Commentary: Impunity bars justice for Burmese ethnic groups
Aung HtooJune 11, 2009 (DVB), While the world has remained rapt by the trial of Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi, the ongoing crisis over rights for ethnic minorities in the[…]
Commentary: Impunity bars justice for Burmese ethnic groups
Aung HtooJune 11, 2009 (DVB), While the world has remained rapt by the trial of Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi, the ongoing crisis over rights for ethnic minorities in the[…]
Burmese minister says conditions in Rohingya refugee camps ‘very poor’
A Burmese minister expressed concerns on Thursday about “very poor conditions” in Rohingya refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, and said repatriation of the Muslim minority should start as soon as possible due to the coming monsoon season.
Coalition of ethnic armed groups ready to join Panglong summit, awaits invite
The Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee releases a statement reiterating the ethnic armed coalition’s intention to join the upcoming third iteration of the government-led 21st Century Panglong Conference, if the bloc is officially invited to do so.
Conflict Kachin Lead Story News
Over 1,000 miners ‘freed’ by Burmese army in Tanai
Reports are emerging of food and water shortages at the mines, and accusations that Burmese soldiers forced the families to act as “human shields”.
Burmese peace talks ‘deadlocked’ over terminology, says UNFC
Ethnic bloc says “Nation of a Federal Democratic Union”; Tatmadaw insists on “Nation of Democratic and Federal Union”.
Rohingya insurgents ambush Burmese military truck, five wounded
Rohingya Muslim insurgents ambushed a military vehicle in Rakhine State, wounding five members of the security forces, Burmese state media and officials said, and the rebels claimed responsibility for the rare attack.
Burmese govt invites Naga rebels to peace talks
The government extended an invitation to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang to join next month’s Union Peace Conference.
Lead Story News Peace Process Politics
Let grassroots groups host dialogue, say CSOs
“Grassroots groups know what is happening in their area. Often the authorities do not,” said Ashin Awe Bar Tha.
US lawmakers decry ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Burma; Suu Kyi doubts allegations
Members of the US Congress said on Tuesday operations carried out against the Rohingya Muslims in Burma had “all the hallmarks” of ethnic cleansing, while the country’s leader Aung San Suu Kyi expressed doubts about allegations of rights abuses.
International Relations Lead Story News
Pope advised not to use term ‘Rohingya’ in Burma but rights groups disagree
Leading figures in the Catholic Church and international politics have advised Pope Francis not to use the term Rohingya during a trip to Burma due to political sensitivities, but human rights groups want him to uphold international law on self-identity.
Arakan Lead Story Military News Rohingya
Tatmadaw exonerates itself of alleged atrocities, rights groups scoff
Human rights groups pour scorn on a Burmese military investigation into alleged atrocities against Rohingya Muslims, branding it a “whitewash” and calling for UN and independent investigators to be allowed into the country.
Govt urges ethnic bloc to sign ceasefire
“Once UNFC is on the NCA path and is negotiating with the other parties involved, it can amend the things they do not want. There is nothing to be concerned about.”
Lead Story News Refugees Rohingya
Aid groups seek $434m for refugee crisis in Bangladesh
Humanitarian organisations helping Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh said on Wednesday they need $434 million over the next six months to help up to 1.2 million people, most of them children, in dire need of life-saving assistance.
Arakan Lead Story News Rohingya
Burmese parties demand tougher action against ‘terrorists’
Twenty parties issue statement saying that the government’s failure to address recent terrorist attacks was “the equivalent of committing an act of terror”.
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Peace Process
4 of 8 NCA points agreed at govt, ethnic bloc talks
DPN and govt agree on principles that would pave the way towards a nationwide ceasefire agreement and kick-starting the peace process.
Conflict Ethnic issues Lead Story News
Burmese military warns of imminent ‘terrorist attack’ in Lashio
Ethnic rebels refute allegations, and say the Burmese military is “spreading lies”. KIA spokesman says the campaign is a veiled threat against the local population.
Burmese media groups demand release of DVB, Irrawaddy journalists
Ethnic media groups say they will petition for the reporters’ release with letters to the Burmese president, state counsellor and commander-in-chief.
Burmese journalists boycott UNFC conference
The move came after UNFC delegates refused to speak to journalists about the conference, and barred media from entering the meeting room.
Palaung villagers flee as Burmese army detains 300
The Burmese units accused various residents of having links to the TNLA or of protecting its soldiers.
Kachin rebels demand protection money from CB Bank, says Burmese military
We do requests donations from local businesses, but never using force or threats,” the KIO responded.
Constitution Lead Story News Politics
Ethnic states can write own constitutions: State Counsellor’s Office
UPDJC agrees in principle to allow administrative regions and states a federal right to adopt their own constitutions, but only on the basis that they do not seek to break away from Burma.
NCA is not working, say northern ethnic armies
The seven militias say they have formed a committee to negotiate with the government, but will not discuss the NCA.
Ethnic armies agree ‘guidelines’ on federalism
“We cannot just agree to place our fate in the hands of the Burmese military, because then we are helpless if they deploy armed force against us,” said UNFC’s Nai Hong Sar.
Thai government to ask 70,000 Burmese refugees to go home
Thailand will ask nearly 70,000 refugees displaced by fighting in Burma to return home, but only on a voluntary basis. Those ready to make the trip back home will be sent only gradually, 3rd Army chief Lieutenant General Vijak Siribansop said Thursday.
Dozens of Burmese soldiers killed in Kokang clashes
Dozens of Burmese soldiers have been killed in several clashes between ethnic rebels and the army in Kokang along the border with China, state media reports.
Lead Story News Peace Process Politics
Ethnic leader calls on Suu Kyi to include all armed groups in NCA
Ahead of talks with the government, UNFC vice-chairman Nai Hongsa reiterates the ethnic bloc’s demands.
Burmese military is sabotaging peace process, says ethnic bloc
The UNFC says that by branding the Northern Alliance as ‘terrorists’, the Tatmadaw has derailed peace talks.
Drug smuggler, thought to be Burmese ethnic, shot dead in Thailand
The unidentified man was found lying dead with a green rucksack on his back containing methamphetamine pills.
Suu Kyi meets NCA groups for preliminary peace talks
Burma’s state counsellor met with ethnic representatives this morning to discuss issues related to the peace process.
