the MLOB, earnestly appeals to the international community - Asean, UN, Democratic countries and OIC - to help prevent continuous persecution of the minority Muslims in Arakan State, Burma.

47 Rohingyas pushed back to Burma

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested 47 Rohingyas on November 21 from various points of borderline who were pushed back all to Burma on that day at about 2:00 pm, the BGB official said. 

“The BGB arrested the Rohingyas from Shapuri Dip to Taungbro along the borderline while entering Bangladesh for various purposes. The BGB personnel arrested 17 Rohingyas from Nayapa area, 8 members from Dum Dum Meah area, 21 members from Zeman Khali area and one member from Shapuri Dip, in total 47 members.” 

The BGB increased patrol in border areas and arrested Rohingya people frequently and pushed back to Burma, said a local elder from border area who did not mention his name.

The BGB personnel of Whaikong seized various kinds of medicines worth about Taka 361,500 from Burma-Bangladesh border while being smuggled to Bangladesh from Burma, the BGB official said. 

The BGB also seized about 1,000 Yaba tablets from Teknaf- Cox’s Bazar road that came from Arakan State, Burma which confirmed by the 42 BGB Battalion Commander Lt. Col Zahid Hassan of Teknaf.

Nasaka robs Rohingya villager in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) robbed Monsur Alam’s house from Litra (Kurkhali) village of Maungdaw north on November 16, at midnight with allegation of checking mobile set inside the house, said a schoolteacher preferring not to be named. 

“Three Nasaka personnel with four collaborators from Nasaka area No. 4, forcibly entered the house of Fatema Khatun (25) in the guise of checking mobile set at midnight of November 16 while her husband Monsur Alam was absent from the home to watch his shrimps project as local people pilfered shrimps from the project.” 

“The Nasaka personnel checked the house everywhere, but they did not find any mobile set, so, they had broken the iron box of Fatema Khatun and took away Kyat 125,000.”

“Fatema with her mother in law, Roshida Begum (50) were severely beaten for their resistance while the Nasaka personnel were taking money from their home.”

Fetema  is  none months old pregnant while Nasaka attacked her, said a relative of Monsur Alam.

The next day, the victim with her husband went to the Nasaka Headquaters of Kawar Bill and appraised the incident to the Nasaka duty officer where the officer didn’t take any action.  So, they returned home with disappointment, said a local trader quoting Alam.

“The case was again transferred to the Nasaka area number 4 office for interrogation where the area commander Major Kyaw Aung  summoned Alam to the office, but he did not appear to the camp for fear of arrest or harassment.”

A businessman from the locality said, “Why does the Nasaka take away the money while they fail to find illegal mobile set?”

A local elder said, “At mid night, why does the Nasaka enter the house while the male is absent from the house under the guise of checking mobile set without village administration officer?”

The four Nasaka collaborators are: - Faizal (22), son of Abul Kalam, Dulaya (23), son of Ali Zuhar, Alam Gir (30), son of Ali Ahmed and Ayub (30), son of Kasim. They all belong to Litra (Kurkhali) village, said a local youth who denied to e named.

Not able to stay their home in northern Arakan

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Rohingyas from two villages are not able to stay in their home for fear of arrest in northern Arakan State since November 1 and 17 in Burmese border security force (Nasaka) area 8 and 9, said a Rohingya youth from Buthidaung.

Hasson –an active social worker from Thaung Bazar – had been severally stabbed by a dacoit - Mohamed Nur who stay in Aziznagor village under Chittagong Hill tract -  on November 17, according to a village elder from Thaung Bazar.

“Mohamed Nur frequently enters to northern Arakan and robbed the Rohingya villages from Buthidaung and Maungdaw. He returned to Bangladesh after robbing the villages and stay with his associated partner from Aziznagor.”

“The villagers of Thaung Bazar lost an active worker who always managed the security of the village, but the Nasaka are harassing to villagers for entering the robber into the village. The authority is not giving advice to protect the village, but thinking how to extort the money from villagers after arresting with this case.”

“Most of the villagers are fleeing their home for fear of arrest and to escape from extortion. The village has now to men in the village while all the men are fleeing from home which is much risked for female to stay home without male at night,” said a village administration office member.

Similarly, the villagers of Done Pite ( Aung Deik Pyin) are not facing more harassment from authority as the villagers not allowed to enter the village or going out. Most of the male villagers are out of village for fear of arrest which occurred on November 1 - two Nasaka personnel were killed by villagers while trying to attempt to rape a girl by Nasaka – in the village, according to a NGO worker.

“The Nasaka surrounded the village where no one can enter or out from village event the foods from outside. The Nasaka arrested more than 15 villagers where one was killed and some were injured seriously in their custody who were admitted in the hospital.”

“The male villagers escape from village on November 1 after accident and some back the day into village were arrested by Nasaka. No Males were back to the village for fear of arrest.” 

According to local, “The accident was occurred in Serakparang in Ratheduang under Nasaka area 8, killed 5 villagers and some are admitted in the hospital.”

BGB arrests 16 boat- people, 33 pushed back to Burma

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) arrested 16 boat-people while going to Malaysia with rickety engine boat from Shapuri Dip and another 33 Rohingyas - arrested from Whaikong BGB check-post - were pushed back to Burma on November 19, according to BGB official statement.

“Among the arrested 16 boat-people are seven Rohingya and nine Bangladeshi. BGB of Shapuri Dip, outpost camp seized a boat with suspected from the Shapuri Dip jetty which was boarding some people who were coming from Burma and waiting some people who will come from Cox’s Bazar and local Shapuri Dip  to join the trip at noon.”

The owner of the boat is Ismail, son of Haji Salay, hailed from Barmaya Para of Shapuri Dip, said a fisherman from shapuri Dip. 

Most of the engine-boats were going to Malaysia after getting understanding among Dalals (agents), local BGB members and Coast Guards, otherwise, the boat-people will be arrested, said a local elder from Shapuri Dip who denied to be named.

“The well-known agents from Shapuri Dip are:- Dolu Hussain, Mozi Bullah, Monna, Shaker, Amin, Shobbir, Kana Jaffar, Kobira, Jaffar, Rejaul Karim, Nurul Alam, Rahim Ullah  Younous, Nazir Ahmed Bulu, Amin.”

Besides, on November 18, at night, three agents were arrested including Nurul Islam and Belal  by police from Nonna Sara of Cox’s Bazar while preparing to board on some boat- people into an engine trawler. But, nearly 40 persons were fled after sensing the presence of police and coast-guard. It is learnt that it will go to Shapuri Dip for boarding boat-people after boarding people from Cox’s Bazar. Most of the people are Rohingya refugees, said SI of Cox’s Bazar police station.  

Abdullah (36) – a refugee - son of Abdul Amin from D-2 Block of Kutupalong camp was arrested with suspicion   and  released after interrogation for not involving in the human trafficking, said Zahirul Islam, an officer of Coast Guard.

Police super (Model cycle) of Cox’s Bazar Sayed Tofayel Ahmed confirmed the incident. 

It is a suitable time for the boat-people as the sea is calm in winter, so that boat-people can go easily to Malaysia by sea route, said a trader from Shapuri Dip.

Bangladesh urges UNHCR to take effective steps to repatriate refugees

Chittagong, Bangladesh: Dr Abdur Razzaque, the Food and Disaster Management Minister of Bangladesh urged the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to take effective steps to repatriate the Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh on November 20, according to official statement.

“He made the call when UNHCR assistant high commissioner Janet Lim met him at the Secretariat.”

Razzaque also said that the Rohingyas are an extra burden for densely populated Bangladesh. “Although Bangladesh is a poor country, it has been continuing its assistance to the Rohingyas, considering the humanitarian ground.”

Janet Lim requested the Bangladesh government to take steps to ensure nutrition of Rohingyas who are living in shelter centres in Bangladesh.

Besides, Bangladesh - as a principled position, had never pursued ‘forced repatriation’ of refugees- Dipu Moni the foreign ministry said in a press released.

Bangladesh is cooperating with the UNHCR to support the voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya refugees through diplomatic negotiations with Burma, Dipo Moni said.

The foreign Minister also said that at around 9,000 of the refugees were earlier cleared by the Burma government in 2005.

The repatriation of Rohingya to Burma should remain strictly voluntary, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner Janet Lim stated.

According to a group of refugees, “We will go back to our motherland if the Burmese authorities give us citizenship with Rohingya ethnicity and equal rights as other ethnics groups.”

A politician on condition of anonymity said that if the Burmese authorities do not grant full citizenship with ethnicity and equal rights to the Rohingya refugees, the refugees will never go back to Burma.

The politician also said, “We fled to Bangladesh from Burma because of persecution and human rights abuses by the military regime. We will not jump again into the same persecution and human rights abuses by the military regime. We would rather die in Bangladesh or elsewhere.”

Suu Kyi's party to contest Myanmar by-elections

The party of Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, which boycotted last year's general election, said on Friday it would contest upcoming by-elections, the latest sign of political rapprochement under a new civilian government.

Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi shakes hands with people outside the National League for Democracy (NLD) head office after a meeting in Yangon November 18, 2011.

The 106-member Central Executive Committee of the National League for Democracy (NLD) voted unanimously to register the party, which was officially dissolved last year by the then military regime, and contest the by-elections, it said.
At a meeting to decide whether to re-register, Suu Kyi told members she was in favour of the party contesting the house seats, but she did not say whether she herself was interested in becoming a member of parliament.
"In my opinion, I would like the party to re-register and to run in the by-elections in all the 48 constituencies," she told the meeting, which was attended by reporters.
No date has been announced for the by-elections but they are expected by the end of the year.
The NLD, Myanmar's biggest opposition force, won a 1990 election by a landslide but the country's military refused to cede power and for the following two decade suppressed the party's activities, putting many of its members in prison.
The party boycotted the next election, held on November 7 last year, because of strict laws that prevented many of its members from taking part. As a result, the authorities officially dissolved it but it has continued to function and enjoys strong support from the public.
Myanmar recently amended a political party law removing a clause barring anyone convicted of a crime from joining a party or taking part in an election, paving the way for those who had served a prison term, including Suu Kyi, to contest the polls.
Suu Kyi, the daughter of late independence hero Aung San and a staunch opponent of the military dictators, spent 15 of the previous 21 years in detention before her release from house arrest a year ago.
CONSIDERABLE INFLUENCE
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate commands considerable influence over the party and the unanimous vote supporting her viewpoint was widely expected.
NLD insiders said the party was split on contesting last year's election but voted unanimously to boycott the polls after Suu Kyi said she "would not dream" of taking part.
The decision to amend the party laws was widely seen as a move to bring the NLD into Myanmar's new legislative apparatus, which has operated more freely than expected and allowed the kind of public debate that was forbidden under the military.
But even if it wins in all the by-elections, it would still be a minority voice in a parliament dominated by soldiers and proxies of the military, which ruled Myanmar for five decade before the civilian government took office in March.
Ko Ko Hlaing, a senior advisor to President Thein Sein, said on the sidelines of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Bali that the NLD's decision was a "significant step."
"(Suu Kyi's) party will be a formidable opposition force in the parliament. That is a very good formula for the democratic system," he told Reuters on Friday.
"So there are no political forces outside the constitutional framework. So we can work together ... (in a) truly democratic system."
The presence of Suu Kyi's party in parliament would be another sign of openness that could give more legitimacy to the retired generals in charge of the country, who are eager to be accepted by the public at home and the international community.
For that same reason, Myanmar lobbied hard for a chance to chair the 10-member ASEAN in 2014, two years ahead of schedule.
Under the leadership of Thein Sein, the government has started a dialogue with Suu Kyi, moves welcomed by the West, which has imposed sanctions on the country because of its poor human rights record.
The government recently released more than 230 political prisoners, eased media censorship and sought guidance from international financial institutions.
Many analysts believe Suu Kyi will not run for a parliamentary seat herself so she can focus on reconciliation and engagement with the government and international community.

Analysis - Obama gambles on Myanmar reforms

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama is gambling that the United States can nudge Myanmar further towards true political reform, a bet that could bring major diplomatic and economic benefits for both countries after more than 50 years of estrangement.

U.S. President Barack Obama is pictured among participants of the ASEAN-US Summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, November 18, 2011.

Obama's announcement that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Myanmar early next month marks a new stage of engagement with the country's new civilian government, which has enacted a series of reforms since it took over from the military after an election last year..
For the United States, rapprochement with Myanmar could eventually open a promising untapped market at the heart of the world's most economically vibrant region and counterbalance China, which has long been Myanmar's most important political and economic partner.
For Myanmar's civilian leaders the U.S. decision may mean the start of a broader political rehabilitation that could see economic sanctions eased or removed and the impoverished country begin to catch up with its booming neighbours.
But for both, it is a gamble that U.S. pressure and Myanmar's internal reforms will succeed in rolling back decades of entrenched military power and deliver real results rather than a fig-leaf for continued authoritarian control.
"This is the most important progress we have seen since the military took over and destroyed what should have been the wealthiest country in Southeast Asia," said David Steinberg, a Myanmar expert at Georgetown University.
"There has been some real effort at reform by the government, and the U.S. should do everything it can to increase the probability that it will continue."
VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
Obama signed off on the trip after speaking with veteran Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who told him she favoured more U.S. engagement and a Clinton visit.
Suu Kyi, in a further vote of confidence in the reform process, said she supported her National League for Democracy taking part upcoming by-elections -- a step which could see the party start to emerge as a real opposition in parliament..
Aung Din, a former political prisoner who now heads the U.S. Campaign for Burma advocacy group, said he welcomed Clinton's trip but worried that the reforms announced thus far were fragile and incomplete.
"I hope that the regime will take this seriously and respond positively by releasing all the remaining political prisoners," he told Reuters. "There is some risk that they may not continue to change."
Obama and Clinton have emphasized that Myanmar's leaders -- who this week won their bid to chair the 10-member Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2014 -- must do more to reform, release more political prisoners and end long-running conflicts in ethnic-minority areas.
Clinton said she would use her visit on December 1 to press home these points.
"One of the reasons that I'm going is to test what the true intentions are and whether there is a commitment to both economic and political reform," she told CNN.
"STAMP OF APPROVAL"
But analysts said Clinton's trip underscored Washington's belief that Myanmar was finally shaking off domination by the military, which took power in a 1962 coup and killed thousands in a crackdown in 1988.
"This is designed to give a very clear stamp of approval," said Priscilla Clapp, a retired diplomat who served as chief of the U.S. mission in Myanmar from 1999 to 2002 and is now a senior advisor at the Asia Society.
"All of the things we have been asking for the last 20 years are now suddenly happening, and the United States had to find a way to respond. They can't remove the sanctions right away, so this was one way to do it."
The Obama administration began cautiously opening to Myanmar in 2009, and the drive has gained steam in recent months as the military-backed civilian government freed a first batch of political prisoners and took other reform steps.
The United States has had broad economic sanctions on Myanmar since 1988, and the European Union, Australia and Canada have also imposed sanctions in an effort to put pressure on the ruling junta..
While U.S. officials say lesser bans such as travel limits on officials are being relaxed, movement on major U.S. economic sanctions would require action by Congress where many lawmakers remain sceptical about the country's leadership.
Ernest Bower, director of the Southeast Asia program at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies and former head of the US-ASEAN Business Council, said many U.S. businesses hoped the door may open to the country, which has a population of about 54 million and rich resources including natural gas, minerals and timber.
"This is an incredible opportunity. You just don't find an Asian economy that has been untouched by the developed countries for the last 40 years," Bower said.
RED TAPE
Even if sanctions are eased quickly -- an unlikely prospect -- analysts say it would take time for foreign businesses to move in, citing Myanmar's extensive red tape and lack of treaties on investment or trade protection.
While businesses may have to wait for any payoff, the diplomatic benefits are clear as long as the reform process continues.
For Obama, Myanmar may represent the best hope for success in his policy of engagement with traditional U.S. foes, which has hit a brick wall with Iran, North Korea and Syria.
Strengthening ties with Myanmar also plays into the broader U.S. strategy of countering China's rising influence. Myanmar in September scrapped plans for a huge dam built and financed by Chinese firms, and Washington is eager to see it move further out of Beijing's orbit.
"I don't think anyone strategically wants to see Burma just become a quarry or a mine for China," said Sean Turnell, an expert on Myanmar at Australia's Macquarie University. "The Burma issue is one where Obama can really reassert that the U.S. is back in Asia, and not going to let China dominate.

Refugee face shortage of water in Lada camp

Teknaf, Bangladesh: The refugees of Lada unofficial camp have been facing shortage of water since the first week of April 2011, said a refugee leader from the camp who prefers not to be named.

Refugee waiting for water at water supply station in the camp

The Lada Refugee Camp is managed by Muslim Aid UK, including healthcare programs and Solidarity UK is working for the sanitation program in the camp, according to a NGO official from camp.

“The water shortage is facing in the camp while the Solidarity UK and local fighting for employing in the field work since last April, 2011. The local blocked the water way and drainage through their land. Locals are not allowing to supply water from cannel through their land.”

“The Solidarity UK had left their project from camp after cashed with locals and local leaders (Local MP and village members). But, the refugees are facing the shortage of water after clashed.”

Muslim Aid UK - as a managing NGO in the camp - has not solved the water problem and keep aside, said a refugee leader from camp.

“There are more than 12,000 refugees in the camp, but the management only provides eight water stations. We get only two pots per day,” said Sara Khatoon from camp.

At present, the refugees are not able to cook their food; they are even unable to take baths or to wash their clothes. And also the refugees are not allowed to take water from local area by locals, said Amina from the camp.

The local people neighboring the camp disturb the refugee women and girls when they go to the streams to fetch water from nearby a bottom of a mountain.

“Most of the children are facing various skin diseases because of the water crisis and the overall unhygienic situation.”

Now, the refugee children are also suffering from malaria, typhoid and fever because of unhygienic situation. The drains are blocked with dirty water, said a committee member on condition of anonymity.

Forcibly collecting for football tournament

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The Burma border security force (Nasaka) with three collaborators of them forced the village administration offices to collect money from villagers for football tournament, organized by Major Than Naing, the commander of Nasaka area  7, said an ex-schoolteacher from the area.

“The football tournaments have been held in Maungdaw south - Nasaka area 7 - since November 13, after collecting money forcibly from local villagers.”

“There are 11 villages in Nasaka area No.7, and the Nasaka personnel also forced three villages from the Nasaka area No. 8 to participate in the football tournament. The Nasaka and its collaborators forced the villagers to pay 200 Kyat per person where a family must pay 2000 kyats which has 10 members.”  

Some money will be used in the tournament and most of the money will go to the pocket of Nasaka and its collaborators, said a village elder who denied to be named. “If the authority has no fund, why organized the football tournament for villagers. It is only a technique to extort money from villagers.”  

“The football tournaments are being played at Aley Than Kyaw football ground and the field is decorated by planting areca palm around the field which were also collected from the villagers.”

Villagers do not interest in the football matches as it is the dull season for the farmers; they have no vegetables or paddy to sell. The authority collected money forcibly from them, and the poor villagers are suffering, said a local trader.

A farmer said on condition of anonymity, “One of the Nasaka’s collaborators comes to me and asks money. I told him that I have no food today, where I get money to pay you.” 

The tournament is organized by Major Than Naing, the commander of area 7 with the help of its collaborators – Puto alias Aman Ullah, Ibarahim and Reduwan.

BGB seizes two Malaysia voyages’ engine trawlers

Teknaf, Bangladesh: The Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) seized twoMalaysia voyages’ engine trawlers on November 13, while preparing to go to Malaysia by sea route from the Bay of Bengal nearby Shapuri Dip, said a fisherman, from Shapuri Dip who denied to be named.

“On information, a group of BGB led by Company commander Shahab Uddin of BGB out-posts of Shapuri Dip went to the spot, and seized two engine trawlers with some dried rations.”

“The BGB also arrested a small boy aged only 10 while the boat-people ran away from the coast.”

According to a boat people watch, about 100 boat-people came from Cox’s Bazar to board on the trawlers but they ran away after sensing the arrival of BGB personnel.

However, the BGB handed over the boat to the customs of Teknaf and filed a case against the owners of the engine trawlers. The two engine trawlers are worth about Taka 300,000, said BGB official.

Similarly, police personnel from Bahar Sara seized a trawler and rescued 60 boatpeople on October 30.

Although, the BGB, coastguard and police on the border area are trying to stop human trafficking from the Bay of Bengal, some of the traffickers tactfully send people to Malaysia with shaky small boats, said a trader from Teknaf on condition of anonymity.

Authority plans to register so called black list baby in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The concerned authority from Maungdaw is planning to register so called black list babies with some conditions today, according to official from Maungdaw.

The authority announced to Rohingya community only in Maungdaw to register the so called black list baby to near the Burma border security force (Nasaka) with two local elder witnesses and to bring a judgment from Maungdaw court with giving 400 kyats as fine, the officer said.

“The announcement was released after meeting high level officers from northern Arakan in Maungdaw.”

The so called black list baby was announced for northern Arakan by Union Minister for Immigration and Population U Khin Yi replied the questions raised by U Shwe Maung (a) U Adu Rawzak of Buthidaung Constituency, Arakan State Hluttaw representatives in the first Pyithu Hluttaw second regular session was held at Pyithu Hluttaw Hall of Hluttaw Building on September 2.

The Union Minister for Immigration and Population U Khin Yi categorized the black list bay as black list baby issue is one of many significant aspects in population control measures in Maungdaw region of Rakhine State because of racial conditions; illegitimate children are those born to unmarried parents, defected father, once-defected father who returns illegally, widow, divorcee and single and while the marriage dossier is hearing; the identification of illegitimate children contributes to legal marriage, decrease in illegal relationship with once-defected husbands, and decline in birthrate by widow, divorcee and single; according to 2009 data, there are 7289 illegitimate children; as they grow up, the problem will be more complex as they will still be unrecognized, breaching regional laws, married illegally, giving birth and their newborns will also unrecognized; so, the plan is under way to charge the respective guardians in accord with the law and to add them to respective census.
“The Union Minister for Immigration and Population U Khin Yi only mention the black list baby is only found in northern Arakan where the Burmese government is using restriction for marriage to Rohingya community, not for other parts of Burma and other ethnic since long,” said a school teacher from Maungdaw.

“According to Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) stated its article number 16 that; Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution; Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses; the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State, but in northern Arakan, most of the Rohingya are not able to get marriage permission from authority for lack of financial status which the authority demand for it.”

“The Rohingya couples who had married without permission were going to flee from their home land for fear of arrest with 7 years jail term and the authority erased their name from their family list. The authority again violated UDHR article number 14 that everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution; this right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.”

The Baby  who the authority called black list baby had made any violation against the law, why the baby has to go to the court for judgment and pay fine 400 kyats; the baby was born in northern Arakan and has rights to live in his/her birth place. The only fact is come from Rohingya community nothings else, said a politician from Maungdaw.

“Is there any Rakhine baby who categorized black list baby in northern Arakan or other part of Burma to go to court for judgment for his/her birth rights?

BGB sends 17 Rhingyas to Jail, 39 pushes back to Burma

Teknaf, Bangladesh: Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) sent 17 Rohingyas to Cox’s Bazar jail who were arrested on November 12, from Shapuri Dip, and 39 Rohingyas were pushed back to Burma who were arrested from Whaikong border point, according to Teknaf police official. 

“Those who were arrest from Shapuri Dip are suspected as boat-people who intend to go to Malaysia; they gave Taka 25,000 to trafficker in advance for Malaysia trip, and the rest Taka 100,000 to be paid in Malaysia after arrival there.”

Besides, on November 13, at about 1:00 pm, 39 Rohingyas were arrested by BGB personnel of Whaikong BGB out-post camp while illegally entering Bangladesh from Whaikong border point. Most of the arrestees are young people between 20 years to 12 years. It is very strange, why the young people are fleeing to Bangladesh without learning in schools, said BGB official. 

The arrestees are from Maungdaw, Buthidaung and Sittwe (Akyab), the capital of Arakan State. After arrest and primary question from them and were sent to police station of Teknaf. Afterwards, all the arrestees were pushed back to Burma from Mosoni Nayapara border point said the Company Commander (Sergeant) Bazalur Rahaman of Whaikong BGB out-posts camp.

The arrestees from Whaikong were identified as:- Sayed Noor (25), Eliyas (24), Md. Enus (19), Zobayat (18), Abdu Malek (45), Shamsul Islam (20), Ali Hussain (18), Mozemail(17),  Abdul Noor(14), Sayed Ahmed(15),  Md.Rohim (21), Abul Khasim( 18),  Md. Shoffique (20), Salim Ullah (15),  Md. Toha (17), Kamal Hussain (26), Md.Rofique(18),  Sayedul Amin (26), Md. Ayas (15), Md. Hussain(29), Amin (28), Shamshu Alam ( 18), Zahin Gir (25), Abdullah (11),  Enus(18), Shamshu Alam (22), Md.Zaker( 15), Deshon(17),  Md. Hussain( 15), Md. Enus(30), Rofique (12),Kalu(13), Rofique (15), Abdullah(20), Md. Esuf (26), Zahid Hissain (12), Abdullah(19) and Zaber(16).

Nasaka commander’s harasses Taungbru sub-town

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The commander of Nasaka Area No. 3 in Maungdaw Township has been harassing the local Rohingya people and extorting money while creating false and fabricated cases, said a trader from the locality on condition of anonymity.
“The new Nasaka commander recently came from Rangoon, and he was appointed as the commander of Nasaka Area No. 3 at Taungbru sub-town. He himself was accompanied by other Nasaka personnel from the camp. They went to the local village at midnight while the villagers were sound asleep and arrested several local villagers over many kinds of allegations such as illegally holding mobile sets, having connections with relatives abroad, renovating porches or homes without permission, illegally crossing the border and beihg involved in human trafficking, etc. So far, except for him, no Nasaka commander has gone into villages at night for such kinds of operations.”
“After going into the villages, he seized the family lists of some villagers. But, the commander already had lists that were provided by his agents in advance. Then the commander asked the villagers to go to their camp the next day to take back their family lists.”
“When the villagers went to the Nasaka camp, the personnel returned the family lists to the villagers who were able to pay money. The Nasaka commander had already filed cases against some of the villagers, and they had to pay money according to their cases. So the Nasaka forced the villagers to pay from Taka 10,000 to 100,000 according to the severity of the case. In this way, the Nasaka commander is collecting money from the villagers indiscriminately. It is very strange that he extorted Bangladeshi currency instead of Burmese Kyat.”
For instance, the Nasaka commander extorted Taka 50,000 from Kunsipyin Madrasa on 2 November over the allegation that he had a mobile set, Taka 20,000 from Ms. Nur Seban over the allegation that she was holding mobile set, Taka 100,000 from Mv. Azad Ali over the allegation that he had a mobile set, and Taka 50,000 from Shofi Ullah over the allegation that a person was absent from his family list. All of these victims belong to Kunsipyin Village Tract under Nasaka Area No. 3, said local school teacher who declined to be named.
“Besides, Anwar Islam, the son of Ahamadu, a very poor man, who is still detained in the Nasaka camp, hails from Kunsipyin Village tract and has no possibility to be holding a mobile set. He was arrested 17 days ago.”
“Another man named Mv. Mohamed Tayub from the said village tract was arrested by Nasaka officers four days ago for not giving one Bira (80 pieces) of betel leaf. One Bira of betel leaf costs Kyat 400. He is still in detention at the Nasaka camp.”
The Nasaka went to the villages at about 12 midnight, and continued their work until 4:30 am. They surrounded the whole village in order to control the villagers from entering or leaving the village. They collected Kyat 10,000 from a man who was absent from his house. Actually, he went to another village with permission to pay a visit to his relatives.
This is a kind of inhumane harassment when the whole village is sleeping. The women are frightened when they see soldiers at night in their homes, said a businessman.
The extortion is continuing under the supervision of the area commander and local Military Intelligence officers. Half of the villagers earnings are going to the concerned authorities’ accounts, said a local elder who asked not to be named.

What will November 18 mean for the NLD and Burma?

(Commentary) – The possibility of the NLD re-registering as a legal political party is high when about 106 members of the central committee of the National League for Democracy (NLD) from 13 states and regions will meet on November 18 in Rangoon to decide the issue.

How the new Burmese government treats Aung San Suu Kyi and the NLD is a measure of how its move toward democracy is progressing. Photo: Mizzima

Most young people in Burma will likely welcome the NLD if it decides to re-register, but many older Burmese might prefer the NLD to take a little bit more time to monitor and evaluate the development of Burmese politics under President Thein Sein’s government. The fact is that there is a gap between the Burmese young and old on how they view politics, and how to deal with the government.

Regardless, the NLD needs to make policy and strategy changes since it no longer faces former dictator Than Shwe, but rather a new generation that looks more moderate and flexible than their previous boss. The NLD will choose the path that it believes is best on November 18.
The reason the government amended the Political Party Registration Law and the reason the NLD is considering to re-register are likely related to the talks between President Thein Sein and Aung San Suu Kyi on August 19, 2011.
There are interesting questions on how the NLD will go forward after November 18? Would it re-register as a lpolitical party and enter into elections, or would it decide not to re-register and watch the development of Burma’s politics, meanwhile focusing on humanitarian work? Its decision will tell us how much trust there is between the NLD and new Burmese government.
The trust between Suu Kyi and President Thein Sein seems established after the two met on August 19. But they kept their talk confidential. There must be the reason to keep it confidential. Maybe, they made a promise to change Burma or they shared sensitive information about changing Burma. Or they agreed to meet again. Or they made a deal that promised to amend the political parties registration laws in order for the NLD to re-register or run as a political party, or about releasing political prisoners, and in return, Suu Kyi agreed not to encourage mass demonstrations, and to tell international communities including Asean members, that Burma is changing positively.
Following their meeting, Suu Kyi credited President Thein Sein, saying she thinks he really wants to bring positive changes to Burma. Also, the talks between Union Minister Aung Kyi and Suu Kyi continued. Suu Kyi is allowed to communicate with international communities. She is also allowed to do her political activity without restrictions. Media censorship has relaxed somewhat. The government granted amnesty to 6,359 prisoners including about 200 political prisoners recently. Reportedly, the government will grant amnesty again soon.
The ethnic groups are watching carefully. And, they’re wondering if the NLD re-registered and worked with Burmese government, how seriously would they work to solve ethnic issues?
The government knows what is needed to establish good relationships with international communities such as the U.N., USA and Asean. They measure Burma’s progress toward democracy based on how it deals with Suu Kyi’s NLD party.  That’s why the government started talking to her.
Ex-major Sai Thein Win, who leaked information about Burma’s nuclear work, said, “The NLD should re-register as a legal political party, and contest in the national Parliament. I didn’t vote in 1990. Like me, there are many young people who didn’t vote in 1990. The NLD should register as a political party so that many people who didn’t vote in the 1990 election can vote now.
“The Burmese military will make sure former Snr-Gen Than Shwe and his family are safe and their property is protected. There is a risk if their security and property are in danger that a military coup could happen at any time because he can still influence the military.”
Many Burmese including exiles are excited about what the NLD will decide on November 18. Most Burmese people will likely continue to support the NLD whether it decides to re-register or not. Suu Kyi’s party owns the hearts of the people in Burma.
The popularity of the NLD cannot be challenged politically. They will beat anyone as long as the elections are fair and free. Even if they just work as a social organization or NGO; they will still shake up Burmese politics.
But the NLD should enter the political battles at the Union, regional and local levels and not limit its work to social activities, even though that’s also a part of politics. That’s what November 18 will mean for the NLD and for Burma.

Rohingya faces difficulty to move in Maungdaw

Maungdawm, Arakan State: The Rohingya community is facing recently difficulty to move from one place to another in Maungdaw, said a village trader from the locality who denied to be named. 

“Today, at about 10:00 am, a group of Burma’s border security force( Nasaka) from Nari Bill Nasaka camp under the Nasaka area No.6, of Maungdaw Township went to the nearby Amina Bazar and barred the Rohingya villagers to go to market without National Identity cards. There was no advanced warning to the villagers regarding the market goers.”

“Suddenly, the Nasaka went to a road nearby Mina Bazar, and barred the villagers to go to market without ID cards. Villagers are surprised that they have never carried ID cards to go to market. Therefore, villagers returned to their homes without any marketing or selling any goods in the market, said a villager from the locality.

“This is nothing, but only harassment to the Rohingya villagers,” said a local youth.

“The Rohingya are moving within the town like markets and villages without carrying their ID cards. No one ask them the ID cards when they went to market.”

Another local elder said, “It is a deliberate action against the Rohingya community.” 

There are Bazaar days on Saturday and Tuesday in a week, so that the local people can buy and sell their goods and fulfill their necessities.

On the other hand, a group of Rakhine youth gathered in front of Maungdaw Juma Mosque (Big Mosque) with alcohol (local wine) bottles to drink at about 9:00pm yesterday night where some Rohingya youth opposed such kind of behavior are not allowed in front of Islam religious area which become tension  between them. Some Rohingya elders informed to the concerned authority about the event and the authority solved peacefully the tension. The Rakhine youth groups left the place, said an elder from Maungdaw.

“The complaint was filed in Maungdaw police station and informed other concerned authority.”

Two Madrasa (Religious school) heads summoned by Nasaka

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The principal and deputy principal of Parampuru (Minglagyi) Madrasa (Religious school) of Maungdaw Township were summoned again to the Nasaka area No.6 office  today over the renovation of Madrasa which the two religious school heads got bail on this allegation , said a local elder on condition of anonymity.

“The two Madrasa heads namely Maulana Abu Baker of Paung Zaar village and Maulana Jamil, hailed from Parampuru village were arrested by Major San Win Khine, the Commander of Nasaka area No.6 over the allegation that they had renovated the Madrasa after the recently storm which attacked Arakan State on October 19. Actually, the Madrassa was destroyed a little by the storm, where the Madrasa heads accompanied by Madrasa students renovated it themselves to continuous the classes.”

In Arakan State, Rohingya community is not allowed to renovate any house, Mosque, Madrasa, and even a cow shed without taking permission from concerned authority, said a local elder,

However, they were released on November 6, on bail, said a Madrasa teacher who denied to be named.

But, today, early in the morning, the two principals are called again to the Nasaka camp and asked them to pay Kyat 5 million as a donation to build a latrine in the Nasaka camp; otherwise, they will be arrested and detained in the camp.

Rohingya faces difficulty to move in Maungdaw

Maungdawm, Arakan State: The Rohingya community is facing recently difficulty to move from one place to another in Maungdaw, said a village trader from the locality who denied to be named. 

“Today, at about 10:00 am, a group of Burma’s border security force( Nasaka) from Nari Bill Nasaka camp under the Nasaka area No.6, of Maungdaw Township went to the nearby Amina Bazar and barred the Rohingya villagers to go to market without National Identity cards. There was no advanced warning to the villagers regarding the market goers.”

“Suddenly, the Nasaka went to a road nearby Mina Bazar, and barred the villagers to go to market without ID cards. Villagers are surprised that they have never carried ID cards to go to market. Therefore, villagers returned to their homes without any marketing or selling any goods in the market, said a villager from the locality.

“This is nothing, but only harassment to the Rohingya villagers,” said a local youth.

“The Rohingya are moving within the town like markets and villages without carrying their ID cards. No one ask them the ID cards when they went to market.”

Another local elder said, “It is a deliberate action against the Rohingya community.” 

There are Bazaar days on Saturday and Tuesday in a week, so that the local people can buy and sell their goods and fulfill their necessities.

On the other hand, a group of Rakhine youth gathered in front of Maungdaw Juma Mosque (Big Mosque) with alcohol (local wine) bottles to drink at about 9:00pm yesterday night where some Rohingya youth opposed such kind of behavior are not allowed in front of Islam religious area which become tension  between them. Some Rohingya elders informed to the concerned authority about the event and the authority solved peacefully the tension. The Rakhine youth groups left the place, said an elder from Maungdaw.

“The complaint was filed in Maungdaw police station and informed other concerned authority.”

Two Nasaka personnel killed in Maungdaw south

Maungdaw, Arakan State: Two Burma border security force (Nasaka) personnel were killed by local Rohingya villagers of Done Pite ( Aung Deik Pyin) while trying to attempt to rape a girl at about 7:00pm on November 1, said an elder from the village.

“Three Nasaka personnel attacked a Rohingya girl – going to fetch water from a pond - to attempt to rape where another Rohingya girl informed to the villagers who beat the Nasaka personnel until they become unconscious.”

“Nasaka personnel who had an automatic rifle fled from the angry villagers and hid in a place till 11:00 pm for fear of beating and he reported to their camp number 18, under Nasaka area number 8.”

A group of Nasaka personnel went for searching two missing Nasaka personnel who had entered the village in the eve, found their dead bodies on the bank of the pond. Nasaka brought the dead bodies to their camp, said an aide from the Nasaka.

“The three Nasaka personnel are; Sergeant Myo Nay Htun, Private Sein Win and San Aye who had automatic rifle only. The three Nasaka personnel drank too much before entering the village and can’t able to control themselves.”

“We had given the statement that the village administration office didn’t able to mention anyone as the whole villagers involved in the event where the villagers had no intension to kill the Nasaka personnel, only to give punishment for attempting to rape,” said a village administration office member.

“In Rohingya tradition, all Rohingya females from village are fetching water from the pond/lake/River in the evening as a daily work in the rural areas. The three drunken Nasaka personnel who were entered the village to see village administration officer, met the females who were going to fetch water and changed their mind to attack the female with bad intention.”

“The villagers are fleeing from their village for fear of arrest by the concerned authority and go into hiding somewhere in Maungdaw south and the whole village is going to in panic. No one was arrested till now but the interrogation is going on.”

Rohingyas celebrate Eid-ul-Azha in northern Arakan and in refugee camp

Teknaf, Bangladesh: The Rohingya Muslim across the northern Arakan State celebrated Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice, yesterday with due religious fervor and solemnity, but not with happiness because of disturbance of concerned authorities, said a local elder who denied to be named.

“The day's program began with offering Eid prayers by Rohingyas at mosques and Eidgahs (open fields) throughout the Arakan State seeking peace and prosperity for the nation.”

In Maungdaw township, Arakan State, Township Administration office collected kyat 2000 per head of sacrificial cow through the block/village administration office and Burma’s border security force (Nasaka) collected two Viss of meat per a cow, said a local ender from Maungdaw. (One Viss= 1.64 Kg)

“In Maungdaw municipal area, the block administration office collected Kyat 2000 per a cow around 1:00pm and later, but in the rural area the village administration office collected more money than in town from devotees per cow.”

“The hides were collected by Township development committee.”

In Buthidaung Township, the Nasaka also collected meat and money from sacrificial animals, said a businessman from Buthidaung Town.   

Many Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh also celebrated Eid-ul-Azha without meat on November 7, according to a refugee leader from the official Nayapara refugee camp.

Rohingyas who are not registered under the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) received meat from an NGO, which generally donate supplies of meat to the camps during the festival every year, but refugees who are registered--- in Nayapara and Kutupalong camps---did not receive any meat from government and NGO, said a refugee leader from Nayapara camp. 

However, some of the cows were slaughtered in official Nayapara camp, which were distributed by their relatives who have been living in abroad. Besides, an NGO named Poor Aid distributed some goats and cows in Nayapara camp. It has 3,209-family and living over 12,000 refugees. 

In Leda (Tal), an unofficial camp which did not receive any support from any quarter receive 60 sacrificial cows from  a NGO, Turkey’s Humanitarian Aid Foundation (İHH), of them two cows were taken away by an ex-local member Mohamed Alam for his home. Two Rohingyas from outside helped the NGO while distributing the sacrificial animals, but, they took away all the hides. It has 2,100-family, and over 12,000 refugees are living. Every family received 1.5 kg of meat, said a refugee from the camp.

In Kutupalong makeshift camp, the Turkish NGO, Turkey’s Humanitarian Aid Foundation (İHH), also distributed another 60 sacrificial cows, but of them two cattle were taken away by a local ex-member Bokter for him. Under his command, 38 cows had been distributed in the camp, but he took away all the hides. Besides, another new local member named Abdul Haque distributed the rest 20 cows to the camp. But, he took away all legs (front parts), bellies and hides. Refugees received 0.5 kg of meat per family. It has 5,660-family and living over 40,000 refugees, said a refugee leader who did not mention his name. 

The refugees of Kutupalong official camp also did not receive any cows from government and NGOs, but some cows had been distributed by their relatives who have been living in foreign countries. It has 1,918-family and living about 12,083 refugees.   

The officer of Nayapara refugee camp told the refugees that Bangladeshi government had not made provisions for the camps and that he didn’t know what meat or other supplies would be available through NGOs.

“We tried to get assistance from NGOs as before, but I don’t know why this time they are not supplying meat to refugees.”

It is a solemn, sacred festival which enables a person to enjoy, in the right spirit of Islam, through Azha, sacrifice and surrender, resignation and renunciation, selflessness and total submission to the Will of God, said a religious leader from Maungdaw.

“Eid-ul-Azha, the largest religion festival of Muslims, brings for the Muslims divine blessing, an occasion not only to enjoy but also to receive Allah's Mercy and reward through sacrifice and benevolence, patience and constancy”.

Nasaka commander’s harassment at Taungbru sub-town

Thursday, 10 November 2011 12:20

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The Nasaka commander of Nasaka area No.3, of Maungdaw Township has been harassing the local Rohingya people and extorting money over giving false and fabricated cases, said a trader from the locality on condition of anonymity.

“The Nasaka commander was recently coming from Rangoon, and he was appointed as a commander of Nasaka area No.3 at Taungbru sub-town. He himself accompanied by other Nasaka personnel from the camp went to the local village at mid night while the villagers were sound sleeping and arrested the local villagers over many kinds of allegation such as--- holding mobile sets, connection with relatives in abroad, renovating of porches or homes, illegally border crossing and human trafficking--- etc. So far, except him, no Nasaka Commander went for operation to the village at night.”

“After going to the villages, he seized the family lists of some villagers which he wanted. But, the commander has lists which were provided by their agents in advance. Then the commander asked the villagers to go to their camp the next day to take their family lists.”

“When the villagers went to the Nasaka camp, they returned the family lists to the villagers who are able to pay money. The Nasaka commander had already filed cases against the villagers and has to pay money according to their cases. So the Nasaka forced the villager to pay Taka 10,000 or 20, 000 or 50,000, or 100,000 according to the volume of the case and returned the family lists. In this way, the Nasaka commander is collecting money from the villagers indiscriminately. It is very strange that they extorted Bangala currency instead of Kyat.”

For instance, the Nasaka commander extorted Taka 50,000 from Kunsipyin Madrasa on November 2, over the allegation that it has mobile set, Taka 20,000 from Ms Nur Seban over allegation of holding mobile, Taka 100,000 from Mv. Azad Ali over allegation of holding mobile, Taka 50,000 from Shofi Ullah over the allegation that a person was absent from the list. The person went to other village to visit his relative with permission. These all victims belong to Kunsipyin village tract under Nasaka area No.3, said local school teacher who denied to be named. 

“Besides, Anwar Islam, son of Ahamadu, very poor man was still detained in the Nasaka camp, hailed from Kunsipyin Village tract, and has no possibility for holding a mobile set. He was arrested 17 days ago.”

“Another man named Mv. Mohamed Tayub from said village tract was arrested by Nasaka four days ago for not giving one Bira (80 pcs) of betel leaf. One Bira betel leaf is cost at Kyat 400. He is still in detention at the Nasaka camp.”

They went to villages at about 12:00 mid night and continued their work till 4:30 am. The surrounded the whole village for controlling the villagers from going out / coming to village.  They collected Kyat 10,000 from a man who is absent from the house. Actually, he/she went to other village with the permission to pay a visit to his/her relatives. It is a kind of inhuman harassment when the whole villagers are sleeping and the women are being frightened for seeing the soldiers at night at their homes, said a businessman.  

The extortion is going under supervise of the area commander and the Military intelligence officer where no one left within the process and half of their (villagers) earning is going to the concerned authorities’ account, said a local elder who denied to be named.

New way to send Malaysia voyages

Teknaf, Bangladesh: The agents, who try to send voyages to Malaysia through risky sea route, create a new method to cheat voyages and their safety, using border trade cargo boats for carrying Malaysia voyages, said a boat people watchdog from border.

Main border trade center of Teknaf Land port  for Burma and Bangladesh

“Most the of the rural areas’ Bangladeshi people and Burmese people want to go  Malaysia from Shapuri Dip; Cox’s Bazar and from other places of Bangladesh, but recently Traffickers (Dalals) select Teknaf land-port to send boat-people to Malaysia.”

According to the border trade agreement of Burma and Bangladesh, engine boats from Akyab and Rangoon of Burma carried cargo goods to Teknaf land port of Bangladesh where its carry some goods from Bangladesh to Burma. But, recently for exchange rate up down, the Burmese traders are not carrying any goods to Burma, said an officer of C & F agent from Teknaf.

“The traffickers contact the Burmese cargo boats’ owner/ captain (driver) to carry Malaysia voyages with empty boats while returning to their home port (Akyab / Rangoon). The traffickers secretly board the Malaysia voyages to Burmese cargo boats as per their agreement.”

Burmese cargo boats in Teknaf land port

“The Burmese cargo boats were driving 3 to 4 days in the sea with the voyages and landed on seashore where the owner/ driver said the boat reached at Malaysia and the boats flee away, but, the Malaysia voyages are stranded on the sea beach.”

“The voyages are saved by fishermen or arrested by authority (Bangladesh, India, Burma and Thailand).”

“Within 3 to 4 days, three to four trawlers will go to Malaysia from Teknaf land-port or from the Bay of Bengal nearby Teknaf, said a fisherman from Shapuri Dip.

Traffickers used this kind of fishing boats for Maylaysia voyagers

“The Malaysia voyages are under the management of traffickers --- Md. Sayed, hailed from Bazar Para, Md. Enus, hailed from Konar Para, and Abdu Salam of Mazar Para, hailed from Shapuri Dip. The  main Malaysia voyages are control by Md. Abdu Rahim of Cox’s Bazar, Md. Younus of Shapuri Dip, Ms bilkis Khatoon, Alamgir of Shapuri Dip in Bangladesh and they collected Taka 25,000 to 30,000 per each in advance before getting on trawler, after reaching in Malaysia; another Taka 100,000 has to be paid to another trafficker who lives in Malaysia, or have to give a grantee the money will paid in Bangladesh if no one is in Malysia,” according to boat people watchdog.

Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) arrested 22 boat-people yesterday while going to Maylaysia with shaky trawler from Shapuri Dip of Teknaf, under Cox’s Bazar district and four traffickers ----- Md. Abdullah(19), son of Khobir Ahmed, hailed from Shapuri Dip, Jaffar Alam(18), son of Sultan Ahmed, Robiul Alam(18), son of Md.Issaque, Ahmed( 20), son of Jalal Hossain, Hailed from Zalla Para of Teknaf  on November 9  while paying patrol at the coast of Shapuri Dip, according to BGB official.

“Abdullah confessed that they are only collecting boat people and arranging to board to the boats safely. All the process are controlling by main agents (traffickers)---- Md. Abdu Rahim of Cox’s Bazar, Md. Younus of Shapuri Dip, Ms bilkis Khatoon, Alamgir of Shapuri Dip.”