Burma Partnership

appartnership@gmail.com partnership@loxinfo.com
http://apppb.blogspot.com

Briefer 16th – 22nd June

Junta Steps Up Crackdown on Private Relief Efforts

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The patience of the international community appears to be wearing thin as the delivery of aid
continues to face undue obstacles, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi celebrates another birthday under
illegitimate detention and the usual human rights abuses carry on unchecked in Burma. As the
humanitarian effort struggles on in the face of a potentially terminating funding crisis, the focus
of the international community seems to have shifted to the wider political and human rights
crises in Burma. The National League for Democracy has once again urged the military regime to
convene parliament in order to solve the political and humanitarian crises the country is facing
(http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/4-inside-burma/686-nld-calls-for-parliament-to-be-
convened).

Cyclone Nargis:
Senator John Kerry has formally urged US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice to investigate
whether the junta’s restriction of foreign aid may constitute a crime against humanity under
international law. He has requested a legal opinion from the State Department
(http://kerry.senate.gov/cfm/record.cfm?id=299259,
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=12840).

The World Bank has donated US$850,000 to ASEAN for disaster assessment and recovery
activities in the wake of the cyclone. The grant is further intended to support ASEAN’s leadership
role in the humanitarian efforts and to strengthen its capacity in the coordination of international
response and senior-level dialogue on recovery planning (http://www.aseansec.org/21645.htm).
Burmese groups in exile have issued a statement expressing concern that the World Bank and
the Asian Development Bank (ADB) may view the current humanitarian crisis as an opportunity to
increase engagement with the SPDC. The Ethnic Community Development Forum and other
groups have urged the World Bank and ADB to focus only on facilitating relief efforts and to
include community-based organisations advocating real political reform in any decision-making
process regarding their activities in Burma (http://appartnership.googlepages.com/ECDF-June17-
08.doc).

The World Food Program has made a plea for additional funding for the humanitarian aid effort
being carried out in the wake of Cyclone Nargis. Chris Kaye, WFP country director in Burma,
warned that the distribution of supplies to distressed communities by boat, truck and air ‘will all
grind to a halt by the end of this month unless we get additional funding now’
(http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/213818,lack-of-funding-threatens-myanmar-helicopter-
relief-operation.html). The executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for
Asia and the Pacific, Noeleen Hayzer, called on the international community o donate 1 million
gallons of diesel fuel that the regime says is needed to operate the mechanical tillers donated by
other countries (http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=1434).

Farmers in Labutta township, Irawaddy division, went to collect hand tractors donated as part of
the cyclone relief effort but found that local authorities were demanding payment (of between
1.09 and 2.2 million kyat). Even the down payment far exceeded the means of most farmers.
Reports suggest that so far none of the farmers in the delta region has been provided with any
financial or material assistance to enable them to get back to work
(http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=1432). An absurdist bureaucracy charging farmers from the
cyclone-stricken regions administration fees for defunct contracts has further hindered the
distribution of machines in this critical planting season
(http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=1445).

Private donors continue to face harassment and obstruction despite the junta’s promises
(http://www.kachinnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=247:junta-
continues-to-restrict-aid-workers-from-helping-cyclone-
victims&catid=38:environment&Itemid=61). Thai-based Assistance Association for Political
Prisoners states that ten donors have been arrested since the beginning of June
(http://www.irrawaddy.org/article1.php?art_id=12822). The Burmese authorities detained three
senior members of the pro-democracy group 88 Generation Students on 12th June. The group
has formed a team called Myitta Paung Ku to distribute aid to cyclone survivors. Myet Thu, Yin
Yin Wyne and Tin Tin Cho were waiting to discuss further aid distribution with monks when they
were taken away. Their whereabouts are unknown (http://www.mizzima.com/nargis-impact/18-
nargis-impact/675-student-activists-helping-nargis-victims-arrested,
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article2.php?art_id=12776, http://www.mizzima.com/nargis-
impact/18-nargis-impact/679-volunteers-for-cyclone-relief-work-arrested-yet-again). Sports writer
and former editor of weekly journal First Eleven Zaw Thet Htway was arrested on 13th June
(http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=1431).

One of the many civil groups to have formed since the strike of Cyclone Nargis has undertaken
the grim task of disposing of the many corpses still lying in the rivers and fields of the Irrawaddy
delta. They have given bodies a simple cremation and burial rites. Seven members of the group
were arrested on June 14th (http://www.irrawaddy.org/article2.php?art_id=12846).

Donated food stored in a monastery in Phyar Pon was left to rot instead of being given to
desperate cyclone victims because soldiers didn’t receive orders to distribute it
(http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=1433). Meanwhile, increasing numbers of children in
Rangoon and other cyclone-afflicted areas have been reduced to stealing food in order to stave
off starvation (http://www.irrawaddy.org/article1.php?art_id=12778).

The junta has warned against the exploitation of children orphaned by the cyclone. Anyone found
guilty of trafficking children will be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison. The authorities
have also announced that they will take sole responsibility for the care of orphans, banning all
individuals and organisations from doing so (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-
06/16/content_8381219.htm). This move threatens the plans of the Free Funeral Service Society
to build an orphanage.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) decided at its International Labour Conference on
13th June that it would take an active role in the post-cyclone reconstruction efforts. The ILO’s
current priority will be to prevent the use of forced labour in the reconstruction effort, but it will
continue to investigate complaints in other contexts, noting that the forced labour situation in
Burma is a cause for ‘profound concern’ (http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=1428).

The UN launched a massive anti-dengue operation in the cyclone-hit areas of Burma this week
(http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=12767). The climate and lack of shelter in the
Irrawaddy delta has left cyclone survivors at greater risk of succumbing to this disease. Other
diseases are on the rise in Labutta, although not at the rate expected
(http://www.irrawaddy.org/article3.php?art_id=12775).
The 250 member Post-Nargis Joint Assessment (PONJA) team returned to Rangoon on 20th June
after completing its data collection in 30 affected townships across the cyclone-afflicted region.
Preliminary findings and a progress report will be presented at the ASEAN meeting on 24th June
(http://yangon.unic.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=244&Itemid=73).

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi:

Influential US Congressman Joe Pitts, speaking to the House of Representatives, issued a
powerful rejoinder to the junta: “Madam Speaker, I rise today over the comments made by the
brutal generals, military dictators in Burma, saying that Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Prize
winner and rightful leader elected by the people, deserves to be flogged. Come again?”
(http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=12763).

US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice has accused the regime of ‘backtracking’ on even its most
modest pledges to engage in dialogue with Burma’s elected leader. Rice criticised the Burmese
authorities for holding a ‘rigged referendum… on a sham constitution’ and for the continued
denial of the liberty and fundamental political and civil rights of political prisoners
(http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=12841).

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicholas Sarkozy have released an
open letter to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the event of her birthday praising her courage and
dedication to the people of Burma (http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page15807.asp,
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article4.php?art_id=12843).

Celebrations for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday took place all across the globe this week. In
Washington, an event was held at the Capitol Building, home of the US Congress. Politicians from
the US government and the Burmese government in exile, the National Coalition Government of
the Union of Burma, along with activists and journalists from the exiled-Burmese and
international media attended. U Tin Maung Thaw, board member of US Campaign for Burma,
cited the occasion as an opportunity to persuade the US government to take the regime to the
International Court of Justice (http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=1429,
http://www.irrawaddy.org/article2.php?art_id=12886).

Celebrations held in Burma were marred by beatings and arrests. An event held at the National
League for Democracy headquarters was disrupted by members of the USDA and Swan Arr Shin.
Members of the crowd were beaten and five activists were arrested
(http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=1451, http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=1449).

Other News:
The UN Human Rights Council has called on the military authorities to cease politically motivated
arrests and condemned what it termed ‘the ongoing systematic violations of human rights’. The
resolution, introduced by the European Union, calls for the immediate cessation of the
recruitment of child soldiers by both the regime and by non-state armed groups and the release
of all political prisoners. The resolution condemns the recent referendum as held in ‘complete
disregard’ of freedom of expression and assembly and urges the authorities to ensure that any
returns of cyclone refugees are ‘voluntary, safe and carried out with dignity’
(http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=27076&Cr=myanmar&Cr1=).

The All Burma Monks’ Alliance called for the UN Security Council to safeguard the people of
Burma. Citing the raping of ethnic women with impunity, the detention of political prisoners and
the handling of Cyclone Nargis, the statement argues that ‘long-standing tolerance by the
international community of human rights violations in Burma made the Burmese military junta
believe that they have a license to kill and they have nothing to fear’
(http://www.asiantribune.com/?q=node/11856).
On 19th June, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the immediate release of
political prisoners in Burma, and denounced the ‘prospect of flogging Aung San Suu Kyi as a
crime against humanity’ (http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-
//EP//TEXT+TA+P6-TA-2008-0312+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&language=EN). In addition, MPs from
eight European countries have come together to form a new Parliamentary caucus on Burma.
The caucus aims to raise awareness of the situation in Burma in Europe and pressure European
governments to do more to bring about democratic transition in Burma
(http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/pm/weblog.php?id=P371).

The Free Burma Rangers have published reports documenting the ongoing attacks on the Karen
people. The reports detail the destruction of villages, the laying of land mines and the
displacement of the Karen (http://www.freeburmarangers.org/Reports/2008/20080620.html).

The regime has announced a reshuffle of two cabinet positions and the appointment of the
navy’s commander in chief to a ministerial post. The move comes in the wake of Cyclone Nargis
and will allow the minister for social welfare, relief and resettlement to concentrate on this role
by relinquishing his post as the minister for immigration and population. Rangoon-based military
sources claim that the move is unusual and could signal further changes
(http://www.irrawaddy.org/article1.php?art_id=12870, http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-
burma/4-inside-burma/696-change-of-guard-in-burmese-junta).

The junta has questioned village heads told to monitor polling stations in remote areas of Chin
State, where the majority of voters rejected the constitution
(http://www.khonumthung.com/kng-news/2008-news-archive/june-2008/more-village-heads-
questioned-after-referendum/).

A major from the Burma Army and a lawyer were arrested after raping two teenage Chin girls.
One of the girls was hospitalised as a result of the injuries she incurred
(http://www.khonumthung.com/kng-news/2008-news-archive/june-2008/two-chin-teenaged-
girls-raped-in-burma-rapists-arrested/). According to the junta’s law, only the military court can
investigate and punish members of the armed forces (http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=1439).
Three army officers who raped four ethnic Kachin schoolgirls in February 2007 have yet to be
punished
(http://www.kachinnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=250:junta-yet-
to-punish-army-officers-for-raping-kachin-schoolgirls&catid=37:human-rights&Itemid=60).

Well-known actor Kyaw Thu, leader of the Free Funeral Service charity group, has been taken ill
while distributing aid in the Irrawaddy delta. His wife has attributed his illness to stress,
compounded by smoking and an unhealthy diet (http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/4-
inside-burma/674-actor-kyaw-thu-hospitalised-).

The Burma Army has issued a ban on villagers working outside their villages. The ostensible
reason for this move is cited as being to prevent armed Mon groups form contacting the villagers
(http://www.monnews-imna.com/newsupdate.php?ID=1042).

Blogger Nay Phone Latt is being reinvestigated by the regime. He has been held and interrogated
at Insein prison for the past five months for publishing his blog
(http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/4-inside-burma/673-blogger-nay-phone-latt-being-
reinvestigated).

Eleven people were killed in a landslide in Moegok township, Mandalay division, on 11th June
(http://english.dvb.no/news.php?id=1430).
Thailand hosts an estimated 2 million migrant workers, most of whom are believed to be
Burmese. Thai and Burmese rights groups are urging the Thai government to repeal a
controversial law rewarding informers and imposing harsh penalties on migrants that was passed
in March (http://www.irrawaddy.org/highlight.php?art_id=12798).

Salween Watch, the Chiang Mai-based coalition of environmental organisations and NGOs, has
published a report describing the current and projected impacts of the Upper Paunglaung Dam
on the Kayan people. The dam is being built to supply energy for Nay Pyi Daw, but the Kayan are
already suffering displacement, increased abuses by the Burma Army and the loss of their
livelihoods (http://www.salweenwatch.org/index.html).

Reports suggest that rumours of a national uprising on 8th August are flying in Burma. Flyers
being distributed in the country appeal to the dispossessed and poorly paid soldiers of the Burma
Army to turn on their overseers on the twentieth anniversary of the massacre of students across
Burma and on the day that the Olympics open in Beijing
(http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,23895645-401,00.html). The idea of military coups has
lost popularity in today’s global-political climate, but it may be the only form of justice the leaders
of the Burmese military regime can understand (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-
dyn/content/article/2008/06/19/AR2008061901429.html).

In Solidarity,

Burma Partnership Secretariat