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The Mizzima News: October 3, 2007
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
INSIDE BURMA
- Security forces search for protesters photographs in hand
- Junta organizes mass rallies in support of National Convention
- NLD leaders and members interrogated, several arrested
HI-PROFILE
- Famous Burmese actor Kyaw Thu sheltered in Thailand
NEIGHBOUR
- India asks Burma to probe crackdown, opposes sanctions
NEWS IN BURMESE
- Today in Rangoon (Interview)
- Security forces search for protesters photographs in hand
- Talk on Burma in Perth, Australia
- U Khin Sein, former chairman of NLD,Hupin arrested
- Internet cut affect online ticketing in Burma
- Famous Burmese actor Kyaw Thu sheltered in Thailand
- NC supporting ceremonies held in Mandalay
- NLD leaders and members interrogated, several arrested
MIZZIMA TV
LINK TO MIZZIMA RADIO & PHOTO SITES
- 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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