Human rights

French solar co to leave Myanmar

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YANGON, Myanmar – French solar power company Voltalia announced it will pull out of the country due to the ongoing political and humanitarian crisis.

Voltalia has been in Myanmar since 2018 and has provided solar power to 156 telecom towers in Bago and Ayeyarwady where previously there was no electricity.

The move is part of a trend of European and other international companies responding to the military coup and subsequent violence. A similar development happened during the previous military regime as well.

By Htay Win
Photo credit Aye Yarwaddy

Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh catch fire

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YANGON, Myanmar – Three Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh caught fire beginning from camp No.8(W) at 4:30 PM, causing 1000 dwellings to burn down.

The people from the camps were evacuated to a safer place. The fire brigade department from Cox’s Bazar, Ramu, Tekkanat and Okiya areas worked to extinguish the huge fire.

Currently, the number of the wounded and dead is not known.

In recent years, thousands of Rohingya people from Rakhine state fled to neighboring Bangladesh because successive Myanmar governments failed to fulfill the rights of the ethnic people according to international law after Myanmar was liberated from British colonial rule.

As Myanmar’s government signed the 1960 declaration of the United Nation General Assembly, ethnic people have a right to autonomy or self-determination or independence.

By Htay Win
Photo credit Narinzara

Uruguayan women take to the IACHR their 2011 case for sexual abuse and humiliation they endured as political prisoners

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Leftist female political prisoners were always kept hooded and submitted to gropings, forced nudity, sexual abuse of all types, rapes, etc., by members of Uruguay’s 1973–1985 military dictatorship, said the attorney for 28 women who presented their case Thursday to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, IACHR. It wasn’t easy for them to come forward, he said.

The women first came forward 10 years ago and 2 have already died, but their attorney said the investigations have gone nowhere and thus the decision to raise the case to a higher international tribunal. Their complaint identifies more than 100 former regime officials, doctors, psychologists, and security forces members, some of whom could only be identified by their aliases and voices, explained the attorney.

“In Uruguay, sexual violence was a weapon of war used by the state to humiliate and punish political prisoners,” Maria Noel Leoni of the Center for Justice and International Law told the online IACHR hearing.

Rapes, sexual humiliation, torture, killings, enforced disappearances, and other human rights violations were reportedly committed by the 12-year dictatorship imposed after a 1973 US-backed coup. The doctors charged were present during the tortures, controlling to make sure they did “not overdo it,” and “advising,” explained the women’s attorney. “It was “very sadistic.”

“At this stage of the game, many of the women had lost hope that anything could be done,” said the attorney. “Now we have some expectations.”

By Milan Sime Martinic

Reporters from Myanmar Now news agency escape military arrest

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YANGON, Myanmar – Their office was raided Feb. 8, but staff had already fled the scene. Instead, authorities took their computers and office equipment.

Last week, security forces arrested reporter Kay Zan Nway of Myanmar Now while she was reporting news during a protest.

Myanmar’s state-run media announced Feb. 8 at night that the military had revoked the licenses of five media outlets working in Myanmar. They are Myanmar Now, Kit Thit, Mizzima, DVB and 7 days media.

By Htay Win
Photo credit- Shine

SA Human Rights Commission to investigate eNCA reporter’s mask saga

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DURBAN, South Africa – The South African Human Rights (SAHRC) Commission has opened an own accord investigation following various complaints, including from the leader of the United Democratic Movement (UDM), General Bantu Holomisa against eNCA reporter Lindsay Dentlinger.

SAHRC said in a statement, “The grievances allege that Dentlinger treated interviewees differently on the basis of their race, in interviews conducted outside parliament during the Budget Speech on 24 February.”

“The Commission is in the process of investigating the matter and has requested to meet with eNCA and Dentlinger on the allegations,” added SAHRC.

Earlier this week, the African National Congress (ANC) said it would lodge a formal complaint to the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) and the SAHRC against Dentlinger’s behaviour.

They also picketed outside the eNCA head office in Hyde Park and handed over six demands which include apologising to all South Africans for pain and hurt caused by Dentlinger.

ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte said they wanted ICASA to investigate whether eNCA’s conduct was inconsistent with its licence conditions. She said they were not happy with eNCA’s handling of the Dentlinger debacle.

By Zakithi Dlamini

Myanmar military cracks down in Mandalay

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YANGON, Myanmar — Myanmar security forces cracked down on the protesters in Mandalay on Feb. 4, resulting in three deaths, including that of a 19-year-old woman. Eight others were wounded.

The woman wrote on her helmet that she had already given up body for the cause of democracy before she took to the streets.

The security forces used sound bombs, tear gas and live ammunition when they dispersed the anti-coup protesters.

Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar and was the capital city before the British occupation of the entire country was completed in 1885.

By Htay Win
Photo credit Wutyi Ma

Systematic, institutionalized torture found in Brazilian ‘Old Rust’ prison

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Widespread injuries and scars among prisoners at the “Old Rust” penitentiary in Brazil were caused by punches, kicks, blows, collective beatings, prods with pitchforks, and institutionalized torture, according to a report by the Mato Grosso state’s internal affairs department that concluded prisoners were being subject to institutionalized routine bodily injury by prison officials.

There was virtually no external supervision of what was happening inside Osvaldo Florentino Leite Ferreira Penitentiary, which provides an environment of impunity and stimulates the cycle of endless torture, said the report.

Prisoners were tied to an iron bar and suspended by their ankles and wrists and left in that position until blood no longer circulated, making the body swell and breathing difficult, the report detailed. These acts were carried out by several prison guards and the prison’s director of discipline and detailed by a committee composed of judges, auxiliaries, and public defenders. It was based on a surprise visit that took place between December 14 and 16, 2020. The report and medical examinations were only finalized in late February.

These acts were carried out by several prison guards and the prison’s director of discipline and detailed by a committee composed of judges, auxiliaries, and public defenders. It was based on a surprise visit that took place between December 14 and 16, 2020. The report and medical examinations were only finalized in late February.

“It is important to mention that several prison system officials presented testimony before the magistrates, confirming the assaults on prisoners which, together with the footage of the testimonies, photos and examinations of the body of crime, indicate the occurrence of systemic torture in the unit,” said the report. “It was like an establishment policy, something institutionalized indeed.”

Severe overcrowding, lack of hygiene, water rationing, humidity, mold, lack of ventilation, vermin, pests, plus untreated yeast and skin infections contributed to an environment of disease and violence, the report also concluded.

After the inspection, the Secretary of State for Public Security removed 12 guards from the prison, including the director, the deputy director, the head of discipline and other agents accused of mistreatment. However, they have not lost their jobs, and they are working at other prisons, according to advocates for the prisoners.

By Milan Sime Martinic

270k forcibly sterilized women in Peru get day in court

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Women and men from Quechua indigenous communities and low-income families of the Andean country were sterilized between 1996 and 2001, according to information provided by Peru’s Ministry of Health when it announced a case that is now reaching the courts for the first time.

Peruvian prosecutors say it was all part of former President Alberto Fujimori’s family planning program. Despite three previous investigations that were closed for lack of evidence, he and his cabinet are accused of developing and forcibly implementing a sterilization program.

Officially, the state birth control program –  known as Voluntary Surgical Contraception  – was instituted to combat poverty by reducing birth rates in resource-poor sectors, so says Fujimori-government documents. The procedures were performed with the consent of patients, according to literature about the program as it was presented to the Peruvian public at that time.

Not so, charge thousands who claim they were forcibly or unknowingly sterilized. Others claim they were blackmailed, deceived, or harassed into letting themselves undergo the tubal ligation procedures. The Association of Peruvian Women Affected by Forced Sterilizations has compiled testimonies to present their case and now, courts will hear the evidence to consider whether they can proceed in their claims and seek compensation.

By Milan Sime Martinic

World’s largest democracy now only ‘partly free’ says new Freedom House rating

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Freedom House downgrades the “world’s largest democracy” from free to partly free

Citing politicization of the Indian judiciary, deterioration of political rights and civil liberties, intimidation of journalists and academics, internet censorship, undue pressure on human rights groups, scapegoating, stigmatization, and harm to Muslims and other religious minorities and an overall decline in democratic values under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, FW explained its decision, “India appears to have abandoned its potential to serve as a global democratic leader, elevating narrow Hindu nationalist interests at the expense of its founding values of inclusion and equal rights for all.”

The “Democracy Under Siege” 2020 report of the democracy watchdog said that India’s decline from “the upper ranks of free nations” could have an outsize global effect. “Rather than serving as a champion of democratic practice and a counterweight to authoritarian influence from countries such as China, Modi and his party are tragically driving India itself toward authoritarianism,” it concluded.

By Milan Sime Martinic

Amnesty International condemns Eritrean massacre in Tigray

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15 Ethiopian peacekeepers in South Sudan refuse to return home
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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – Amnesty has condemned the alleged human rights abuses by Eritrean troops in Axum, Tigray Region Ethiopia, said to have taken place between November 10 to November 20, 2013.

According to the institute’s 25-page report, hundreds of civilians were massacred by Eritrean forces in retaliation.

According to the report, when the Ethiopian Defense Forces entered the city, heavy artillery shelling was reported in the city, resulting in civilian casualties.

In the early hours of November 19, 2013, TPLF forces and militias attacked the Eritrean army with the help of locals armed with knives, machetes, and sticks, in a battle in the area known as Mai-Koho.

Eritrean soldiers who returned later that afternoon carried out massacres of civilians in military vehicles and tanks, witnesses told Amnesty.

One eyewitness told Amnesty he had seen 400 dead on November 20 alone, while another eyewitness had seen 200 dead at various funerals.

Despite this, the Ethiopian Defense Forces did not attempt to block Eritrean troops other than guarding government buildings.

Amnesty compiled their report by interviewing eyewitnesses, locals, and a number of individuals who know the area, and referring to satellite imagery. The organization presented its findings to State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia and Ambassador Redwan Hussein, a spokesman for the Emergency Task Force, but has not yet received a response. Amnesty also called on the UN to investigate the killings, kidnappings and robberies committed by Eritrean soldiers in Axum.

Eritrea has rejected the Amnesty report.

By Henok Alemayehu

ANC leadership to meet with former President Jacob Zuma

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The African National Congress (ANC) leadership has proposed a meeting with Zuma over his refusal to appear before the Zondo commission of inquiry into the state capture.

Zuma agreed to a meeting which is expected to take place soon.

“With regards to former President Zuma, there are quite a number of engagements that are happening, and one of those is an engagement with the top leadership of the ANC which should be happening any day soon,” Ramaphosa told the South African National Editors’ Forum.

“It’s been agreed. He agreed to it. We’ve all agreed to it, that we are going to engage with him. He is a disciplined member of the ANC and we will be able to have an engagement with him. The massage will be earnest, simple and straightforward, that let us all abide by our constitution, respect our institutions, particularly the judiciary,” said Ramaphosa.

Zuma was recently summoned to testify at the Zondo commission. However, his lawyer wrote to the commission saying that would not be attending.

By Zakithi Dlamini

Myanmar university students rally near Chinese embassy, protest SEAFOOD

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Myanmar military protest
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YANGON, Myanmar – University students in Yangon rallied near the Chinese embassy Feb. 27 and called for the Chinese government not to cooperate with the Myanmar military.

Protesters in Myanmar suspect that China is transporting hardware devices to build a firewall for controlling the internet in Myanmar. When the protesters asked the question, the embassy told them that China was sending SEAFOOD to Myanmar. “SEAFOOD” is defines as Software Engineering Approaches for Offshore and Outsourced Development.

There are three main telecommunication companies in Myanmar: MPT, Ooredo and Telenor have provided faster internet connections since 2014.

At present, there is an internet blackout between 1am to 9am daily throughout Myanmar, and when it is available, internet connections are slower than before the military grabbed power from the democratically-elected government.

By Htay Win
Featured image credit: Sit Htet Aung