Myanmar morning news for December 12, 2019

U.S. slaps sanctions on Myanmar military chief over Rohingya atrocities
The United States on Tuesday imposed sanctions on four Myanmar military leaders, including the commander-in-chief, in the toughest action taken yet by Washington for alleged human rights abuses against the Rohingya and other minorities.
— Reuters

Fleeing Rohingya on trial in Myanmar for ‘illegal travel’
Dozens of Rohingya Muslims appeared in a Myanmar court on Wednesday to face charges of travelling illegally after they were arrested while fleeing apartheid-like conditions in the country’s Rakhine state.
— Trust

UK to still fund Myanmar camps despite fears of ‘apartheid-like’ conditions
Humanitarian agencies say Rohingya people displaced by violence in Rakhine state are forced to live under severe restrictions.
— The Guardian

A Journalist Looks Back as Myanmar’s Government Faces Genocide Charges
The sight of more than a dozen young men armed with machetes walking out of a burning village in Western Myanmar is the moment I realized that I was witnessing a genocide in progress.
— VOA

More Myanmar destinations off limits to tourists
The government has made more destinations across the country off limits to tourists due to security concerns.
— Myanmar Times

State Counselor-Led Development Agency Denies Accusations of Land Seizures at ICJ
A humanitarian and development agency led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi known as UEHRD has denied The Gambia’s accusations that it confiscated land following alleged genocide.
— Irrawaddy

Telenor Myanmar pays MMK 130 billion in corporate and commercial tax for 2018/19
Telenor reports it is a top tax payer among foreign companies in Myanmar, according to the country’s Internal Revenue Department.
— Telecompaper

Treasury Sanctions Individuals for Roles in Atrocities and Other Abuses
Today, on International Human Rights Day, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has taken action against 18 individuals located in Burma, Pakistan, Libya, Slovakia, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and South Sudan for their roles in serious human rights abuse.
— Treasury

Japan to keep pushing coal in developing world despite criticism
Japan will continue providing backing to new coal-fired power projects in developing countries, a Japanese government source said Monday, despite international efforts to move away from climate change-causing fossil fuels.
— Myanmar Times

Capital goods import value over $1bn in two months
Myanmar has imported capital goods worth over US$1 billion over the past two months this fiscal year, exceeding by over US$80 million compared to the same period of last fiscal year, according to sources released by the Ministry of Commerce.
— Eleven Myanmar

Thai Electronics Firm Compensates Exploited Myanmar Workers in Rare Award
Myanmar migrants who were illegally charged excessive recruitment fees to secure jobs at an electronics manufacturer in Thailand are being compensated in a rare award expected to spotlight a practice known to trap workers in modern slavery.
— Irrawaddy

Number of tourist arrival via Myawady border increases
A total of over 37,000 tourists from third party countries visited Myanmar via Myawady border within 11 months in this year, 23,000 more tourists compared with the number of tourist arrival last year, sources said.
— Eleven Myanmar

Nobel Peace laureate Suu Kyi told in U.N. court that Myanmar must ‘stop the genocide’ of Rohingya
Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi faced calls for Myanmar to “stop the genocide” of Rohingya Muslims as she personally led her country’s defense at the U.N.’s top court on Tuesday.
— The Japan Times

Kirin’s US beer deal threatened by Myanmar links
Opposition to Japanese beverage giant Kirin’s joint venture with a military-run company in Myanmar is creating headwinds for its expansion plans in the U.S. craft beer market.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

95 Rohingya in Myanmar face jail as Hague hears ‘genocide’ case
Nearly 100 Rohingya appeared in a Myanmar court Wednesday (Dec 11) after being arrested for trying to flee persecution, their lawyer said, as leader Aung San Suu Kyi addressed the UN’s top court to deny allegations of a genocidal campaign against the ethnic minority.
— Channel NewsAsia

Myanmar very vulnerable to climate change effects: Historian
Myanmar is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the effects of climate change, and is grossly unprepared to deal with the consequences, warns historian Thant Myint-U.
— The Straits times

Chilli – Myanmar’s hottest travel blogger
Travelling can sometimes teach you more than a university course. You learn about the culture of the country you visit, the people, their customs, traditions and history. By noticing the differences, you’ll also appreciate what makes your culture unique.
— Myanmar Times

Thai Navy takes note of Myanmar acquiring Indian submarine
Thailand has taken note of a submarine acquired by Myanmar from India and the Royal Thai Navy is preparing to deal with the “new situation”.
— India times

No Genocide Was Committed in Myanmar, State Counselor Tells World Court
Calling the Rohingya crisis an ‘internal conflict’, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi tells the ICJ the military’s actions in Rakhine do not meet the legal definition of genocide.
— Irrawaddy

NRPC holds talks with KNU on peacemaking process
Delegations of the National Reconciliation and Peace Centre (NRPC) and the Karen National Union (KNU) held a meeting on peacemaking efforts at the headquarters in Yangon yesterday morning.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Japanese princess to visit Myanmar
Japan’s Princess Yohko of Mikasa has left Tokyo for a trip to Myanmar, becoming the first member of the imperial family to visit the Southeast Asian nation.
— NHK World

Union Minister U Thein Swe receives Japanese Justice Minister
Union Minister for Labour, Immigration and Population U Thein Swe received Japanese Justice Minister Ms Mori Masako and party at the former’s office in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday afternoon.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Chief Minister inspects arrangements for youth development festival in Magway
The Magway Region Chief Minister Dr Aung Moe Nyo inspected the preparations for all-round youth development festival (Magway) at the compound of Magway University in Magway yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

666 kg of ICE drugs busted in Myanmar’s Yangon
Myanmar police seized 666 kg of methamphetamine (ICE) in Myanmar’s Yangon region, said a release from the Home Affairs Ministry on Wednesday.
— Xinhua

Union Minister Dr Win Myat Aye discusses socioeconomic, rehabilitation programmes in New Zealand
Union Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Dr Win Myat Aye held a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Mr Winston Peters at Wellington in New Zealand yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Lawyers for Convicted Rakhine Politician, Author Appeal to Myanmar Supreme Court
Lawyers for a Rakhine politician and author will appeal their convictions on charges of high treason to Myanmar’s Supreme Court, suggesting the charges are inappropriate.
— Irrawaddy

A deep dive into growth projections
Despite rising costs, teething problems as a result of economic reforms and a slower flow of foreign capital into the country, government officials and institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund have issued lofty growth forecasts for Myanmar in the year ahead.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar Supporters Travel From Near and Far to Show Solidarity With State Counselor in The Hague
Missing work and classes, Myanmar people have traveled from as far away as Australia to support Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as she defends the country in the ICJ genocide case.
— Irrawaddy

Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker receives Israeli Ambassador
Pyithu Hluttaw Deputy Speaker U Tun Tun Hein received a delegation led by Israeli Ambassador to Myanmar Mr Ronen Gilor at his office of the Hluttaw Building in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Towns and Cities in Myanmar that are restricted to visit for tourists
On 5th December 2019, the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism proclaimed a list of places that are banned from visiting and need specific authorization to visit for the safety and security of tourists wandering around Myanmar.
— Myanmore

VP U Myint Swe calls for upscale countering of money laundering, financing of terrorism
Vice President U Myint Swe delivers the speech at the event of Steering Committee on Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Two Killed, Seven Injured as Artillery Shell Strikes Ferry in Chin State, Myanmar
An artillery shell hit a ferry on the Kaladan River in Chin State Tuesday, killing two civilians and injuring seven.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar beat Cambodia for Bronze in penalty shoot-outs
Myanmar beat Cambodia in penalty shoot-outs to claim the bronze medal in 2019 SEA Games men football match, held on December 10 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila.
— Eleven Myanmar

A Kachin Leader Speaks on Peace, Federalism and the Course of Myanmar Politics
The Irrawaddy speaks with Dr. Manam Tu Ja of the Kachin State People’s Party about the 2020 election, Myanmar’s political history and advancing the peace process.
— Irrawaddy

Japanese Princess arrives in Yangon, visits Shwedagon Pagoda
At the invitation of State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, a delegation led by Japanese Princess Yoko Mikasa arrived in Yangon yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

‘Myanmar Airways targets price-sensitive leisure travelers’
Myanmar Airways International (MAI), which launched direct flights between Incheon and Yangon, Dec. 6, is confident its service will be successful in the local market despite strong local competitor Korean Air, which had previously monopolized the route.
— Korea Times

More than 20 CSOs call for MNHRC’s reshuffle
More than 20 CSOs issued a statement on December 10, calling for a transparency in selecting new members of Myanmar National Human Right Commission and immediate reshuffle.
— Eleven Myanmar

Eleven family members return to Taung Pyo Letwe Reception Centre in Maungtaw
Two families of 11 displaced persons returned on their own volition to Taung Pyo Letwe Reception Centre in Maungtaw Township, Rakhine State yesterday.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Day Myanmar First Hosted the Southeast Asian Games
On this day in 1961, Myanmar opened the second Southeast Asian Peninsular Games. It dominated the medals table, in contrast to the current performances in the Philippines.
— Irrawaddy

Delving into the hidden history of Burma
The complex history and politics of Burma (Myanmar) – as told through different sub-stories in a pulsating pace makes a new book that has just been published a compelling read for all.
— Mizzima

Feature photo Rohingya Community

This week’s Myanmar morning news feature photo focus on International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime, December 9.

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).

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