Maungdaw, Arakan State: The Human trafficking control
office has been going to extort money from Rohingya families whose
beloved person is living in the foreign countries, said an officer from
village administration office of Maungdaw.
“Police Inspector U Aung Saw, the head of the Human trafficking
control office is always visiting the Rohingya villages where he forced
the village administration officer to share the information about the
families whose beloved person is living in the foreign countries to
serve their family from those countries.”
“The human trafficking
control officer seized the family list of those beloved one live in the
foreign countries with help of village administration officer and
summoned the family head to his office situated in Myoma Kyayoungdan
village of Maungdaw. “
The officer extorted money from those
whose Rohingya families when he returned the family list. He demanded
100000 - 300000 kyats per family, said a school teacher whose son was
living in Malaysia. “Sometime, he extorted huge money from family when
he know that family are rich.’
“The officer has no right to seize
the family list and rights to inform to the concerned authority
–Immigration- to follow the case which will file in the Human
trafficking control office.”
The officers is only looking how to
extort money from Rohingya community like other authority – Burma border
security force (Nasaka), Police, Immigration and Military Intelligent-
and he never informed to the concerned security force - Nasaka- about
following trafficking case in the area, said an officer from Maungdaw.
“In
Maungdaw, not Rohingya are going to foreign countries but Rakhine
community also going to foreign countries. The officer only asked the
Rohingy community not Rakhine community.”
“The officer has to
follow the case to control trafficking and how the Rohingya left from
tight security area of Maungdaw by boat to Malaysia. The Nasaka
security force is helping the Rohingya to operate the boat from Maungdaw
through their agent by taking money. Why the officer is not going to
ask the Nasaka area officer from where the boat people left?” said an
elder from Maungdaw.
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Monday, 7 May 2012
Rohingya in India seeks refugee status
Hundreds Rohingya men, women and
children from Burma, belonging to Burmese Rohingya community – Muslim
community- have made temporary sheds of polythene sheets by the rear
compound wall of the UNHCR office in B-2 Block of Vasant Vihar in south
Delhi since April 9, seeking refugee status, according to Mamoon
Rafique, one of the protesters - originally a resident of Mangdaw
district of Arakan region and now working as teacher in Jammu.
Mamoon Rafique, an asylum seeker in India
“The UNHCR officials are discriminating against us because we are Muslims. Non-Muslim asylum-seekers – Chin, Rakhin, Kachin and others - from Myanmar get their refugee status card within months or even days but we are being kept waiting for years. Instead of proper refugee cards, we are being issued cards which say that we are ‘asylum seekers’ and even this card is issued without our father’s name and address.”
“The UNHCR cards which were given to us were no use as we could not seek admission into any school for our children or get employment for ourselves while in India.”
“We will not leave here till we are recognized as refugees,” said Shamsul Alam, another protester
“I came from Maungdaw. I fled from the Burmese government’s human rights abuses and formerly lived in Bangladesh. Later, we moved to India because we believed that this is a democratic country with sympathy and peace, where we can take refuge. If we cannot live here as refugees, we want to go to another country where we can live as refugees.”
“The UNHCR officials are discriminating against us because we are Muslims. Non-Muslim asylum-seekers – Chin, Rakhin, Kachin and others - from Myanmar get their refugee status card within months or even days but we are being kept waiting for years. Instead of proper refugee cards, we are being issued cards which say that we are ‘asylum seekers’ and even this card is issued without our father’s name and address.”
“The UNHCR cards which were given to us were no use as we could not seek admission into any school for our children or get employment for ourselves while in India.”
“We will not leave here till we are recognized as refugees,” said Shamsul Alam, another protester
“I came from Maungdaw. I fled from the Burmese government’s human rights abuses and formerly lived in Bangladesh. Later, we moved to India because we believed that this is a democratic country with sympathy and peace, where we can take refuge. If we cannot live here as refugees, we want to go to another country where we can live as refugees.”
Hundreds
Rohingya men, women and children of Rohingya community from Burma have
made temporary sheds of polythene sheets by the rear compound wall of
the UNHCR office in B-2 Block of Vasant Vihar in south Delhi
"We were issued an asylum seeker card in
August 2011 by the UNHCR, but it deprives us from lot of facilities
that a refugee would get. We want a refugee card. Our children need
education, better living conditions like water to drink and toilets. But
we are deprived of this as we don't have a refugee card," said
Zia-ul-Rahman, a asylum seeker and now lives in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar
Pradesh.
"We don't use the term Rohingya - we refer to this group as Muslims from northern Rakhine state. In India, there is no national legal framework for refugees, and because of this there are different approaches to different groups of people," Nayana Bose, associate external relations officer UNHCR, told IANS.
"We have already registered around 1,800 Rohingya as asylum seekers In India and issued identity cards to each one. The card is similar to the refugee card as it helps to protect them from harassment, arbitrary arrest, detention and expulsion, and to prevent them from being forced back to a country where their life or freedom may be in danger," Bose said.
“As for right to health care and education, this is available for everybody. They can access free education at government schools.”
However, the UNHCR officials say that they discussed the issue with the refugees four to five times, but were not persuaded by their arguments and will meet 10 representatives of the community again on May 20.
Around 10 to 15 thousand Arakanses Muslims - Rohingya community - are living in different parts of India at present where some of our people are incarcerated in Andaman jail, according to Mamoon while interview to Milli Gazette.
“We are on the edge of starvation due to the apathy of UNHCR towards our plight. We are living on the food offered to us by the local Muslims from across the road and are deprived of basic amenities and medical facilities.”
"We don't use the term Rohingya - we refer to this group as Muslims from northern Rakhine state. In India, there is no national legal framework for refugees, and because of this there are different approaches to different groups of people," Nayana Bose, associate external relations officer UNHCR, told IANS.
"We have already registered around 1,800 Rohingya as asylum seekers In India and issued identity cards to each one. The card is similar to the refugee card as it helps to protect them from harassment, arbitrary arrest, detention and expulsion, and to prevent them from being forced back to a country where their life or freedom may be in danger," Bose said.
“As for right to health care and education, this is available for everybody. They can access free education at government schools.”
However, the UNHCR officials say that they discussed the issue with the refugees four to five times, but were not persuaded by their arguments and will meet 10 representatives of the community again on May 20.
Around 10 to 15 thousand Arakanses Muslims - Rohingya community - are living in different parts of India at present where some of our people are incarcerated in Andaman jail, according to Mamoon while interview to Milli Gazette.
“We are on the edge of starvation due to the apathy of UNHCR towards our plight. We are living on the food offered to us by the local Muslims from across the road and are deprived of basic amenities and medical facilities.”
Strong wind and heavy rain left hundreds of refugee homeless
Kutupalong, Bangladesh:
More than hundred huts had been destroyed by a strong winds and heavy
rain from unregistered refugee camp of Kutupalong on May 4, according to
Huseein, an elder from camp.
Strong winds and heavy rain destroyed the refugee hut in unregistered Kutupalong camp
“The winds and heavy rain started from 9:00am to 11:00am which destroyed most of refugee huts’ roof and some whole huts.”
“The disaster had left nearly 150 people from 15 huts become homeless. The people have no shelter to stay at night. They just put plastics and woods for rain to stay.”
Five schools of Home Education program was totally damaged where the students were shifted to another places for teaching the students, said Mohamed Syed Noor who is a parent of a student.
“The schools lose its roofs while strong winds blew out in the morning and its floors and walls fell down during the heavy raining.”
“There are more than ten schools were little damaged while strong winds and heavy raining. The schools of roofs had been blown away and if rain will again start, the school will face to be damaged and will not able to teach.”
“We need to repair the schools, otherwise we will face difficult to teach the class in the raining period,” said a teacher from the program.
On the other hand, a well-wisher of Home Education program distributed jerseys to all students before the raining. All the students were happy when they received the jerseys, according to a committee member from the camp.
“The winds and heavy rain started from 9:00am to 11:00am which destroyed most of refugee huts’ roof and some whole huts.”
“The disaster had left nearly 150 people from 15 huts become homeless. The people have no shelter to stay at night. They just put plastics and woods for rain to stay.”
Five schools of Home Education program was totally damaged where the students were shifted to another places for teaching the students, said Mohamed Syed Noor who is a parent of a student.
“The schools lose its roofs while strong winds blew out in the morning and its floors and walls fell down during the heavy raining.”
“There are more than ten schools were little damaged while strong winds and heavy raining. The schools of roofs had been blown away and if rain will again start, the school will face to be damaged and will not able to teach.”
“We need to repair the schools, otherwise we will face difficult to teach the class in the raining period,” said a teacher from the program.
On the other hand, a well-wisher of Home Education program distributed jerseys to all students before the raining. All the students were happy when they received the jerseys, according to a committee member from the camp.
2014 Census in Burma must be universal and inclusive of Rohingya : Rohingya organizations
Chittagong, Bangladesh: Several Rohingya organizations
had made a call for the 2014 census in Burma to be universal and
inclusive of the Rohingya people on May 5, according to their joint
stamen.
The statement was released by the Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO), Burmese Rohingya Organization, UK (BROUK), Burmese Rohingya Association Japan (BRAJ), Burmese Rohingya Community in Australia (BRCA), Burmese Rohingya Community in Norway (BRCN), Burmese Rohingya Association in Thailand (BRAT) and Burmese Rohingya for Democracy in Burma (RLDB).
“Recently the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA) has agreed to support Burma’s proposed 2014 population and housing census,” according to the Rohingya Organizations statement. But, “Rights groups worry that if not conducted properly, the census could marginalize minorities such as the Rohingya or those living in one of Burma's many conflict areas.”
The Burma Ministry of Immigration and Population and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) April 31, held a forum on plans for Burma's 2014 Population and Housing Census, was participated by lawmakers and members of the National Commission on Population and Development in Nay Pyi Taw, according to the press release of forum.
U Khin Yi, Chairperson of the National Population and Development Commission and the Union Minister of the Ministry of Immigration and Population told the forum that a successful census will require "broad and effective partnership" involving various government sectors, parliamentarians, civil society, the private sector and international organizations.
“Since 1983 –within 30 years- this is first whole Burma Nationwide Census would be conducted in 2014 which will be organized and being prepared by Central Census Committee.”
Last October Notification enlisted Burma Population 60.38 million by assessments from 24 Townships in Sample counting. “1998 - 2006 Population increase rate 20.02, we calculated.”
In an effort to deny Rohingya’s existence in Burma:- the Immigration Ministers U Khin Yi accused the Rohingyas of being illegal Bangladeshi immigrants; the Chief Political Advisor to the President U Ko Ko Hlaing confirmed that the restriction on their (Rohingyas’) freedom of movement is necessary from so-called national security perspective; and the Director General of Burma’s Department of Population Myint Kyaing lied in a proud manner, “we have no stateless people in Myanmar and there is no Rohingya in Myanmar as well, because no Bengali people are residing in Myanmar," according to the Rohingya Organizations joint stamen.
"No true census has ever taken place in Burma, and great injustice has been done to the ethnic Rohingyas.”
"We, therefore, urge the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), United Kingdom, USA, European Union, ASEAN and Myanmar’s neighbors to put pressure on the Myanmar government to genuinely include Rohingya as a ''national race'' in Myanmar''s proposed census," the statement said.
The statement said due to persecution, an estimated 1.5 million Rohingyas have taken refuge in Bangladesh and other countries.
To ensure the census is universal and "inclusive of all national races", the statement said the oppressive 1982 citizenship law should be amended in conformity with international conventions, and international custom and principles generally recognized with regard to nationality.
In addition, it should be brought in line with the principles embodied in the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness of August 30, 1961.
"Suitable arrangements should also be made for the inclusion of all Rohingya and other Burmese diasporas," the statement said.
The Central Census Committee Chairperson U Maung Maung Swe said: "Data obtained from the census will be linked to the national planning." , calling on all stakeholders to cooperate in undertaking the 2014 census where the UNFPA Representative Mohamed Abdel-Ahad said " Censuses generate accurate information on population growth and help to estimate current and future needs, including needs for schools, teachers, hospitals, doctors, nurses and employment opportunities, housing, and social security and safety nets."
The statement was released by the Arakan Rohingya National Organization (ARNO), Burmese Rohingya Organization, UK (BROUK), Burmese Rohingya Association Japan (BRAJ), Burmese Rohingya Community in Australia (BRCA), Burmese Rohingya Community in Norway (BRCN), Burmese Rohingya Association in Thailand (BRAT) and Burmese Rohingya for Democracy in Burma (RLDB).
“Recently the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA) has agreed to support Burma’s proposed 2014 population and housing census,” according to the Rohingya Organizations statement. But, “Rights groups worry that if not conducted properly, the census could marginalize minorities such as the Rohingya or those living in one of Burma's many conflict areas.”
The Burma Ministry of Immigration and Population and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) April 31, held a forum on plans for Burma's 2014 Population and Housing Census, was participated by lawmakers and members of the National Commission on Population and Development in Nay Pyi Taw, according to the press release of forum.
U Khin Yi, Chairperson of the National Population and Development Commission and the Union Minister of the Ministry of Immigration and Population told the forum that a successful census will require "broad and effective partnership" involving various government sectors, parliamentarians, civil society, the private sector and international organizations.
“Since 1983 –within 30 years- this is first whole Burma Nationwide Census would be conducted in 2014 which will be organized and being prepared by Central Census Committee.”
Last October Notification enlisted Burma Population 60.38 million by assessments from 24 Townships in Sample counting. “1998 - 2006 Population increase rate 20.02, we calculated.”
In an effort to deny Rohingya’s existence in Burma:- the Immigration Ministers U Khin Yi accused the Rohingyas of being illegal Bangladeshi immigrants; the Chief Political Advisor to the President U Ko Ko Hlaing confirmed that the restriction on their (Rohingyas’) freedom of movement is necessary from so-called national security perspective; and the Director General of Burma’s Department of Population Myint Kyaing lied in a proud manner, “we have no stateless people in Myanmar and there is no Rohingya in Myanmar as well, because no Bengali people are residing in Myanmar," according to the Rohingya Organizations joint stamen.
"No true census has ever taken place in Burma, and great injustice has been done to the ethnic Rohingyas.”
"We, therefore, urge the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), United Kingdom, USA, European Union, ASEAN and Myanmar’s neighbors to put pressure on the Myanmar government to genuinely include Rohingya as a ''national race'' in Myanmar''s proposed census," the statement said.
The statement said due to persecution, an estimated 1.5 million Rohingyas have taken refuge in Bangladesh and other countries.
To ensure the census is universal and "inclusive of all national races", the statement said the oppressive 1982 citizenship law should be amended in conformity with international conventions, and international custom and principles generally recognized with regard to nationality.
In addition, it should be brought in line with the principles embodied in the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness of August 30, 1961.
"Suitable arrangements should also be made for the inclusion of all Rohingya and other Burmese diasporas," the statement said.
The Central Census Committee Chairperson U Maung Maung Swe said: "Data obtained from the census will be linked to the national planning." , calling on all stakeholders to cooperate in undertaking the 2014 census where the UNFPA Representative Mohamed Abdel-Ahad said " Censuses generate accurate information on population growth and help to estimate current and future needs, including needs for schools, teachers, hospitals, doctors, nurses and employment opportunities, housing, and social security and safety nets."
Friday, 4 May 2012
No money, no bury in Maungdaw
Maungdaw, Arakan State: Two Rohingya dead bodies
-struck by thunder- were not allowed to bury by police without paying
money to them on April 21 in Maungdaw Township, according to village
administration office member.
“Ms.Tahera Begum, 48 and Ms.Formina Begum,14 hail from Mutee village of Theechang (Balu Khali) village track under Taungbro , Maungdaw Township, were struck by thunder (lightning) while working in their chili cultivation field near the village and died in the spot on April 21 at about 10:30 am.”
“But, U Kyaw Win, the assistant police inspector from Theechaung police outpost, went to the victim house with Theechang village administration officer U Abdul Rashid at about 12:00 noon on that day and the police officer asked 100,000 kyats to give permission to bury the dead body in the village.”
The two females are mother and daughter of U Nurul Zawman, a poorest family in the village. The police officer had pretended to take dead body to the morgue for autopsy as Nurul can’t able to pay the money to the police officer. But, the villagers collected the money from village and gave to the police officer for burying the dead body in the village graveyard, said a closed relative of Nurul.
One of Nurul’s daughter- Rozena Begum, 15 month old was also seriously injure for thunder and now she has been taking medical treatment in the Taungbro clinic.
“The police in northern Arakan need money from Rohingya community and they are watching how to extort money from any accident which is naturally or manmade,” said a teacher from that village.
“Ms.Tahera Begum, 48 and Ms.Formina Begum,14 hail from Mutee village of Theechang (Balu Khali) village track under Taungbro , Maungdaw Township, were struck by thunder (lightning) while working in their chili cultivation field near the village and died in the spot on April 21 at about 10:30 am.”
“But, U Kyaw Win, the assistant police inspector from Theechaung police outpost, went to the victim house with Theechang village administration officer U Abdul Rashid at about 12:00 noon on that day and the police officer asked 100,000 kyats to give permission to bury the dead body in the village.”
The two females are mother and daughter of U Nurul Zawman, a poorest family in the village. The police officer had pretended to take dead body to the morgue for autopsy as Nurul can’t able to pay the money to the police officer. But, the villagers collected the money from village and gave to the police officer for burying the dead body in the village graveyard, said a closed relative of Nurul.
One of Nurul’s daughter- Rozena Begum, 15 month old was also seriously injure for thunder and now she has been taking medical treatment in the Taungbro clinic.
“The police in northern Arakan need money from Rohingya community and they are watching how to extort money from any accident which is naturally or manmade,” said a teacher from that village.
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
Myanmar's Suu Kyi sworn in to parliament
Suu Kyi stood to read the parliamentary oath in unison with other members of her NLD party
Wednesday's event marks a historic development for the country and for the Nobel laureate who waged a two-decade struggle against its military government.
The oath, taken in front of lower house speaker Shwe Mann, states members will "safeguard and abide by the Constitution of the Union" and "hold always in esteem (the) non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty".
Speaking briefly to reporters after the swearing-in ceremony, Suu Kyi said her focus will be "to carry out our duties within the parliament as we have been carrying out our duties outside the parliament for the last 20 or so years".
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy [NLD] swept by-elections on April 1, but its successful candidates initially refused to take their seats because of a dispute over part of the oath relating to the constitution.
The NLD had refused to take the oath to "safeguard the constitution". Instead, it wanted to swear to "respect" it.
The party backed down on Monday and said its politicians would swear the oath, but said it still disputed the wording and wanted to amend a constitution that it says is undemocratic and gives wide powers to the military.
"We've always believed in being flexible throughout the years of our struggle because that is the only way in which we can achieve our goal without violence," Suu Kyi told a news conference in Yangon on Tuesday.
"I don't think flexibility will be a new concept for us."
The dispute with the ruling army-backed party over the oath raised fears for a delicate detente with President Thein Sein, a former junta general who has overseen a year of sweeping reforms in the resource-rich country.
Suu Kyi's entry into Myanmar's political system comes after years of resistance to the army's attempts to enshrine its grip on power.
While Suu Kyi and many of her supporters were in detention in 1990, her NLD swept general elections that year, but instead of handing over power to political leadership, the army banned her party.
The NLD walked out of the military's constitution-drafting process in the mid-1990s.
Suspicion
The party boycotted a general election in November 2010, when Suu Kyi was still under house arrest, saying the poll was rigged in favour of the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).
The USDP won an overwhelming victory, but a new government under President Thein Sein embarked on political and economic reforms and he persuaded Suu Kyi to enter the political process.
In response to the reforms, Western powers that for years isolated the country over its human rights record, driving it into close ties with giant neighbour China, have begun to lift sanctions.
Suu Kyi, the daughter of the leader of Myanmar's campaign for independence from British rule, will take up her seat alongside uniformed generals and scores of retired military men in the USDP.
But there is deep suspicion on both sides and friction could be looming.
The NLD won all but one of the 44 seats it contested in last month's by-elections after a campaign in which Suu Kyi made the amendment of the 2008 constitution a central theme.
The charter gives the military wide powers, including the ability to appoint cabinet members, take control in a state of emergency and occupy a quarter of seats in parliament.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who was in Myanmar this week for talks with government leaders and Suu Kyi, praised the president as a visionary leader and welcomed Suu Kyi's decision to take her assembly seat.
European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who met Suu Kyi last week, also welcomed the NLD's decision and said it could now get to work on the country's problems.
"The important aspect from our point of view is to have her and other parliamentarians from the NLD in parliament," Ashton told a news conference in Bangkok on Tuesday.
"In terms of the constitution, I think this is for them to work out now that Aung San Suu Kyi has come in to parliament."
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
UN chief holds talks with Suu Kyi in Myanmar
Ban Ki-moon praises pro-democracy leader's decision to join country's
parliament after agreeing to swear oath of office
UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has met with Myanmar
pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi for talks about the country's
political future after a surprise climb down by the Nobel laureate in
her boycott of parliament.
The discussions at the opposition leader's lakeside mansion in Yangon on Tuesday, where she was locked up by the former military junta for much of the past two decades, came a day after Ban became the first visiting foreign dignitary to address Myanmar's legislature.
It is the first meeting between Suu Kyi and Ban, who left frustrated after a previous visit in 2009 when the generals who ruled the nation for decades refused to allow him to see the veteran activist while in detention.
On Monday, Suu Kyi decided that she and other politicians in her National League for Democracy (NLD) party would attend the country's parliament on Wednesday for the first time to take the oath of office.
NLD politicians had refused to pledge to "safeguard" the constitution, stating they wanted that word replaced with "respect," a change made in other Myanmar laws.
"We have decided to comply at this juncture, because we do not want a political problem or tension," Suu Kyi said, ending the first rift with the government since she won a parliamentary seat in historic April 1 by-elections.
"The reason we accept it, firstly is the desire of the people," she said. "Our voters voted for us because they want to see us in parliament."
Ban welcomed Suu Kyi's announcement and told reporters he respected her decision.
"She is a strong and dedicated leader of this country," he said, standing by Suu Kyi's side at a newsconference after their meeting. "I'm sure that she'll play a very constructive and active role as a parliamentarian."
The UN chief said he had invited Suu Kyi to visit the UN headquarters in New York.
Suu Kyi has said one of her priorities as a politician is to push for an amendment of the 2008 constitution, under which one quarter of the seats in parliament are reserved for unelected military officials.
'Leadership and courage'
On Monday, following talks with President Thein Sein, the UN chief had paid tribute to Suu Kyi and the NLD for participating in the recent by-elections during a landmark speech to parliament.
"For many years you displayed resilience and fortitude that for generations have distinguished the Myanmar people," he said.
Ban also hailed the "vision, leadership and courage" of Thein Sein,
who has ushered in a slew of reforms in the last year including
welcoming Suu Kyi's party into the mainstream and freeing political
prisoners.
Ban is the latest in a string of top foreign visitors to Myanmar amid a thaw in the army-dominated nation's relations with the West.
The UN chief welcomed moves by the international community to reward sweeping changes in the country since the end of direct army rule last year, and called for the West to go further in easing or lifting sanctions.
Last week, the European Union responded to what it said were "historic changes" by suspending for one year a wide range of trade, economic and individual sanctions, although it left intact an arms embargo.
Canada and Australia have also recently eased punitive measures and Japan waived $3.7bn of Myanmar's debt.
But the US last week ruled out an immediate end to its main sanctions on Myanmar, saying it wanted to preserve leverage to push the leadership on an end to ethnic violence, which has marred the country's reform image.
Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, left, met with
Myanmar president Thein Sein on Monday
The discussions at the opposition leader's lakeside mansion in Yangon on Tuesday, where she was locked up by the former military junta for much of the past two decades, came a day after Ban became the first visiting foreign dignitary to address Myanmar's legislature.
It is the first meeting between Suu Kyi and Ban, who left frustrated after a previous visit in 2009 when the generals who ruled the nation for decades refused to allow him to see the veteran activist while in detention.
On Monday, Suu Kyi decided that she and other politicians in her National League for Democracy (NLD) party would attend the country's parliament on Wednesday for the first time to take the oath of office.
NLD politicians had refused to pledge to "safeguard" the constitution, stating they wanted that word replaced with "respect," a change made in other Myanmar laws.
"We have decided to comply at this juncture, because we do not want a political problem or tension," Suu Kyi said, ending the first rift with the government since she won a parliamentary seat in historic April 1 by-elections.
"The reason we accept it, firstly is the desire of the people," she said. "Our voters voted for us because they want to see us in parliament."
Ban welcomed Suu Kyi's announcement and told reporters he respected her decision.
"She is a strong and dedicated leader of this country," he said, standing by Suu Kyi's side at a newsconference after their meeting. "I'm sure that she'll play a very constructive and active role as a parliamentarian."
The UN chief said he had invited Suu Kyi to visit the UN headquarters in New York.
Suu Kyi has said one of her priorities as a politician is to push for an amendment of the 2008 constitution, under which one quarter of the seats in parliament are reserved for unelected military officials.
'Leadership and courage'
On Monday, following talks with President Thein Sein, the UN chief had paid tribute to Suu Kyi and the NLD for participating in the recent by-elections during a landmark speech to parliament.
"For many years you displayed resilience and fortitude that for generations have distinguished the Myanmar people," he said.
 |
| Aung San Suu Kyi and Ban Ki-moon met in the democracy activist's home in Yangon |
Ban is the latest in a string of top foreign visitors to Myanmar amid a thaw in the army-dominated nation's relations with the West.
The UN chief welcomed moves by the international community to reward sweeping changes in the country since the end of direct army rule last year, and called for the West to go further in easing or lifting sanctions.
Last week, the European Union responded to what it said were "historic changes" by suspending for one year a wide range of trade, economic and individual sanctions, although it left intact an arms embargo.
Canada and Australia have also recently eased punitive measures and Japan waived $3.7bn of Myanmar's debt.
But the US last week ruled out an immediate end to its main sanctions on Myanmar, saying it wanted to preserve leverage to push the leadership on an end to ethnic violence, which has marred the country's reform image.
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About Me
- The Voice Of Rohingya
- Maung daw, Arakan state, Myanmar (Burma)
- I am an independent man who voted to humanitarian aid.