Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Myanmar blames army for atrocities in Rakhine
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 22/01/2020
» Myanmar is facing a very fraught time internationally as the conduct of its military comes under increasing scrutiny, while simultaneously the civilian government now admits it must take responsibility for what happened in the strife-torn western province of Rakhine over the past few years.
Suu Kyi gears up for genocide hearing
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 02/12/2019
» There has been strong reaction in Myanmar to Aung San Suu Kyi's decision to appear at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to defend the country against charges of genocide. While Western diplomats have tried to persuade the civilian leader that she was embarking on a high-risk strategy, and should reconsider. Attitudes amongst the intellectuals, politicians, MPs and civil society range from animated support to more measured approaches.
Suu Kyi stands up to lawsuit avalanche
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 25/11/2019
» Myanmar's top leaders -- both military and civilian -- have been shell-shocked by the avalanche of international legal cases they are now facing. In the space of days, three cases have been lodged in separate courts, all intended to make the Myanmar government and the country's military leaders accountable for the horrendous events that unfolded in strife-torn western Rakhine state during military operations over the last three years. These forced nearly a million Muslims, or Rohingya as they call themselves, to flee to safety in Bangladesh.
The Panglong peace process is precariously poised
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 28/10/2019
» Myanmar's stalled peace process is precariously poised, and may now be in danger of falling apart all together, as mistrust and hostility between some of the ethnic groups and the military worsened significantly. The fragile relationships between the three key players deteriorated further on the eve of the anniversary of the signing of a key peace pact, and the hopes of kick-starting negotiations and bringing the groups back to the table took a tumble for the worst.
The final stage of Myanmar's path to democracy
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 16/08/2019
» Last week was the anniversary of Myanmar's mass pro-democracy demonstrations in August 1988, which brought the country to a standstill after its military leaders brutally reacted, resulting in heavy loss of life, and a coup. But 31 years on, the country's long struggle for democracy is far from over, as the country enters, perhaps, the final stage of transition.
Suu Kyi must act on UN's genocide charge
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 29/08/2018
» The UN's independent human rights investigators have issued the toughest verdict yet on the crisis in Myanmar's war-torn western region of Rakhine State. The investigators' report does not mince words and is scathing in its conclusions, and is going to have major ramifications, both within the country, and within the international community.
Myanmar launches Rakhine 'fact finding' mission
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 02/08/2018
» Myanmar has established a commission of inquiry to probe the allegations of human rights abuses in the conflict-torn Rakhine state. The announcement was made earlier this week, as it faces growing international calls for investigate accusations of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya Muslims.
Myanmar's peace process stumbles on
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 19/03/2018
» Myanmar's peace process is precariously poised with Panglong -- or the national peace conference as it is formally called -- set to meet in May. Several more ethnic groups -- including the Wa -- have agreed to sign the national ceasefire agreement (NCA). But, despite this, the peace process is in danger of disintegrating.
The Pope's 'love and peace' mission
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 27/11/2017
» Pope Francis, the world's most senior religious leader, arrives in Myanmar later today on the start of a delicate diplomatic visit. It is the first visit of a Papal leader to Myanmar, and represents a momentous moment for the country. "The Pope is a unifying figure, preaching compassion, love and peace and his visit comes at a decisive moment," Denzil Abel, a Myanmar intellectual, former diplomat and a Catholic told the Bangkok Post.
Civilian-led peace plan for restive Rakhine takes off
News, Larry Jagan, Published on 26/10/2017
» Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian-led initiative for Rakhine state is already up and running. Myanmar's business community has rallied around to back the government's plans, pledging financial support and promising to actively participate in restoring peace and stability to the strife-torn region in western Myanmar.