Media Monitoring Reports – UNHCR Thailand
THAILAND
7 – 26 April 2017
MEDIA MONITORING REPORT # 166
PEACE AND RECONCILIATION
21st Century Panglong Peace Conference to be held on 24 May
Mizzima, 25 April 2017
Myanmar’s government, military, and eight signatory armed groups to the Nationwide Ceasefire
Accord (NCA) agreed on Monday on eight points with their continued peace process, Xinhua
reported quoting the Director-General of the Ministry of the Office of the State Counsellor’s Office
U Zaw Htay.
The Joint Implementation Coordination
Meeting (JICM) which reviews peace
activities and the second Panglong
conference was held in Nay Pyi Taw on
Monday, attended by State Counsellor
Aung San Suu Kyi, Deputy Commander-inChief of the Defence Services vice SeniorGeneral Soe Win, and leaders of eight
signatory armed groups to the NCA.
The meeting decided to hold the second
meeting of the 21st Century Panglong
Peace Conference in Nay Pyi Taw for five days from 24 May.
According to the report, the agreed eight points included exploration of basic policy accepted by
all sides and holding national level political dialogue with groups that have not yet been included.
Link: http://www.mizzima.com/news-domestic/21st-century-panglong-peace-conference-be-held24-may
KNU Elections – Senior Women Leader, Zipporah Sein Loses Key Position as Mutu Sae Po Reelected Chairperson
Karen News, 8 April 2017
The Karen National Union elections for its four-year term leadership ended on April 8, 2017 after
the top five positions were voted in.
Chairperson, General Mutu Sae Po was re-elected to serve in the position for another four years,
while Naw Zipporah Sein lost her position as vice-chair in an early round of the election vote. Ms
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Sein, the KNU’s only senior women leader, and the
organization’s former vice chairperson missed out
on one of the organization’s top five positions.
On 6th April, 2017, the KNU voted for its 60 Central
Standing Committee (CSC) candidates that ran for
the 41 seats held by CSC members, added to that
are the 14 automatic seats for the seven Brigadiers
and seven District Chairpersons. The total position
on the CSC are 55, who will serve as the KNUs
lawmakers.
On Friday, 7th April, 2017, the KNU voted again for the 41 CSC members and the results came out that the most
senior KNU leader Padoh Zipporah Sein was not included in the 41 names on the list.
Ms Sein was not the only senior member to lose her top five position. The former KNU’s joint secretaries –
Padoh Thaw Thi Bwe and Padoh Mahn Mahn, didn’t secure enough votes to get included in the 41 names on
the list.
Today, on April 8, the top five positions that include the chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, joint secretary
1 and joint secretary 2 were voted for within the 55 CSC members by a total of 217 voters. According to the
result, General Mutu Sae Poe was re-elected chairperson, former general secretary Padoh Kwe Htoo Win was
elected vice chairperson, Padoh Ta Doh Moo was elected general secretary, Padoh Hser Pwe (also known as
Saw Steve) elected as joint secretary 1 and Padoh Saw Hla Tun elected as joint secretary 2.
The top five positions holders will later nominate another six people to form the KNU’s eleven-member Central
Executive Committee as well as the heads of all the departments.
LINK: HTTP://KARENNEWS.ORG/2017/04/KNU-ELECTIONS-SENIOR-WOMEN-LEADER-ZIPPORAH-SEIN-LOSES-KEY-POSITIONAS-MUTU-SA-PO-RE-ELECTED-CHAIRPERSON.HTML/
Ethnic Armed Organizations agree to cooperate on security affairs and Panglong Manual
Mizzima, 11 April 2017
The leaders of ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) agreed at a meeting held on April 9 to cooperate on drafting
the basic principles for building a federal union,
creating a Panglong Manual, and security affairs.
Eight signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire
Agreement (NCA) and non-signatory EAOs held
their meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand from April 89.
United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) ViceChairman Nai Hong Sar said, “We have agreed
mainly on the Panglong Manual’s basic principles.
Then we discussed security and defense affairs.
Also, we had an agreement on basic principles for a
federal union and a plan to modify them later.”
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Nai Hong Sar told reporters, “We cannot accept DDR (Disarm, Demobilization and Reintegration) only while
talking about DDR/SSR (Security Sector Reforms). We need SSR. It means military affairs will play a key role in
building a strong federal union. If we cannot trust each other in military affairs there will be a big danger. If we
make accommodation easily in this regard how can we counter when the other side use their military in
oppressing and defeating us. We need to consider these things,” Nai Hong Sar said.
The leaders of EAOs approved the Panglong Manual paper and Basic Principles for building a Federal
Democratic Union at the meeting. The meeting resolutions also mention an agreement on drafting Policy on
National Defense and Security, Joint Committee for Budget of Peace Process (JCB), Policies and Programmes on
Transitional Matters.
This summit meeting was attended by over 60 delegates of 14 EAOs from both NCA signatory 8 organizations
and 7 non-signatory organizations from UNFC.
Link: http://www.mizzima.com/news-domestic/ethnic-armed-organizations-agree-cooperate-security-affairsand-panglong-manual
Ethnic Alliance Pulls Out of Summit Due to Thingyan Holiday
The Irrawaddy, 11 April 2017
CHIANG MAI, Thailand — The ethnic alliance bloc United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) will not join the
fourth summit of ethnic armed organizations, which takes place at the headquarters of the United Wa State
Army (UWSA) in Panghsang this week.
Burma’s largest non-state armed group, the UWSA,
will host the fourth summit since November 2015 for
non-signatories
of
the
nationwide
ceasefire
agreement (NCA).
UNFC vice chairman Nai Hong Sar said they could not
travel to the Wa Self-Administered Zone on April 13.
“We won’t be able to go if it is during the water
festival [from April 13-16],” he said. “Also, we are going to have further meetings between our bloc after the
holidays. ”
Earlier this month, Nai Hong Sar said representatives of the UNFC would visit the Wa region to talk with the
UWSA.
The Wa and Mongla groups are still adamant they do not need to sign the NCA as they already had
bilateral ceasefires with the government, adding they are ready for political dialogue.
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Two UNFC members—the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP)—
joined the Panghsang meeting in February, but the southern groups—the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and the
Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP)—did not participate.
The government plans to hold the second session of its 21st Century Panglong Conference in May.
Link: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/ethnic-alliance-pulls-summit-due-thingyan-holiday.html
Armed groups call for equality at peace summit
Myanmar Times, 11 April 2017
A meeting of all armed ethnic groups, including the signatories and non-signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire
Agreement (NCA), has resulted in a statement calling for all armed ethnic organizations to have equal and
dignified status in the second 21st Century Panglong Conference.
The meeting was attended by 14 armed ethnic groups in Chiang Mai, Thailand over the weekend.
During the meeting, participants discussed the “founding principles for building a federal union” and the
“Panglong reference booklet”, two topics which were discussed by armed ethnic groups during the August
2016 summit.
The groups also said in a statement released after the meeting that they would work towards the signing of the
NCA by non-signatory groups, and aim to “attain dignified status” for all armed ethnic organizations at the
coming second 21st Century Panglong Conference.
The government says that armed ethnic groups have to sign the ceasefire pact in order to participate at the
political dialogue.
The government and eight signatory groups have said the non-signatories groups, which previously said they
will not attend the peace conference if invited as “observers”, should be invited as “special guests”.
The armed ethnic groups have also called for talks to resolve the conflicts in Kachin and northern Shan states.
Link: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/25674-armed-groups-call-for-equality-at-peacesummit.html
KNU elects 11 CEC members and department heads
Burma News International, 11 April 2017
The 11 members of the CEC are Saw Mutu Say Poe
as chairperson, Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win as vice
chairperson, Padoh Saw Ta Doh Moo as general
secretary, Padoh Saw Hser Pwe as joint secretary 1,
Padoh Saw Hla Tun as joint secretary 2, General Saw
Jonny as commander-in-chief, Padoh Naw Dah Dah,
Padoh Mann Nyein Maung, Padoh Saw Thamain
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Tun, Padoh Saw Roger Khin, and Major General Saw Issac Poe.
Respective heads for 14 departments under the KNU have also been elected as well.
The 14 departments are Organizing & Information Department, Health & Welfare Department, Education &
Cultural Department, Forestry Department, Agriculture Department, Breeding & Fishery Department, Finance
& Revenue Department, Justice Department, Foreign Affairs Department, Transportation & Communication
Department, Interior and Religious Department, Alliance Affairs Department, Mining Department, and Defense
Department.
Link: http://www.bnionline.net/news/karen-state/item/2939-knu-elects-11-cec-members-and-departmentheads.html
LAW AND GOVERNANCE
The Path to a New Country: Looking Back on One Year of NLD Rule
The Irrawaddy, 7 April 2017
As the first year of its tenure has come to a close, many continue to question whether Burma’s elected civilianled government has managed to accomplish its aims, or if in this regard, it has failed.
One certain thing we have witnessed is that the
government led by State Counselor Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi is still struggling to bring about peace,
national reconciliation and create a democratic
federal Union, as well as increase economic growth
and development in the country, which has been
left in disarray after more than 50 years of military
dictatorship.
I think that the most valuable thing that the
majority of Burmese people can still appreciate
within this government—in comparison to former
administrations—is that its ministers are still
“corruption-free” one year on.
Unwanted Legacies
Burma is still suffering from many of the problems inherited from the past. A 70-year civil war continues. The
military—the country’s most powerful institution—still calls the shots on conflict with ethnic armed groups.
In a recent interview with the BBC, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi said: “They [the military] are free to go in and fight.
And of course that is in the Constitution. Military matters are to be left to the army. That’s why we are trying to
change the Constitution. Amending the Constitution is one of our aims.”
One of the biggest challenges for the NLD government is still the 2008 charter drafted by the previous military
regime, which guarantees the political power of the military in the government with three key ministerial
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positions—defense, home and border affairs—and 25 percent of all legislative seats reserved for military
appointees.
That’s why one of the NLD’s main aims is to adopt a Constitution which “ensures that all the people of our
country can live together in tranquility and security,” according to its 2015 election manifesto.
Regarding the peace process—a priority of the NLD government—the military’s offensives were disruptive, as
the State Counselor told the BBC. But the current Constitution prevents the NLD from reining in the army at all.
The NLD government has still not managed to convince the military leadership to collaborate with the
government regarding armed conflict that has intensified since their administration came to power.
Among them are those who assassinated NLD legal adviser U Ko Ni in broad daylight outside Yangon
International Airport in January. U Ko Ni was strongly advocating for the amendment of the Constitution or the
adoption of a new one. Most of those suspected of involvement in his murder are ex-military officials. Some
critics think that the killing is a setback to the NLD government; others see it as an act of sabotage by those
who have disdain for the NLD’s political vision.
Another particularly tragic legacy is the crisis surrounding the Rohingya in Arakan State. The problem dates
back decades, and consecutive governments, including the administration headed by U Thein Sein, turned a
blind eye to reports of abuse, rather than identifying solutions and responses. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has faced
international criticism for failing to take action against government security forces for human rights abuses
against the Rohingya. If Burma’s security personnel committed the atrocities which rights groups have accused
them of, her government must punish them according to the law.
Political Missteps
Yet these aforementioned challenges do not stand in the way of the NLD government improving the education,
economic and legal sectors, if the political will is there. There are many areas where the government, as well as
the NLD-dominated parliaments, can potentially make positive changes.
Here’s one political misstep which could serve as an important lesson for the NLD—call it a bridge lesson.
Out of 18 constituencies—out of 19 available seats—where the NLD contested in this year’s by-elections, it
won only nine seats, two of which were in ethnic constituencies in Shan and Chin states. In the remaining nine
seats in ethnic constituencies, the NLD was defeated.
The victory of the USDP in Chaungzon Township in Mon State was likely a result of the NLD’s missteps in
ignoring local people’s desires. The NLD took advantage of its position in the Union Parliament to name a
bridge in the township after the late Burmese independence icon Gen Aung San, while many of local Mon
people wanted it to be called the Salween Bridge (Chaungzon), referring to the river that it spans and the area
in which it is located. The NLD was later defeated in this constituency, where it had won in the 2015 general
elections.
The defeat of the NLD in Chaungzon is therefore a great lesson for the NLD nationally, even though it is not a
national issue.
Camaraderie vs. Alienation
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Many of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s long-term supporters, including veteran activists from the 1988 prodemocracy uprising and ethnic forces, feel that she, her party and her government have intentionally or
unintentionally politically alienated them.
Some have described being marginalized, rather than treated with the camaraderie they had expected from an
NLD-led administration. That’s one of the failures of the NLD and its government’s stance regarding some of its
key allies: one year on, she should have much greater support nationwide. Better relations with ethnic leaders,
for example, would help in efforts toward achieving peace, as well. It is not wrong to treat friends as friends.
On March 30, on the day marking the first anniversary of the NLD government’s time in office, Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi said in her State of the Union speech that she had changed her party’s slogan from “Time for Change”
to “Together with the People.”
But the incident surrounding Chaungzon Bridge obviously contrasts with the message “together with the
people,” as does the alienation she employs as part of her leadership style.
The State Counselor admitted in her speech that some of her ministers have been inactive and some are not in
the right positions. Regarding these cases, the government will make necessary changes, she added.
As she said, one year is not a long period of time for a government to do its work. But it is now time for the NLD
administration to fix their political missteps, unpopular policies and controversial leadership style. It is time for
a reshuffle of the cabinet. The State Counselor must axe incapable ministers and high-ranking officials and
replace them with those who can make her government more competent.
Link: https://www.irrawaddy.com/opinion/commentary/the-path-to-a-new-country-looking-back-on-one-yearof-nld-rule.html
1,883 prisoners released in Myanmar to greet new year Thingyan festival
Mizzima, 13 April 2017
A total of 1,883 prisoners were released on Wednesday ahead of Myanmar’s New Year water festival which is
to start on Thursday, Myanmar State Counsellor’s
Office announced.
The 1,883 prisoners, including 233 women, were freed
from prisons across the nation to enable them enjoy
cut of prison terms on New Year occasion.
The release is the second of its kind after the National
League for Democracy-led government took office.
The government released 2,283 prisoners including
138 political prisoners, in same period of last year.
Link: HTTP://WWW.MIZZIMA.COM/NEWS-DOMESTIC/1883-PRISONERS-RELEASED-MYANMAR-GREET-NEW-YEARTHINGYAN-FESTIVAL
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Myanmar’s international relations better, says foreign affairs ministry official
Myanmar Times, 7 April 2017
Myanmar’s international relations have improved since the National League for Democracy-led government
took power in 2016, U Kyaw Zeya, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), said
yesterday.
“When we review our performance, we mainly
focus on where we have succeeded. It is difficult
to assess our unsuccessful performance,” he said
during a news conference on reforms in the first
year of the new government.
The ministry’s greatest success, according to U
Kyaw Zeya, is the decision of the European Union
not to table a human rights resolution at the UN
General Assembly Third Committee last year.
The European Union had put forward a resolution
calling attention to human rights shortcomings in
Myanmar at every UN General Assembly dating
back to 1991.
The EU delegation said in a statement at the time that decision was in “recognition of Myanmar’s progress on
democratic transition, the reinvigoration of the peace process and the positive steps taken by the new
government to improve human rights”.
“We can say it is a unique success,” said U Kyaw Zeya.
“It is difficult to say which matters are not successful because the nature of our work is enhancing the
relationship.
“Our country has been supported by foreign countries. Some countries want to focus more on human rights
conditions in our country. We keep in touch with them more.
U Kyaw Zeya said the ministry has also served the interests of Myanmar citizens in foreign countries, such as
getting full benefits for Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand, transporting voluntary returns to their home
towns, protecting Myanmar maids in Singapore, calling back Myanmar nationalities from foreign detention
camps, removing Myanmar nationals from black lists and increasing the social visa term.
He said the challenges faced by MOFA in the first year of the new government were international pressure on
the violence in Rakhine, capacity building of civil servants, appointing new civil servants and successful handling
of visits by officials from ASEAN, Asia, Europe and American given the ministry’s limited staff strength.
“We send government employees for training courses and encourage them to participate in international
meetings. As the nation’s international relations have increased, we can say that we have handled this
challenge smoothly,” added U Kyaw Zeya.
Link: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/nay-pyi-taw/25616-myanmar-s-internationalrelations-better-says-foreign-affairs-ministry-official.html
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ECONOMICS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Yangon-to-Bago master plan to be prepared
Eleven Myanmar, 7 April 2017
A development master plan for the Yangon-Hanthawaddy-Bago corridor and Yangon's southwest will be drawn
up by the Department of Urban and Housing Development of the Construction Ministry and the Korea
International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the government announced.
A project steering committee has been formed with cabinet members of Yangon and Bago regions, ministry
representatives and KOICA under the chairmanship of the minister for construction.
To draw the master plan, the steering committee is tasked with seeking coordination with the authorities,
establishing technical working groups and supervising them and assigning duties.
The committee is also responsible for ensuring that the activities of domestic and international organizations
are in conformity with the policies and laws.
Link: http://www.elevenmyanmar.com/business/8748
Thai Bank to launch program to develop Small and Medium Enterprises in Mon State’s capital
Mon News Agency, 10 April 2017
With the aim of developing the capacity of Mon State’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the Ministry of
Industry will launch a program to train and provide resources to the state’s companies in collaboration with a
Thai bank.
Based on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
between the Myanmar (Burma) government and
Kasikorn Bank, the bank will train businesspeople on
a variety of industry practices and help them to get
access to small business loans. The program, which
will eventually include several large cities, is being
launched in Mon State’s Mawlamyine and
Tanintharyi Region’s Myeik, according to the SME
Development Department’s Deputy Director, Daw
Aye Aye Win.
“Myanmar and Thailand are neighbors, and border
trade between our two countries is really key, so
we’re first implementing the MoU in two border cities, Mawlamyine and Myeik. We’re going to begin working
with SMEs in Mawlamyine this coming May,” she said.
At a signing ceremony held on March 30 at the Emerald Palace Hotel in Myanmar’s capital Nay Pyi Taw, Daw
Aye Aye Win told reporters that SMEs need support to help them become competitive in international markets.
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She said that the K Bank training would teach businesses about business structure, accounting techniques,
taxes, marketing, human resources, finance, and how to establish credit.
Myanmar’s SMEs are regulated under the 2015 Small and Medium Enterprise Development Law which
classifies them by investment capital, workforce and cash flow. However compliance with the law is far from
universal.
“SMEs in Mon State generally do not comply with the SME law, so we need to work to get them compliant,”
said Dr. Aung Naing Oo, Deputy Speaker of the Mon State Hluttaw (parliament).
The business environment in Mon State is characterized by a large number of small and medium businesses,
with most people employed in agriculture, rubber and salt production, and fisheries. Many of the state’s
businesses are also oriented towards Thailand, just across the border.
Link: https://monnews.org/2017/04/07/thai-bank-to-launch-program-to-develop-small-and-mediumenterprises-in-mon-states-capital/
KOICA-funded agri training school opens
Myanmar Times, 7 April 2017
A training school for agricultural mechanisation (Yezin) on the University of Yezin campus in Zeyathiri Township,
Nay Pyi Taw, was opened on March 31, according to a statement by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and
Irrigation.
The school, which is a joint project between the ministry and Korean International Cooperation Agency
(KOICA), aims to facilitate the mechanisation of Myanmar’s agricultural industry, according to Union Minister
Dr Aung Thu during the opening ceremony.
The school, which was built with a financial assistance of US$6 million from KOICA, was set up to provide
training to farmers on how to handle and maintain agricultural machinery.
Korean technologies relating to machineries maintenance will be taught at the school, U Sein Hla Myint ,
deputy director from Agricultural Mechanisation Department, told The Myanmar Times on Monday.
“The school will also teach Korean technologies and the machines are Korea-made. Training will be provided,”
he said.
School facilities will include two lecture rooms, two practical rooms, one equipment store room, one hostel,
one dining room and one kitchen.
A total of 40 people will be trained in each session, and driving and maintenance training for big tractors, hand
tractors, paddy harvesters, paddy Tran’s planters and paddy sowers will be provided to the farmers.
Additional training for engineers, mechanics and drivers from the Department of Agriculture and machineries
maintenance training for private agricultural businessmen will also be provided.
Many people are interested in the training, as the farmers find some difficulties in maintaining their
machineries, said U Tun Wai, a farmer from Pyinmana.
“Our farmers have had those machines for many years. But we can just drive, we can’t repair.
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“So if anything happens, we have to send for a mechanic. If the mechanic is not free, we have to wait for him
and time is wasted. Therefore, this maintenance training school is good for us,” U Tun Wai said.
Link: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/nay-pyi-taw/25622-koica-funded-agri-trainingschool-opens.html
Myanmar to buy over 1,000 buses from China to reinforce transport strength
China Daily, 15 April 2017
YANGON -- Myanmar's Yangon regional government had entered a contract with Chinese Yutong Company for
buying over 1,000 buses to supply Yangon Bus Services System, official media reported Saturday.
The buses will arrive next month and run on Yangon Bus line, an official of Yangon Region Transport Authority
was quoted as saying.
Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein vowed that Yangon bus services system will be upgraded to
meet international standard early next year.
All 300 old bus lines running in Myanmar's former capital city of Yangon were abolished and replaced with up
to the 79 new bus lines starting on Jan. 16 in an effort to reduce traffic jam in the city and make the bus lines
systematically operational.
According to the Yangon regional office, there are currently 79 bus lines operated by 3,500 buses in Yangon to
transport 2.5 million people daily out of 6 million's residents in Yangon.
Link: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2017-04/15/content_28943349.htm
New investments in April create over 9,400 job opportunities: MIC
The Global New Light of Myanmar, 9 April 2017
THE Myanmar Investment Commission granted permission to 17 local and foreign enterprises this month to
operate business in the country, creating over 9,400
employment opportunities for locals, according to
the MIC.
This is the first time the MIC permitted investments
for the current financial year.
The MIC gave the green light to 17 businesses
including 11 wholly foreign-owned enterprises from
China, Hong Kong and Macao, two citizen-owned
firms and three joint ventures plus one foreign
investment, according to its meeting held on 6 April.
The majority of new investments went to the
country’s garment industry to manufacture of
garment and related accessories on CMP basis.
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The types of new investment businesses also include manufacturing and sales of plastics recycling products;
spraying collodion, polyester, imitation silk polyester, eiderdown and related products, construction of office
tower, leasing and management of office space; manufacturing and marketing of instant noodles; production
and distribution of sales of day old chicks; construction of cinemas and operation of movie show, and a private
school.
Those businesses will operate in Yangon’s industrial zones in Shwepyitha, Hmawby, Hlaingthaya, Shwepaukkan,
and Dagon Myothit industrial zones as well as Mandalay and Ayeyawady regions.
According to the MIC, foreign investment into the country in 2016-2017 FY reached more than US$6.8 billion.
The figure is $800 million more than the expectation of investment authority.
Link: https://issuu.com/myanmarnewspaper/docs/9_april_17_gnlm
Regional government spends Ks8 billion for prevention of floods
The Global New Light of Myanmar, 11 April 2017
The Yangon Region government will spend Ks8 billion for prevention of floods in the Hlaing and Ayeyawady
rivers, according to an official from the Yangon Region Government.
The government will conduct annual flood prevention in those rivers. Prevention has reduced the impact of
floods in Hlegue Township and Dagon (East) township. The government will also conduct flood prevention in
Taikkyi and Hmawbe townships.
The regional government has spent money in the budget to prevent the floods which communities face
annually across the country. The regional government is also trying to improve the drainage system to prevent
roads from flooding.
Similarly, the region government spent Ks32 billion on a special project for the development of places outside
the YCDC area.
Link: https://issuu.com/myanmarnewspaper/docs/11_april_17_gnlm
New cyclone shelters in Kayin State
The Global New Light of Myanmar, 12 April 2017
New cyclone shelters will be built in Hlaingbwe and Hpaan townships in Kayin State, southern Myanmar, to
provide protection to residents from natural
disasters, according to Kayin State government.
People residing in Hlaingbwe Township and Hpa-an,
the capital town of the state, are vulnerable to
natural disasters, including cyclones.
The two town’s yearly experience flooding in June,
July and August due to heavy rain.
The new 60x60x28-feet cyclone facility in
Hlaingbwe Township is designed to accommodate
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more than 400 people, while another shelter in Hpa-an Township can house approximately 400 people.
The National Natural Disaster Management Committee (NNDMC) allocated Ks118 million for the project to be
implemented in Kamawkachu Village in Hlaingbwe Township and a further Ks116.8 million for another project
on Kyain Ale Street in Ward-1 in Hpa-an Township.
The ground breaking ceremony for the project in Hlaingbwe Township was recently held in the designated area.
State authorities also inspected the project area in the town of Hpa-an to start construction.
Upon completion of the new schemes, emergency disaster management training and activities are planned for
both cyclone facilities.
Link: https://issuu.com/myanmarnewspaper/docs/12_april_17_gnlm
Former Exiled News Outlets Granted Licenses for State Media Channel
The Irrawaddy, 12 April 2017
RANGOON — two former exiled news outlets—the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) and Mizzima—have been
selected to run their own digital channels in Burma under the state-owned Myanmar Radio and Television
(MRTV).
In late 2016, the Ministry of Information (MOI)
put out a call to local companies interested in
becoming content providers for MRTV. Out of the
42 that expressed interest, 29 submitted formal
proposals, which were then shortlisted to 10.
MRTV announced the five companies granted
broadcasting licenses on Tuesday. These are:
Young Investment Group Co., Ltd; Fortune
International Co. Ltd; Kaung Myanmar Aung
Co.,Ltd; DVB Multi Media Group., Ltd; and
Mizzima Media Co., Ltd.
The five were selected after being assessed for
transparency, strong capital, a legal background history and conformance to policy guideline, the MRTV stated
in the announcement.
MRTV was set up in 1979, and for decades was used to broadcast propaganda by Burma’s former military
regime.
Launched in 1992 by exiled Burmese activists in Oslo, Norway, DVB long operated satellite radio programs and
eventually satellite TV programming from Norway and Thailand before moving to Burma in 2012. It will now
have a digital platform in Burma.
Mizzima was founded in New Delhi, India, in 1998 by Soe Myint, who in 1990 hijacked a Thai Airways plane
flying from Bangkok to Rangoon in an act of protest against Burma’s former military regime.
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Eleven Media Group was included in the shortlist but not selected. The group’s CEO U Than Htut Aung and chief
editor U Wai Phyo are currently facing trials after being sued by Rangoon Division’s chief minister U Phyo Min
Thein under defamation charges.
Link: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/former-exiled-news-outlets-granted-licenses-for-state-mediachannel.html
OTHERS
UNICEF calls for better healthcare services in Rakhine
Myanmar Times, 11 April 2017
The UN body is hoping for progress following the report by the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State chaired
by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
In an exclusive interview with The Myanmar Times
on April 8, UNICEF deputy executive director Justin
Forsyth shared his view on the current health and
education situation in the state.
“I think the most important things are health
education on nutrition, investing in services for
nutrition and water, and sanitation.
“Those are areas where we need the most aid, and
that will make a big difference,” he said.
Forsyth visited Rakhine State on April 7 and 8
where he met with internally displaced persons
(IDPs) in Sittwe and Pauktaw.
“At the IDP camps, health facilities are quite basic,” Forsyth said.
He said many parents were worried about letting their children go to school, hospitals and clinics because of
security concerns.
“It is still difficult to have a system with better services,” he said.
Before visiting Rakhine, Forsyth met with State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Commander-in-Chief Senior
General Min Aung Hlaing and Pyithu Hluttaw speaker U Win Myint to discuss issues that needed to be solved.
Forsyth said he spoke with the State Counsellor on investing in health, education and social protection; and the
Senior General on protecting children’s rights and the issue of child soldiers.
Forsyth also spoke to other local and international media on his Rakhine visit.
He told AFP that he had given Daw Aung San Suu Kyi details on youngsters held in the Buthidaung prison.
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Media Monitoring Reports – UNHCR Thailand
“There are some children that are detained in prison. We are raising this issue.
“Any child detained is an issue to us,” he told AFP late Saturday at the end of his brief trip to Myanmar.
Forsyth stressed that it was important to implement the recommendations by the Kofi Annan Commission
report on Rakhine State.
“At the same time, we are also aware that we need to go further to address the needs of the children,” Forsyth
said.
UNICEF has been working with the government to provide basic services to IDPs in camps and promote
government leadership in services for IDPs, such as the WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) cluster,
operation and maintenance of WASH hardware in IDP camps, latrine activities, and water supply in Rakhine,
Kachin and Shan states, according UNICEF’s 2016 annual report.
Link: http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/25679-unicef-calls-for-better-healthcare-services-inrakhine.html
Donors Cut Financial Support to Refugee Camp Worker
The Irrawaddy, 26 April 2017
MAE SARIANG, Thailand — Some 10,000 community workers in nine refugee camps on the Thai-Burma border
will be affected by financial cuts as funding declines, according to sources from the refugee community and aid
agencies.
The cuts were announced at a meeting held by
the international humanitarian agency The
Border Consortium (TBC) in Mae Sot last
weekend.
The reduced stipend for camp community
workers will begin in July, said Saw Tu Tu, a
leader within the Karen Refugee Committee
(KRC) who attended the meeting.
Saw Tu Tu told The Irrawaddy at his office in
Mae Sariang, Thailand: “They [TBC] will reduce
human resources and financial support. They explained that support will be decreased because of a declining
budget.”
KRC staffers in nine refugee camp are among those who will be affected by the declining funding.
“They said they will also reduce the number of KRC staffers,” said Saw Tu Tu.
Donors Cut Financial Support to Refugee Camp Workers. There are around 10,000 community workers in
positions like camp committee leader, health worker, teacher, warehouse manager and security staff, all of
whom receive monthly stipends from NGOs, according to TBC.
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Media Monitoring Reports – UNHCR Thailand
Among the 10,000 workers, TBC funds some 2,800 people who are responsible for implementing programs
such as food distribution; nutrition programs; livelihood, shelter, and camp management; and overall
coordination of camp committees.
Sally Thompson, executive director of TBC, said: “Some elements of camp management are covered by specific
donors, but most of the camp management administration and stipend costs are supported by general funds
from donors and TBC is facing a decrease in funding from some of these donors.”
“As a result TBC is making cuts to some of its programs but also is in a continual process of downsizing as an
organization and has reduced TBC staff in Thailand by 30 percent over the last 3 years,” she added.
The TBC budget for camp management, camp administration, stipend workers and CBOs is approximately
USD$1.7 million, but funding has not been secured to cover all of these needs and therefore it is necessary to
make cuts, Sally Thompson added.
“They [TBC] will reduce the community worker stipend by 30 perfect. So, if a worker received 1,000 baht per
month before, they will receive only 700 baht per month in the future,” said Saw Tu Tu of the KRC.
International governments and donors have been cutting funding for humanitarian assistance in refugee camps
on the Thai-Burma border as Burma’s peace process has gotten underway.
There are also preparations for a “volunteer” repatriation program being arranged by the Thai and Burmese
governments along with INGOs such as the UN refugee agency, the International Organization for Migration
(IOM) and Thai foundation Mae Fah Luang.
Volunteer Repatriation Centers are in all of the camps, facilitating the repatriation process for the refugees who
wish to return home to Burma.
There are more than 100,000 refugees living on the Thai-Burma who fled civil war in Burma.
Link: https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/donors-cut-financial-support-refugee-camp-workers.html
The content of the UNHCR Thailand Media Monitoring Reports does not reflect the official view or opinion of the UNHCR.
Links: Thailand-Myanmar Cross Border Web Portal: www.commonservice.info
Facebook: www.facebook.com/commonservice
www.facebook.com/commonserviceburmese
www.facebook.com/commonservicekaren
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