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The Mizzima News: October 3, 2007

Specialising in Burma-related news and issues
www.mizzima.com,www.mizzima.tv

INTERNATIONAL
UN Rights body wants Burmese junta to allow investigation

Mungpi
Mizzima News ( www.mizzima.com)

October 3, 2007 - For the first time, an outraged United Nations Human Rights Council has condemned the Burmese military junta for its violent crackdown on protesters and demanded it be allowed to immediately investigate the situation in Burma.

The Council, which held a special session on the human rights situation in Burma on Tuesday, passed a resolution that demanded the junta allow a special Rapporteur to investigate it.

The resolution said it "strongly deplores continued violent repression of peaceful demonstrators in Burma, including beatings, killings, arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances."

"The council calls on the government of Burma to allow Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights, to visit Burma and investigate the situation," Aung Myo Min, a Burmese human rights activists, attending the special session on Burma at the council's fifth meeting, told Mizzima.

The Burmese government last week resorted to a brutal crackdown on Buddhist monk-led protesters by opening fire on them in Rangoon and arresting more than 200 monks in midnight raids on monasteries.

While the government officially admitted to about 10 deaths during the crackdown on the biggest anti-government protest in nearly 20 years of military-rule in Burma , activists said the death toll could be in hundreds if not in thousands.

Sources in Rangoon told Mizzima that several bodies of monks have been found floating in the Rangoon River and the bodies bear evidence that the monks had been beaten to death.

The Burmese Army conducted midnight raids on at least 15 monasteries and arrested at least 2000 monks, sources said.

While monasteries remained sealed off in Mandalay, the second largest city in Burma, authorities in other parts also launched midnight raids on homes of several leading activists as well as members of the opposition party, sources added.

The HRC, in a rare criticism against a government, agreed to place the findings of the special Rapporteur to the UN General Assembly and to the Security Council, which observers say will give more evidence to discuss at the UNSC.

However, Aung Myo Min, director of the Thailand based Human Rights Education Institute of Burma (HREIB), expressed concern over the effectiveness of the council's resolution as it lacks enforcement should the Burmese junta flatly deny access to the special Rapporteur.

"The question is what if the junta denies entry to the special Rapporteur? We are also worried on reports that the junta is destroying evidence of human rights violations, so even if the junta agrees to let the Rapporteur in, can he find the true facts," Aung Myo Min asked.

Pinheiro, who has been denied entry into Burma over the past two years, along with six other UN human rights experts on September 28, issued a statement condemning the Burmese junta for its brutal crackdown on protesters and called on the HRC to "show strong resolve in taking the steps necessary to restore respect for human rights in Myanmar [ Burma]."

News inside Burma
Security forces search for protesters photographs in hand

Ko Dee
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)

October 3, 2007 - Security envelopes Rangoon with riot police and soldiers scouring the city with photographs in their hand to arrest participants in last weeks protests, which posed a direct threat to nearly half a century of military rule in Burma.

While security forces had earlier conducted random searches on the streets among passers by, local residents said, authorities have stepped up the hunt by distributing pictures of protesters and arresting them on sight.

"They [authorities] distributed pictures of those who had participated in the protests to different township authorities and they in turn raided houses of people who had taken part and arrested them," a local resident, who requested anonymity, told Mizzima.

"We heard that photos [of protestors] have arrived in our local township peace and development council office. But so far we have not heard any body being arrested. If they have to arrest, it would have to be all the people in the township because every one of us participated in the protest. So, may be they cannot arrest all," another resident of Rangoon's North Okklapah Township said.

Most of the pictures of protesters were taken by a police informer, Tin Maung Latt, who under the protection of the riot police and soldiers took photographs during the protests last week, a Rangoon based journalist said.

Security forces continue to be stationed on major road junctions and popular places such as the Sule pagoda. And several soldiers in military trucks also continue to patrol the city both day and night to check any unrest, residents said.


HI-PROFILE
Famous Burmese actor Kyaw Thu sheltered in Thailand

Mizzima News ( www.mizzima.com)

October 3, 2007 - Rumors are rife in the Burmese community in exile that famous Burmese movie star Kyaw Thu and wife Shwe Zikuat have fled Burma and are taking shelter in a Buddhist monastery in a refugee camp along the Thai-Burma border.

A source at the Maela refugee camp in Mae Sod district of Thailand's Tak province said actor Kyaw Thu and wife have been taking shelter at the Thiri Sandar Buddhist monastery camp and are now applying for refugee status with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

The source, who claims to have seen the actor and his wife at the monastery said, the camp authorities confirmed their arrival but refused to arrange a meeting with them.

"They [the camp authorities] did not allow any one to meet the actor. But it is confirmed that he has arrived and is now staying at the monastery. Since I am friendly with the camp authorities I asked them about the actor's arrival and they confirmed that Kyaw Thu had arrived but refused to let me meet him," said the source.

However, the information could not be independently verified.

The Burmese Academy Award winning actor, on September 24 joined veteran Burmese politician U Win Naing in his 'Swan' offering to the protesting monks in Rangoon's Shwedagon pagoda along with fellow actor and critic Zarganar, author Minlu and director and author Maung Wunnah.

Following the Swan offerings to the protesting monks, on September 25, authorities arrested U Win Naing and Zargana. But Kyaw Thu, who evaded the arrest, remained in hiding in Rangoon, colleagues said.

Authorities raided the actor's residence as well as his parent's home searching for him, family members said.

Kyaw Thu, after winning the Burmese movie academy award in 2005, had founded a free funeral service association and had volunteered in helping the poor and needy for their funeral services free of charge.

News inside Burma
Junta organizes mass rallies in support of National Convention

Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com )

October 3, 2007 - Authorities in Myingyan and Meikhtila towns have been organizing mass rallies in support of the recently concluded National Convention and have made attendance of residents to the rallies and mass gatherings mandatory.

Myingyan Town

A junta-organized gathering to support the first step of seven-point roadmap, National Convention, was held in Myingyan town in Mandalay division in central Burma on October 1 and 2. Residents of the town as well as local villagers from the township were ordered to attend the programme.

"There were all together about 200 people attending the programme. The rally started from the Myingyan football ground. It was to make one round of the town but many people started dropping out from the middle because nobody was interested in the rally. Most of the participants were not from the town but were forcibly brought from other towns and villages. The authorities had ordered compulsory attendance of at least four people from each village, and in some villages up to 10 people," said a resident of Myingayn, who witnessed the procession and gathering.

"But nobody came from the 'Lay Ein Than' village. The villagers and members of Union Solidarity and Development Association, who came to call the villagers to attend the gathering, fought after quarrelling," added the local.

Meikhtila Town

Similar gatherings and rallies were also held in Meikhtila town in Mandalay division in Central Burma on October 2, 2007.

"The gathering was held yesterday. Mostly people from the villages are being called. The programme was organized by members of Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) members U Than Toe and U Hla Myint. They lure people by saying that those who attend will be given 1500 kyat and threatened to fine 10,000 kyat, for those failing to attend the programme. Some villagers attended and some residents in the town due to fear went and signed and came back. And when the rally started most of the residents in the town did not join," a local resident, who witnessed the event, told Mizzima.

"They began to march through the town at about 2 p.m. (local time). Though they had announced that villagers would be given 1500 kyat and provided lunch, nothing was given. The authorities went around in a vehicle and shouted slogans in support of the National Convention and anti-monks demonstrations. We followed behind but were not interested in the rally. And during the rally, people who joined were given 6000 kyat. They took the names and gave 6000 kyat each," added the local.

"The gathering was at the Meikhtila football ground. There were about 20,000 people attending. But they announced that more than 60,000 attended the gathering. Most villagers said they attended because they cannot afford to pay the fine. The gathering was over by 5 p.m. (local time). Though authorities had promised to arrange transportation for villagers, as it was not convenient, many villagers had to go home walking," the local said.

NEWS INSIDE BURMA
NLD leaders and members interrogated, several arrested

Mizzima News ( www.mizzima.com)

October 3, 2007 - As part of the continuing crackdown on the people's protest and as a preventive measure against further unrest, Burmese authorities have been summoning and interrogating members and leaders of opposition party, the National League for Democracy, sources said.

Several NLD leaders from Pegu, Patheingyi, Mattaya, Tharsi, Myingyan, Kyauk Padaung and Pakhokku towns have reportedly been summoned and interrogated by police and Township Peace and Development Council officials.

However, the chairman of the Pegu NLD, U Myat Hla, who was called in yesterday for interrogation by a police officer and a township official was released the same evening.

"There were about seven groups interrogating me. They asked various questions. They mainly asked whether the NLD had encouraged the protesters," said U Myat Hla.

U Myat Hla was first summoned and interrogated on September 28, but released the same day.

Similarly, general secretary of the Patheingyi NLD, U Zaw Hein, was summoned by about 10 policemen in plainclothes saying "higher authorities want to meet" in the early hours of October 1. U Zaw Hein has not been released.

U Than Lwin, an NLD representative in Mattaya town in Mandalay division was also arrested yesterday at midnight by about 25 policemen and township officials headed by police commander Khin Maung Thein and Township chairman Khin Maung Soe.

They said 'higher authorities want to meet" but when I asked them whether he would be arrested then I would give him necessary things like toiletries, they said 'no we just want to talk to him' and took away my father," Than Lwin's son told Mizzima.

It is also learnt that authorities arrested U Myint Htay, a central committee member of the NLD in Tharsi town, at about 11 p.m. (local time) on Tuesday. And his whereabouts remain unknown.

"Police from the Tharsi police station came and said 'we have something to talk about' and send a policeman to fetch him. And when he reached the station, the officer said he did not call him but it was the Meikhtila township commander who wanted to meet him. Then U Myint Htay returned home once and took an extra cloth and followed them. Now we don't know his whereabouts and where he is being kept. And when we asked even the district chairman denied knowing anything about him," a family member told Mizzima.

Similarly, U Hlaing Aye, an NLD representative in Pakhokku town, was also arrested by police and township officials last night at about 1:30 a.m. (local time), sources close to the NLD representative told Mizzima.

"He was arrested at around 1:30 a.m. (local time) in the morning. He was arrested from his residence in ward no. (12) Pakhokku town. But today when family members asked at the police station, the police officers said he is not in the station. The police also arrested U San Pwint, from Kamma village in Pakhokku Township . He is also a member of the NLD," the sources added.

Besides, sources said authorities have also arrested U Sein Kyaw Hlaing, U Kyat Soe, U Win Shwe, U Than Lwin, U Paw Aye, and Ko Ye Tun, who are members of the NLD Kyauk Padaung town in Mandalay division. Secretary of the Myingyan NLD Ko Paw Thein, and member Ko Win Naing and U Bo Win were also arrested by authorities last week.

NEIGHBOUR
India asks Burma to probe crackdown, opposes sanctions

Syed Ali Mujtaba
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com )

October 3, 2007 - New Delhi: India has strongly opposed sanctions on Burma but at the same time has asked the military regime to "consider undertaking an inquiry into recent incidents and the use of force" against the people in the peaceful protests in the country.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Navtej Sarna said that External Affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee met his Burmese counterpart U Nyan Win on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Monday in New York.

Mr Mukherjee urged Mr U Nyan Win to complete the process of national reconciliation and political reform that was started by the military regime, the MEA spokesperson said.

The Minister also discussed the Burma situation with UN secretary-general Ban ki Moon where he made it clear that India would oppose sanctions, Sarna said.

"I do not subscribe to penal sanctions at all times. We should instead try to engage the country concerned in negotiations, in talks, in dialogue. Sanctions from the Security Council should be the last resort because we find that the frequent use of this very powerful instrument becomes counter-productive. Instead of correcting the errant rulers, it ends in the suffering of innocent people," Mukherjee told UN Secretary General, Sarna said.

Sarna said also said. "The UN special envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, has been in touch with India on developments in Burma." Gambari flew out of Yangon on Tuesday after finally meeting Myanmar's top military leader, Senior General Than Shwe, and the second in command, Gen Maung Aye. He stopped briefly in Yangon to meet imprisoned leader Aung San Suu Kyi for the second time.


NEWS IN BURMESE

Today in Rangoon (Interview)
http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/detail.php?news_id=643&cat=7017

Security forces search for protesters photographs in hand
http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/detail.php?news_id=642&cat=7011

 
Talk on Burma in Perth, Australia
http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/detail.php?news_id=645&cat=7012

U Khin Sein, former chairman of NLD,Hupin arrested
http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/detail.php?news_id=644&cat=7011

Internet cut affect online ticketing in Burma
http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/detail.php?news_id=641&cat=7011

Famous Burmese actor Kyaw Thu sheltered in Thailand
http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/detail.php?news_id=640&cat=7011

NC supporting ceremonies held in Mandalay
http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/detail.php?news_id=639&cat=7017

NLD leaders and members interrogated, several arrested
http://www.mizzimaburmese.com/detail.php?news_id=638&cat=7011

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