China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand announced Thursday that they will conduct a two-month joint campaign against drug-related crimes on the Mekong River starting April 20.
Representatives from the four nations attended a launch event held in Beijing on Thursday.
With the upcoming joint campaign, law enforcers will aim to crack a series of major cases of trans-region drug-related crimes, break major narcotics production chains and transport networks, and hunt drug-related fugitives.
The four nations also intend to improve mutual trust and boost trans-region capabilities in fighting drug-related crimes.
Though the overall security situation on the Mekong River has improved, narcotics crimes continue to rage there partly due to the regions lagging in terms of economic and social development, according to the representatives.
Strengthening the fight against drugs on the river is necessary for ensuring the safety of this major trading route in Southeast Asia, they said.
I would like to make a commitment to the people of Myanmar. In this time of change towards an open society, my government will share information in a truthful and transparent manner. I would also like to request a commitment from you in return. As citizens of this country, we must also distinguish facts from fiction and overcome the dangers posed by rumors in a wise and open-minded manner. If we can keep our commitments, we can overcome these challenges while building a harmonious society that safeguards human dignity.
President’s speech in full (official translation):
“My fellow citizens,
“I would like to take this opportunity to explain to you the circumstances giving rise to the recent riots in Meiktila and the attempts of a small number of people to cause the spread of rioting to other parts of the country. I am deeply saddened to find out that a simple private dispute led to a deadly riot and that some unruly instigators, taking advantage of the disingenuousness of the public, tried to spread the riots to other parts of the country. I will like to reflect my government’s position on these riots.
“In general, I do not endorse the use of force to solve problems. However, I will not hesitate to use force as a last resort to protect the lives and safeguard the property of general public.
“Individual freedom, which we consider to be the fundamental ingredient of democracy, is the kind of freedom that does not infringe on the civil liberties of others. Our Constitution guarantees the right of all citizens to worship freely any religion they choose. I would like to warn all political opportunists and religious extremists who exploit the noble teachings of these religions and tried to plant hatred among people of different faiths for their own self-interest. We will take all necessary and effective action to stop their operations in accordance with our Constitution and our existing laws.
“We must expect these conflicts and difficulties to arise during our period of democratic transition. With a united effort, we must face and overcome these challenges together. As we rebuild our society, we must rise above sixty years of historical bitterness, confrontational approaches, and a zero-sum attitude in solving our differences. I want to call on all citizens to rise above these previous erroneous methods, unite our different strengths, and chart a path towards consensus building and democratic deliberation to solve the challenges faced in this transition.
“We have already seen a different approach in this Meiktila incident. To rebuild mutual understanding and trust in the community, it is important to bring together civil society participation, leadership from various religious communities, assistance from international organizations, and responsible reporting from the media. In addition, the tatmadaw [Myanmar armed forces] has also played a meaningful role in safeguarding property and the rehabilitation of victims.
An Arakanese youth leader Ko Ray Min Oo has been missing in Yangon since 25 March after two strangers called him out from his residence, said his colleague ko Khin Maung Lin.
Ko Ray Min Oo is not only an Arakanese youth leader but also secretary of a student committee which is organizing to form a Student Union in Burma. He is studying at University in Yangon.
He was brought at 9 pm on the day by two strangers to a Sugar cane liquid shop located in front of Kyi Thwn Pagoda near a monastery, U Thasana Kyaung Tike, in Bahan Township in Yangon where he lives as a resident.
U Nyana, the abbot of the monastery followed him on suspicion of bringing him to out of the monastery and the abbot saw around seven people waiting for him from the shop. Later Ko Ray Min Oo was brought to an unknown place, said another monk quoted the abbot.
Since then, he has been missing and not communicating with the abbot and other colleagues.
“We are now worried about him. We do not know those strangers who brought Ko Ray Min Oo to unknown places. So we went to Baham police station yesterday to open a file. Police accepted it as a case with registered number 13/2013,” Ko Khin Mg lin said.
Some Arakanese monks and youth leaders also held a press conference at Shwe Ayatha restaurant in Shwe Gondai of Yangon on Wednesday to explain that Ko Ray Min oo has been missing since 25 March.
The attendees in the press conference agreed to request the president and Ministry offices through an appeal letter to pressure the concerned authorities to search and save him from the hands of unknown people immediately.
Last night of day witness told that stranger come in monestrey and talked with Ye Min Oo, (Student Union setup committee ) . He agree to follow them . he,s missing since than.They think they are policemen.
Hundreds of Rohingya Muslims rallied at the representative office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Medan, North Sumatra, on Thursday,
The refugees from Myanmar asked the UNHCR to send them from their accommodations in Indonesia to other nations.
A spokesman for the asylum seekers, Sayed Husein, said that the Rohingya had been living in a shelter in the North Sumatran capital for four years and had each received a monthly stipend of Rp 1.25 million (US$138) from the UNHCR for living expenses.
“Everything has been adequate during our stay here, but we actually wish to seek for a better future,” Sayed said.
“We won’t have a future if we continuously take shelter here. We only ask for help so that we can immediately be sent to third countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US.”
Police were on hand to provide security during the rally.
The protesters could not meet UNHCR officials, who were at an off-site activity in nearby Belawan.
According to official reports, the number of Rohingya refugees currently living in Medan is 300.
The refugees, including several children, have been housed in several locations in the city, such as at the Hotel Pelangi and Asrama Pasar III on Jl. Bunga Kenanga.
Speaking to The Jakarta Post on the telephone, Ardhi, a representative of the local representative office of the UNHCR, said officials would listen to the refugees’ demands and visit them at their accommodations soon.
Ongoing riots in Myanmar are not conflicts between Buddhists and Muslims but are intentionally planned by a certain group of perpetrators, according to a statement released by the All Myanmar Islam Association on Tuesday.
The six-point statement said that the religious issue has been exaggerated into the main issue for the conflict. Riots are intentionally created by the ill-will of perpetrators who want to damage the peace and tranquility of the state, the statement said without naming the perpetrators.
The statement also said the people who want to live peacefully are opposed to the riots.
The statement blames authorities, saying they have poorly handled the riots in which lives and property of Muslims were lost or destroyed.
The association also called on the government to take immediate action against any person or organisation that had a hand in the rioting, in accordance with the law.
The Islam Association expressed thanks to the monks, Buddhist laypeople, Christians and Hindus who helped and guarded Muslim people during the crisis without showing discrimination.
On 22nd February 2013, British migrant and labour rights activist Mr Andy Hall was informed that civil and criminal lawsuits had been filed against him, based on a complaint filed by a Thai fruit processor, Natural Fruit Company Ltd., based in Prachuapkirikhan Province, Thailand.
In the civil case filed against him, Andy Hall is accused of defaming and damaging Natural Fruit Company Ltd.’s reputation by “broadcasting false statements to public media” following the publication of a report to which he contributed. If convicted, he faces a fine of 300 million Baht (approx €7.7 million).
In addition, a criminal lawsuit was also lodged against Andy Hall on the charge of broadcasting false statements, also based on a complaint filed by the Natural Fruit Company Ltd. If found guilty under these charges, he could be imprisoned for a maximum of 7 years per count, with an additional fine of 200,000 Baht (approx €5,100).
The legal action follows a report in January 2013 entitled “Cheap has a high price: Responsibility problems relating to international private label products and food production in Thailand,” which he contributed to for Finnish rights watchdog Finnwatch.
Based on testimony taken in November 2012 from employees working in various departments of Natural Fruit Company Ltd.’s Pranburi plant in Prachuapkirikhan Province, the report states that Natural Fruit was committing serious labour and human rights violations against its workers, in particular against migrant and irregular workers, as well as other reportedly illegal activities.
Despite being approached by Finnwatch and Andy Hall on numerous occasions, the Natural Fruit Company Ltd. did not agree to meet with the researchers or clarify the research findings.
BWI and UNI Apro believe this legal action to be an attempt to silence yet another human rights defender in Thailand who, peacefully and legitimately, exercised the right to freedom of opinion and expression in order to defend and promote migrant rights.
BWI and UNI demand:
(1) Natural Fruit Company Limited should immediately drop malicious and aggressive civil and criminal law suits against Mr Hall.
(2) The Thai government should ensure an urgent 3rd party audit takes place at Natural Fruit premises and premises of the other factories under the Natground umbrella.
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