By Nita May BBC Burmese

For a Burmese woman, it is perhaps an unusual career choice, and even more so for the glamorous wife of a film star, who enjoys a life of relative privilege.

But in 2001, Shwe Ze Kwet decided to start arranging funeral services for those who could not afford them.

Her husband is Kyaw Thu, who used to be one of Burma’s most famous actors and is from a wealthy background.

Her charity was the first such service of its kind in the Burmese city of Rangoon, although her aunt had launched a similar charity in Mandalay. Since then the idea has mushroomed, and now charitable organisations arrange free funerals throughout the country.

In Burmese Buddhist tradition there are certain rituals to be observed and these cost money.

The body has to be prepared for burial or cremation, offerings and gifts made, and food provided to the monks who carry out these services over a period of several days.

“To be honest, when I touched a dead body for the first time I was nervous,” admits Shwe Ze Kwet.

“But when you think about it, none of us will be spared, and we will all have to travel down this road some day.”

Perseverance

The reaction from friends and family at the beginning was hardly encouraging, although attitudes have slowly changed.

In socially conservative Burma, preparing the dead for the afterlife is looked down upon and usually restricted to certain groups of people, who pass it down the family line.

“In the beginning, even my relatives wondered what had become of me. They asked me why I wanted to do such an unpleasant job, but I explained to them nothing is more pleasant than helping the people who need help most.”

Shwe Ze Kwet persevered, and insists it is the plight of ordinary people that move and inspire her in her work.

She cites the example of a teenage boy, who was trying to raise money for his mother’s funeral. A mutual acquaintance introduced him, and her charity helped arrange the necessary rites.

“He would have lost his home if we hadn’t helped him. His father was already dead and he was living with his mother before she died. When I heard his story I told myself that I could not have chosen a better job.”

But Shwe Ze Kwet’s charitable work has not always sat well with the authorities.

During the 2007 cyclone, she and her husband were detained and interrogated for seven days after offering help to people in the affected area.

The Burmese military were very sensitive about the extent of the devastation in the cyclone-affected area, and not keen on people drawing attention to it.

She recounts that during this time, she confided to a female police officer that perhaps she ought to give up her charity work as it was not endearing her to the authorities. The officer begged her not to, saying that her own mother had died the previous year, and her charity had helped bury her.

“I was surprised to hear that, but at the same time, I realised the job I do is for everyone – whether they are your friends or foes. And that makes me happy.”

Myanmar has set up a new commission to probe sectarian clashes that saw scores killed and displaced tens of thousands, members told AFP, following intense scrutiny of its handling of the issue.

The nation’s authorities have faced heavy criticism from rights groups after deadly unrest between Muslim Rohingya and ethnic Rakhine Buddhists in western Rakhine state.

The 27-member commission, which includes religious leaders, artists and former dissidents, will “expose the real cause of the incident” and suggest ways ahead, state mouthpiece New Light of Myanmar said.

The newspaper said its remit is to establish the causes of the June violence, the number of casualties on both sides and recommend measures to ease tensions and find “ways for peaceful coexistence”.

“As an independent commission was formed inside the country… it is a right decision which showed that we can create our own fate of the country,” Aye Maung, the chairman of Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, told AFP.

In June, the government established a committee to investigate the sectarian strife. But its findings, originally expected by the end of that month, were never released by President Thein Sein.

The regime also invited the Saudi-based Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, the world’s largest Muslim grouping, to visit the country in an effort to diffuse mounting outcry over the treatment of the Muslim Rohingya.

Official figures say some 80 people died in the initial spasm of violence, but rights groups say the toll is likely much higher — mainly on the Rohingya side.

The commission is expected to call witnesses and be granted access to the areas rocked by the violence, which saw villages razed and left an estimated 70,000 people — from both communities — in government-run camps and shelters.

Thein Sein has overseen a series of reforms since the end of outright military-rule last year, but the Rakhine bloodshed cast a long shadow over those changes.

Myanmar’s government has rejected accusations of abuse by security forces in Rakhine, after the United Nations raised fears of a crackdown on Muslims.

New York-based Human Rights Watch has accused Myanmar forces of opening fire on Rohingya during the June outbreak of unrest, as well as committing rape and standing by as rival mobs attacked each other.

Decades of discrimination have left the Rohingya stateless, and they are viewed by the United Nations as one of the world’s most persecuted minorities.

A statement issued on behalf of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations — which Myanmar will chair in 2014 — pledged regional support to “humanitarian assistance in Rakhine State”.

Welcoming moves by Myanmar to address the situation, the statement said “harmony” among the nation’s different communities should be an “integral part of Myanmar’s ongoing democratisation and reform process”.

By Alex Delamare | AFP – Fri, Aug 17, 2012

A Myanmar blogger who was a poster boy for online resistance to the former junta has become the target of a backlash by social media users for speaking out against hatred aimed at Rohingya Muslims.

The case of former political prisoner Nay Phone Latt, a rare moderate voice on recent fighting between Muslims and Buddhist Rakhine, underscores the level of anger sparked by the unrest which erupted in western Myanmar in June.

The 32-year-old has faced the ire of social networkers for publishing an article warning of “genocide” if anti-Muslim sentiment spreads around the Buddhist-majority nation.

“I try to be neutral in this case but most of the Facebook (users) criticise me for being neutral. They want me to be on the side of the Rakhine,” he told AFP.

The blogger was sentenced to two decades in prison in 2008 for his links to the “Saffron Revolution” monk-led protests against the junta the previous year.

While detained he won the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award in New York for showing the “strength of the creative spirit” in the face of repression. He was released in January as part of a political prisoner amnesty.

Recently, however, a photograph used during the campaign to free him — showing his friends with “Nay Phone Latt” written on their palms — has been circulated online with his name crossed out and replaced with the word “kalar”, a derogatory term for Muslims in Myanmar.

But he said some people realised the situation could lead to “endless fighting” if left unresolved and he had no regrets about speaking out.

Fellow blogger Nyi Lynn Seck, who has challenged one government official for posting controversial Facebook comments on the Rakhine violence, said anger was being stoked by misinformation.

“Some people are intentionally spreading fake news,” he said.

Matthew Smith, a researcher at New York-based Human Rights Watch, said it was difficult for ordinary citizens to be objective because there was a widespread belief that all Rohingya are “illegal immigrants from Bangladesh”, including at the highest levels of government.

“Young bloggers seeking the truth and attempting to approach the issue objectively should be applauded,” he said.

“Sometimes the protection of human rights depends on courageous voices willing to stand up despite great social pressure, and this is one of those times.”

The official toll from the violence stands at about 80 people dead from both sides, although human rights groups fear the figure could be much higher. Renewed violence left several people dead earlier this month.

Tensions in Rakhine are related not only to religion, but also to a flood of immigration from the Indian subcontinent during British colonial rule, which ended in 1948, said independent Myanmar analyst Richard Horsey.

“There are just such strong prejudices on this issue that it’s even harder for the government to deal with it in this new democratic era than it was in the past,” he said.

Myanmar’s government, which has denied allegations of abuses by security forces in Rakhine, has veered from statements extolling the racial and religious plurality of the country, to suggestions that the Rohingya should be kept in refugee camps or deported.

Some elements of the country’s democracy movement have also dismayed the Rohingya by rejecting them as an ethnic minority.

One exception is comedian and former political prisoner Zarganar, who has called for equal rights for all regardless of religion or ethnicity.

Even Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has disappointed some campaigners by not offering stronger support to the country’s estimated 800,000 Rohingya, viewed by the United Nations as one of the world’s most persecuted minorities.

But Aye Lwin, a Muslim community leader at the Islamic Centre of Myanmar in Yangon, said he was satisfied with Suu Kyi’s call for even-handed distribution of aid, adding that any strong pronouncement that seemed to favour the Rohingya would be a “fatal blow for her politically”.

He hopes to send an inter-faith group to Rakhine state to reach out to some monks who he described as “hot-headed” and said had been supporting the unrest.

“Most of the younger generation, they need to be educated, not just emotional,” Aye Win said.

“That goes for the international Islamic community also — they should know the actual facts or else they will do damage instead of helping us.”

Aye Lwin said the mission to Rakhine would try to help both communities.

“In that way we will be able to win them over gradually. But it will take a lot of time. A lot of damage has been done.”

A group of about 50 demonstrators from violence-hit western Myanmar gathered in Yangon on Sunday to protest against UN assistance for stateless Rohingya Muslims.

The ethnic Rakhine convened near the regional parliament building in Myanmar’s main city holding banners reading “Stop Creating Conflicts” and “Don’t Bring Terrorists To Our Land”.

“We’re calling for an end to discrimination by the UN against the Rakhine people,” Zaw Aye Maung, a politician representing the mostly Buddhist ethnic group, told AFP. He said the rally had official approval.

Fighting between Buddhists and Muslims in Rakhine state has left about 80 people from both sides dead since June, according to an official estimate, although rights groups fear the real toll is much higher.

New York-based Human Rights Watch has accused Myanmar forces of opening fire on Rohingya, and Muslim nations have voiced deep concerns over the treatment of the stateless group.

Speaking a dialect similar to one in neighbouring Bangladesh, the Rohingya are seen by the Myanmar government and many Burmese as illegal immigrants, while Bangladesh has turned away Rohingya who attempted to flee the violence.

Twenty four political parties in Myanmar have urged the United Nations to replace its human rights envoy to the formerly army-ruled country, Tomas Ojea Quintana, saying he is biased in favour of the Rohingya.

The credit and debit payments company Visa is preparing to enter the Myanmar market and has started training local bank workers on how to use electronic transfer systems, a report said Friday.

Visa said that an influx of international visitors following the easing of some international sanctions on Myanmar had created new business opportunities and demand for customers who may not wish to carry cash.

Peter Maher, Visa Group country manager for Southeast Asia and Australasia, told the Wall Street Journal that its initial efforts would focus on creating a network of automated teller machines (ATMs) and electronic payment terminals.

“That is where we will focus first,” he said.

Myanmar’s economy is cash-dominated and visitors usually need to equip themselves with bundles of hard currency.

Although Visa has not opened an office in Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma, it will partner with local banks and establish training workshops in the coming months, the report said. It has already held one such two-day event.

“The sooner we deliver electronic payments, the sooner Myanmar will benefit from the increased spending,” Maher told the newspaper.

Myanmar President Thein Sein has overseen a series of dramatic reforms since taking office last year, including the release of political prisoners and the election of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi to parliament.

US President Barack Obama has since eased restrictions on Myanmar in hopes of encouraging further reform. On July 11, he gave approval to US companies to invest in Myanmar and partner with its controversial state oil and gas company.

But earlier this month US lawmakers voted to extend by one year a ban on imports from Myanmar, seeking to maintain pressure while acknowledging the early stages of the country’s exit from fully fledged military rule.

Imphal (Manipur), Aug.19 (ANI): Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai has revealed that the government is planning to upgrade roads within Myanmar, so that in next four to five years, the connectivity between India through Myanmar to the rest of Southeast Asia can be developed.

Mathai, who attended a regional cooperation seminar in Imphal city on Saturday, said the Ministry of External Affairs would soon be working on the plan to bring out a new connection with the region.

“We have a plan to upgrade the roads within Myanmar from the Ministry of External Affairs, and, we know that the Myanmar authorities will be extending it, so that within the next four or five years, we should develop a connectivity between India through Myanmar to the rest of Southeast Asia,” said Mathai.

There have long been talks of introducing a bus service between Imphal and Mandalay, one of the biggest cities in Myanmar, which will open up new vistas for trade and bilateral relations between the two countries.

Mathai also assured that roads between India and Myanmar, which are in a state of disrepair, would also be improved.

“There are parts of the roads which during the monsoon season, the road just seems to break down. So, we have agreed that we will upgrade that part of the road also. That will take a few years,” said Mathai.

“Secondly, the border infrastructure has to be developed for having a system by which people can be checked and they can have their immigration, custom and so on. hat we will work out together with the Myanmar authorities.,” he added.

“The third and final problem is that you have to deal with the issue that here we follow one side of the road, and in Myanmar, they follow another. That may require transhipment, that issue we will have to talk about,” he said.

India-Myanmar relations are rooted in shared historical, ethnic, cultural and religious ties. As the land of Lord Buddha, India is a country of pilgrimage for the people of Myanmar.

India and Myanmar relations have stood the test of time.

The geographical proximity of the two countries has helped develop and sustain cordial relations and facilitated people-to-people contact.

India and Myanmar share a long land border of over 1600 km and a maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.

India and Myanmar signed a border trade agreement in 1994 and have two operational border trade points (Moreh-Tamu and Zowkhatar -Rhi on the 1643 km long border.

A third border trade point is proposed to be opened at Avakhung Pansat/Somrai.

Visa has taken its first steps towards entry into Myanmar with a series of training workshops to prepare selected local banks for the introduction of electronic payments as the country continues its economic and social reforms.

The Visa Card Partner Workshop in Yangon was attended by a number of the nation’s leading banks. During the twoday event, Visa introduced representatives to the international requirements for electronic payments and a roadmap for development and delivery. The first event in a series of interactive sessions addressed the critical needs, longterm objectives and immediate steps required to establish a payment infrastructure for Myanmar.

“We know from experience that there will be an urgent requirement to provide basic ATM network and point-of-sale terminals for international visitors arriving in Myanmar for business and pleasure—and that is where we will focus first,” said Peter Maher, Visa Group Country Manager, Southeast Asia and Australasia.

Following reforms and lift of sanctions by many countries, Myanmar expects the influx of international visitors. With Yangon’s hotels and major tourist attractions now regularly full and the country’s airports seeing increased passenger numbers, connection to the global economy is a key element in opening up the market.

The news also comes at a good time for Myanmar as the country gets set to host the anticipated rush of visitors expecting to use their payment cards at next year’s Southeast Asian Games and the regional World Economic Forum. Having developed the global standards and infrastructure for much of the world’s electronic payments, Visa is in an ideal position to help pave the way for the country’s entry into electronic payments.

“Inbound business people and tourists are already looking for the Visa acceptance mark at merchants for the convenience, security and reassurance it brings. The sooner we deliver electronic payments, the sooner Myanmar will benefit from the increased spending,” said Maher.

Speaking from Yangon, Somboon Krobteeranon, Visa Country Manager, Thailand and Myanmar said, “These workshops provide a clear path to introducing a reliable and internationally connected gateway to the global economy and we are already seeing potential partners enthusiastically supporting our proposals. From our initial observations, Myanmar should have little difficulty in meeting the international requirements and the country’s banks seem committed to providing electronic payments as soon as possible.”

“Electronic payments will provide important support for Myanmar’s business and tourism development as well as enable economic empowerment and inclusion for the millions of unbanked in the country,” he added.

Visa’s programme is intended to facilitate an electronic payments network that brings economic growth and financial inclusion to the country.

Visa has taken its first steps towards entering Myanmar, with a series of training workshops to prepare selected local banks for the introduction of electronic payments as the country continues its economic and social reforms.

The workshops are aimed at upgrading banking facilities to accept and issue international payment cards and establishing a pillar for economic growth, the credit-card company says.

As Visa steps up its engagement, the first priority for Myanmar will be preparing for the influx of foreign visitors resulting from the relaxation of international sanctions. With Yangon’s hotels and major tourist attractions now regularly full and the country’s airports seeing increased passenger numbers, connection to the global economy is a key element in opening up the market.

The news comes as Myanmar gets set to host the anticipated rush of visitors expecting to use their

payment cards at next year’s Southeast Asian Games and the regional World Economic Forum.

Having developed the global standards and infrastructure for much of the world’s electronic payments, Visa believes it is in an ideal position to help pave the way for the country’s entry to electronic payments.

“We know from experience that there will be an urgent requirement to provide basic ATM networks and point-of-sale terminals for international visitors arriving in Myanmar for business and pleasure, and that is where we will focus first,” said Peter Maher, Visa group country manager for Southeast Asia and Australasia.

“Inbound businesspeople and tourists are already looking for the Visa acceptance mark at merchants for the convenience, security and reassurance it brings. The sooner we deliver electronic payments, the sooner Myanmar will benefit from the increased spending.”

Maher added: “This is an exciting time for the people of Myanmar, and Visa is delighted to help bring the benefits, security and convenience of electronic payments to the country. As Myanmar builds its financial infrastructure, Visa will work hand-in-hand with the local market to provide its global knowledge and technology and bring safe, secure and convenient payments to all.”

During the two-day event, Visa introduced representatives to the international requirements for electronic payments and a road map for development and delivery.

The first event in a series of interactive sessions addressed the critical needs, long-term objectives and immediate steps required to establish a payment infrastructure for Myanmar.

Speaking from Yangon, Somboon Krobteeranon, Visa country manager for Thailand and Myanmar, said: “These workshops provide a clear path to introducing a reliable and internationally connected gateway to the global economy, and we are already seeing potential partners enthusiastically supporting our proposals.

United Nations, Aug 18 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed Myanmar’s establishment of a 27-member commission to investigate the violence in the western state of Rakhine, which has left at least a dozen civilians dead since the end of May.

The commission, set up by Myanmar President U Thein Sein, “is comprised of a representative cross-section of national figures in the country”, said a statement issued by Ban’s spokesman.

“It could make important contributions to restoring peace and harmony in the state and in creating a conducive environment for a more inclusive way forward to tackle the underlying causes of the violence, including the condition of the Muslim communities in Rakhine,” reported Xinhua citing the statement.

“This will be integral to any reconciliation process.”

“The United Nations stand ready to provide assistance in a constructive spirit to Myanmar’s reform and reconciliation efforts, and to help that country overcome its imminent challenges,” it added.

The deadly violence in the Rakhine state started with the killing of a Rakhine ethnic woman by three men in Kyauknimaw village in the end of May and murder of 10 Muslims by a mob in Taunggup town.

The unrest escalated June 8 as murder and arson attacks spread from Maugtaw town to affect Buthidaung town and Sittwe, forcing the government to impose curfew on six riot-hit areas – Maugtaw, Buthidaung, Sittwe, Kyaukpyu, Yanbye and Thandwe – and then a state of emergency was declared June 10.

Recent tensions between Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine also left hundreds of homes destroyed and at least 64,000 people displaced, reports said.

PHNOM PENH, 17 August 2012 – Following consultations, ASEAN Foreign Ministers issue the following statement:

1. ASEAN Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their strong support for the ongoing democratization process in Myanmar. Within the context of such positive progress, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers are following closely recent developments in the Rakhine State, Myanmar, following the incidents that took place on 28 May 2012 and on 3 June 2012.

2. They welcomed the steps the Government of Myanmar has taken to address the domestic issue, including its cooperation with the United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations to address the humanitarian needs of the affected persons and communities. They further encouraged Myanmar to continue and to enhance the steps it has taken.

3. ASEAN Foreign Ministers expressed their readiness, upon the request of the Government of Myanmar, to lend necessary support in addressing the humanitarian assistance in the Rakhine State.

4. ASEAN Foreign Ministers recalled and underlined that the promotion of national solidarity and harmony among the various communities in Myanmar constitute an integral part of Myanmar’s ongoing democratization and reform process. They expressed confidence and expectation that Myanmar will continue to remain consistent with its commitment on the irreversibility of the democratization and reform process in the country.

By Tristan Harris 15/08 Updated: 17/08 10:05

WITH TODAY (Wednesday) being VJ (Victory in Japan) Day, a special commemoration service to mark the Burma campaign will be held at Bromsgrove’s Burma campaign Memorial, Crown Close, at 11am on Saturday (August 18).

The event will remember the full and final end of World War II when the Japanese unconditionally surrendered to the Allies.

Those who fought in Burma, with the 14th army, commanded by Lieutenant General ‘Bill’ Slim, will be remembered during the service. They are often referred to as the ‘forgotten army’ and a small number of Burma campaign veterans will parade in Bromsgrove tomorrow.

The town’s Burma Memorial is the biggest in the UK to that particular campaign commemorates the participation of all three services, including the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Worcestershire Regiment, East and West African forces, along with those who fell at the battle of Kohima (the turning point of the campaign) and the men who died as Japanese prisoners of war.

Residents and ex-servicemen and women are invited to the parade and service to pay their respects – not only to the Burma campaign, but also for World War II and conflicts since then, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Coun Janice Boswell, Civic Head of Bromsgrove, will lead the wreath laying on behalf of Bromsgrove District Council.

By NYEIN NYEIN / THE IRRAWADDY| August 17, 2012 |

The drafting of a new registration law specifically for non-governmental organizations was approved by Burma’s Lower House of Parliament on Thursday while existing legislation will also be reviewed.

Lower House Speaker Shwe Mann responded favorably to a proposal “urging the government to draft an NGO registration law commensurate with the age as the president called for cooperation with civil societies in the democratic transition.” The matter was first brought up last week by Thein Nyunt, an MP for the New National Democracy Party.

Shwe Mann instructed the Lower House Legal Affairs and Special Cases Assessment Commission, Bill Committee, interested MPs and the respective ministry, “to revise the orders and regulations and to draft new legislation as necessary.” He said they should “submit the report as soon as possible assuming it as a special case” as the procedures for NGO registration should be handled smoothly.

Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Kyaw Zan Myint objected to drafting a new NGO law during the debate. “There is no need to draft new legislation as the current registration law is still sophisticated and their regulations have nothing to amend.” Instead he recommended putting the matter on record.

Shwe Mann said current regulations and bylaws are insufficient and so necessary amendments needed to be made. He told MPs that the current rules, regulations and orders of the registration law “lack practicality and flexibility” as they “went beyond the purpose of the original law.”

As well as the new legislation specifically for NGOs Shwe Mann said that the existing 1988 Registration Law should also be reviewed.

“The speaker’s decision to make amendments by the parliamentary committee and parliamentarians will be effective as it would be quicker than the government drafting legislation,” Thein Nyunt added.

Thirteen lawmakers—from the main opposition National League for Democracy, National Unity Party, Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, Phalon-Sawaw Democratic Party and National Democratic Front—discussed the need to have flexible procedures for NGO registration on Wednesday and Thursday.

NGOs inside Burma have to register under the restrictive 1988 Registration Law which was enacted in September 1988, shortly after the nationwide Aug. 8 popular uprising in Burma and in time for the 1990 general election. Any associations which are not registered under this law can be charged with the Unlawful Association Act which carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.

Thein Nyunt said the law was enacted to restrict any organization from political activities at that time, but now the country is reforming and so the political landscape is different. He added that fresh legislation is needed as there are no specific guidelines for NGOs that would help socioeconomic development in Burma to operate officially.

Shwe Mann also pointed out the inclusion of “unpractical requirements” in the rules such as the high cost of registration. NGOs must pay 100,000 kyat (US $110) and submit report every two years under the regulations, but in reality sources say that groups must pay up to 500,000 kyat ($550) to be registered.

There are currently around 270 NGOs registered at the Ministry of Home Affairs while more than 1,000 are actually working inside Burma, according to Kyaw Zan Myint.

A planned emergency meeting of foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to address the aftermath of recent communal violence in Arakan State was called off last week after Burma sternly rejected the regional grouping’s involvement, The Irrawaddy has learned.

In a letter addressed to the Asean foreign ministers dated Aug. 10, Cambodian Foreign Minister Nor Namhong, whose country is the current chair of Asean, called for an emergency meeting in Phnom Penh on Aug. 14 to discuss what he described as the “humanitarian crisis” in Arakan State.

However, in a reply also dated Aug. 10, Burmese Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin categorically rejected the proposal, saying that the situation in Arakan State did not constitute a humanitarian crisis or “a cultural and religious issue.”

“As we had clearly stated in our press release of 30 July 2012, the incidents in Rakhine [Arakan] State is purely an inter-communal violence,” he wrote, adding that the meeting would be “contrary to the fundamental principle of non-interference in internal affairs of an Asean Member State.”

Asean has been noticeably low-key in its response to clashes that broke out between Arakanese Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in early June, leaving dozens dead and tens of thousands homeless. However, an international outcry—including large protests in Indonesia and Malaysia over the alleged ethnic cleansing of Rohingyas—has increased pressure on the bloc to act.

Besides being constrained by its policy of non-interference, Asean may also be wary of being seen as taking sides in the dispute, which many Burmese say has been distorted to portray the Rohingya as the sole victims in a conflict that has devastated many lives on both sides.

To allay such concerns, the grouping has proposed “a humanitarian engagement” similar to that organized by Asean in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, which killed more than 140,000 people in Burma’s Irrawaddy Delta in May 2008, according to a senior Asean official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

However, even the role of humanitarian aid workers in the Arakan clashes has been a highly contentious issue, with a number of NGO workers and staff from the UN refugee relief agency UNHCR being arrested for allegedly participating in the riots in June.

According to sources in the northern Arakan townships of Sittwe, Maungdaw and Buthidaung, however, nine of these aid workers were released yesterday, in the latest sign that the government is responding to criticism of its handling of the situation.

Weeks after the violence began, President Thein Sein told visiting UNHCR officials that the “best solution” to the problem was to put the Rohingya in camps administered by the UN agency and arrange for their resettlement in third countries. More recently, however, he told Voice of America that Burma would try to improve the education of the Rohingyas to ease tensions.

The government also allowed the UN special human rights envoy for Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, and Turkey’s foreign minster, Ahmet Davutoglu, to visit the strife-torn region this month, and recently gave a green light to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to assist refugees in Arakan State.

Noting these developments, the senior Asean official acknowledged that “it looks rather strange [for Asean] to be absent on the issue.”

“Asean, aspiring to be a ‘community of caring and sharing societies,’ is conspicuously absent from the scene. How can we explain this to the international community?”

Journalists in Burma say they plan to protest in front of Rangoon’s City Hall next week to express their growing frustration with the government’s failure to follow through on promises to introduce meaningful media reforms.

At a meeting on Thursday, the Committee for Press Freedom (CPF) discussed the Ministry of Information’s continuing controls over the media and government lawsuits against two journals, The Voice Weekly and Snap Shot News, and decided to stage a protest.

Besides the government’s stalling on promises to abolish censorship, the group said it was also upset with the drafting of a new media law without input from journalists and the formation of a Press Council that continues to limit press freedom.

The group said it has sought permission with the police in Rangoon’s Kyauktada Township to hold the protest on Aug. 21.

“If Burma were a real democratic country, it wouldn’t have censorship,” said CPF spokesperson Zaw Thet Htwe. “The government should not sue media organizations that work ethically or write media laws without consulting journalists. We oppose these kind of restrictions.”

The journalists said they will also wear black shirts and caps with the words “Press Freedom” on them when they cover the trial against The Voice Weekly at a court in Dagon Township on Aug. 23, and again the next day, when Snap Shot News goes to court in Pazundaung Township.

“Our shirts and caps will show that we are united,” said Zaw Thet Htwe.

CPF will also hold a press conference on the evening of Aug. 24 to highlight continuing restrictions on the press in Burma. A protest organizer said the events would be held on behalf of all media workers. “As press freedom relates to all journalists, we will collectively launch the protest,” he said.

CPF represents reporters, editors and writers working inside Burma. Some of its members also belong to the country’s three main journalists’ organizations—the Myanmar Journalists Association, the Myanmar Journalists Network and the Myanmar Journalists Union.

All three groups recently held a joint meeting to discuss the government’s new Press Council regulations, which they say serve only to maintain control over the media. They said the Press Council should be an independent organization, not a body to impose government restrictions on press freedom.

Friday, 17 August 2012 12:09 Mizzima News

Five detained local NGO staff members of an international aid organization were freed on Thursday in Rakhine State in Burma, while others still remain in jail.

Local authorities in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, released Doctors Without Borders employees Kyaw Hla Aung and Win Naing. They have been charged with inciting unrest. Authorities are believed to hold up to 10 other NGO aid workers detained during the community unrest.

“I was charged with Article 505 [of Burma’s Penal Code] for inciting unrest, while Win Naing was charged with instigating conflict by showing people photos of violence in Taungoke Township,” Kyaw Hla Aung, 73, administrator for the organization’s Rakhine branch, said shortly after his release, according to an article on the Radio Free Asia website on Thursday.

Three other aid workers held in Buthidaung Township were released on Wednesday, the article said. No details surrounding those workers were provided by the authorities.

UN officials have said that a dozen aid workers, including several UN staff members as well as World Food Programme and Doctors Without Borders employees, were detained during the Rakhine unrest. Border Affairs Minister Lt. Gen. Thein Htay has said some of the aid workers were accused of “setting fire to villages” and taking part in the clashes.

Before his arrest, Kyaw Hla Aung said he was accused of being linked to an Islamic fundamentalist terrorist group and his home was raided by an unknown group searching for evidence against him.

“An hour or two before I was arrested, my home was raided. I don’t know by whom. All my papers and documents were scattered outside my house,” he was quoted as saying. “They said I had links to Al Qaeda,” he said, referring to the global terror network that masterminded the September 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S.

International groups have repeatedly asked for details of the arrested NGO local staff and called for their release.

Meanwhile, local authorities in Rakhine have eased curfews in in Kyauktaw Township.

In Maungdaw and Buthidaung townships, which saw the brunt of the violence in June, the curfew has been reduced by one hour, while in other townships such as Minbya and Mrauk Oo that were only recently put under curfew, the lockdown has been cut by five hours, according to exiled media reports.

The World Bank has posted a summary of an “Interim Strategy Note for Burma (ISN) ” on its website, which is an outline of the bank’s plans and strategy in its engagment with Burma.

World Bank LogoThe summary sketches the bank’s planned activities and strategies in Burma over the next 18 months. The ISN for Burma will guide the Bank’s activities in the country until a medium-term country assistance strategy is adopted, officials said.

Burmese civil society organizaitons and ethnic groups sent a letter to the World Bank on August 7 requesting information about the bank’s activities.

The ISN describes Burma as embarking on a triple transition: from an authoritarian military system to democratic governance; from a centrally directed economy to market-oriented reforms; and from 60 years of conflict to peace in the border areas.

“These transitions offer hope to the people of Myanmar for better, safer and more productive lives, but also pose the risk that setbacks in one of the transitions will affect the others,” said the summary. “The proposed program of the World Bank Group (WBG) will thus focus on activities that can support the success of these three transitions and prepare the way for the resumption of a full country program.”

The ISN included the following summary:

“Three Pillars of Engagement

Building on the four objectives of the government’s development strategy (agricultural development; balanced growth; inclusive growth; and development of quality statistics) the ISN identifies three pillars for engagement: transforming institutions; building confidence; and preparing the road ahead.

“Pillar 1: Transforming Institutions

This pillar would support government’s efforts at transforming institutions to equip them to successfully mediate competing demands, steer an increasingly complex economy, and navigate the country on its development path. Activities would focus on policy advice, capacity building, and technical assistance for institutions in the public and private sectors.

To improve economic governance and create conditions for growth and job creation, this work would focus on three areas:

Public financial management, to enable government to articulate an effective development plan and transparently link budgets to policy priorities;

Support for regulatory reform, including increasing access to finance for microfinance borrowers and SMEs; and

Private sector development, to promote broad-based economic growth and job creation.

Activities would include diagnostic work (a financial accountability assessment, public expenditure review, and investment climate assessment), policy advice (on financial sector, microfinance), and capacity building through technical assistance.

“Pillar 2: Building Confidence

Because global experience has shown that institutional transformation is a long-term process, the second pillar of the ISN would aim to deliver short-term impacts to build and maintain confidence in the ability of the ongoing reform process to generate benefits for the people.

One set of activities under this pillar would support the peace process in border areas through community-driven development programs to promote the recovery of conflict-affected communities, coupled with a robust monitoring and evaluation effort (supporting both WBG and other donor interventions), and direct support for the Myanmar Peace Center.

A second set of activities would support a strengthened role for civil society to engage with government, including at the local level, to promote social accountability.

A third set of activities would focus on generating quick and tangible impacts in people’s daily lives across a range of sectors, including a planned national community-driven development project, and support for ICT policy reform.

“Pillar 3: Preparing the Road Ahead

The third pillar of the ISN would focus on preparing the resumption of a full WBG country program in Myanmar, including arrears clearance to enable Myanmar to access IDA resources.

In addition, the WBG would continue during the ISN period an intensive effort of conducting analytical and diagnostic work to build its knowledge base of development issues facing the country. This could include support for the 2015 census, and the preparation of a nationally representative household expenditure survey.

“Partnerships

The large needs and complex operating context in Myanmar make coordination with other development partners essential, especially given the WBG’s extended absence from the country. The program proposed here is based on close consultations with development partners and focuses on areas where the WBG has a comparative advantage. In the implementation of this ISN, the WBG would continue its close cooperation with development partners, including with the ADB and the IMF.

The WBG would also continue to provide support to existing multi-donor trust funds, including in livelihoods and health, as well as to government in preparation for Myanmar’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2014.

“Risks

The current government-led reform presents an important opportunity for Myanmar to address long-standing development challenges, and the WBG is committed to assist Myanmar in seizing this opportunity. At the same time, the scale and pace of reforms also pose risks. Beyond specific risks inherent in eventual operations, the ISN identifies five key country-level risks:

1. Fragility of reforms, with reforms enabled by consensus among key individuals.

- Support move from individuals to institutions

2. Possible resumption of conflict, including increased social tensions as grievances surface.

- Support to the peace process and social cohesion

3. Uncertain operating environment, including possible failures in donor coordination.

- Move slowly and scale up gradually; invest in developing government’s implementation capacity and fiduciary/safeguard systems, in coordination with DPs

4. Rising expectations leading to frustration, since it will take time for Myanmar to catch up.

- Focus actively on communicating work and expected results

5. Government reform overreach in context of limited capacity, leading to suboptimal reforms.

- Understand macroeconomic and financial sector needs and assist government in building stronger monitoring and crisis response capacities.”

The latest UN situation report for Rakhine State says that of the over 100,000 people affected at the beginning of the crisis in June, many have returned home as the overall security situation is improving across the state.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as of August 11, the Rakhine State government estimates that over 68,500 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are accommodated in 63 camps in Sittwe, Kyauktaw and Maungdaw townships, of which nine camps in Sittwe are sheltering close to 60,000 IDPs.

Population movements continue with reports of new arrivals (approximately 3,000 IDPs) from a village on the outskirts of Sittwe in two camps near Sittwe Town due to lack of access to livelihoods and food.

On August 5-7, a new displacement of over 3,000 people was reported in Kyauktaw due to conflict between communities. According to the Rakhine State government, since the beginning of the communal violence, a total of 87 people were killed and 120 injured with over 5,300 houses destroyed due to the violence.

The reports of security incidents over the last couple of weeks have substantially decreased, said OCHA.

However, inter-communal tensions remain very high with reports of sporadic conflicts in some townships of the state. On 11 August, the government reviewed the security situation across the state and changed the curfew hours from 6 pm until 6 am to 7 pm until 5 am in seven townships, including in Kyauktaw as a result of the recent violence. The government reported that over 1,300 security personnel have been deployed to restore stability and address the security concerns expressed by both communities.

Safety and security of humanitarian workers continue to be of a major concern as several provocative statements have been made by organizations against communities and against UN and NGOs, fueling tensions and hampering assessments and delivery of relief support to the victims of the violence.

The Karenni National Progressive Party’s Vice President Abel Tweed said holding additional rounds of talks with the government is still necessary after agreeing to an initial ceasefire in March and a union-level deal in June.

“We have to talk a lot more because none of the conditions we proposed have been met. Especially when we talk about executive matters – we have to have a thorough discussion regarding the 2008 constitution,” said the vice president during his speech at the Karenni Resistance Day celebrations at the group’s headquarters on the Thai-Burma border on 9 August.

“There is no way we will kneel down to Thein Sein’s government today.”

He said the Burmese army continues to increase the number of its troops in Karenni state after agreeing to the ceasefire.

Karenni National Women’s Organisation secretary Maw Tho Myar said peace needs to be established indiscriminately in every ethnic region across the country.

“There have been peace-making efforts in Karenni state over the past few months, like in many parts in Burma. But I see that it is still not yet possible to fully accomplish this as there are other groups such as the Karen and the Shan and we heard there are different procedures with these [groups],” said said Maw Tho Myar.

“So I don’t think we can say there is a complete change – not 100 percent. I would like to say there will be genuine change in Burma only when all ethnics, not only the Karenni, work together as a whole.”

On 9 June, the KNPP and the government signed a 14-point, union level agreement that allowed for the opening of liaison offices in several Karenni state towns. However, the armed group has not discussed troop movements and positions with Naypyidaw.

To date, the KNPP had opened offices in Loikaw, Hpasaung and Shataw townships.

While the government has signed a raft of agreements with several of the countries armed groups, the ceasefires haven’t been able to guarantee an end to violence. Similar deals have failed to stop government troops from engaging with rebel armies in northern and southern Shan state as fighting continues in the country’s far north after a 17-year ceasefire agreement with the Kachin Independence Army collapsed in June 2011.

The KNPP’s first ceasefire agreement with the government was signed in 1995 but broke down after the Burmese army continued to engage with Karenni troop and hostilities resumed.