Myanmar: Security Assessment
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Contesting Buddhist Narratives Democratization, Nationalism, and Communal Violence in Myanmar
Policy Studies 71 Contesting Buddhist Narratives Democratization, Nationalism, and Communal Violence in Myanmar Matthew J. Walton and Susan Hayward Contesting Buddhist Narratives Democratization, Nationalism, and Communal Violence in Myanmar About the East-West Center The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the US Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for infor- mation and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. The Center’s 21-acre Honolulu campus, adjacent to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, is located midway between Asia and the US main- land and features research, residential, and international conference facilities. The Center’s Washington, DC, office focuses on preparing the United States for an era of growing Asia Pacific prominence. The Center is an independent, public, nonprofit organization with funding from the US government, and additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and govern- ments in the region. Policy Studies an East-West Center series Series Editors Dieter Ernst and Marcus Mietzner Description Policy Studies presents original research on pressing economic and political policy challenges for governments and industry across Asia, About the East-West Center and for the region's relations with the United States. Written for the The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding policy and business communities, academics, journalists, and the in- among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the formed public, the peer-reviewed publications in this series provide Pacifi c through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. -
Myanmar Illicit Timber Trade Report 15
Non-sales unedited © United Nations, November 2015. All rights reserved, worldwide. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. This publication has not been formally edited. Cover Page Photo: © Stephen Carmody TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Illegal Timber Trade in Myanmar ................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Illegal Wildlife Trade in Myanmar ................................................................................................. 4 2. RESPONSES TO WILDLIFE AND FOREST CRIME ............................................................................... 6 2.1 Competent Law Enforcement Authorities .................................................................................... 6 2.2 Legal Framework for Investigation and Prosecution .................................................................. 11 2.3 Measuring the Impact of Enforcement Activities ....................................................................... 15 3. UNODC PROGRAMME IN MYANMAR .......................................................................................... -
The Scramble for Rakhine
The Scramble for Rakhine Introduction Conflict in Myanmar today holds the track record of the longest civil war of our times. It is also one of the most complex, most protracted ones, involving some 20 armed groups struggling for autonomy, a history of failed attempts at building a nation from a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-lingual population and a military accused of the most heinous of war crimes committed in the name of national unity. Hopes to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict were high when the military government initiated far-reaching reforms starting in 2011 which included the lifting of censorship and creation of space to political opposition. Finally, the democratic election of a quasi-civilian government under the leadership of Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, known worldwide for her vocal opposition to the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw), consolidated the optimism within the population. The socio-political reforms led to considerable improvements in Myanmar’s bilateral relations; International sanctions were lifted, and thanks to Myanmar’s largely untapped wealth in natural resources and its geostrategic position connecting South and Southeast Asia, the country quickly became a focus of policy- makers in Asia and beyond. Soon enough, the phenomenon came to be dubbed the ‘gold rush’ to Myanmar. Yet, Myanmar’s democratic transformation has failed to achieve peace. Four years into the new democratic government’s term in office, many ethnic groups suspect that Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy (NLD) are lacking a genuine will to address their communities’ grievances. As a result, new waves of violence swept the country soon after the NLD’s election. -
Responsible and Inclusive Business in Myanmar
Responsible and Inclusive Business in Myanmar Richard Welford Miriam Zieger Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is provided for general purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date at the time of publishing, CSR Asia accepts no responsibility for any loss that may arise due to information contained in this publication. © CSR Asia 2013 RESPONSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE BUSINESS IN MYANMAR Responsible and Inclusive Business in Myanmar June 2013 Richard Welford and Miriam Zieger ABOUT CSR ASIA CSRABOUT Asia CSRis the ASIA leading provider of training, research and consultancy services on sustainableCSR Asia business is the practicesleading inprovider Asia. Throughof training, our officesresearch in Beijing,and consultancy Hong Kong, services Kuala on Lumpur,sustainable Shenzhen business and practices Singapore in A sia.and Through our partnerships our offices inin Beijing,Vietnam, Hong Thailand Kong, andKuala BangladeshLumpur, CSRShenzhen Asia buildsand Singaporecapacity an dand promotes our partnerships awareness ofin CSR Vietnam, in order Thailand to advance and sustainableBangladesh development CSR Asia acrossbuilds thecapacity region. and promotes awareness of CSR in order to advance sustainable development across the region. For feedback or more information please contact: OfficeFor feedback or more information please contact:A, 15/F, WingOffice Cheong A, Commercial Building,15/F, 19-Wing25 Cheong Jervois Commercial Building,Street, Sheung19-25 Wan, Jervois Hong KongStreet, Tel:Sheung +852Wan, 3579Hong 8079Kong Tel: +852 3579 8079 $ enquiry@csr -asia.com [email protected] www.csr-asia.com RESPONSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE BUSINESS IN MYANMAR PREFACE I first visited Myanmar over twenty years ago and to this day I remember the warmth of the people and the beauty of the natural environment. -
EIA-Report-State-Of-Corruption.Pdf
State of Corruption The top-level conspiracy behind the global trade in Myanmar’s stolen teak February 2019 ©EIAimage Forests ©EIAimage WeACKNOWLEDGEMENTS would like to thank ABOUT EIA EIA UK Above: Forests in Myanmar CONTENTS 62-63 Upper Street, Ximporae.This report Ut was aut written fugitis restiand editedut atia We investigate and campaign against Front cover: Logs rotting in an London N1 0NY UK Introduction 4 nobitby the ium Environmental alici bla cone Investigation consequam environmental crime and abuse. MTE logyard in East Dagon, T: +44 (0) 20 7354 7960 Yangon, March 2013 cusAgency. aci oditaquates This document dolorem has volla Our undercover investigations E: [email protected] Myanmar’s Forests 5 vendam,been produced consequo with molor the financial sin net expose transnational wildlife crime, eia-international.org fugitatur,assistance qui of int UKaid, que nihicthe Norwegian tem with a focus on elephants,elephants andpangolins Myanmar’s Forest Governance Failures 8 aspedAgency quei for oditaquatesDevelopment dolorem tigers,and tigers, and forestand forest crimes crimes such such as vollaCooperation vendam, (NORAD) conseqci and oditaquates the EIA US JMG Foundation. The contents illegalas illegal logging logging and and deforestation deforestation for Case Study: dolorem volla vendam, consequo PO Box 53343 of this publication are the sole cashfor cash crops crops like like palm palm oil. oil.We Wework to molor sin net fugitatur, qui int que Washington DC 20009 USA The Shadow President – King of Burma Teak 14 responsibility -
Myanmar Maneuvers How to Break Political-Criminal Alliances in Contexts of Transition
United Nations University Centre for Policy Research Crime-Conflict Nexus Series: No 9 April 2017 Myanmar Maneuvers How to Break Political-Criminal Alliances in Contexts of Transition Dr. Vanda Felbab-Brown Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution This material has been funded by UK aid from the UK government; however the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. © 2017 United Nations University. All Rights Reserved. ISBN 978-92-808-9040-2 Myanmar Maneuvers How to Break Political-Criminal Alliances in Contexts of Transition 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Myanmar case study analyzes the complex interactions between illegal economies -conflict and peace. Particular em- phasis is placed on understanding the effects of illegal economies on Myanmar’s political transitions since the early 1990s, including the current period, up through the first year of the administration of Aung San Suu Kyi. Described is the evolu- tion of illegal economies in drugs, logging, wildlife trafficking, and gems and minerals as well as land grabbing and crony capitalism, showing how they shaped and were shaped by various political transitions. Also examined was the impact of geopolitics and the regional environment, particularly the role of China, both in shaping domestic political developments in Myanmar and dynamics within illicit economies. For decades, Burma has been one of the world’s epicenters of opiate and methamphetamine production. Cultivation of poppy and production of opium have coincided with five decades of complex and fragmented civil war and counterinsur- gency policies. An early 1990s laissez-faire policy of allowing the insurgencies in designated semi-autonomous regions to trade any products – including drugs, timber, jade, and wildlife -- enabled conflict to subside. -
Burma's Displaced People
issue 30 April 2008 Burma’s displaced people plus our general articles section and regular contributors: UNHCR, Brookings-Bern, RAISE Initiative, NRC, IDMC and RSC Published by the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford Steve Elliott Steve Forced Migration Review from Forced Migration Review provides a forum for the regular exchange of practical experience, information and the ideas between researchers, refugees and internally displaced people, editors and those who work with them. It is FMR encourages organisations and individuals to share their expertise and experience so that others published in English, Arabic, Spanish might benefit. But how do you share research findings, lessons and examples of good practice when and French by the Refugee Studies any dissemination of information might put you, your staff and your partners – and other local people – Centre, University of Oxford. FMR was at risk? launched in 1998 in partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council. FMR is no stranger to this problem but this issue’s feature section on Burma has, not surprisingly, proven more sensitive in this respect than any other we have worked on. We are therefore all the more grateful to our authors for their contributions and to all those who are helping to disseminate this issue around Editors the world. Marion Couldrey & Maurice Herson Special thanks go to Inge Brees, guest editor for the Burma feature section, whose assistance has been Assistant Editor (Arabic edition) invaluable. We would also like to thank those agencies that have provided funding specifically for this issue: DanChurchAid, DFAIT Canada, International Rescue Committee, UK Department for International Musab Hayatli Development and ZOA Refugee Care. -
Rohingya Crisis in Southeast Asia: the Jihadi Dimension
This document is downloaded from DR‑NTU (https://dr.ntu.edu.sg) Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Rohingya Crisis in Southeast Asia: The Jihadi Dimension Jasminder Singh 2017 Jasminder Singh. (2017). Rohingya Crisis in Southeast Asia: The Jihadi Dimension. (RSIS Commentaries, No. 069). RSIS Commentaries. Singapore: Nanyang Technological University. https://hdl.handle.net/10356/82802 Nanyang Technological University Downloaded on 30 Sep 2021 06:40:49 SGT Rohingya Crisis in Southeast Asia: The Jihadi Dimension By Jasminder Singh Synopsis The Rohingya problem is an old one. After nearly 70 years, the problem has been greatly aggravated by rising sectarian violence by radical Buddhist groups against Muslims and the involvement of transnational terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and the self-proclaimed Islamic State. Commentary THE ROHINGYA crisis in Myanmar has a long history. Following Burma’s independence in January 1948, a Rohingya-based insurgency broke out in northern Arakan, now known as Rakhine State, with the aim of integrating with East Pakistan, present-day Bangladesh. By the late 1950s, the mujahidin-oriented insurgency was crushed by the Burmese Army. Since the 1970s, various Islamist groups have surfaced to take up the cudgels of liberation, either to gain greater autonomy or outright independence. The key groups championing the Rohingya struggle include the Rohingya Solidarity Organisation, the Arakan Rohingya Islamic Front and Arakan National Liberation Organisation. Following the success of the Afghan Mujahidin in defeating the Soviets, since the 1980s, extremist jihadi-oriented groups have espoused violent struggle against Myanmar, often with the support of Af-Pak based radical groups and by the late 1990s onwards, groups affiliated with Al Qaeda and Islamic State. -
Myanmar: a Political Economy Analysis
Myanmar: A Political Economy Analysis Kristian Stokke, Roman Vakulchuk, Indra Øverland Report commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Publisher: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs Copyright: © Norwegian Institute of International Affairs 2018 ISSN: 1894-650X The report has been commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Any views expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They should not be interpreted as reflecting the views, official policy or position of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. The text may not be printed in part or in full without the permission of the authors. Visiting address: C.J. Hambros plass 2d Address: P.O. Box 8159 Dep. NO-0033 Oslo, Norway Internet: www.nupi.no E-mail: [email protected] Tel: [+ 47] 22 99 40 00 Myanmar: A Political Economy Analysis Kristian Stokke, Roman Vakulchuk, Indra Øverland Report commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2018 Contents Map of Myanmar .................................................................................................................. VI About the report .................................................................................................................. VII Authors ................................................................................................................................. VIII List of acronyms .................................................................................................................. -
The Indonesia's Urgency on Adopting New Approach on Comprehensive Prevention in Countering Terrorism Strategy
The Indonesia’s Urgency on Adopting New Approach on Comprehensive Prevention ... 103 The Indonesia’s Urgency on Adopting New Approach on Comprehensive Prevention in Countering Terrorism Strategy: Lesson Learnt from the Mako Detention Facility’s Riot and East Java Bombs Indah P. Amaritasari Universitas Bhayangkara Jakarta Raya E-mail: [email protected] Abstract Indonesia dihadapkan pada rangkaian serangan teror pada Mei 2018, antara lain: peristiwa kerusuhan disertai penyanderaan polisi oleh narapidana terorisme di Rutan Mako Brimob Kelapa Dua, Depok pada 8 Mei 2018, aksi teror bom bunuh diri terjadi di tiga gereja secara bersamaan pada Minggu pagi, 13 Mei, bom bunuh diri di pintu masuk Polrestabes Surabaya pada 14 Mei. Rangkaian peristiwa ini menunjukkan bahwa terorisme masih menjadi ancaman keamanan di Indonesia. Sejumlah serangan teror di Indonesia diyakini dilakukan oleh kelompok teroris yang berbai’at ke ISIS. Indonesia dalam rangka penanggulangan terhadap acaman terorisme telah melakukan sejumlah pendekatan baik soft approach maupun hard approach dengan menggunakan model criminal justice. Namun demikian, Indonesia melakukan modifikasi pendekatan criminal justice dengan melibatkan peran militer. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan pemahaman terhadap berbagai bentuk yang diasosiasikan dengan hard approach? dan bagaimana strategi baru yang juga perlu dipertimbangkan melihat ancaman yang ada? Tulisan ini mencoba mengeksplorasi berbagai kemungkinan strategi baru yang diadopsi Indonesia sebagai kelanjutan dari respon PBB terhadap -
Burma: Drug Control Progress and Possibilities Dawson, Jenna; Barlow, Daniel
www.ssoar.info Burma: Drug Control Progress and Possibilities Dawson, Jenna; Barlow, Daniel Veröffentlichungsversion / Published Version Zeitschriftenartikel / journal article Zur Verfügung gestellt in Kooperation mit / provided in cooperation with: GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies Empfohlene Zitierung / Suggested Citation: Dawson, J., & Barlow, D. (2006). Burma: Drug Control Progress and Possibilities. Südostasien aktuell : journal of current Southeast Asian affairs, 25(1), 7-16. https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-337764 Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Dieser Text wird unter einer CC BY-NC-ND Lizenz This document is made available under a CC BY-NC-ND Licence (Namensnennung-Nicht-kommerziell-Keine Bearbeitung) zur (Attribution-Non Comercial-NoDerivatives). For more Information Verfügung gestellt. Nähere Auskünfte zu den CC-Lizenzen finden see: Sie hier: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.de “StudieDawson106” — 2006/1/23 — 11:02 — page 7 — #1 SÜDOSTASIEN aktuell 1/2006 7 Studie Burma: Drug Control Progress and Possibilities Jenna Dawson and Daniel Barlow Abstract Burma is the second largest opium producer in the world, and is quickly becoming a hotbed of methamphetamine production. Opium profits have helped to finance conflict within Burma for both the central government and the insurgent ethnic groups; however, with the 1989 ceasefire agreements with the insurgent ethnic groups the drug control context changed dramatically. In April 2002, the Kokang and Wa ethnic leaders, whose regions account for the vast majority of opium poppy cultivation, committed to making their territory opium-free by 2003 and July 2005 respectively. -
China's Myanmar Strategy
Update Briefing Asia Briefing N°112 Beijing/Jakarta/Brussels, 21 September 2010 China’s Myanmar Strategy: Elections, Ethnic Politics and Economics the national elections as a challenge to its interests. I. OVERVIEW Rather, Beijing hopes they will serve its strategic and eco- nomic interests by producing a government perceived both Myanmar’s 2010 elections present challenges and oppor- domestically and internationally as more legitimate. tunities for China’s relationship with its south-western neighbour. Despite widespread international opinion that Two other factors impact Beijing’s calculations. China elections will be neither free nor fair, China is likely to sees Myanmar as having an increasingly important role accept any poll result that does not involve major insta- in its energy security. China is building major oil and gas bility. Beijing was caught off-guard by the Myanmar pipelines to tap Myanmar’s rich gas reserves and shorten military’s offensive into Kokang in August 2009 that sent the transport time of its crude imports from the Middle more than 30,000 refugees into Yunnan province. Since East and Africa. Chinese companies are expanding rap- then it has used pressure and mediation to push Naypy- idly into Myanmar’s hydropower sector to meet Chinese idaw and the ethnic groups that live close to China’s demand. Another factor impacting Beijing’s strategy to- border to the negotiating table. Beyond border stability, wards Myanmar is the U.S. administration’s engagement Beijing feels its interests in Myanmar are being chal- policy, which Beijing sees as a potential challenge to its lenged by a changing bilateral balance of power due influence in Myanmar and part of U.S.