Myanmar Doubles Political Arrests; Elections a Sham, Group Says
By Ed Johnson
Sept. 17 (Bloomberg) -- Myanmar’s military regime has doubled the number of political prisoners in the past two years and elections next year will have no credibility unless they are freed, Human Rights Watch said in a report.
Buddhist monks, journalists and artists are among more than 2,200 people held at more than 40 prisons or forced to perform hard labor at about 50 camps in the country formerly known as Burma, the New York-based group said.
The elections “will be a sham” if political opponents remain in jail, Tom Malinowski, the group’s advocacy director in Washington, said yesterday. The U.S., China, India and Southeast Asian countries “should make the release of all political prisoners a central goal of their engagement with Burma.”
The junta, the latest in a line of generals to rule Myanmar since 1962, triggered international condemnation last month when it extended opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest order for 18 months. The Nobel Peace Prize winner has spent more than 13 years in custody since her National League for Democracy won elections in 1990, a result rejected by the regime.
Repression increased in the country after an uprising led by Buddhist monks two years ago was crushed by the government, Human Rights Watch said.
More than 300 political and labor activists, monks, artists, comedians, journalists and Internet bloggers have been sentenced to jail after trials in closed courts, the group said. Some prison terms have been for more than 100 years.
More than 20 activists, including the country’s most-famous comedian, Zargana, were arrested for speaking out about obstacles to humanitarian relief following Cyclone Nargis, which struck Myanmar in May 2008 leaving at least 138,000 people dead or missing, according to the report.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Myanmar Doubles Political Arrests; Elections a Sham, Group Says
BURMESE rally urges tougher line from new Japan govt
Agence France Presse: Myanmar rally urges tougher line from new Japan govt
Fri 18 Sep 2009
Filed under: International
Myanmar activists Friday called on Japan’s new government to take a tougher stance on the military junta as they rallied in Tokyo on the 21st anniversary of the coup that brought the regime to power.
Some 100 demonstrators rallied outside the Myanmar Embassy demanding the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners being held in the country formerly known as Burma.
“We want the new government to apply pressure on the military regime through harsher sanctions and to push for the release of Suu Kyi,” said one of the protestors, Win Myint.
Many carried pictures of Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate who has spent most of the past two decades under house arrest since her party won the last elections.
Japan’s new centre-left Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who took power on Wednesday, is known for his interest in human rights and has in the past led a group of parliamentarians that support Suu Kyi.
Japan’s previous conservative government of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) “did not show a clear stance toward the military junta and therefore did not apply sufficient pressure,” said another protester, Haw Thar.
The LDP, which ruled Japan almost without break since 1955, promoted trade and dialogue with Myanmar, fearing a hard line would push the junta further into the clasps of China, its main political and economic partner.
New-York based Human Rights Watch called on Japan to undertake an urgent policy review on Myanmar and to consider supporting targeted sanctions.
“Now is the time for Japan to revise its foreign policy and make promotion of human rights a central pillar,” wrote director Kenneth Roth in a letter to new Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada. “Burma is a very good place to start.”
Opposition-backed Constitutional Amendments will be Difficult
Opposition-backed Constitutional Amendments will be Difficult
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By KAY LATT Monday, September 14, 2009
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"If a girl is short, she just needs to wear high heels." Those are the well-known words of Kyi Maung, the late leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in a press conference just after the elections in 1990 responding the needs of constitution for transfer of power proclaimed by the military junta.
The NLD prepared a temporary constitution to be used during the transitory period to take over power from the ruling military government, but the military government then led by Snr-Gen Saw Maung did not accept the temporary constitution.
In the absence of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Kyi Maung, a de facto NLD leader, said that the constitution could be amended in response to the military leaders' claim for the necessity of a new constitution before the transfer of power.
Any efforts to amending the constitution would be a challenge since ethnic nationalities wanted to change the form of the Union to that of a federation.
The late dictator Ne Win made a coup d'état in March 1962 while contending that he was saving the Union from disintegrating, when ethnic nationalities, various political parties and U Nu, then the prime minister, agreed to amend the 1947 Constitution.
In the 1947 constitution, any provision could be amended, whether by way of variation, addition or repeal. After an amendment bill had been passed by each of the chambers of Parliament, the bill had to be considered by both chambers in joint sessions. And then the bill could be passed by both chambers in joint sittings with votes in favor of not less than two-thirds required by members of both chambers.
Therefore, the constitutional problems of the 1947 constitution could be solved within the framework of negotiations among stakeholders.
In the 1974 constitution, some provisions could be amended with the prior approval of 75 percent of all the members of the Pyithu Hluttaw (People’s Parliament) in a nation-wide referendum with a majority vote of more than half of eligible voters. The rest of the provisions could be amended only with a majority vote of 75 percent of all the members of the Pyithu Hluttaw. No major amendment had been made to the 1974 constitution.
Before Kyi Maung made his quip, Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of the United States, said in a letter to Samuel Kercheval, written in July, 1816, "I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind."
He continued, "We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors," clearly reflecting the need to interpret a constitution in light of changing circumstances.
Constitutions can generally be classified as “rigid” or “flexible.” A rigid constitution provides difficult procedures to modify at least some part of the constitution. A flexible constitution allows simple procedures to amend its provisions.
The US constitution is rigid. It requires a supermajority in the amendment process. The most common method of amendment is for a bill to pass both houses of the legislature by a two-thirds majority in each body followed by ratification by three-fourth of the states.
This is the method used for all current amendments. Nevertheless, 27 amendments have been made to the U.S constitution over a 200-year period. An interesting point is that the president has no role in the formal amendment process.
In Switzerland, it requires a majority vote in a national referendum to approve an amendment of the federal constitution proposed by the legislature or by a petition of 100,000 citizens. Then it requires ratification by a majority of voters in each of a majority of the cantons. The Swiss constitution has been amended significantly over the years.
The United Kingdom’s constitution is flexible. Its constitutional institutions and rules can be modified by an act of Parliament.
The great majority of countries have rigid constitutions. Nevertheless, a rigid constitution does not by itself guarantee the stability and continuity of a country’s constitutional law.
The constitution of South Africa is also flexible and can be amended by an act of Parliament by introducing a bill amending the constitution in the National Assembly. Most amendments must be passed by an absolute two-thirds supermajority in the National Assembly. However, amendments of some important provisions must be passed by the National Council of Province with a supermajority of at least six of the nine provinces.
Although the amending process in the United States is difficult, it is easier than the process in other countries with rigid constitutions. Provisions of a rigid constitution are over time subject to interpretation by the courts or by the legislature or the executive.
Pro-election groups in Burma are advocating a process of embracing the constitutional system and proposing gradual change by amendments to unfavorable provisions in the constitution.
“The military presumably wants to use the elections to ensure its continued dominance, but this is the most wide-ranging shake-up in a generation,” said Jim Della-Giacoma, Southeast Asia project director of the International Crisis. “The government, opposition, neighboring countries and the wider international community must all prepare for the possibility of change they may not be able to control.”
The 2008 constitution requires careful study of the process of amendment to assess whether it is rigid or flexible, and whether there are any loopholes in the constitution that could result in positive or negative consequences.
According to constitution, it requires 20 percent of the members of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, (Union Parliament or the two houses combined) to submit a bill of amendment with approval requiring a vote of more than 75 percent in favor.
For important provisions such as basic principles, state structure, qualifications for the presidential and vice presidential candidates and the National Defense and Security Council and a state of emergency, it further requires a nationwide referendum with more than half of eligible voters in favor.
It is clear that the 2008 constitution is rigid requiring difficult procedures to amend its provisions.
In the present constitution of Indonesia, the country which the Burmese military once looked to as a model for the dominance of the military, it requires only a simple majority for any proposed amendment in the People's Consultative Assembly with two-thirds of its members in support.
Suharto, who officially became president in 1968, did not allow any changes to the constitution. Under the rule of Suharto, it required a nationwide referendum with a 90 per cent turnout and approval of 90 percent of the voters to change the constitution.
With the fall of Suharto and the New Order regime in 1998, the amendment process was simplified in order to make it more democratic. The People's Consultative Assembly made constitutional amendments a flexible procedure and as a result, only 11 percent of the original articles remain unchanged from the earlier constitution.
In the 2008 Burmese constitution, the military is given 25 percent of the seats in every state legislature and both national assemblies. The constitution requires more than 75 percent of all the representatives of Union Parliament to amend the constitution important provisions.
To amend the constitution would require the support of all civilian representatives plus the support of at least one military representative in the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.
Because of the rigidity of the constitution, there appears to be little chance for opposition members of parliament to look to the amendment process as a way to influence the future course of government. As a result, a theory of gradual change through the constitution also appears unrealistic.
Kay Latt can be reached at kaylatt@gmail.com
Copyright © 2008 Irrawaddy Publishing Group | www.irrawaddy.org
Myanmar official media stresses existence of single armed forces in country
Myanmar official media stresses existence of single armed forces in country
www.chinaview. cn 2009-09-18 11:43:14
YANGON, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar official media stressed on Friday that there shall be a single Tatmadaw (armed forces) in the country to stand in accordance with the new state constitution approved in May last year.
The 2008 new state constitution prescribes that all the armed forces in the union shall be under the command of the Defense Services.
"If standing in rivalry that is against the constitution, doing illegal livelihood, poppy farming, production of narcotic drugs and illegal import and export of goods are rife, that will greatly harm the interest of the whole country and the people," said a Friday's report on the New Light of Myanmar newspaper.
"The Tatmadaw government is pursuing its strategies with the sharp determination that the nation's economy must be strong by the time when it hands over power to the civilian government to be formed under the constitution, " said the report.
It said "when these strategies are all realized, the Union of Myanmar will become a land bridge country where not only local people but also a large number of people from the neighboring countries engage trade activities."
It also urged the people to do their bit in the process of building the "land bridge" to make sure that all the pillars of the bridge are strong.
Noting that Myanmar is home to over 100 ethnic minorities, the report said "it gives first priority to consolidated unity among national brethren in the national interest according to the geopolitics, " adding that the government focuses on equitable improvement of the socio-economic life of all the national brethren.
The government has initiated a program for ethnic armed groups, which have cease fired and returned to the legal fold, to be formed into frontier forces under the control of the Commander-in- chief of the Defense Services.
However, the report said although many ethnic peace groups have returned to the legal fold, they have not surrendered their arms due to various reasons.
The leaders of the peace groups are urged to form political parties and stand for 2010 election.
After the present government took over the power of state on Sept. 18, 1988, 17 anti-government ethnic armed groups and over 20small ones returned to the legal fold one after another.
Of the 17 peace groups which cease fired with the government, some were allowed to retain arms, conditionally enjoying self-administration with special regions designated for them since then.
Under the government's fifth step of its seven-step roadmap announced in 2003, a multi-party democracy general election is to be held in 2010 in accordance with the 2008 new state constitution to produce parliament representatives and form a new civilian government to which the state power is to be handed over.
Japan Times: Birkin seeks Myanmar sanctions – Natsuko Fukue
Japan Times: Birkin seeks Myanmar sanctions – Natsuko Fukue
Wed 16 Sep 2009
Filed under: International
British singer and actress Jane Birkin held a news conference Tuesday in Tokyo to urge the incoming government to pressure Myanmar’s military junta to promote democracy.
Birkin, 62, who wrote a song called “Aung San Suu Kyi” and has participated in demonstrations against the junta, is in Tokyo for a concert this week.
She said sanctions should be placed on Myanmar, which has been under military rule for nearly 50 years, but they must be effective because they could also harm ordinary people.
“You’re lucky because you’ve got a new government” and it is a good opportunity for Japanese people to make new demands for supporting Myanmar citizens, Birkin added.
She said ordinary people can help Myanmar by writing a letter to their government or boycotting companies doing business with the junta.
Yuki Akimoto of the Burma Information Network based in Tokyo stressed the importance of supporting local citizens. Japan should focus on helping the people of Myanmar, such as by offering humanitarian support for refugees or assisting in the prevention of
Burmese citizens Forums Newsletters 2009/9/18
BurmaInfo] Burma News of the week (No. 0935) or policy changes - another appeal to the Burmese parliamentarians said in the past the Prime Minister Hatoyama Jane Birkin
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People's Forum on Burma
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Akimoto Yuki
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Burma News of the Week E-mail Edition
September 18, 2009 [0935 issue]
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[Lawmakers appeal to the singer Jane Birkin]
Mr. Singer, actress Jane Birkin in Japan 15,
"Burma (Myanmar) consider the situation of human rights round table"
(Sponsored by Amnesty議連) attended. Gas exports
Pointed out that it has not been a huge reduction in the national income, the SPDC
Stated the need for sanctions, called on the government to put pressure on Japan.
The memories of 10 when he met with Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon years ago.
, The meeting was held on the eve of the new administration entered the cabinet the next day
Tiba Keiko's Democratic Party (Justice) Social Democratic Party leader Mizuho Fukushima said, and (consumers
Minister responsible for fewer children), as well as the House of Councilors President Satsuki Eda, the LDP
Was attended by many members of former Secretary General Hidenao Nakagawa said. Burma Information
Akimoto Yuki also participated as a lecturer in the network, "in Burma
Standing to the side, to Japan to work with the international community "is entitled, the new Burmese
New government made recommendations to policy.
Japan's Burma policy is [Prime Minister Hatoyama said in the past would change]
• The new administration, whether Japan's Burma policy change
Has attracted international attention. Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama is a journalist
Security forces was shot dead shortly after Mr. Kenji Nagai in Burma in 2007
In October, Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (then) to "what the Japanese government, the top of the international community
Standing, seeking to restrain the military strictly Now is the beginning of Suu Kyi
All persons are detained will be released as the people of Myanmar
We should make every effort to achieve democratization. Is prepared for
I happen to to confer with "the問Itadashi and (minutes from the National Assembly).
* Full transcript is here:
http://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/SENTAKU/syugiin/168/0001/16810030001004a.html
On the other hand, the Nikkei business officials and middle-management agencies, trade in Burma
Investment workshops, and are planning to visit the industrial park.
If the easing U.S. sanctions on Burma and the next scheduled general election machine
Preparation of building a network of contacts you consider the possibility of trade and investment with Burma
With the intention that the (joint 12 days).
[NLD executives contributed to the dailies, "sham elections" and]
, National League for Democracy (NLD) in the Executive and hold until the end of last year as a political prisoner
Win Tin who had been (80) contributed to the Washington Post.
"Some international observers, the election has been scheduled for next year
Some people considered as opportunities. But Army was pushing the Constitution made
Under conditions that are not only those bogus elections, "he said
Check the movement of some of the international community to support the implementation of the general election (9 newspaper days).
* Full contribution is here:
http://www.burmainfo.org/article/article.php?mode=0&articleid=493
[Aung San Suu Kyi's appeal, ruling in January to 10]
5, is a violation of state laws that protect American man put home a month,
8-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted in January
The appellate court 18th district court held in Yangon. His attendance was not allowed.
October 2 is decided, and that day (18th AP, etc.).
[About the 7100 military government announced an amnesty to people, even political prisoners]
October 17, military, announced that approximately 7100 to grant amnesty to people. Released 18 days
Was also in at least 19 political prisoners who were included
(October 18 AFP, Association for political prisoners).
[Official development assistance to Burma (ODA) commitments and conditions]
No new announcements
Trade Events:
In addition, the Joint Action Committee for the Burmese people in Japan
September 18, 1988 - from a military coup 21 years: the SPDC
Protest, and the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners
Pro-democracy protests seeking
(Before the Burmese Embassy in Japan, 18 14:00 to 16:00)
Burmese Relief Center-Japan, "Technical Report 2009 summer visit to the border"
(Creo Higashioosaka Training Room 2F, 20 am to 18)
International NGO Human Rights Watch, Panerudisukashon
"Burma's Saffron Revolution 2007 years - now the monks stood up"
(Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan, 25 15 half-time ~) ★ application necessary.
Fourth Tokyo, UNHCR Refugee Film Festival "Burma VJ"
(House of Italy 10 Mar 18 - half-time,
German Cultural Center - October 6 17:00)
[More info]
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Burma Information Network Akimoto Yuki
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Burma News of the Week E-mail Edition
September 18, 2009 [0935 issue]
Created: Burma Information Network
Cooperation: Burmese People's Forum
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Information of 9 / 20 (Sun) 18:10 ~ NHK総合Terebi "International Network" What in Myanmar
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Burmese citizens Forums Newsletters 2009/9/18
People's Forum on Burma
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Mutual Bank
September 20 at 6:00 pm 10 minutes NHK General "international network" in,
The situation in Burma, the refugee problem, and each relationship between North Korea and Burma, the air
Are planned.
Zehi please.
Burma People's Forum
Miyazawa Secretariat
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NHK総合Terebi "International Network"
http://www.nhk.or.jp/worldnet/
Sun aired: September 20, 2009 (Sun) 18:10 ~
What in Myanmar
Virtually accepted by the foreign press coverage, Myanmar has laid a strict control of information.
Military regime, recently the home of Aung San Suu Kyi's democracy movement leader
The extended one-half years under house. In addition, as also to strengthen the attack on the ethnic minorities,
Neighboring Thailand, Bangladesh, the refugee influx into China. Now in Myanmar
What is happening, from the local reports.
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