Rhododendron News September October 2013

Home , Chin Progressive Party, Falam District, Mindat District, Paletwa, Thantlang Township

Rhododendron News Bimonthly Publication since 1998

Volume XVI, Issue V September-October 2013

Chin refugees demonstrating in Delhi, India (above), heavy landslides destroying villages in Falam Township, Chin State (Photo: Chin Star News, Falam Thuthang & Salai CB Thang )

Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO)

2-Montavista Avenue, Nepean, K2J 2L3, Canada

Ph: 1-613-843-9484 Email: [email protected] Web: www.chro.ca September-October 2013

Table of Contents Volume XVI, Issue V

Arbitrary Taxation & Extortion Page 3 • ALP accused of extorting money from villagers in Paletwa • Locals ordered to repay poverty alleviation loan without prior notice

Forced Labour & Freedom of Religion Page 4-6 • School teachers forced to attend meeting in Hakha • Chin Christian govt staff ordered to prepare food for Buddhist offerings • Govt urged to address discrimination against Christians in Chin State • Christians disappointed over Sunday meetings with Chief Minister

Other Human Rights Violations Page 07-10 • 'Banned' alcohol secretly sold by police in Thantlang • Chin Christian headmistress sacked for no given reasons • Bootlegged alcohol seized from soldiers in Lungler • Na Ta La school teacher sued over bootlegging • Chin pastor injured in Rakhine attack • School teachers threatened with salary deduction in Hakha

Humanitarian & Development Situation Page 10-12 • Chin parties to meet with State govt over Gullu nickel projects • Landslides forced two villages to move, school to close in Falam • Survey finds communities distrustful of Chinese mining companies • Power outages hit Hakha, Thantlang in Chin State • Hundreds of landslides recorded in Chin State • Concerns grow over increase of Chin 'illegal drug' users • State govt slow in response to food shortages in Chin State Visit us on www.chro.ca Event & Protest Page 13-17 • Chin activist among 30 most inspiring world young leaders • Asho Chins held human rights training in Rangoon • Chin rights activist receives NGO Leadership and Excellence Awards • Chin female pastor won prize for women's creativity • Chin communities celebrate harvest festival • Over 500 Chin refugees demonstrated in Delhi

Situation of Refugees Page 18-21 • Dozens of Chin refugees arrested in Malaysia • About 200 Chins stiil detained in Malaysia • Chin refugee mother beaten, family robbed in Delhi • Two-year-old Chin girl sexually assaulted by local teenage boy in Delhi • Scores of Chins arrested in Malaysia • Sick Chin refugee woman beaten up in New Delhi • 5-yr-old Chin girl hit by motorbike in Delhi

Chin State Government & Chin National Front Page 22-24 • Govt funds Na Ta La students while neglecting public schools • Chin State hluttaw passed 12 draft laws • CNF provides computers for high school students • CNF to hold public consultation in Rangoon • CNF provides rice for villages hit by food shortages

Poem Page 24 • Silent Distress of A Refugee's Life Volume XVI, Issue V Page 3 Rhododendron News September-October 2013 Arbitrary Taxation & Extortion ALP accused of extorting money A villager, whose name is not revealed for security reasons, said: "We have suffered from this kind of from villagers in Paletwa situation for a long time. They [ALP] would order us to give them rice and money, sometimes in the 17 September 2013: middle of night."

esidents in Paletwa Township of Chin "We don't want to give but we are afraid. On the RRR State said soldiers from the Arakan other hand, the local authorities of Burma's gover- Liberation Party (ALP) forcibly ex- ment warn us not to help ALP. So, we don't know acted money from the villagers. what to do at times," the villager said.

An ALP captain known as U Khaing Lin ordered Last month, the government of Chin State officially local shop-owners and families in Myeik-wa Village informed the head of Paletwa Township Admini- Tract to provide large amount of money on 3 Au- stration Department that the locals should not pay gust 2013. money to ALP.

The villagers were threatened that they would face The official letter dated 21 August 2013 from the punishment if they failed to give the money de- administration head said that, according to KMG, manded to U Aung Thar Oo, supposedly an ALP Burma Police Force would arrest and take necessary member. action against anyone providing money for ALP.

According to the Khumi Media Group (KMG), the During his visit to Paletwa town in July this year, Pu order was that bigger shops had to give 15,000 Hung Ngai, Chief Minister of the Chin State gov- Kyats and smaller shops 6,000 while 3,000 Kyats ernment, was quoted as saying that ALP should not was demanded from families. be provided with any money.#

Locals ordered to re- the Chin Human Rights Organi- zation (CHRO) that the locals pay poverty alleviation were in trouble as they were not loan informed of the deadline in ad- "The problem is vance. 07 October 2013: Villagers are in that they a difficult situation as they are He said that local farmers bor- [farmers] don't forcibly asked to pay back the rowed between 200,000 to money that the Rihkhuadar Sub- 400,000 Kyats of loans with little know when the township administration depart- interest in November last year to money has to be ment had provided as part of the start animal farming such as poverty reduction plan. chicken, pig, fish and buffalo. paid back ... the government's They have to make a full repay- "The problem is that they ment of their loan with due inter- [farmers] don't know when the plan to alleviate ests by the first week of October money has to be paid back and poverty makes 2013 according to the notice let- now their animals are not even ter issued by the General Admin- big enough for selling. They say their situation stration Officer. that the government's plan to al- worse." leviate poverty makes their situa- A member of the National tion worse," added the local.# League for Democracy in Rihkhuadar Sub-township told Volume XVI, Issue V Page 4 Rhododendron News September-October 2013 Forced Labour & Freedom of Religion School teachers forced to attend Sun- It is estimated that there are about 200 school teach- day meeting in Hakha ers, who are Christian in Hakha, the capital of Chin State. 07 September 2013: When asked who is coming to Hakha, the teachers chool teachers in Hakha, Chin State have said they were not informed of details about the gov- SSS been forced to turn up at a ceremony to- ernment official arriving in the capital. morrow where an important official of the higher authority is arriving in the capital. A resident whose uncle is a school teacher said: "My uncle does not know who is coming. But he has got to A source from Hakha said the State government offi- go to the meeting tomorrow, which is Sunday. I will cials ordered school teachers, most of them are Chris- be taking him to the meeting." tian, to sign a document saying that they would come to a meeting in the morning of Sunday. "As a Christian, we are not happy thinking that we will not be able to participate in the worship service," A Hakha reporter, who asks to be identified as Salai L, added the local Hakha. said that the school teachers were forcibly asked to attend the meeting at 9am, with some kind of threat if In Chin State, school students and teachers have no they don't turn up. choice but to go to school on Saturdays and sometimes Sundays as a substitute of a Buddhist day of ob- "The teachers are threatened that a one-day wage servance, which falls during the weekdays.# would be deducted from their salary if they don't participate in the official ceremony," added the Chin reporter.

Chin Christian govt staff ordered to on Sundays. prepare food for Buddhist offerings In Burma, uposatha , aka ubot nei in Burmese, is observed two to six days each lunar month. 27 September 2013: Chin Christian government em- ployees in Hakha say they have been ordered to prepare "Now that we have a new democratic government, we food to be offered at Buddhist monasteries during the must be given a choice and a chance to freely practice Uposatha day, known in English as the 'Buddhist Sab- our religion. The authorities know we are Christian but bath'. we just have to follow the instructions," said a Chin Christian female. A government staff member in Hakha said that each department had been forcibly asked to do the cooking un- In the whole of Hakha Township with a population of paid, but during or after office hours the day before the 52,439, the number of Buddhists is 538, with 8 monas- Buddhist day of observance. teries and pagodas, according to the government statistics. "There are few Buddhist staff members in each department but it is an order from the authorities that every- A community leader from Thantlang town said: "What one must partake or make contributions for the offer- we see in our daily lives is a new government with the ings," added the Hakha government employee. old system and practices. Observing the Buddhist days is not a new thing at all." Another Chin Christian employee indicated that it had been going on for years and still remained normal prac- During a meeting with members of the Interfaith Friend- tice even under Thein Sein's government. ship Group in Rangoon last July, President Thein Sein said that protection should be given to freedom of relig- Schools are closed on this Buddhist Sabbath day al- ion and freedom of expression so that democracy in though it is not a public holiday and students are forced Burma would flourish.# to attend classes in lieu on Saturdays, sometimes even Volume XVI, Issue V Page 5 Rhododendron News September-October 2013

Govt urged to address Christians, according to the report. crimination against Christian students at the schools, saying the pro- discrimination against He indicated that Christians in gramme was established to help Christians in Chin State Burma's least developed state still educate orphans and children from face difficulties in securing permis- poor families. 24 October 2013: Tomás Ojea sion to build and renovate religious Quintana, Special Rapporteur on infrastructures due to local planning In response to a question raised by the situation of human rights in regulations and administrative re- Chin MP Ki Thang Lon during the Burma, said that the government of quirements. Chin State parliamentary sessions, Burma should address he said that the Na Ta La students 'institutionalized discrimination' During his trip to Mindat, Chin were trained to become patriotic against Christians in Chin State. State, Mr. Quintana visited govern- and good citizens, according to the ment-run Na Ta La schools where Chinland Post. In his report to be presented to the Christian pupils face coercion to UN General Assembly in New convert to Buddhism, according to According to the Chin State gov- York today, he said that he was the 2012 report Threats to Our Ex- ernment's statistics, there are 484 concerned about a degree of dis- istence published by the Chin Hu- Buddhist and 290 Christian stu- crimination against Christians in man Rights Organization. dents in nine Na Ta La schools state government structures and across Chin State, with 18 Christian administrative procedures. These residential schools are under and 114 Buddhist teachers. the authority of the Ministry for "This includes discrimination in Border Affairs and the Ministry of CHRO's Advocacy Director Rachel access to jobs, especially senior po- Religious Affairs. Fleming welcomed Mr. Quintana's sitions, within the civil service," report, saying, "We are delighted said Mr. Quintana, who made his He urged the government to ensure that Mr. Quintana has highlighted first visit to Chin State in August that the cultural and religious rights Chin issues in such a comprehen- 2013. of the students are fully respected sive way in his report to the UN and protected in line with the UN General Assembly. He also empha- In Chin State where about 90% of Convention on the Rights of the sized basic infrastructure problems, the population are Christian with Child, to which Burma is a party. and stressed that development 11% Buddhist, only 14% of depart- should be accountable and non- ment head positions at the Chin Contrary to this, Colonel Zaw Min discriminatory to ensure that it State level and 25% of township Oo, Minister of Security and Bor- genuinely improves peoples' lives. administrative officer positions at der Affairs in Chin State, has previ- We couldn't agree more."# the township level are held by ously denied that there was dis-

Christians disappointed over Sunday leaders.

meeting with Chief Minister According to the Hakha Post, about 250 people par- ticipated in the meeting in which a session for hand- 25 October 2013: Christians in Matupi Town, Chin ing over a donation of 1million Kyats by a Burmese State expressed their disappointment over a recent company for the Matupi Na Ta La school was in- meeting organized last Sunday by Pu Hung Ngai, cluded. Chief Minister of the Chin State government. Arriving around 4:30pm from Mindat Town, Chief They said that he summoned the meeting of minis- Minister Hung Ngai, accompanied by three ministers, ters, department heads, district administrators, local department heads and Mindat District Administrative government officials, and community and religious Officers, visited the Na Ta La school and Women's leaders between 7:30 and 9:45am in the morning. Vocational Training School in Matupi.

"Some Christian leaders had to cancel their church About 99% of the population in Matupi are Chris- programs of leading the congregation and others tian.# missed worship services," said one of the Matupi Volume XVI, Issue V Page 6 Rhododendron News September-October 2013

Christians threatened, "We were threatened that if we kept on holding our services, the village ordered to stop holding would be burnt down," he added. worship services On 19 September, U Tam Thang and 20 October 2013: Chin Christians in U Ha Hung, both from Mindat Bap- Pan-awt village of Mindat Township tist Church went to Pan-Awt and held are ordered to stop holding worship a meeting with ten-household admin- services under the directions of a istrators. Buddhist monk. They agreed that Christians can freely “In our village of Sayadaw U Nandar Thiri, a Buddhist hold worship services. Pan-Awt, each can monk based in Pan-awt, sent village freely worship and administrators on three separate occa- On 6 October, another ten-household practice his or her sions to Christian leaders to discon- administrator U Ha Thang was sent to religion. This has tinue their church services. the house of the Christian leader by the Buddhist Sayadaw and said: "If been practiced for A local Christian leader, whose name you continued your worship service, generations is not revealed for security reasons, your photos would be taken and sent because we all are told the Chin Human Rights Organi- to the authorities." relatives. We live in zation (CHRO): "The Buddhist monk sent U Om She, a village administra- One of the local Christians said: "In this village in unity tor responsible for ten households, on our village of Pan-Awt, each can and harmony...” 25 August while we were worshiping freely worship and practice his or her and he told us to immediately stop religion. This has been practiced for our service." generations because we all are relatives. We live in this village in unity He said that another six people in- and harmony. Since the arrival of cluding ten-household administrators Sayadaw U Nandar Thiri and because namely, U Chaing Hman Ki, U Aung of his discriminatory and oppressive Thang, Daw Shwe Yawng, U Ning measures against Christians, our unity Hung and Daw Om Ha Yawng were has become weak and we have faced sent on 9 September 2013 as they problems related to religious issues learnted that we held a worship ser- and differences."# vice on Sunday, 8 September.

Volume XVI, Issue V Page 7 Rhododendron News September-October 2013 Other Human Rights Violations 'Banned' alcohol secretly U San Htun Aung last Wednesday as- sisted the local anti-alcohol team at Lai- sold by police in Thantlang pawnglung checkpoint in inspecting passengers entering Thantlang town for 06 September 2013: any alcoholic drinks.

olice in Thantlang town, The police have been accused of break- PPP Chin State have been ing the rules to ban selling of any alco- caught selling 'banned' holic drinks - a move they supported. overproof (OP) alcohol from within the compound of their station, sources con- The Thantlang anti-alcohol committee firmed. comprising of town-elders, community leaders and Christian pastors called for San Htun Aung, Deputy Inspector of taking necessary action against the case Thantlang Police Force, sold three bot- in accordance with laws and regulations. tles on two separate occasions to local Chins who pretended to be alcohol- Superintendent of Thantlang Township drinkers yesterday, according to the Police Force was quoted as saying that Hakha Post . San Htun Aung, different laws should be applied be- Deputy Inspector tween a Burman and a Chin when deal- Pastor Sui Lian Kam, Chairman of ing with legal issues at court in Chin of Thantlang Police Thantlang Churches Fellowship (TCF), State. Force, sold three one of community-based groups en- bottles on two trusted to deal with alcohol-related is- Leaders of town communities and sues in the town, said the rumours separate occasions township support committee, and TCF to local Chins who turned out to be true after their as well as Chin MPs said they would 'undercover' investigation. stage a concerted protest if the case is pretended to be handled unfairly and discriminately. alcohol-drinkers "We secretly sent two persons at differ- yesterday... ent times because we wanted to see if Last Wednesday, the anti-alcohol team the police are actually selling OP alco- seized a total of 70 rum bottles from U hol," added Pastor Sui Lian Kam. Maung Maung Htun, 41, Assistant Headmaster of Na Ta La School in With the three bottles bought from the Thantlang, at Laipawnglung checkpoint. police station, the committee reported to Inspector of Thantlang Police Force No action has been taken against U Station, asking him to immediately Maung Maung Htun while the court probe into the matter. fined a local farmer 50,000 Kyats for carrying two cases of beer on a bicycle "He [Police Inspector] said anyone caught on the same day. from outside the police station was not allowed to conduct any investigation. A In March 2013 under TCF's leadership, police officer in charge of the station over 1,000 people in Thantlang took to and other policemen did the search," the street in protest against selling and added the Chin pastor. drinking of alcohols, with the help of police forces in the town. While the pastor and his team were waiting, there were about 20 people Over 2,000 bottles of overproof alcohol coming to buy alcohol from the police, seized were emptied in a public event in the newsletter said. Hakha, Chin State. #

Volume XVI, Issue V Page 9 Rhododendron News September-October 2013

Chin Christian headmistress sacked for no given reasons 13 September 2013: Headmis- the Buddhist monk. Investigation by authorities tress Thim Dik, of Thantlang High School, was flabbergasted when she Thim Dik replied that she would be Pu Ning Naing, Chin Minister for received a letter of her employment jobless if she sent all her students to Development Affairs and Major termination without any explana- him, saying: "I can send to you stu- Aung Shwe Oo, Deputy Director of tion. dents if they are studying at a Na Ta State Education Department, con- La school or Buddhist monastery. ducted an investigation following An official letter signed by U Myint But you have to give me names of receipt of the allegations, which ac- Ko, Director of Basic Education De- the students and their parents first." cused Thim Dik of getting involved partment No. 2, Mandalay, said Daw in beating up Chin Christian children Thim Dik was dismissed from her "All my students are Christian and I studying at Na Ta La schools. current post as from the morning of don't anticipate them wanting to 9 August 2013. come to your school," added the When asked about the allegations, Chin headmistress in response to a the students said they were never The letter said Daw Mai Thim Dik, demand by the monk at Ro village. beaten up by the Chin headmistress. who was promoted to Thantlang from Ro Middle School in Mindat Message at church Thim Dik added that the two gov- Township, was dismissed in accor- ernment officials from Hakha also dance with a meeting decision made Recently, Mrs Thim Dik, whose hus- met her during their investigation. by committee of educational admini- band is a Christian pastor, addressed stration of Minister's Office of Edu- a local congregation in Ro village. According to the Chinland Post , Ma- cation Ministry. jor Aung Shwe Oo said he was not "At church, I met only parents, but in a position to make any comments Director General Tin Myo Kyi also not their children. I asked them why regarding the matter. signed the letter that suggests the they didn't take their children to reason of her removal as depart- church," she said. Promotion and termination mental requirements that she didn't meet. She explained that Christian parents Thim Dik had been informed in an send their children to government- official letter dated 9 July 2013 The 53-year-old Christian headmis- controlled residential Buddhist signed by Director General Tin Myo tress believed the sudden termina- schools, which in exchange provide Kyito to the effect that she had been tion of her work is associated with basic needs such as rice, chickpeas promoted to being Headmistress of discriminatory practice and religious and oil, to the families. Basic Education High School in issues related to a government-run Thantlang, Thantlang Township, Na Ta La school in Mindat Town- "I said parents should not allow pov- from Ro Middle School in Mindat ship. erty to drive them to cause their Township of Chin State. Christian children to convert into a Matters with Na Ta La School different religion by leaving them Sources claimed she had been ab- entirely in the hands of Na Ta La sent from school on several occa- Speaking to the Chinland Post, Thim schools." sions, to which Thim Dik replied Dik said she was ordered, just be- that she followed necessary proce- fore June this year, by a Buddhist She said her message must have dures when it came to holidays. monk to give a list of all the stu- reached the Buddhist monk and dents at Ro Middle School where Burmese teacher Ms Khin Pale "I am sure I won't be dismissed be- she worked as a headmistress. Htaik, who works as a school cause of my performance in relation teacher and stays at the Buddhist to school and work," added Thim "I said I couldn't give him it at that monk's monastery. Dik. moment as I was still on my way to Ro village from Mindat town," said Khin Pale Htaik allegedly then ap- After only a month at the new post, Thim Dik. pealed to the relevant authorities for Thim Dik faced this unexpected dis- Thim Dik's dismissal and informed missal.# Later, she was told through a local her that her name had been sent to messenger to send all the students authorities, even President Thein at Ro to a Buddhist monastery by Sein. Volume XVI, Issue V Page 9 Rhododendron News September-October 2013 Bootlegged alcohol seized from sol- tical Operations Commands of Burma Army based on Mount Rung of Hakha. diers in Lungler When asked about their smuggling of 'banned' items, 18 September 2013: Over 100 bottles of OP they said Kyaw Zin Oo told them that OP alcohol (overproof) alcohol, which has been banned by com- could be freely sold in villages, but not in towns. munities, were seized from soldiers from Burma Army based in Hakha, Chin State. The two men were fined 300,000 Kyats for bootlegging according to a decision by a Lungler community- The soldier named Phyo Maung and his friend Maung based committee entrusted with the task of tackling Myo bootlegged the 'banned' alcohol from Hakha and alcohol-related issues. were caught redhanded in Lungler village, Thantlang township last July. Recently, a public event took place in Hakha where more than 2,000 bottles of overproof rum were emp- They said, according to the Hakha Post, the alcohol tied in protest against selling and drinking of alcohol, was not theirs but belonged to Kyaw Zin Oo, of Tac- nicknamed 'killer of a nation'.#

Na Ta La school teacher sued over According to the Chinland Post, the case is being bootlegging reviewed at the Hakha Township Court, assigned by the Falam District Court to which it was first 01 October 2013: Thantlang Township Police sent upon his official request. Force has filed a lawsuit against U Maung Maung

Htun, Assistant Headmaster of Thantlang Na Ta La He is due to appear in court in Hakha on Thursday. School, for 'bootlegging' alcohol. Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector U San Htun Aung, The 41-year-old Burmese teacher is accused of who was caught selling alcohol from within the smuggling alcoholic drinks without a license after compound of Thantlang Police Force, has been being caught carrying 70 bottles of Mandalay rum in transferred to Tonzang Township, Chin State.# his motorbike on 3 September 2013.

Chin pastor injured in Arakan The incident happened while he was on his way to State attack attend a Christian meeting to be held in Thandwe, about 20 miles from Shweli. 05 October 2013: Chin Christian Pastor Mya

Thein, from Kyaukphyu, has been treated for his He said he didn't get any protection and help from knife injuries at a clinic after being attacked in the security officers and police forces although they Shweli village, Arakan (now Rakhine) State. saw him being attacked.

The pastor said a mob of Muslims including children "I am just wondering who gave the authority to at- and women struck him with bamboo sticks and tack people like this," the pastor said. knives, and threw stones at him while passing through the village in a taxi. Similarly, 40-year-old Thaung Shwe said in the Ir- rawaddy that he was attacked last Tuesday by a He said he had escaped with driver Ko Yan Naing group of Muslims including some women while as the mob stormed their taxi near the Shweli Po- crossing Shweli village. lice Station. At least five Muslims have been reported killed and In a video interview, he said: "I was aware of the dozens injured in recent sectarian violence which violence but when I asked the security officer at broke out between Buddhists and Muslims last Sat- Shweli bridge, I was told that it was safe to travel." urday in Arakan State.# Volume XVI, Issue V Page 10 Rhododendron News September-October 2013 School teachers threatened with failing to turn up at the event would result in a deduction of 5,000 kyats from their salary. salary deduction in Hakha "We were also informed that a certain amount of money 08 September 2013: High school teachers in Hakha, would be taken away to buy school materials if we din't Chin State were threatened with a salary deduction if participate," added the Chin school teacher, who at- they didn't attend a ceremony marking the International tended the Sunday event. Literacy Day today. The ceremony was also attended by Pu Hung Ngai, The government of Chin State reportedly ordered Chief Minister of Chin State government and other school teachers across the town to come to the event ministers as well as government officials. held at Hakha Town Hall at 9am. About 50 students in their school uniforms also took One of the teachers, who asks not to be named, said part in the ceremony that lasted about 45 minutes. # Humanitarian & Development Situation Chin parties to meet with State govt communities until Thursday and would have proper discussions with the State government. over Gullu nickel projects He also said a series of discussions would be held with 04 September 2013: Burma's Ministry of Mines, Chinese Embassy, and North Mining Company of China in addition to meet- he government of Chin State and representa- ing with Chin State government, according to the TTT tives of four Chin political parties are to hold Hakha Post . a meeting on Gullu nickel projects in Hakha this Saturday. Eleven representatives of the Chin parties, led by Pu Zo Zam, CNP Chairman, makes a trip to Gullu Hill in Members of the Chin National Party (CNP), Chin Pro- Tedim Township, Chin State, meeting with the local gressive Party (CPP), Asho Chin National Party communities. (ACNP) and Ethnic National Development Party (ENDP) will present their findings to the government Meanwhile, about 100 people from political parties, officials. university students, communities and civil society organizations, and media as well as religious groups held Salai Ceu Bik Thawng, CNP General Secretary, said the a meeting regarding the Gullu nickel projects at Shin team would conduct a survey on the ground with local Hong Hall in Kalaymyo of Sagaing Region yesterday. #

Landslides forced two He said the decision was made ernment but no response has been based on the results of geological received yet. villages to move, school surveys which indicate high danger to close in Falam of possible landslides in the future. Sources said landslides still occur in the areas and elsewhere as the rain 11 September 2013: Heavy land- Until today, no details have been set has not stopped. slides caused by continuous down- as to when and how the villagers pours in recent weeks have forced would be accommodated and Meanwhile, two schools in Falam villagers of Laizo and Zalai in Falam looked after. town have been closed in fear of Township, Chin State to move out potential landslides in the surround- of their places. Currently, Laizo and Zalai residents ing due to heavy rains, according to are temporarily taking shelters in the vcth.net. U Kyaw Nyein, Chin Minister of nearby villages and Falam town. Forestry and Mines, said the two Another big landslide on the main villages have to be abandoned as U Kyaw Nyein said in the Voice road, about 24 miles away from they are not safe for people to live Weekly that an official letter asking Hakha, toward Mandalay last week- in any more. for assistance to the two villages has end caused travel and transport dis- already been sent to the central gov- ruptions.# Volume XVI, Issue V Page 11 Rhododendron News September-October 2013 Survey finds communi- China if the project must proceed, survey result conducted with 20 although the majority object to its villages. ties distrustful of Chi- implementation. nese mining companies Contrary to that, the Chin parties' Pu Kam Za Hmung, retired univer- report indicates that at least four- 17 September 2013: A survey re- sity rector from Kalay Town, said: teen villages, five from within Chin port by four Chin political parties "The project should be imple- State and nine in Kalay of Sagaing on the Gullu nickel project in Chin mented only after we have had a Region, disapprove of the project. State shows that local communities federal system and a clear picture of are expressing a new level of dis- shares from it. This shouldn't hap- Furthermore, it places stress on the trust of the Chinese companies. pen before 2015 elections." importance of implementing the project in accordance with the in- The report said villagers around the The Chin parties also met with the ternational standards and norm Gullu Hill in Tedim Township are Chin State government in Hakha, should it go ahead. aware of the China-Burma mining presented their findings, and held project but are not informed of the discussions with cabinet members. The Chin National Party (CNP), details of the plans and possible Chin Progressive Party (CPP), Eth- outcomes. However, the Chin State govern- nic National Development Party ment said they don't have the au- (ENDP) and Asho Chin National Khin Mar Lar, from Myalin village thority to deal with the mining mat- Party (ACNP) had met with more in Sagaing Region, said: "We read ter which should be discussed with than 700 people from 14 villages their flyer but it was very unclear. the central government. and over 10 organizations in both We don't see transparency or ac- Chin State and Kalay Town of Sa- countability in their practice." The statement by the Chin parties gaing Region from 2-9 September. also said no contract had been Community representative Pu Tuai signed between Burma and the In Kalay town of Sagaing Region, Cho said local communities should North Mining Investment Com- the team also held a meeting with have been consulted with detailed pany of China, citing sources from representatives of the National documents and papers related to the government of Chin State. League for Democracy (NLD), the project. Zomi Congress for Democracy, 88 Last April, the Chin State govern- Generation, MPs, universities stu- The report said the local communi- ment informed the central govern- dents and youth groups.# ties prefer mining companies from ment that local communities agreed a democratic country to those from with the mining project based on a Power outages hit Hakha owned generators, for which a sepa- 600 kilowatts and provides power to and Thantlang in Chin rate monthly fee is paid. regiments, departments, 11 wards and three villages in Hakha township State Hakha residents, who depend on and three wards and four villages in government-run Laiva power, said Thantlang township. 26 September 2013: Residents in they had been cut off from the rest Hakha and Thantlang towns have of the world as they had not been Chin MP Pu Robin raised a question experienced power outages since able to use computers and TV, let about issues related to electricity Tuesday owing to problems with the alone cope with other effects of the supply in Thantlang at the ongoing Laiva hydropower station. blackout. Chin parliamentary sessions and was told that arrangements had been un- A Thantlang local said that they had Contrary to this, the New Light of derway with the development of the not received electricity for three Myanmar claimed in a report today National Power Grid. days and that families without private that the Laiva hydropower is gener- electric generators had been in the ating electricity to both Thantlang In January this year, thousands had dark. and Hakha township, the latter being taken to the streets in a peaceful given priority as it is the seat of the demonstration to demand an in- In other bigger villages and towns in Chin State government. crease of electricity supply in the Chin State, groups of families are Chin capital of Hakha.# supplied electricity from privately It added that the Laiva dam generates Volume XVI, Issue V Page 12 Rhododendron News September-October 2013 Hundreds of landslides recorded in Ngun San Aung, Minister for Transport, said in the Chinland Post: "The cost of repair and maintenance is Chin State estimated to be high. But its details can be revealed at the end of the year." 07 October 2013: At least 768 landslides occurred across Chin State between 21 August and 11 September 2013, According to the Chinland Post, the highest number of according to the Chin State government's statistics. landslides had been recorded on the Mindat-Matupi road, followed by the Hakha-Falam-Kalay and the Te- The Ministry of Transport said that its record showed dim-Tonzang-Taingen. the number of landslides happening only on roads constructed by the government, not by local communities. In Chin State, most of the roads connecting villages are constructed and maintained by local communities with It added that the number also included minor incidents financial contributions from the Chin diaspora. The that didn't block or completely destroy the roads but number of landslides occurring on such roads is, of posed risks to future landslides. course, unknown.# Concerns grow over Kalay Police Department said that heroin and stimulants such as am- their current records indicated an phetamines and pseudo-ephedrine increase in Chin 'illegal enormous increase in illegal drug use tablets. drug' users among young people and that 161 arrests had been made in 2013 alone. Speaking to the Yangon Times, Chin 11 October 2013: The number of MP Zo Zam, of the Chin National Chin youths residing in Kalay and They also said that a total of 651 Party (CNP), said that opium poppy Tamu Districts of Sagaing Region comprising 574 males and 77 females had been cultivated in northern Chin who use illegal drugs is on the rise. had been listed as addicts in Kalay State for years. Town, where more than 50% of the One of the community leaders said population are estimated to be Chin. He also expressed his concerns over that they didn't have the exact data the 'legal status' of Meitei rebels from but they were aware that the situation According to recent reports, an in- India's Manipur State who were seen was getting worse. creasing number of students at the freely moving in the areas in associa- Kalay University are taking 'illegal tion with Burma's border security A young drug user from an Indo- drugs', some being smoked in ciga- forces. Burma border town of Tamu said in rettes or chewed in betel nuts. the Yangon Times that about 60% of In June this year, Kalay and Tamu youths he knew were on drugs in his Evidence showed that many different District Office senior officers and area. kinds of drugs were used including Township Police Forces were ar- opium mainly traded from Tonzang rested in allegations of involvement in and Tedim Townships of Chin State, drug smuggling.# State govt slow in Chin MP Lal Mawng Cung conducted Government representatives went on his own survey in his constittuency in to say that although households didn’t response to food 2103 and found that at least 11 villages have enough food, they could some- shortages in Chin State were suffering severe food shortages. how get by with other crops and that no-one had died of hunger in Chin October 2013: The government of He put forwad a question based on his State. Chin State has not taken action in an findings during the Chin State parlia- attempt to address the ongoing food mentary session from 17 September to In response to the MP’s question about scarcity facing Chin villagers due to 8 October 2013, and asked if the gov- Thantlang township, the Chin State unusual weather conditions leading to ernment would provide assistance. government promised to conduct their destruction of their crops and low own investigation, and if they found yields of harvest. The Chin State government responded evidence of severe food shortages and with statistics they had collected in hunger, they would respond accord- Despite being informed of the situation 2012: only 38 percent of households in ingly. in December 2012, the State govern- Thantlang township, 36% in Tedim, 26% ment did not make any efforts in help- in Falam, 48% in Hakha, 5% in Kan- To date, no follow-up investigation has ing the villagers affected by food short- petlet, and 34% in Mindat had adequate been undertaken by the Chin State gov- ages. food supplies in 2012. ernment.#

Volume XVI, Issue V Page 13 Rhododendron News September-October 2013 Event & Protest

Salai Ceu Bik Thawng (second from right on middle row) (Photo source: http://www.ned.org/30years/#the30) Chin activist among 30 most inspiring world young leaders Explaining his views on the reform process in Burma Salai Ceu Bik Thawng said, "Transforming the country 21 September 2013: from military dictatorship to democracy is but one challenge. We need to think about the broader and 29 year-old Chin activist has been pro- more substantive issue of how we can achieve har- filed by Washington DC-based National mony and realize peaceful coexistence in a country AAA that is so diverse in terms of religion and ethnicity." Endowment for Democracy (NED) as one of 30 most inspiring young leaders around the world working to promote democracy. In July this year, Salai Ceu Bik Thawng testified at the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium highlighting Salai Ceu Bik Thawng, General Secretary of the Chin the challenges faced by ethnic political parties in National Party (CNP), is featured alongside 30 young Burma. leaders under the age of 30 from more than 20 different countries around the world in commemoration of Outside of his political role, Salai Ceu Bik Thwawng the 30th anniversary of the world's leading democracy serves as Executive Director of the Cherry Founda- endowment fund created by the United States Con- tion, an organization that promotes civic awareness gress in 1983. among various minorities in Burma, and publishes a quarterly journal on ethnic rights, public policy and Other recognized young leaders come from some of federalism. the world's most challenging areas: from Zimbabwe to Belarus, Afghanistan to North Korea, Liberia to Kyr- Mandated by the US Congress, the National Endow- gyzstan. ment for Democracy is a non-profit organization working in support of activists seeking a democratic Salai Ceu Bik Thwng is the only young leader from future in more than 100 countries, according to its Burma in the NED's "30 under 30" list. website.

Featuring his profile on its website, the NED said, "In Last year, NED gave Democracy Award to five a country faced with numerous challenges to its de- prominent activists from Burma, including Min Ko mocratic progress, Thawng is a dynamic young ethnic Naing, Hkun Htun Oo, Kyaw Thu, Dr. Cynthia leader and a model for all of Burma." Maung and Aung Din.#

Volume XVI, Issue V Page 14 Rhododendron News September-October 2013 Asho Chins held human rights train- second time such trainings had been held with members of the Asho Chin National Party (ACNP) and ing in Rangoon Asho Chin communities from different areas across Burma. 28 September 2013: More than 50 Asho Chins attended basic human rights trainings organized by the The first training took place with over 40 participants Asho Development Fund in cooperation with the in June this year, emphasizing on capacity building. MustardSeed Myanmar in the former capital of Ran- goon on 23-27 September. In June 2012, ACNP was granted permission to regis- ter as a political party and said that it would contest The trainings focused on a range of topics including from Magwe, Pegu, Mandalay Regions and Rakhine citizen rights, minority rights, basic democracy, peace- State in the 2015 elections. building and leadership with the participants from 13 townships of Rakhine State, Magwe, Irrawaddy and The MustardSeed, founded in October 2011, is com- Pegu Regions. mitted to working to promote justice, eradicate poverty and improve the quality of life in Burma.# According to the MustardSeed facebook, it was the

(Photos: MustardSeed-Myanmar) Volume XVI, Issue V Page 15 Rhododendron News September-October 2013

Salai Bawi Lian Mang receiving his awards (left) and panellists at the summit (right) (Photo: CHRO)

Chin rights activist receives NGO "Under Salai Bawi Lian Mang’s leadership, CHRO has Leadership and Excellence Awards grown from a small organization run on a shoe-string budget to an internationally respected organization. 01 October 2013: Salai Bawi Lian Mang, co-founder The award is well deserved and I am really proud of and Executive Director of the Chin Human Rights him,” said his Chin colleague Salai Za Uk Ling who Organization (CHRO) has been awarded the NGO has worked with the organization for the last 12 years. Leadership and Excellence Awards at the Second World Marketing Summit in Malaysia. CHRO’s human rights reports are regularly covered by international media and the United Nations human In announcing the award, the organizers said the rights bodies. honor is in recognition of "individuals who embrace leadership by example and in the process help create The 2013 summit took place at the Putrajaya Interna- difference in making the world a better place through tional Convention Centre with about 2,500 delegates their work and contribution to humanity." and marketing world leaders on 28-30 September.

"I am honoured and humbled by this award. CHRO is Founded in 2011 by an organization of collective leadership. With this I Philip Kotler, distin- would like to pay tribute to my colleagues who died guished Professor of "I am honoured and defending human rights," said Salai Bawi Lian Mang. International Marketing humbled by this award. at the Kellogg School of CHRO is an organiza- In the years since it was founded in 1995, CHRO has Management at North- lost three of its field workers while documenting hu- western University and tion of man rights situation on the ground. headquartered in To- collective leadership. ronto, Canada, World With this I would like The Chin rights activist said he is indebted to all part- Marketing Summit is to pay tribute to my ners and supporters around the world who have sup- committed towards cre- ported CHRO and its human rights work in Burma colleagues who died ating a better world by defending human throughout its 18 years of existence. alleviating poverty and upholding human dig- rights," The primary rights-based advocacy organization for nity through using mar- Burma’s Chin people, CHRO is engaged in not just keting principles, theo- - Salai Bawi Lian Mang monitoring and documentation but also internationally ries and models.# -focused advocacy campaigns, capacity-building trainings, and support for grassroots community initiatives. Volume XVI, Issue V Page 16 Rhododendron News September-October 2013

trusting each other. We don’t have change yet, but in our hearts, we do."

After obtaining a master's degree in Theology in India, she returned to Chin State and founded the Rural Women Empowerment Program in 2006.

Describing her works in the profile, WWSF said she has many life-changing social interventions with the program focusing on issues ranging from income generation to infrastructure building.

"This included the creation of 36 borrowing self-help groups in 15 villages to support women in their rural education and family committees." Rev. Mai Ki (Photo: http://inspiredindividuals.org/individuals/maiki/) Her mission also involves 'strengthening the weak' through empowerment including people with disabili- Chin female pastor receives prize for ties and educating children as a key foundation stone women's creativity for development.

16 October 2013: Rev. Mai Ki, 38, was awarded the In 2012, Rev. Mai Ki, the first female ordained minis- prize for Women's Creativity in Rural Life by the ter of MEC, was named one of Tearfund's Inspired Women's World Summit Foundation (WWSF) yester- Individuals. day, the International Day of Rural Women. Born to Pu Seko (the late) and Pi Ngomai in a Mara The Christian pastor of the Mara Evangelical Church village of Chin State, she is married and has three chil- (MEC) in Burma received the award for her humani- dren. tarian work in tackling poverty and food shortages in Chin State, the least developed in the country. Established in 1994, WWSF has awarded 395 prizes in over 120 countries, honouring women for their contri- She said in the Ekklesia news that God was answering butions toward improving the quality of life in rural the prayers of believers in Burma, adding: "As a rural communities.# woman, wherever I go I see people having hope and

Chin communities celebrate case of traditional values and communal feasting. harvest festival In Khampat town in Sagaing Region, about 4,000 people are expected to participate in the celebration organized 19 October 2013: Chin communities from both inside by a group of Kalay-Kabaw-Gangaw-based Chin commu- and outside of Burma have organized a series of celebra- nities on 16-20 October. tions marking the end of the harvest season in their cul- ture. Chins based in the former capital of Rangoon are in full swing for the event to be held at MBC (Myanmbar Bap- The event, mostly celebrated in the month of October, tist Convention) hall on 26 October, with a variety of was historically associated not only with traditional agri- traditional shows, dances and activities. cultural activities but also with the sanctification of their village from evil spirits. In Hakha, a grand celebration is prepared to take place on 21 October, Monday, on which date traditional H. Kham Khan Suan said that it was also a time of shar- dances from each of the nine townships in Chin State ing and giving thanks, an occasion to pay their homage will be performed as part of the programme. and respect to the deceased by a visitation to the grave. Celebrations also take place in Europe, North America Known by various names in different Chin dialects, the and Asia.# festival nowadays involves programmes including show- Volume XVI, Issue V Page 17 Rhododendron News September-October 2013

(Photo: Chin Star News) Over 500 Chin refugees that Chin Christians in Burma still faced discrimination and repression and that they were not safe as demonstrated in Delhi refugees in India.

30 October 2013: More than 500 Chin refugees took A recent report entitled 'Unheard Plight of Chin Refu- to the streets in Delhi today, highlighting their 'unsafe' gee Women in Delhi' said that women asylum seekers conditions in both India and Burma. in India were more vulnerable and easily targeted for sexual assaults and other forms of exploitations. The Chin Refugee Committee (CRC) based in New Delhi said in their statement that it was not yet time The Indian government has been urged to adopt poli- for them to return to Burma. cies that would put an end to all kinds of discrimination and harassment facing women refugees and con- They added that the reforms in Burma had not really tinue supporting refugees in general from Burma. changed the lives of the people on the ground and that serious human rights violations still prevailed in According to the UNHCR's statistics, there are 8,306 the country. Burmese refugees in Delhi, of which 3,924 are women.# CRC President David Ngun Lian said in the Chin Star

(Photos: Chin Star News) Volume XVI, Issue V Page 18 Rhododendron News September-October 2013 Situation of Refugees Dozens of Chin refugees of crackdowns on 'undocumented' immigrants, targetting Chin Christians arrested in Malaysia who are arrested while on their way to church or after church services. 01 September 2013: In a major 'planned' crackdown on illegal immi- Community-based CRC (Chin Refugee grants, Malaysian authorities have ar- Committee) said about 30 Chin refu- rested over 130 Chin refugees in Ma- gees have been arrested according to laysia. their record.

The Malaysian authorities raided homes "It is quite normal now that Chin and buildings in Miharja area of Kuala Christians are arrested on Sundays after Lumpur, arresting about 100 Dai Chin or before church services," said a CRC Christian worshippers today. member.

One of the Dai community members Malaysian authorities announced earlier told Chinland Guardian: "About 30 it would conduct a three-month nation- Malaysian personnel in uniforms went wide operation on illegal immigrants into the room where our people were starting from 1 September 2013, de- worshipping. All of them including our ploying some 135,000 personnel from pastor and leaders were taken in two the Immigration Department, Police, trucks." "It is quite normal Armed Forces, RELA, Civil Defence, now that Chin and National Registration Department. He said some mothers with babies and Christians are children were allowed to remain in the The 'planned' raids would take place arrested on house-based church after community mainly in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Sundays after or leaders talked to the authorities. Penang and Johor as well as Cameron before church Highlands, according to the Malaysian "It happened around 11am this morn- authorities. services," ing. I was just about to join the congregation when the raid occurred," added 71 illegal immigrants, including 60 men - a CRC member. the Chin eyewitness. and 11 women, from Bangladesh, In- donesia, Burma and Nepal, were ar- The arrestees said they were threatened rested in Bukit Raja, Klang and Deng- when the authorities demanded docu- kil, according to The Star news today. ments from them. Saravana Kumar, Immigration Depart- Speaking from the Bukit Jalil immigra- ment Deputy Director, said those ar- tion camp in Kuala Lumpur, a Chin rested would face immediate deporta- detainee told Chinland Guardian over tion after necessary investigation. 1,000 people including about 100 Chin refugees are being checked against their The operation, which will run until the documents. end of 2013, targets to nab around 400,000 illegal immigrants across Ma- "People who don't have any docu- laysia, according to Saravana. ments are being treated differently. They are threatened and shouted at by It is reported that about 50 Chin refu- the officers," added the detainee, who gees, mainly from Dai community, who asks not to be named. possess UN refugee registration card, have been released.# Malaysian authorities carry out a series Volume XVI, Issue V Page 19 Rhododendron News September-October 2013

About 200 Chins still "But we know that the estimated Ye Htut, a spokesperson from the numbers include both UN registra- President's Office, told the Ir- detained in Malaysia tion cardholders and those undocu- rawaddy that those identified as mented," added the Chin leader, Burmese citizens would be de- 07 September 2013: Chin refugee who asks to remain anonymous. ported. communities said an estimated number of about 200 Chins ar- Malaysian authorities arrested over Meanwhile, Malaysia-based rested during recent nationwide 2,000 people including 555 from UNHCR has started recording crackdowns on illegal immigration Burma, in crackdown operations names of asylum seekers from remain in detention centres in Ma- conducted on Sunday and Monday Burma, excluding Rohingyas and laysia. alone. Arakanese, since last Monday.

One of the community leaders told Burma's government is sending its Sources from Kuala Lumpur said Chinland Guardian that the number delegation to talk with Malaysian about 1,700 asylum seekers from of Chin detainees could not be con- authorities to deal with migrant Burma have been recorded as part firmed yet. workers arrested. of a new registration programme until the end of this year.# Chin refugee mother way with his son to buy some medi- suitcase but it was not locked with cine from the nearby shop. any keys. When we came back from beaten, family robbed in church, we found out that the cloth Delhi Subsequently, an argument broke which was used to wrap the suit- out between the husband and the case up got torn and left spreading 10 September 2013: A Chin refu- rickshaw driver, who started to on the floor. And the money was gee mother was slapped several fight with a stick. gone," said the family. times by a group of local people who had a verbal argument with Some locals in the areas, who were Until today, no information has her husband in Delhi, India. trying to intervene, slapped the been confirmed as to who broke in Chin mother when she asked an their house and stole the money. A source from the Chin Human apology from the rickshaw driver to Rights Organization (CHRO) said her husband. The family said they had been sav- the 26-year-old mother of three ing the money for weeks to pay children got beaten up when she Last Sunday, the same family had their house rent. tried to help calm down the situa- 3,500 Indian Rupees stolen from tion. their rented room while they were Yesterday, the family reported the attending a church worship service case to SLIC (Socio-Legal Informa- The incident started around 9pm at in Delhi. tion Center), an implementing part- night last Friday when her husband ner of the UNHCR in Delhi.# was hit by a rickshaw while on his "We kept the money inside our Scores of Chins arrested They are both UNHCR registration Pu Tluang Awr, Chairman of Mi-E cardholders and those unregistered." community in Malaysia, said that the in Malaysia majority of those arrested are asylum He said the detainees include children seekers and refugees originally from 24 September 2013: Malaysian au- and women, saying: "We are collabo- Vantlang village in Hakha Township, thorities conducted an operation crack- rating with the UNHCR to reach out Chin State. ing down on illegal immigrants in to them. We are not yet sure what will Seremban last night, arresting over one happen but we are working hard on The arrestees are now being held at the hundred Chin asylum seekers and refu- it." police station in Seremban, the capital gees, the Chin Refugee Committee of Negeri State, according to CRC. (CRC) said. The operation took place around mid- night, two days ahead of the UNHCR It is estimated that more than 150 Salai Ca Thawng, CRC Coordinator, mobile registration planned on 26 Sep- Chins arrested during the previous said: "According to our record as of tember in Seremban, nearly three Malaysian immigration crackdowns this morning, 141 Chins are being de- hours' drive from Kuala Lumpur. earlier this month, are still kept in detained from the operation last night. tention centres.# Volume XVI, Issue V Page 20 Rhododendron News September-October 2013

Two-year-old Chin girl sexually as- SLIC checked the condition of my daughter and confirmed that she has been sexually assaulted," said the saulted by local teenage boy in Delhi mother. "But they just told me I should be taking good care of my daughter and didn't offer me any 14 September 2013: A Chin refugee girl, aged 2, has proper advice." suffered from injuries as a result of sexual assault committed by a local Indian boy in New Delhi, ac- On a separate occasion a few days later, the girl was cording to the Chin Human Rights Organization again physically assaulted on the staircase by a local (CHRO). boy, believed to be the same teenager.

The incident took place on a staircase of the apart- The mother saw the boy dragging her daughter along ment mid-August while the Chin girl was playing out- the staircase. Upon seeing the mother, the boy ran side their rented room. Upon hearing her daughter away as fast as he could. screaming and crying, the victim's mother told CHRO she rushed out to check on her and found her injured The girl suffered scrapes and bruises on her arms. The and in serious pain. mother reported to CHRO that she didn’t dare ap- proach the police or any other organization for fear of Two local children playing nearby told her that a teen- being blamed for this second incident. age boy, believed to be around 16 years old, had just run away from the scene. The girl's mother said: "This has left me deeply affected and mentally exhausted. I expected the The mother took her daughter to the Women Protec- UNHCR implementing partners to understand our tion Clinic (WPC), an implementing partner of problem and provide us with proper guidance on what UNHCR, to seek urgent help. Even though theirs was we can do for my daughter’s suffering." an urgent case, the security guards at the gate refused entry to the mother and her daughter. "But all of them, including the doctor, just blame me for what had happened instead of helping us as much The mother then rushed her daughter to the emer- as they can to ease our pain. No mother in this world gency department of a local hospital. Through an in- will neglect her child. I take good care of my two terpreter, she explained what had happened to a doc- daughters but I cannot keep my daughter inside our tor on duty. The mother reported to CHRO that the tiny room all day without allowing her to play out- doctor refused to believe her, accusing her of lying. side." The doctor ordered them to leave the room without conducting a proper examination. According to CHRO, Chin community-based organizations in Delhi have documented over 100 violent The next day, the mother took her daughter to an- assaults against Chin women and children over the other UNHCR implementing partner organization, the past three years.# Social Legal and Information Centre. "A doctor at Sick Chin refugee woman beaten up She said that when she went to the 'shared' bathroom, she found out that her water bucket was being used by in New Delhi the woman, and requested her to give it back.

23 October 2013: A Chin refugee named Monica, 25, "She started shouting at me and using some bad sick with strange stomach pains, hepatitis C and sus- words in Hindi. I was so surprised and went back to pected TB, has suffered injuries from being attacked my room to lie down on my bed. But she didn't stop by a local woman in New Delhi, India on 13 October shouting." 2013. Eventually, the victim got up again and explained her The victim told the Chin Human Rights Organization about her sick condition, saying she didn't want to (CHRO) that she had been beaten up and kicked in have any problem regarding the situation. her abdomen by the the Indian mother while trying to use water to clean herself up. "The local woman pulled my hear and beat me. I col-

Volume XVI, Issue V Page 21 Rhododendron News September-October 2013

-lapsed on the ground. But she kept on beating and said Monica. kicking in my head and abdomen. I was badly hurt and my head was bleeding," added Monica. She added that she was subsequently accused for making a complaint to the officers and that she was forced She also said that some people who also rented in the to leave her rented room. same building were not offering help but watching during the course of the attack. "I have never come across such a terrible incident in my life. This is my first time. I wish it could be the Having been informed of the incident, two officers first and the last as I am not an healthy woman. I from the Socio-Legal Information Centre (SLIC), an couldn't even afford my rent and food, and they have implementing partner of the UNHCR, and one Bur- been paid for me by friends," said the Chin victim. mese interpreter made a visit for investigation. No action has been taken against the perpetrator so "When the officers arrived, the woman was not here. far.# They talked with the landlord and left around 9pm,"

Mary John with her broken leg in Delhi, India (Photo: CHRO)

5-yr-old Chin girl hit by motorbike in ken," said the Chin mother.

Delhi She also said that the biker, believed to be an Indian, had taken her daughter to a nearby clinic and that he 24 October 2013: A motorbike driven at high speed had paid the cost of stitching. by a man hit a 5-year-old Chin girl named Mary John last Thursday, leaving her left leg broken. "The biker told me that he had got to go to his office and would come back at 2pm in the afternoon. But he It happened around 9am in the morning while her never turns up," added Pi Ma Sung. mother Pi Ma Sung was walking her to a daycare centre run by Don Bosco Ashayalam in Jeewan Park of She added that she had made a call to the daycare cen- West Delhi, India. tre and that one of the staff members arrived at the clinic. Pi Ma Sung told the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) that the motorbiker crashed her daughter "She [staff member] took us to Deen Dayal Upadhyay from behind and that she collapsed on the spot with (DDU) hospital and the doctor bandaged my daugh- her leg bleeding. ter's leg and provided some medicine for us," said Pi Ma Sung. "The bone between her lower leg and foot was broken. I was so shocked to see the accident happening in Mary John is still on medication and unable to walk.# front of my eyes that has left my daughter's leg bro- Volume XVI, Issue V Page 22 Rhododendron News September-October 2013 Chin State Government & Chin National Front Govt gives full support to Na Ta The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) reported La students in Chin State in 2012 that Christian students at such schools are pre- vented from openly practicing Christianity and coerced 30 September 2013: The government of Burma said it to convert to Buddhism with the threat of military con- provided full assistance for Na Ta La students in Chin scription. State, a Burmese acronym for the Border Areas Na- tional Races Youth Development Training Schools. The report also indicated that the Ministries for Border Affairs and Religious Affairs cooperate closely in the im- According to the Burmese version of the New Light of plementation of the Na Ta La schools programme. Myanmar last Thursday, the government was responsible for all their needs including accommodation, clothes, At Na Ta La school No. 2 in Mindat town alone, there food, education and health. are 166 students (115 boys and 51 girls) between Grade -5 and Grade-10, of whom 85 will be sitting for an en- They receive a monthly grant of 25,000 Kyats per sub- trance examination to the University for Development ject and there are five subjects taught at the Na Ta La of National Races. schools, run by the Ministry for Border Affairs in collaboration with the Department of Educational Planning Meanwhile, at the mainstream public schools which are and Training. chronically underfunded, families have to pay for their children's costs including school materials and annual The total grant per student for the July to February aca- fees.# demic year is currently 1million Kyats. Chin State parliament passed 12 draft laws

18 October 2013: The Chin State parliament had passed 12 out of 14 draft laws during the sixth regular session of the first Chin State parliament held in Hakha from 17 September to 8 Oc- tober.

The bills include laws relating to pres- ervation of cultural heritage, construc- tion of roads and bridges, prevention of fire and natural disasters, livestock breeding, use and production of fertil- izer, loading and unloading goods, private vehicles, reforestation, electric generation, nar- cotics and drugs, ports, and honours and awards. Pu Lal Maung Cung MP said in the Hakha Post that Pu Nah Thang MP said in the Chinland Post that two the bills had to be submitted to the committee at least bills which are pending for further discussions in the 30 days in advance according to the laws. next parliamentary sessions scheduled in December this year are laws regarding ownership of private ships, "Only after the committee reviews them should they and fisheries. be put forward to the parliament for discussion," added the Chin MP. The government of Chin State were criticised for de- lay in their submission of drafts of proposed laws to During the 15-day sessions attended by 20 out of 24 the bill committee ahead of the parliamentary sessions. MPs, 52 questions were answered and 9 proposals were discussed.# Volume XVI, Issue V Page 23 Rhododendron News September-October 2013

Thantlang townships, to be followed by the second in Matupi, Mindat, Kanpetlet and Paletwa.

Starting last month, nearly 200 computers have been set up at three Basic Educa- tion High Schools in Hakha, with the official opening ceremony scheduled for 9 October. The opening ceremony of school computers in Hakha provided by CNF (Photo: Chinland Post) The schools are also provided with computer CNF provides computers for high desks, accessories and an electric generator with school students diesel enough for four hours.

04 October 2013: The Chin National Front Detailed information about the last phase of the (CNF) has started setting up computers for stu- project's implementation in villages is yet to dis- dents at high schools as part of its development closed. programme in Chin State. There are 49 high schools including branches and The project supported by the Danish government affiliates in Chin State, according to the 2008 gov- should provide facilities that help students in one of ernment statistics. the country's most isolated states to improve their computer and technological skills. The 2012 Rangoon agreement between CNF and Peace Committee of Burma's government includes Sources from CNF said it would be implemented in a provision on promoting information technology three phases for a total of 30 high schools, exclud- and computer skills in Burma's least developed ing high school branches newly upgraded since state. 2012. According to the Khonumthung news, officials from Following CNF's consultation with the Chin State the Embassy of Denmark in Thailand and Dr. Sui government, the first batch of installations should Khar, General Secretary-III of CNF, signed an take place in Tonzang, Tedim, Falam, Hakha and agreement in Bangkok in May this year.# CNF to hold public consultation in ess.

Rangoon Leaders and representatives of Chin political parties, communities and churches, activists, scholars and in- 15 October 2013: The Chin National Front (CNF) is dividuals based in the former capital and nearby are to conduct a consultation with the Chin public in Ran- expected to attend the Saturday consultation. goon at Summit Parkview Hotel on 19 October. As agreed in the ceasefire deal package, the CNF has The event, arranged in collaboration with the organiz- organized a series of public consultations across Chin ing committee comprising representatives from politi- State and in other countries including USA. cal parties, communities and religious groups, is aimed at seeking and discussing issues affecting the people. It also plans to hold meetings with the Chin public in Mandalay, Kalay and Tamu Districts of Sagaing Re- The intention is also to make the public aware of the gion and Magwe Region ahead of the Chin National ongoing peace talks between CNF and Burma's gov- Conference scheduled in November this year.# ernment, and to allow them to participate in the proc- Volume XVI, Issue V Page 24 Rhododendron News September-October 2013

CNF provides rice for villages hit across Burma's western state. by food shortages In response to a question raised by an MP during the recent Chin State government parliamentary 28 October 2013: The Chin National Front sessions, the government indicated that a survey (CNF) has provided rice with the help of the Nip- had been conducted and that necessary action pon Foundation for villages in Chin State affected by would be taken accordingly. food scarcity. It added that it would also work with the NGOs According to the Hakha Post, more than 450 rice and INGOs to address the situation should the sur- bags were delivered to at least 12 villages in Thant- vey results prove the existence of food shortages. lang and Falam townships, and the CNF also provided financial assistance to cover transportation Local media report that Thantlang, Falam, Tedim, fees to some places inaccessible by vehicles. Mindat and Paletwa townships have been hardest hit by the food shortages, with the situation wors- 'Unusual' bad weather with heavy rains and strong ened by destruction of roads due to heavy down- winds have been blamed for destroying crops and pours.# hence bringing yields of harvest to a record low

Poem

Silent Distress of A Refugee's Life

Robert Ngun Sang Malaysia 17 September 2012

I cry alone in silence under the endless sky I walk around all over the places in search of care I feel so down about my life, so dry and forlorn With my heart so burdened and my soul so weary I sit and talk to myself without any movement And stepping towards a place that I think it home, Too many times, I think about my life as a refugee I look up to heaven and murmur for help in whisper It makes me wonder where my life is and will be But there again seems no hope at all too many times

Taking up a deep breath, I often shoot a long sigh I kneel down and stretch out my arms in prayers In despair I shake my head and wipe out my tears I go around seeking someone to share my pains with I want to force my eyes shut and go asleep at ease But nobody seems to give heed to my cry in need But I fear the dreadful dream that haunts my soul Nobody even beside me seems to capture my hunger It makes my nights so unbearable too many times So, still I cry in distress without sound too many times

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