Over 150 CSOs demand release of former child soldier Aung Ko Htwe
More than 150 civil society organisations have released a statement condemning Burma’s judiciary for handing down a two-year prison sentence to former child soldier Aung Ko Htwe.
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Aung Ko: A ‘traitor’ to his party, but loyal to his country
A member of the rival USDP, Thura Aung Ko is an unlikely NLD ally, but as a minister in the newly formed cabinet, he vows to put country before party.
Union Seal Law charge is latest legal battle for ex-child soldier, supporters
The legal troubles for a former child soldier already convicted of public incitement continued to unfold at a Yangon court on Tuesday and also appear to have ensnared three others, with all four accused of having desecrated the Union seal.
Ex-child soldier gets two years in prison for telling of forced conscription
A Yangon court on Wednesday sentenced the former child soldier Aung Ko Htwe to two years’ imprisonment with hard labour under section 505(b) of Burma’s Penal Code, a provision broadly covering public incitement.
Child soldier case: verdict next week, says judge
Court proceedings were interrupted by defendant Aung Ko Htwe shouting that he refused to accept “a cow judge” and that he does not recognise the judicial system.
Final arguments due in incitement case against former child soldier
The long-running trial of a former child soldier charged with public incitement looks to be nearing an end as a judge in Yangon said at a hearing on Tuesday that final arguments in the case will be heard on 20 March.
Judge sentences former child soldier to 6 months in prison for contempt of court
A former child soldier charged with public incitement was sentenced to six months in prison for an additional contempt of court charge at a hearing on Wednesday, as his trial over the initial alleged transgression continued.
Former child soldier says he will boycott future court proceedings
A former child soldier charged with public incitement told a Yangon court on Wednesday that he would boycott future trial proceedings, saying he no longer had faith in the judicial system’s ability to render a fair verdict.
Incitement trial against former child soldier will continue, judge rules
Hopes that the judge presiding over a controversial court case involving a former child soldier would drop the incitement charge brought against him were dashed on Wednesday as the magistrate decided to allow the prosecution to proceed.
Lead Story Media Nayyidaw News
Two foreign reporters face additional immigration charges tied to drone incident
Three journalists, two of them foreigners, and their driver attended a fourth court hearing on Monday in relation to a drone that prosecutors say was flown illegally near Parliament last month, with the non-Burmese duo hit with an additional charge.
International Relations Lead Story News
Suu Kyi in Vietnam for APEC summit
State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi arrives in Vietnam, where she will brush shoulders with a host of regional leaders and will likely have her first in-person encounter with US President Donald Trump at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the town of Da Nang.
Ministry to spearhead permanent museum honouring 1988 pro-democracy uprising
Downtown Yangon will host a museum commemorating the historical pro-democracy uprising that came to a head on 8 August 1988, according to Burma’s Minister for Religious and Cultural Affairs Thura Aung Ko.
Family questions suicide as explanation for Burmese maid’s death in Thailand
A Burmese family asked Thailand’s Crime Suppression Division (CSD) on Tuesday to probe the death of its youngest child at her employer’s house in Ratchaburi province as they have doubts about local police’s suicide report.
Lead Story Military News Rangoon
Judge skips bail ruling in ex-child soldier trial
“It is worth questioning the judge’s rationale,” Zaw Min Hlaing said. “She could clearly make a decision today but decided to skip to the next hearing.”
Ex-child soldier trial gets underway in Rangoon
Aung Ko Htwe told Radio Free Asia he deserted his post in Shan State alongside some fellow servicemen in 2007.
Trial postponed for former child soldier facing military criminal complaint
A preliminary hearing for a former child soldier accused of possibly inciting the public for telling his story of forced conscription as a minor was postponed on Friday as the defendant’s lawyer asked the court for more time to prepare for the case.
Lead Story Media News Religion
Religious Affairs Ministry takes action against critical Facebook user
Netizen allegedly referred to Ko Aung’s ban of a Buddhist mantra as “An evil act by the religious affairs minister”.
Buddhist nationalist group attacks critics as ‘lowly people,’ vows to fight back
The Buddhist nationalist group formerly known as Ma Ba Tha once again struck a defiant tone this week, releasing a statement proclaiming: “No matter which names the association has adopted, no changes will be made in terms of the standpoint of the association.”
Nationalists and Naypyidaw at odds over protest against religion minister
A Buddhist nationalist organisation and local authorities in Naypyidaw are at loggerheads over a planned protest in the capital aimed at Burma’s minister for religious affairs and scheduled for tomorrow.
Lead Story Migrants Issues News
Over 300 Burmese migrants arrested in Mae Sot
Moe Gyo said that Thai police inspected farms, crafts workshops and small businesses, mostly focusing on workplaces that are not officially registered.
Father casts doubt on police account of publisher son’s murder
The father of slain news publisher Wai Yan Heinn has questioned a police statement suggesting his son was murdered earlier this month by a lone killer in a crime of passion linked to an extramarital affair.
Nearly $6m budgeted for landmine initiatives in 2017
The UN children’s agency (UNICEF) and Burma’s government reiterated their goal of spending $5.9 million this year on landmine risk education, victims’ assistance, capacity-building and other related projects as a ceremony was held yesterday to mark International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.
Electricity Feature Lead Story News
Rural Burma still lit by candles, kerosene and batteries
Generators are expensive. Pact says one hour of diesel power in rural Burma costs roughly the same as 24 hours of power in Rangoon.
Kachin Lead Story Natural resources News
2 killed in Hpakant jade mine landslide
Two jade scavengers were killed and another injured at yet another deadly landslide at Hpakant’s mines.
Electricity Environment Lead Story News
Burma to shun coal, boost hydro in quest for energy
Burma looks to hike the planned share of hydropower in its energy mix at the cost of polluting coal as it tries to attract foreign investment.
Shop owners evicted in north Rangoon
The Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement has been urging the shop owners to vacate the land since 2013, claiming that the area is owned by the government.
Interview: Hate speech law ‘can be done pretty soon’
DVB speaks to prominent lawyer Ko Ni about the prospects for the introduction of new legislation to address the problem of religious discrimination and hate speech in Burma.
Religious affairs minister urges measures to rein in hate
Religious Affairs Minister Thura Aung Ko criticised monks for “wasting time” on social media, calling it “a platform for the ignition of religious and racial tensions”.
Ma-Ba-Tha in spat with Buddhist clergy
We are a “Buddhist missionary organisation, made up of monks and laymen who share the same vision,” says Ma-Ba-Tha.
3 Burmese rescued from slavery on Thai fishing boat
The three men were rescued from a Chonburi dock after their boat returned to shore.
