January 2020 - Myanmar News

Myanmar Shrugs Off ICJ Genocide Measures, Sticking to Its Account of Attacks on Rohingya Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2020 -- A Myanmar government spokesman on Friday shrugged off the Jan. 23 ruling by the U.N.'s top court ordering the Southeast Asian country to implement measures to protect Rohingya Muslims from genocide and to preserve evidence of atrocities allegedly committed against the minority group during a military-led crackdown.
Rights Group Finds Myanmar Makes No Headway Curbing Abuses by Military Radio Free Asia 30 Jan 2020 -- Myanmar's military continued to carry out serious human rights violations in 2019, while the government made no progress addressing the pervasive impunity of soldiers who committed abuses, London-based Amnesty International said Thursday in a new report on repression in Asia.
Bangladesh Agrees to Allow UNICEF to Educate Rohingya Child Refugees From Myanmar Radio Free Asia 29 Jan 2020 -- Bangladesh has agreed for the first time to allow UNICEF to provide a formal education for Rohingya refugee children up to the age of 14 as long as classes are based on a Myanmar curriculum, officials said Tuesday.
Myanmar Minister Says Country Will Not Destroy Evidence in ICJ Rohingya Case Radio Free Asia 29 Jan 2020 -- Myanmar will not destroy evidence related to allegations of genocide against Rohingya Muslims, a government minister from violence-ridden Rakhine state said Wednesday, nearly a week after the U.N.'s top court ordered the country to preserve evidence and take measures to protect the minority group from genocidal acts.
Aung San Suu Kyi Faces Rare Protest at Speech in Myanmar's Capital Radio Free Asia 28 Jan 2020 -- Myanmar university students staged a rare protest during a speech by the country's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi at an education sector event in the capital Naypyidaw on Tuesday, criticizing the civilian-led government's decision to extend the academic year by one month.
Myanmar Soldiers Destroy IDP Camp in War-torn Rakhine State Radio Free Asia 27 Jan 2020 -- Myanmar military troops pressured local officials on Monday to remove a temporary camp housing ethnic Rakhines displaced by armed conflict in beleaguered Rakhine state's Myebon township, a day after soldiers destroyed tents and other structures during a nighttime attack, two Buddhist monks said.
Christian Rohingya Refugees Say They Were Attacked in Bangladesh Radio Free Asia 27 Jan 2020 -- Twelve Christian Rohingya refugees who claim they were attacked by Rohingya militants "due to our faith" are undergoing treatment for injuries in southeastern Bangladesh, one of the alleged victims and a Christian group said Monday.
Myanmar army shells Rohingya village, kills two women Press TV 25 Jan 2020 -- Myanmar troops have shelled a Rohingya village, killing two women, one pregnant, and injuring seven people, only two days after the UN's highest court ordered the country to protect the minority.
Myanmar's Ruling Party Says No Special Measures Required After ICJ Ruling Radio Free Asia 24 Jan 2020 -- Following Thursday's ruling by the U.N.'s top court that ordered Myanmar to protect Rohingya Muslims from genocidal acts, the country's ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party said that the government need not implement special measures.
Top UN court orders Myanmar to protect Rohingya from acts of genocide Press TV 23 Jan 2020 -- The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has ordered Myanmar to do everything in its power to prevent the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine, where state-sponsored violence has prevailed in recent years.
UN Top Court Issues Ruling on Provisional Measures to Protect Myanmar's Rohingya Radio Free Asia 23 Jan 2020 -- The U.N.'s top court ordered Myanmar on Thursday to protect Rohingya Muslims from genocidal acts and refrain from destroying evidence of alleged crimes that could be used in later hearings, prompting an ambiguous response from the government and applause from rights groups.
Rohingya Refugees Hail World Court's Ruling in Myanmar Genocide Case Radio Free Asia 23 Jan 2020 -- Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh expressed elation Thursday over an International Court of Justice ruling that went against Myanmar in a landmark genocide case, saying it gave them hope that they could return safely to Rakhine state one day.
Top UN court orders Myanmar to protect Rohingya from genocide UN News 23 Jan 2020 -- Myanmar must take steps to protect its minority Rohingya population, the top UN court unanimously ruled on Thursday.
UN Court Orders Myanmar to Take Steps to Protect Rohingya Muslims VOA 23 Jan 2020 -- The U.N.'s International Court of Justice has ordered Myanmar to "take all measures within its power" to prevent any acts of genocide against ethnic Rohingya Muslims, who fled the country amid a bloody military crackdown in 2017.
Myanmar: Departing UN rights expert still hopeful for democratic transition UN News 23 Jan 2020 -- An independent human rights expert said she has not given up hope for a democratic transition in Myanmar even though the country has yet to address "grave allegations" of international crimes, including possible genocide.
Myanmar's Army to Take Legal Action Against Soldiers Accused of Rights Violations in Rakhine Radio Free Asia 22 Jan 2020 -- Myanmar's military announced Wednesday that it will take legal action against servicemen accused of committing war crimes during a 2017 crackdown on Rohingya Muslim communities in northern Rakhine state following the issuance of a report by a government-appointment commission that conducted an investigation into the accusations.
Myanmar's Ethnic Political Parties See Little Local Benefit From China-Backed Projects Radio Free Asia 22 Jan 2020 -- Some of Myanmar's ethnic political parties on Wednesday expressed concern over potential negative impacts of China's planned multibillion-dollar mega-projects in their regions, days after the two countries' leaders signed more than 30 memorandums of understanding regarding the deals.
Myanmar President Says Military Courts Must Investigate, Prosecute Soldiers Responsible For Rights Violations Against Rohingya Radio Free Asia 21 Jan 2020 -- Myanmar President Win Myint on Tuesday said the military must investigate and punish soldiers and other security forces who committed rights violations during a 2017 crackdown on Muslim Rohingya communities in the country's northern Rakhine state, based on the findings of a report issued a day earlier by a government-appointed commission that investigated accusations of army-led war crimes.
Arakan Army Releases Detained Chin Lawmaker Amid Hostilities in Myanmar's Rakhine Radio Free Asia 21 Jan 2020 -- The rebel Arakan Army has released a local ruling party lawmaker it abducted nearly three months ago, saying it freed him as a goodwill gesture amid ongoing fighting between the ethnic army and government forces in northern Rakhine state, a spokesman for the group said Tuesday.
Myanmar Panel: War Crimes But No Genocide Committed Against Rohingya VOA 21 Jan 2020 -- An independent panel created by the Myanmar government has concluded that government security forces committed war crimes against Rohingya Muslims but that they did not commit genocide against the ethnic minority.
'No Genocidal Intent' Found in Rohingya Crackdown, Myanmar Commission Says Radio Free Asia 20 Jan 2020 -- Myanmar military operations against the Muslim Rohingya community in the country's Rakhine state in 2017 were marked by war crimes and serious human rights violations, but did not have "genocidal intent," a Myanmar government commission has concluded in a report released on Monday.
Xi's Myanmar visit promotes building of community with shared future for humanity People's Daily 19 Jan 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Myanmar, his first overseas trip this year, is another important practice for China to promote the building of a community with shared future for humanity in the region, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday.
Xi meets with Myanmar commander-in-chief of defense services Global Times 18 Jan 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Myanmar Commander-in-Chief of Defense Services Min Aung Hlaing here on Saturday, saying that the development of bilateral ties depends on cooperation of the two peoples from all walks of life, as well as the military-to-military exchanges.
China, Myanmar Sign Dozens of Infrastructure Deals VOA 18 Jan 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping reinforced his support for embattled Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Saturday, signing 33 bilateral agreements covering a range of projects, including rail and port ventures to allow China access to the Indian Ocean and to shorten the route for its oil and gas imports from the Persian Gulf.
Xi's visit brings China-Myanmar ties to new era Global Times 18 Jan 2020 -- China and Myanmar agreed to work together to build a community with a shared future, ushering in a new chapter of bilateral ties during Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to the Southeast Asian nation from Friday to Saturday.
Xi's Myanmar visit to unleash cooperation potential Global Times 17 Jan 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Naypyidaw Friday for his two-day state visit to Myanmar, unleashing promising prospect for further cooperation between China and the Southeast Asian country.
Xi stresses building greater peace, rule of law in China Global Times 17 Jan 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has demanded efforts to build China into a country with greater peace and heightened rule of law.
Chinese Leader Xi's Visit to Myanmar to Produce New Belt And Road Agreements Radio Free Asia 17 Jan 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to sign several memorandums of understanding for the implementation of planned multibillion-dollar projects under his signature Belt and Road Initiative in Myanmar during his two-day state visit to the Southeast Asian country to boost bilateral relations, China's state media reported Friday.
Myanmar Continues to Investigate Rohingya Boat People Detained in December after Identifying and Returning 17 of More than 170 Radio Free Asia 16 Jan 2020 -- Local authorities at a refugee repatriation camp in western Myanmar's Rakhine state have resettled 17 members of a group of 170 Rohingya boat people detained by the country's navy last month, and are in the process of investigating the rest, officials said Thursday.
China-Myanmar energy projects going full steam Global Times 16 Jan 2020 -- Crude oil and gas projects between China and Myanmar have played a significant role in diversifying China's energy import sources and elevating the economic development of Myanmar as well as the whole Southeast Asian region, high-level executives from China and Myanmar told the Global Times on Thursday.
China President Xi's Visit to Myanmar Raises Economic Hopes, Political Concerns Radio Free Asia 16 Jan 2020 -- President Xi Jinping will begin the first state visit by a Chinese leader to Myanmar in 19 years Friday, a trip expected to offer political and economic support for the Southeast Asian nation which has become estranged from leading Western states over accusations of genocide in its expulsion of Rohingya Muslims.
China helps Myanmar solve electricity shortage Global Times 15 Jan 2020 -- Chinese electricity companies have been working with local residents in Myanmar to help the latter tackle electricity shortages.
China-invested Letpadaung copper mine brings tangible benefits to Sagaing Region, Myanmar Global Times 15 Jan 2020 -- Letpadaung copper mine project in Monywa, Sagaing Region of Myanmar, as one of the demonstration projects under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has brought tangible benefits to Sagaing Region.
Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi Visits Kayah State as Party Tries to Improve Ties With Ethnic Groups Radio Free Asia 15 Jan 2020 -- Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi met with ethnic Karenni youth in eastern Kayah state Wednesday to discuss local grievances there, the latest step to shore up her ruling National League for Democracy's relations with ethnic groups as the party faces year-end elections.
Letpadaung Farmers Clamor For Compensation For Land Lost to Chinese Mining Project in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 14 Jan 2020 -- Villagers who live in a copper mining area of northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region said Monday that previous recommendations by a parliamentary commission about a Chinese-backed mine project have yet to be implemented, and that the company has failed to pay them fair compensation for land they forfeited for the project.
Myanmar sends 200 Rohingya Muslims captured at sea to camps in Rakhine Press TV 13 Jan 2020 -- About 200 Rohingya Muslims arrested at sea last month by Myanmar's navy have been sent back to Rakhine, where state-sponsored violence has prevailed in recent years.
Rakhine Village Chiefs Tell Myanmar Leader They'll Quit Unless Colleague's Death is Investigated Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2020 -- Dozens of village administrators in western Myanmar's war-torn Rakhine state have threatened to resign if Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi does not order an investigation into the death of one of their colleagues killed by government troops, the community heads said Monday.
Fate of Rohingya Boat People Remains Unknown as They Are Returned to Myanmar's Rakhine State Radio Free Asia 10 Jan 2020 -- Scores of Rohingya Muslims detained in December by the Myanmar Navy aboard a boat in the Andaman Sea as they attempted to leave the country have been transferred to western Myanmar's Rakhine state, a coastal forces commander and state immigration minister said Friday.
Myanmar Military Shrugs Off Western Union Decision to Cut Ties With Army-owned Bank Radio Free Asia 09 Jan 2020 -- Myanmar's armed forces on Thursday said a decision by money transfer company Western Union to cut ties to a military-owned bank over army atrocities against the Muslim Rohingya ethnic minority violates the rights of military families.
Myanmar Ex-President's Call to Defend Army From Human Rights 'Neocolonialism' Draws Scorn Radio Free Asia 09 Jan 2020 -- Myanmar's former president Thein Sein has called for voters in 2020 elections to back candidates who will protect the military and the county from "neocolonialism" in the name of human rights, drawing harsh criticism from political observers and rights activists.
Chinese Leader's Mid-January Visit to Myanmar Seen as Boosting Belt And Road Projects Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2020 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Myanmar late next week to discuss bilateral relations and to push for the speedier buildout of Chinese development projects under his massive Belt and Road Initiative, Myanmar analysts said Wednesday.
Aid Group Ends Food Program in Myanmar's Rakhine, Citing Government Restrictions Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2020 -- Amid fighting between Myanmar and Arakan Army (AA) forces in northern Rakhine state, the global humanitarian organization International Rescue Committee (IRC) said it has decided to end its food program in the state on account of the government's restrictions on staff movements.
Blast Kills Four Rohingya Children, Injures Six Others in Myanmar's Rakhine State Radio Free Asia 07 Jan 2020 -- Four Rohingya children were killed and six other people injured in an explosion Tuesday in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state, villagers said, though it is unclear whether the blast was caused by a landmine or shelling by the government military or the rebel Arakan Army, which have been engaged in hostilities since late 2018.
Myanmar Military Files Nearly 50 Lawsuits Against Critics in Last Four Years, Watchdog Group Says Radio Free Asia 07 Jan 2020 -- Myanmar's powerful military has filed nearly 50 lawsuits against critical journalists, individuals, and organizations it has accused of defamation during the civilian-led government's nearly four years in office, a freedom of expression advocacy group said Tuesday.
Displaced Population in Myanmar's Rakhine State Reaches 100,000 Radio Free Asia 06 Jan 2020 -- The number of civilians displaced during the past year amid an uptick in armed conflict in Myanmar's northern Rakhine state has reached more than 100,000, a regional relief organization said Monday, as authorities continue to limit area access to groups providing aid.
Myanmar Orders Government Workers in Rakhine to Obtain Permission to Travel Due to Conflict Radio Free Asia 03 Jan 2020 -- The Myanmar government has ordered its employees in war-stricken Rakhine state to receive official permission before they travel by land or water amid an uptick in abductions of civilian officers by the rebel Arakan Army as it fights national forces for greater autonomy in the state, the border affairs minister said Friday.
Interview: 'Our Party Represents The People Rather Than The Government' Radio Free Asia 03 Jan 2020 -- It's hard to fathom that a former Myanmar general who later served as speaker of the lower house of parliament under a military-backed government would say that servicemen should participate in politics in the Southeast Asian nation only after changing into civilian clothes. But Shwe Mann, who formed the Union Betterment Party (UBP) in February 2019, believes just that.
Bangladesh assisting Rohingya refugees: Diplomat Press TV 02 Jan 2020 -- Bangladesh's ambassador to Iran says his country is providing the Rohingya Muslim refugees from Myanmar with basic needs and other types of assistance, Press TV reports.
Myanmar Ethnic Alliance Cease-fire Makes No Difference as Rakhine Fighting Rages in 2020 Radio Free Asia 02 Jan 2020 -- A unilateral cease-fire extended into the New Year by the "Three Brotherhood Alliance" of ethnic armies battling Myanmar's armed forces appeared to make little difference as residents across the conflict zone in Rakhine state reported fighting this week.

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January 2020 - Myanmar News