Burma’s By-election on Sunday: Why It Matters

Pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi is widely expected to win a parliamentary seat in Sunday's by-elections

Burma’s by-elections on Sunday only counts for a small portion of parliament seats, but has taken on immense symbolic importance because it will likely see pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi win her first term in office.
The elections represent a key step for national reconciliation after more than two decades of bitter struggle which set the ruling military against a pro-democracy movement led by Suu Kyi and which turned Burma into a shunned, pariah state with stunted development.
Though the seats up for grabs are relatively few, the stakes are high for both the military-backed government, which wants to emerge from international isolation, and for Suu Kyi’s camp, which wants real democracy. The vote also sets the stage for an even more important general election in 2015.
Here’s a look at Sunday’s polling, the players and what’s at stake:
The Election
Candidates are vying for 45 seats in the 664-seat parliament that have been vacated since 2010 general elections, which were boycotted by Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) party. The government has invited a limited number of international observers to witness the latest polling, hoping to boost its democratic credentials. Suu Kyi, running in impoverished Kawhmu Township south of Rangoon, has alleged widespread irregularities in the run-up, but has vowed to go forward with her candidacy.
The Military
The country’s former military rulers—known for violently suppressing any uprisings—nullified a 1990 election victory by Suu Kyi and kept her under house arrest for much of the following two decades.
They engineered the 2010 elections to usher in a nominally civilian governement while ensuring that the military retained power, for example, by reserving at least a quarter of parliamentary seats for the military. Foreign observers were barred from that vote—a military-backed party unsurprisingly won.
Now firmly entrenched, the country’s rulers have a strong interest in promoting a more democratic stance, to placate international critics. The government hopes to earn a lifting of economic and political sanctions by the US and other Western nations, so that Burma can enjoy the benefits of the global economy.
It can afford to allow Suu Kyi’s followers to win seats in the Parliament, because those up for grabs amount to less than seven percent of the legislature, and wants Sunday’s vote to appear to go as smoothly as possible.
The government of President Thein Sein has launched a series of reforms—including the freeing of political prisoners and opening of a dialogue with Suu Kyi. Washington has promised to upgrade diplomatic relations, but wants to see free and fair elections before it grants further rewards.
Suu Kyi
Suu Kyi and her political party came out of the 2010 election with poor prospects because of its boycott. Two decades of struggle against fierce repression had given the party the moral high ground but drained its energy.
Then, Suu Kyi was finally freed from house arrest, rejuvenating her pro-democracy movement while she herself—in her mid-60s—has shown signs of fatigue in campaign appearances that have drawn large, enthusiastic crowds.
Suu Kyi was supposedly loathed by the former military leader, Sen-Gen Than Shwe, who stepped down after the 2010 elections. But she says she trusts Thein Sein and his promise of a kinder, gentler Burma.
She has acknowledged that her party will have no substantial power even it if wins all 45 seats that it is contesting, but hopes to give voice to the “aspirations” of the people.
Thein Sein’s government needs Suu Kyi’s participation because of her prestige in the international community as standard-bearer for Burma’s democracy movement whose courage won her a Nobel Peace prize. She commands considerable influence on policymakers, especially in the United States.
To woo Washington, Thein Sein must curry favor with Suu Kyi.
The Future
Both sides are playing for future benefits, but the path seems clearer for the military—Provide enough democracy to keep Suu Kyi in line and satisfy Western nations so that they drop their sanctions, and use the anticipated inflows of investment to jump-start the economy.
Critics fear that Suu Kyi could become marginalized or co-opted in Parliament. But if her party plays by the government’s rules, it could provide the party’s long-suffering organizers the kind of breathing space they never before enjoyed.
Suu Kyi has said repeatedly that the party will work outside the legislature as well as inside. Many of the country’s best-known pro-democracy activists, released from prison under Thein Sein’s amnesties and unbowed by their incarceration, have vowed their support for Suu Kyi.
If the party can rebuild itself, it can mount a campaign for a general election in 2015 that could pose a real challenge to military-backed rule. Whether the military allows a victory by Suu Kyi and her supporters in that vote—or squashes the result, as it did in 1990—will be the true test of its commitment to democracy.

Burma Among Worst For Religious Freedom: Report

Burma has been declared one of the world’s worst countries for religious freedom as reports emerge of places of worship being savagely vandalized by government troops.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its 2012 Annual Report on Tuesday which includes Burma on its list of “countries of particular concern” (CPCs) just as incidents of bibles being burnt and Christian gatherings being disrupted emerge in Kachin and Chin states.
“It’s no coincidence that many of the nations we recommend to be designated as CPCs are among the most dangerous and destabilizing places on earth,” said USCIRF Chairman Leonard Leo. “Nations that trample upon basic rights, including freedom of religion, provide fertile ground for poverty and insecurity, war and terror, and violent, radical movements and activities.”
Burmese government troops reportedly ransacked Sin Lum Pang Mu Baptist Church in Pang Mu village, Bhamo District, Kachin State, on March 13, with bibles burned and widespread looting.
Rev. Jangmaw Gam Maw, the pastor of Pang Mu Church, claims soldiers from 33rd Battalion of 88th Infantry Division burned bibles, destroyed church property and stole a video player, loudspeakers and belongings of local people, as well as cash from donation boxes.
The soldiers claimed that the church was a Kachin Independence Army outpost. The pastor and more than 1,000 parishioners had recently returned after abandoning the village on Nov. 19 last year to join Mai Ja Yang refugee camp.
On March 10, Burmese government troops disrupted a Christian conference and threatened a Member of Parliament at gunpoint in southern Chin State, according to the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO).
More than 1,000 delegates from 80 local branches of the Mara (Chin) Evangelical Church at Sabawngte village, Matupi Township, had gathered for the conference which had official permission.
The CHRO reported that several Burmese soldiers disrupted the meeting and rebuked the village headman for not informing the army camp about the event. Pu Van Cin, an MP from the Ethnic National Development Party, was threatened at gunpoint when he intervened to stop soldiers confronting the village chief.
Benedict Rogers, the East Asia team leader at Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said, “These incidents illustrate that there is still a very long way to go in Burma’s reform process, and for that reason, the international community should be cautious about lifting too many sanctions too quickly.
“We have seen very welcome progress in Burma at some levels in recent months, but the [Burmese army] continues to perpetrate grave violations of human rights in the ethnic areas, which include religious discrimination and persecution of minorities.”
The other nations included on USCIRF list of CPCs were China, Egypt, Eritrea, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

Rohingya dies after taking medicines of doctor’s prescription in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: A Rohingya vehicle driver who suffered from stomach pain went to the clinic of a surgeon from Maungdaw general hospital, was died within half an hour after taking medicines of doctor’s prescription on March 15, according to an elder from Maungdaw.

“Dr.Kyaw Myo Aung, the surgeon from Maungdaw general hospital, had opened a private clinic where he sited most of his time to earn extra money where he charges 2000 kyat to 10000 kyat depend on patient.”

The Rohingya vehicle driver, Zaibul Rahaman, went to Dr.Kyaw Myo Aung’s private clinic while he suffered from stomach pain at 5:00pm and Dr. Kyaw checked up and gave a medical prescription and also advised to take rest after taking medicines, said a family member of Zaibul.

“Zaibul took the medicines as per medical prescription of Dr. Kyaw, but he fell down and lost consciousness and died after taking the medicines at 5:30pm in his home and the family members rushed to the clinic with medicines and informed the condition of patient. The doctor said it is not for medicines and it is only for fall down of blood pressure.”

The family members informed to concerned authority, but no action or inquire were taken on the accident.

In Maungdaw, any Rohingya who want to admit for treatment in Maungdaw general hospital, must first check up in the private clinic of any doctor from hospital who had opened clinic in town and then the doctor will recommend to admit in hospital. But, he/she must pay 5000 kyat to the hospital staff for better services; otherwise the staff will not take care of you.

Makeshift camp committee beat a Rohingya refugee family

Ukhiya, Bangladesh: The newly appointed makeshift camp committee beat a Rohingya refugee family-wife and husband- without any reason on March 14, said Mohamed Ullah , an elder from the Kutupalong makeshift camp.

“The committee – Abu Siddique (Chairman), Rafique (Member) and Ayub (Member)- beat a refugee family –Mohamed Amin and his wife-  where the family member become seriously wounded.”

The camp committees were collecting the refugee lists in the camp as per the ordered of camp-in-charge (CIC) of UNHCR registered refugee camp of Kutupalong, but the committee members also collecting money from refugee if they listed. The committee members didn’t enlist the refugee who refused to pay the money to them, according to a refugee leader from the camp.

“Mohamed Amin, a former committee member asked the enlisting group about their behavior on the refugee and request to enlist all who are living in the camp since long. There was an argument between Amin and enlisted group (committee members).”

The committee chairmen, Abu Siddque, ordered to his committee members to beat Amin and there were a quarreled where the committee members brutally beat Amin. The wife of Amin tried to save her husband from the quarrel, but the committee members also severely beat her. The two victims become seriously wounded for beating, said Asma Begum, a female refugee from the camp.

“The camp committee members and chairman escaped from the spot when the refugee near by the event rushed to the spot.”

The camp committee informed to the CIC that the refugees were trying to beat them while they collecting enlists. The CIC sent the camp security officer to the spot and found that the committee made the problem and the officer returned back, said a religious leader from the camp.

“The committee are harassing refugee every corner to extort money from refugee with the help of CIC as the committee used huge money to get the position of camp committee.”

160 students unable to sit at matriculation examination in Maungdaw

Maungdaw, Arakan State: 160 students from Maungdaw High School are unable to sit at matriculation examination which started yesterday, said a teacher from Maungdaw.

“The students are not qualified to sit the examination for their less class attendance. Most of the students are Rohingya community.”

1616 students sited in Maungdaw district examination center this year, where 951 students are from Maungdaw High School.  Most of the students are Rohingya community, according to Maungdaw Education board.

Kyaw Zaw Tun, the Headmaster of Maungdaw High School had tried to promote the education of school and had taught the students with extra times in the school where he collected 1000 kyats per student per month as the school was lowest position in Arakan State last year matriculation examination, said an elder from Maungdaw.

“The headmaster had tried to promote the school education but the teachers from school were only interested in private tuitions in the home.”

“The headmaster wants to show good result in the examination, collected 700,000 kyats from some students per head, had taken responsibly that the student will pass in the examination, but another teacher, Daw Hla Hla Kyaw collected 550,000 kyats per head for all subjects who sited the examination.”

The students, who can able to pay money to teacher, will able to get education and getting fever from the teachers. These students’ fathers are – smugglers, collaborators, agents and high officers –  who are wealthy in the town  and it is the education system of Maungdaw this year, said Ano Meah, a student’s father who can’t able to pay the money for teachers

Police arrests family members instated of wanted person in Buthidaung

Buthidaung, Arakan State: Police personnel from Buthidaung arrested family members of wanted person while the police unable to arrest the wanted person in Buthidaung on March 6, said an elder from Buthidaung.

“U Ba Pyu, Sub Inspector, surveillance officer from Buthidaung police station with the help of collaborators – Hashim and Nurul - arrested Zubir with allegation of holding illegal mobile phone (Bangladeshi). But he escaped from police with handcuffs while the police were taking him to the police station.”

U Ba Pyu requested the family members of Zubir to hand over his handcuffs which Zubir had taken with him, when the family members failed to hand over the handcuffs, the police arrested Zubir’s family members – Ismil, Nurul Islam, Zuhura, Ahsha and Rehena, said a closed members of Zubir’s family.

“The Police officer U Ba Pyu demanded kyat one million each to release the family members.”

It is very surprised and unlawful, arresting the family members while police failed to arrest the wanted person, said a politician from Buthidaung.

“In northern Arakan, the authority is making the law what they want for Rohingya community,  not for other community.”

“The allegation was false and Zubir has no Bangladeshi mobile phone, the collaborators want to harass and distribute Zubir with the help of police,” said a school teacher from Buthidaung.

Forced labor still use in northern Arakan

Maungdaw, Arakan State: The authorities had been still using forced labor in northern Arakan- Maungdaw and Buthidaung – where the Rohingya people reside on March 5, said a NGOs worker who didn’t want to mention his name.

“The authorities- Burmese border security force (Nasaka) and General Engineer (GE)- are collecting  Rohingya people from the villages where the authorities  are repairing the road of Maungdaw-Kyein Chaung.”

“Every day 300 Rohingya people are working on the road without foods and wages. The Rohingya have to carry their foods from their homes to work on the road.”

Most of the Rohingya -- day laborers – are collected by the village administration officer as per the order of authorities to supply the laborers. A village has to supply more than 50 people to work on the road and it is depended on the population of village, said a village administration officer from Maungdaw.

“The authorities are not giving us any wages to pay the laborers who worked on the road. Most of the laborers are day workers and their families depend on their work. If they have to pay force labor, the families will become starving.”

Similarly, the Light Infantry Battalion(LIB) No. 552 is using forced labor to build the battalion since last two years nearby Rohingya villagers, said a village administration officer from Buthidaung Township.

“The battalion is situated eastern side of Mayu River and established on 1997.”

The army officers order the village admin to supply laborers to work at battalion. The laborers have to work – grass cutting, building road, clearing the compound of residents, carrying water from walls, working on the confiscated land and fences erecting – in the compound of battalion with their own foods. The army officers are not giving any wages to the laborers, said a school teacher from the said area.

“The laborers are from Rohingya community who work on their own cultivate fields or daily laborers. Their family members depend on their work. The Rohingya forced laborers’ families will become starving if the Rohingya people are frequently working in the army battalion.”

The Burmese new government had declared that no force labor in the country, but the authorities are still using forced labor in the ethnic areas and especially in the Rohingya area- northern Arakan- the forced labor is going high up now to build road, battalion and authorities compound, said a politician from Maungdaw.