US House declares ‘genocide’ is occurring in Myanmar
In a near unanimous vote, House lawmakers passed a resolution calling the ongoing violence against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar ‘genocide.’
— Newsy
Three armed groups offer to stop fighting, enter peace talks
Three ethnic armed groups based in northeast Myanmar said they were willing to stop fighting and enter formal negotiations after meeting with members of the government’s Peace Commission on Wednesday in China’s Yunnan Province.
— The Irrawaddy
Authorities launch investigation into brides and surrogate mothers for Chinese men
Myanmar authorities have launched an investigation into an apparent human-trafficking operation that recruits women as brides and surrogate mothers for Chinese men through advertisements on the streets Muse on Myanmar’s border with China, RFA reported quoting an anti-trafficking official.
— Mizzima
Methamphetamines from Myanmar are causing problems across Asia
As poppy cultivation dwindles, meth-making is booming
— The Economist
Chinese companies top human rights ‘dirty list’ of firms complicit in Myanmar violations
Chinese companies make up the bulk of a “dirty list” of corporations accused of involvement in human rights and environmental violations in Myanmar, or of doing business with the country’s military.
— The Guardian
US House calls on Myanmar to release journalists
The US House of Representatives called nearly unanimously on Thursday (Dec 13) for the government of Myanmar to release Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo, who were imprisoned one year ago in a landmark free speech case.
— Channel News Asia
Rakhine enquiry to focus on evidence, not fake news, says commission chair
The probe of alleged human rights violations in northern Rakhine State by an independent commission will focus on the evidence, not on fake news and complaints, the head of the panel said on Wednesday.
— The Myanmar Times
Rohingya refugees seek to testify on atrocities to Myanmar panel, but fear retribution
Rohingya refugees from Myanmar want to give eyewitness accounts of atrocities committed against them by state military forces in 2016-17 to the members of a government-appointed inquiry commission, but they refuse to travel to the country from their camps in Bangladesh for fear of retaliation by authorities, a Rohingya activist said Thursday.
— Radio Free Asia
Military urged to vet foreign forces trained in Australia amid human rights concerns
Australia is potentially bestowing legitimacy on foreign security forces involved in systemic human rights abuses when it provides training without prior vetting, Human Rights Watch has said.
— The Guardian
In a Muslim lawyer’s murder, Myanmar’s shattered dream
Muslim lawyer Ko Ni was an adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi when he was assassinated in a plot said to involve ex-military officers. The story of his death, including exclusive details about one of the alleged plotters, shows how hopes for a new Myanmar have dimmed.
— Reuters
Australian dollars could be flowing to those who raped, murdered and burned Rohingya villages
Marise Payne should use her Myanmar visit to signal a change in approach to the Burmese regime
— The Guardian (comment)
Bangladesh Officials: Rohingya Relocation to Island Not Expected This Year
An island in the Bay of Bengal developed to house tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees likely won’t be opened this year, Bangladeshi officials acknowledged Wednesday after earlier announcing that the prime minister would inaugurate the controversial facility in October.
— Radio Free Asia
No home for Muslim orphans in Myanmar’s town
Muslim community in a northeastern Myanmar town concerned over loss of rights to rebuild damaged orphanage
— Anadolu Agency
Myanmar Debates Women’s Rights Amid Evidence Of Pervasive Sexual And Domestic Violence
For years, feminists in Myanmar have been fighting to gain even the most basic legal rights for women. Spousal abuse is still legal in the isolated country formerly known as Burma. Even criminal sexual assault is rarely punished.
— The Huffington Post
Myanmar police arrest fired Bagan hotel workers on march to capital to get jobs back
Myanmar police on Thursday arrested 13 protesters, including fired hotel workers, from the central town of Bagan as they marched to the capital Naypyidaw where they planned to ask central government officials for help with getting their jobs back, said a police officer involved in the situation.
— Radio Free Asia
Central Bank denies huge dollar purchase made to benefit local banks
The Central Bank of Myanmar has denied claims that its purchase of more than US$30 million from local private banks last week, at a time when the currency was weak, was made specifically in order to benefit the lenders.
— The Irrawaddy
Central Bank seen buying dollars after kyat stabilises
The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) bought US$ 37.74 million from the market between November 27 and December 6.
— The Myanmar Times
Govt hurries to fix regulatory issues which are the main concern for European firms
The results of a business confidence survey conducted by the European Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar which involved 150 European companies with investments in the manufacturing, power generation, transport, storage and construction sectors in Myanmar, were announced yesterday. Currently, the UK, Netherlands and France are the biggest European investors in Myanmar.
— The Myanmar Times
Protests and demonstrations a key concern for extractive companies
Protests and demonstrations pose a serious security threat to the oil and gas industry as well as mining sector in Myanmar, a recent poll among industry players showed.
— The Myanmar Times
Investment ministry plan generates mixed reaction
Critics of the government’s move to form a ministry for attracting investment say it was needed years ago, but supporters say the negative comments are premature.
— Frontier Myanmar
China-Myanmar Economic Corridor a ‘win-win’
In September Myanmar signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China to establish the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, part of Beijing’s sprawling Belt and Road Initiative.
— The Irrawaddy
Agriculture infrastructure for 100-million people has already been built, says USDP Chairman
Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) Chairman Than Htay said that previous successive governments had already built infrastructure for agriculture which could feed 100 million people.
— Mizzima
Telenor partners Experian to deploy technology enabling subscribers to gain credit access
Telenor Myanmar has announced a partnership with digital information services provider Experian to reach Myanmar’s unbanked individuals, households and small businesses.
— The Myanmar Times
Bean exports discussed during Indian president’s visit
The export of pulses to India was discussed during the official visit of India’s president Ram Nath Kovind to Myanmar, a statement from the President’s Office says.
— The Myanmar Times
IMF staff completes 2018 Article IV cisit to Myanmar
Myanmar’s economy rebounded in 2017/18 but is showing signs of slowing; growth is expected to moderate to around 6.4 percent in 2018/19.
— Ein Newsdesk
Construction of Indonesian hospital in Myanmar 80 percent completed
Construction of the Indonesian hospital in Rakhine State, Myanmar, is 80 percent complete, according to Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MER-C) Presidium Sarbini Abdul Murad.
— Antara News
Peace Commission’s acceptance of three EAOs deserves praise
Many observers of the peace process were pleased by the Myanmar Peace Commission’s announcement that an alliance of three ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) would join the process.
— The Irrawaddy (commentary)
What the Jack Dorsey Myanmar tweet episode revealed
Twitter chief executive officer Jack Dorsey has caused a stir with a series of tweets about his recent visit to Myanmar.
— Asia Times (opinion)
Rights groups protest in downtown Yangon to mark Reuters reporters one year in detention
Journalists and rights groups rallied in downtown Yangon on Wednesday to mark one year since the detention of two Reuters journalists, who are serving seven-year sentences related to their reporting on a military massacre of Rohingya Muslims. (IN PICTURES)
— Coconuts Yangon
Myanmar national hacked to death
A Myanmar national was hacked to death at a house in Taman Sintar, here, early this morning, following a fight with his fellow countryman.
— New Straits Times
Prayer event held for Reuters journalists
Activists called for the release of Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo on the first anniversary of their arrest and imprisonment at a prayer event on Wednesday.
— The Myanmar Times
Number of journalists jailed for doing job near record high: Report
A near-record number of journalists around the world are behind bars for their work, including two Reuters reporters whose imprisonment in Myanmar has drawn international criticism, according to a report released on Thursday.
— Reuters
Internal and external opposition threatening Tatmadaw: Army chief
Myanmar’s army chief Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing has warned that internal and external opposition elements and some organizations are resorting to various ways of restricting the role the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Army) is playing in the country.
— The Irrawaddy
As clashes continue, dozens of displaced refugee students missing school in Shan
Up to 1000 people are taking refuge in three villages in Hispaw Township, Shan State, among them students who are having trouble going to school, a village official said.
— The Myanmar Times
Scientists find 39 new plant, animal species in Myanmar
WWF-Myanmar said Wednesday that 39 new plant and animal species, including a bat, catfish and snake, have been discovered in the country,
— The Myanmar Times
Myanmar migrant worker in Malaysia wins lottery back home
A 21-year-old Myanmar man who has been working illegally on a fishing boat in Malaysia won K100 million (US$63,300) in Myanmar’s lottery this month, according to a Kuala Lumpur-based migrant-rights organisation.
— The Myanmar Times
Feature photo Oriental Review.org.
This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo acknowledges Human Rights Day December 10.
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).
Myanmar morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Myanmar news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Myanmar morning news for December 14 added by Mark Roy on
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A a professional photographer since the days of film, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Photomedia and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism.
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