Presidential adviser sues 13 farmers for trespassing - Online Burma ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

$qMGaeta\m¥a;Aen®Pc\. ®mt\s∑aBura;fwinv\;eta\' Nuic\cMeta ...$

$dut iy buil \K¥op\mØ; ”k^;emac\eA; la;ROi;“mio >A wc\tv\T a$

18 News THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 2 - 8, 2013 Women MPs call for review of draft marriage law CHERRY THEIN A rare spoon-billed sandpiper in the Gulf of Mottama. Photo: Staff Tour guides study up on bird life SHWE WAR LWIN shwewarlwin.mmt@gmail.com TOUR guides and enthusiasts in Mandalay took part in a bird spotting classe last week as part of an initiative to offer a more diverse range of activities to foreign visitors and improve knowledge about the country’s ornithological heritage. The project, led by nongovernment groups Chan Myae Thu Kha and the Myanmar Bird and Nature Society, is aimed at meeting the growing demand for bird-watching activities from foreign tourists interested in learning more about the country’s wildlife. The first training was held from August 30 to September 1, with more than 50 people paying K10,000 to take part. “Myanmar’s tourism industry is improving and there are many who come especially to see birds,” said Chan Myae Thu Kha secretary Ko Si Thu Win. There are an estimated 1096 bird species in Myanmar, at least six of which are endemic. Some enthusiastic bird watchers, known as twitchers, travel the world in search of rare and unusual bird species, but the project is also aimed at promoting Myanmar’s bird life to foreign visitors with a more casual interest. “Some tourists are not actually birdwatchers, but they may ask tour guides about the birds they see. If the tour guides can explain more about the birds it will improve not only our country’s value as a destination, but also the guides’ reputation,” added Ko Si Thu Win. Tour guide Ma Chaw Muyar Win said prior to the class that she was excited to have the opportunity to learn more about Myanmar’s bird life. “This is the third time I will attend a birdwatching training class,” she said. “I love birds. I’m not aiming to be an expert but I want to be able to explain a bit about the birds we see during our tours to clients. I think it will help me gain a good reputation as a tour guide.” – Translated by Win Thaw Tar t.cherry6@gmail.com A NUMBER of prominent women MPs have spoken out against a draft marriage law written by senior Buddhist monks, saying more research is needed to ascertain whether it is needed. The law, which sparked an international outcry when it was unofficially released in June, would place restrictions on marriage between Buddhist women and men of other faiths. However, Buddhist leaders say they have collected 3 million signatures of support for the law, which primarily targets marriages between Buddhist women and Muslim men and comes amid a wave of rising anti-Muslim sentiment. While some monks have said they will tell people in their township not to vote at the next election for hluttaw representatives who do not support the draft law, women MPs told The Myanmar Times they would not be cowed into voting for the law if it is submitted to parliament. “Frankly I don’t support the new law. Instead of imposing a new law, why not revitalise the old laws that were introduced to protect women? It is more practical,” said Daw Phyu Phyu Thin, the Pyithu Hluttaw representative for Yangon’s Mingalar Taung Nyunt from the National League for Democracy. Only MPs and government Buddhist monks attend a conference in Yangon Region on June 13 at which a version of the draft marriage law was released to journalists. Photo: AFP ministries can submit legislation to parliament under Myanmar’s standing orders, and so far none have committed to submitting the monk-drafted marriage law. Daw Phyu Phyu Thin also ‘Why not revitalise the old laws that were introduced to protect women?’ Daw Phyu Phyu Thin NLD representative expressed concern over the motivation for the law and said legislation should be drafted rationally rather than emotionally. “We should consider human rights, women’s rights and international standards. I am also not sure whether the new law would work if it was introduced because there are many old laws that are supposed to protect women that have failed to work in practice,” she said. A number of women MPs pointed to Myanmar’s 1954 Buddhist Women Special Marriage and Succession Act as an example of legislation that could be amended if the rights of Buddhist women are in need of further legal protection. Daw Nyo Nyo Thin, a representative for Bahan in the Yangon Region Hluttaw, said amending an existing law rather than introducing new legislation could reduce the likelihood of a “misunderstanding” between Buddhists and Muslims. She said the current version of the draft is contradictory and unclear in some parts. It could also prompt ethnic minorities to complain that the government and politicians are only concerned about the rights of ethnic Bamar women and not women from ethnic minorities. “For example, they can ask why the law doesn’t also protect Bengali women in Rakhine State,” she said. “People misunderstand the 1954 law [because they think it encourages women to marry foreigners] but it actually just helps women who marry foreigners. There are many examples of how it protected Myanmar women” who married foreign men by enabling them to inherit assets, she said. While some have argued that the new proposed law would stifle the right of Buddhist women to marry whoever they want, Amyotha Hluttaw representative Daw Khin Wine Kyi said MPs would need to consider the broader context of the draft and also solicit feedback. “Generally speaking, if the law supports the peaceful coexistence of different ethnic groups and religions, and if it is reasonable and reliable for Buddhist women, I will support it. But [introducing a law] takes time and we need feedback from all,” she said. TRADE MARK CAUTION NOTICE is hereby given that H. J. Heinz Company of One PPG Place, Suite 3100, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222, USA is the Owner and Sole Proprietor of the following trademark: - HEINZ ( Reg: Nos. IV/8276/2006 & IV/6199/2009 ) in respect of:- “All goods in International Classes 5, 29, 30 and 32” Any fraudulent imitation or unauthorized use of the said trademark or other infringements whatsoever will be dealt with according to law. U Kyi Win Associates for H. J. Heinz Company P.O. Box No. 26, Yangon. Phone: 372416 Dated: 2 nd September, 2013
www.mmtimes.com News 19 RCSS calls on govt to lift game on drugs nantin.htwe@gmail.com NAN TIN HTWE THE government has so far failed to implement drug eradication programs promised during peace talks with the Shan State Army-South, the armed group’s anti-drugs team said last week. “We have made agreements on [anti-drug] policies but there have been difficulties in implementing them,” said Lt Col Sai Harn, who heads the Anti-Narcotics Committee in the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the political wing of the SSA-South. He said the main problem was communication with local officials, who have refused to cooperate with the RCSS on anti-narcotics activities despite the group having an agreement with the central government. “No matter how much we want to, we can’t do anything if the government doesn’t want to cooperate,” Lt Col Sai Harn said. The committee released a report, Journey of RCSS Anti-Narcotic Activities, on August 26 that said cooperation on drug eradication has been one of the most important points in the peace discussions. “Despite making agreements, cooperation on implementation could not be achieved in reality,” the report said. The report urges the government Seized illict drugs are burned at a government-organised ceremony in Yangon on June 26. Photo: Boothee to immediately take stronger measures to tackle drug production and trafficking rather than wait until the peace process has concluded. The RCSS said inaction will cause further suffering for the people of Shan State. In October 2012, the government’s Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC), the RCSS and the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) reached a nine-point drug control agreement during a meeting in Tachileik, eastern Shan State. The agreement covered the conducting of joint assessments, the provision of technical assistance and drug education, and the exchange of information. The government and RCSS agreed to conduct a joint needs assessment of poppy growers in Mong Nai and Mong Pan townships to identify alternative development solutions. However, Lt Col Sai Harn said the RCSS was stopped from entering Mong Pan by Shan State government officials. “The state government said they didn’t know about it and can’t allow us [to enter Mong Pan],” he said. Lt Col Sai Harn said he believes the state government does not want the RCSS to enter communities and meet local villagers. “Maybe they think we will disturb their governance,” he said. RCSS secretary Major Sai Seng Wan said the incident showed there is “no communication between the state government and CCDAC”. “It makes it difficult for us to work,” he said. Lt Col Sai Harn said the Tatmadaw also needs to be involved in the antinarcotic fight, particularly by exerting more control over state-backed border guard forces and militias that are allegedly involved in the trade. “Militia groups are involved in drug trafficking. We have confirmed information. The Tatmadaw need to control them, as it is the one overseeing these militias,” he said. In 1999, Myanmar unveiled a 15- year master plan to eliminate all drugs in Myanmar. While the country initially made progress on eradicating opium poppy fields, poppy plantation and trafficking of other drugs have increased in recent years, according to UNODC. Earlier this year the government announced it had pushed back the drug elimination deadline to 2019. Southern Shan State, where the RCSS/SSA-South is most active, accounts for about 50 percent of poppy cultivation in Myanmar, according to UNODC. While the issue is being given greater consideration than in previous years, Lt Col Sai Harn said the government is not working hard enough to reach its drug elimination targets. “If they continue like this, their aim will not be achieved,” he said. In June, the RCSS was awarded the “Golden Eagle Award” by the Thai police force and its anti-drugs organisation for co-operation with Thailand on anti-drug efforts. ‘Gang’ members arrested over MDY stabbings SI THU LWIN sithulwin.mmtimes@gmail.com POLICE in Mandalay say nine people have admitted responsibility for a spate of stabbings in the city’s moat area. District and regional police questioned the suspects at about 6pm on August 22, after which they confessed to being involved in six stabbings, a spokesperson for the regional police force office said. The spokesperson said there was no motivation for the attacks. He said the nine suspects were members of a “criminal gang”. “We will investigate whether there are any other people involved in these cases. We are working hard to eliminate this kind of criminal activity in the city,” the spokesperson said. On July 14, a man named Ko Sithu Aung was stabbed in front of Yadanarpon Zoo on the northern side of the moat, while Ko Sai Thiha and Ko Aung Ko Lwin were attacked the same day on 80 th Street between 9 th and 10 th streets. Ko Myo Thura Oo was attacked on the western side of the moat between 14 th Street and 15 th Street on July 27. They suspects also admitted responsibility for stabbings in other areas of the city, the spokesperson said. The nine men will be charged with voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons and face jail terms of 10 years. – Translated by Zar Zar Soe
Page 1 and 2: HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION 1200 Ks. WW
Page 3 and 4: www.mmtimes.com Activist Daw Naw Oh
Page 6 and 7: 6 News THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER
Page 11 and 12: www.mmtimes.com Child rights office
Page 13 and 14: www.mmtimes.com News 13 Unions back
Page 24: 24 News THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER
Page 27: BUSINESS editor: Jeremy Mullins | j
Page 30 and 31: 30 Business THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTE
Page 32 and 33: 32 Property THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTE
Page 34 and 35: 34 THE MYANMAR TIMES SEPTEMBER 2 -
Page 36: 36 World International THE MYANMAR
Page 39 and 40: www.mmtimes.com SEOUL Asia-Pacific
Page 41 and 42: www.mmtimes.com KIEV Femen moves ou
Page 43 and 44: www.mmtimes.com FORT HOOD Internati
Page 45 and 46: www.mmtimes.com the pulse 45 Sculpt
Page 47 and 48: www.mmtimes.com the pulse local 47
Page 49 and 50: www.mmtimes.com the pulse 49 WATCH
Page 51 and 52: www.mmtimes.com the pulse food and
Page 53 and 54: www.mmtimes.com the pulse socialite
Page 55 and 56: www.mmtimes.com the pulse travel 55
Page 57 and 58: EMBASSIES Australia 88, Strand Road
Page 59 and 60: september 2 - 8, 2013 THE MYANMAR T
Page 61 and 62: THE MYANMAR TIMES September 2 - 8,
Page 63 and 64: www.mmtimes.com Sport 63 SINGAPORE

Presidential adviser sues 13 farmers for trespassing - Online Burma ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?