Media freedom in Bangladesh under “pressure”, political freedom “restricted”: UK

UNB

UNB NEWS
DHAKA
JULY 08, 202

The United Kingdom (UK) has said media freedom in Bangladesh is under “pressure” while political freedom “remained restricted”.

In its latest report titled "Human Rights and Democracy Report 2020", the UK said there was no overall improvement in the human rights situation in Bangladesh in 2020.

The UK government said it will continue to address governance and human rights concerns in Bangladesh through diplomatic engagement and development programming.

China, Myanmar and others criticized in report on rising religious persecution

the japan times
Apr 21, 2021

Rohingya refugees on a boat on their way to Bhasan Char island in Bangladesh in December. | REUTERS

ROME– Violations of religious freedom are increasing and persecution takes place in more than 25 countries, with China and Myanmar among those that have the worst records, according to a report by a Vatican-backed charity.

The Religious Freedom in the World Report, covering 2019-2020 and issued on Tuesday, said that in some countries, such as Niger, Turkey and Pakistan, prejudices against religious minorities led local residents to blame them for the COVID-19 pandemic and denial of access to medical aid.

Rohingya Camp Fire Eyewitness Account: 11 Deaths, 300 Missing

Doctors

Worldwide

April 8, 2021

On the 21st March, our Doctors Worldwide team was in the Camp 9 Clinic in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, visiting IOM colleagues to discuss our emergency care project. Less than 24 hours later, on the 22nd March, the entire structure and surrounding area had been destroyed by a devastating fire.

Below, Georgia Venner (DWW Project Manager) reflects on her experience witnessing the aftermath of the fire, and considers the impact of the event for the Rohingya communities:

The Rohingya Camp Fire: “just call if you start sending anyone, we are ready.”

Protests In Burma

The Hitavada

By Gwynne Dyer

Date :06-Apr-2021

‘Non-violent struggle’ is rarely non-violent on both sides, but the oppressors find it hard to use unlimited force when the other side is using none at all. Especially when the whole world is watching. That is why non-violent movements succeed so often. If the protesters turn into just another Army, then all limitations on the use of force by the big, professional, well-equipped Army are lifted, and the bad guys win.

The rebels who will and won’t fight Myanmar’s coup

ASIA TIMES

DAVID SCOTT MATHIESON
MARCH 31, 2021

Karen and Kachin rebels have launched attacks but other ethnic armed groups are lying in wait or even quietly collaborating with the coup makers

A Karen fighter holds a rocket launcher while standing guard at Oo Kray Kee village in Kayin state near the Thai-Myanmar border in a file photo. Photo: AFP/Pornchai Kittiwongsakul

Myanmar’s multi-sided civil war, now more clearly than ever a war waged by the military against all segments and ethnicities of society, saw its bloodiest day on March 27’s Armed Forces Day.

Notably absent to this theater of the absurd were senior officials from Myanmar’s ethnic armed organizations (EAO), who boycotted the event and have issued stern statements of opposition to the February 1 coup and the new State Administration Council’s (SAC) murderous rule.

Many are now calling on the nation’s various EAOs to escalate their attacks against the military, or Tatmadaw, and alleviate pressure on and express solidarity with the many unarmed urban opponents of the coup.

US imposes sanctions on Myanmar companies as violence against protesters continues

JURIST
Robert Kaufman | U. Pittsburgh School of Law, US
MARCH 12, 2021 

The US Department of the Treasury sanctioned the two adult children of commander-in-chief of the Myanmar military, Min Aung Hlaing, on Wednesday in response to the continued violence by military forces against protesters.

In a press release, the Treasury Department labeled Min Aung Hlang as the leader of the military coup against Myanmar’s democratically elected government, saying:

The United States stands in solidarity with the people of Burma, and we remain committed to promoting accountability for those responsible for the coup and ongoing violence. The United States urges the immediate release of State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint, as well as all others unjustly detained since February 1, including members of civil society, journalists, and human rights activists.

China worries over rare-earth supply disruption from Myanmar coup

NIKKEI ASIA

KENJI KAWASE, Nikkei Asia chief business news correspondent
March 4, 2021 

Decade after drastic cut in exports to Japan, Beijing sees the tables turned

China heavily relies on imports of rare-earth minerals, mainly from the U.S. and Myanmar. (Source photos by Reuters)

HONG KONG -- While China reigns as the largest producer of rare-earth elements, the recent military coup in Myanmar has reminded Beijing of its reliance on and vulnerability to its Southeast Asian neighbor.

China owns the largest reserves of these strategic minerals, which are indispensable in churning out a wide variety of tech products, from smartphones to electric vehicles, wind power generators and missile defense systems, but it also heavily relies on imports, mainly from the U.S. and Myanmar.

The latest annual report by the U.S. Geological Survey states that China produced 140,000 tons of rare-earth oxide equivalent in 2020, almost 60% of the global total. Its reserves were 44 million tons, double those of Vietnam, which are the second-largest in the world.

Myanmar May Target Free Speech in Effort to Stifle Protests

The New York Times

By Richard C. Paddock
Feb. 12, 2021

Myanmar May Target Free Speech in Effort to Stifle Protests

Civil society groups say a proposed measure to limit online expression and privacy rights could lead to mass arrests of those who criticize the military government.

Over the last 10 days, a civil disobedience movement against the military takeover in Myanmar has seeped into nearly every aspect of society.Credit...The New York Times

The military government in Myanmar has increasingly used nighttime arrests, legal threats, a curfew and a ban on large gatherings to tame weeklong anti-coup protests that have spread from the cities to the countryside. Now, civil society groups fear that the military is preparing a new law that would further restrict online expression and limit the privacy rights of citizens.

One telecommunications company, Telenor, said Friday that it was aware of the proposal and was reviewing it. A coalition of 158 civil society organizations signed a statement raising concerns that the potential new law would lead to the widespread arrest of government critics.