US imposes travel restrictions on Myanmar military chief, others

[Homo Sapiens]

https://www.unb.com.bd/category/Ban...ctions-on-myanmar-military-chief-others/23495

US imposes travel restrictions on Myanmar military chief, others
ICC team to explain judicial process; won’t engage in evidence collection

• UNB NEWS
  
• PUBLISH DATE - JULY 17, 2019, 03:57 PM
  
• UNB NEWS - UNB NEWS
  
• 308 VIEWS
• UPDATE DATE - JULY 17, 2019, 04:15 PM

Dhaka, July 17 (UNB) – The United States has banned Myanmar military’s commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing and other senior military leaders from travelling to the US for gross human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings in northern Rakhine State during the “ethnic cleansing” of Rohingyas.

“With this announcement, the United States is the first government to publicly take action with respect to the most senior leadership of the Burmese (Myanmar) military,” US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo said in a statement on Tuesday.

The Department of State publicly designated the individuals Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Soe Win, Brigadier General Than Oo and Brigadier General Aung Aung; and their immediate family members for the named individuals’ responsibility for gross human rights violations and killings.

“We designated these individuals based on credible information of these commanders’ involvement in gross violations of human rights,” Secretary Pompeo said adding that the law requires him to publicly or privately designate such officials and their family members.

He said the Department of State is focused on policies that will change behavior and promote accountability. “We believe this action is one step toward achieving these goals.”

The US Secretary of State said they remain “concerned” that the Myanmar government has taken no actions to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations and abuses.

He said there are continued reports of the Myanmar military committing human rights violations and abuses throughout the country.

“One egregious example of the continued and severe lack of accountability for the military and its senior leadership was the recent disclosure that Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing ordered the release of the soldiers convicted of the extrajudicial killings at Inn Din during the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya,” Secretary Pompeo said.

The Commander-in-Chief released these criminals after only months in prison, while the journalists who told the world about the killings in Inn Din were jailed for more than 500 days, he mentioned.

ICC Team

International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Dr Fatou Bensouda has recently requested the Court’s Judges to authorise an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed against the Rohingya people from Myanmar.

The outcome of this request is still pending and is before the Court’s judges.

A delegation from the Office of the Prosecutor of the ICC headed by Deputy Prosecutor James Stewart is currently in Bangladesh on a weeklong visit.

“The delegation currently in Bangladesh will not engage in any evidence collection in relation to any alleged crimes,” reads a media advisory.

The purpose of this visit, in general terms, is to engage with relevant stakeholders and explain the judicial process and the status of the situation, it said.

ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda considers that there is a reasonable basis to proceed with an investigation in relation to the alleged deportation of members of the Rohingya people from Myanmar to Bangladesh and related crimes committed in the context of the 2016 and 2017 waves of violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar.

The ICC delegation members,who held meetings with Ministers and senior officials here, are scheduled to have an internal meeting on Thursday and leave for Cox’s Bazar on Friday afternoon.

They will visit Rohingya camps and hold a meeting with government authorities there on Saturday.

On Sunday, the ICC delegation members are scheduled to hold meetings with Cox’s Bazar DC, Refugee, Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) and regional heads of Rapid action Battalion (Rab), BGB and acting superintendent of police in Cox’s Bazar.

They are scheduled to leave Dhaka on Monday (July 22).

 

[war&peace]

Really strange..It should have been done a long time ago...

 

[Homo Sapiens]

http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/207880
18 July, 2019 01:17:49 PM

US ban on Myanmar generals a first step
says Rohingya activist
Independent Online/ AFP

In this file photo taken on October 19, 2017 Rohingya refugees who were stranded walk near the no man's land area between Bangladesh and Myanmar in the Palongkhali area next to Ukhia. AFP


A formerly imprisoned Rohingya activist said Wednesday that a US ban on Myanmar's top generals was a welcome first step but urged more action to support the long-targeted minority.


The State Department on Tuesday said that army chief Min Aung Hlaing, three other top officers and their families would not be allowed to visit the United States due to their roles in "ethnic cleansing" of the mostly Muslim Rohingya.

Participating in a high-level State Department meeting on religious freedom, peace activist Wai Wai Nu said it was critical to address the "decades-old impunity" enjoyed by the military in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma.

"Many of us in Burma welcome this decision of the State Department. However, we think this is a first step and we are hoping to see more concrete and efficient steps in the future," she told reporters.

This, she said, should include an end to impunity in the country.

"The only way to move forward, I believe, is holding the perpetrators accountable and abolishing institutionalized religious and ethnic discrimination against ethnic minorities," she added.

Wai Wai Nu founded two groups promoting inter-ethnic harmony and women's rights. Along with other survivors and witnesses to abuses who are taking part in the ministerial, she met Wednesday at the White House with President Donald Trump.

Wai Wai Nu, whose father was also an activist, was arrested with her family in 2005 when she was a law student.

The family was freed in 2012 amid a political opening in Myanmar as the military junta reconciled with the West and eventually allowed civilian, elected leaders.

In 2017, Myanmar's military launched a campaign against the Rohingya that led about 740,000 to flee to neighboring Bangladesh amid accounts of brutal attacks on whole villages.

The army denies wrongdoing and says it was responding to militant attacks.

The Rohingya are widely despised in the country and do not enjoy citizenship, with the government calling them "Bengalis," suggesting they are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

 

[Imran Khan]

keep cleaning Myanmar guys . USA can go Fck herself

 

[ghost250]

https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-army-barred-future-israeli-arms-expos-newspaper.html

Myanmar Army Barred from Future Israeli Arms Expos: Newspaper

• 1.4k

By MOE MYINT 17 July 2019

YANGON – The Myanmar military will be denied access to future Israeli arms expos after the Jewish state was humiliated on the international stage for inviting Myanmar army officials to an arms trade show in Tel Aviv in June.

The Israeli government’s decision followed the publication of an article in Israeli newspaper Haaretz in June that exposed the attendance of a Myanmar military major and two captains at the Israel Defense and Homeland Security Expo (ISDEF), raising questions about the ties between the Israeli Defense Ministry and the Myanmar military (or Tatmadaw).

The Israeli Defense ministry had earlier denied selling arms to the Myanmar military, which has a notorious reputation internationally, and the story shocked military observers.

On June 7, Myanmar military spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun told The Irrawaddy that its officials would probably join such an exhibition if invited by the host country.

On Wednesday, Haaretz reported that starting this month the Israeli Foreign Ministry will reject visas for Myanmar military officials as long as Myanmar remains under an international arms embargo over its human rights violations.

Based on Israeli government officials’ verbal statements, the paper said, the ISDEF expo is open to any interested person around the world, but as the Myanmar military’s attendance had resulted in widespread criticism of Israel, its Foreign Affairs Ministry has decided not to issue visas to Myanmar army officials and those from other rights-abusing nations in order to “avoid future embarrassments.”

Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon was quoted by Haaretz as saying that, “Israel does not sell arms to Myanmar and this policy has not changed.”

The United Nations labeled the Myanmar military’s 2017 clearance operations against the Rohingya as having “genocidal intent”. The operations were carried out in the wake of attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in northern Rakhine.

The army’s rampage forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh within a few months. International rights groups called for the army’s top brass to be prosecuted at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take responsibility for the operations.

In recent days, ICC prosecutors visited Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh to conduct initial inquiries.

The repatriation of tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees has yet to begin, although Myanmar and Bangladesh signed agreements on their return in 2018. Citing the army’s extrajudicial killings and other rights abuses against the Rohingya community, the US on Tuesday imposed sanctions against Myanmar military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, deputy chief Vice Senior General Soe Win, Brigadier General Than Oo and Brigadier General Aung Aung. Their family members were included in the travel ban.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that the release of soldiers convicted of extrajudicial killings at Inn Din village in Maungdaw during the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya in 2017 was “one egregious example of the continued and severe lack of accountability for the military and its senior leadership.”

The Myanmar military has been accused by the UN of fresh atrocities in its clashes with the Arakan Army in northern Rakhine this year.

“We remain concerned that the Burmese government has taken no actions to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations and abuses, and there are continued reports of the Burmese military committing human rights violations and abuses throughout the country,” Pompeo said.



https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news...eps-are-still-at-tel-aviv-arms-expo-1.7332146

Israel Denies Arming Myanmar. But Its Officials Are Still Visiting a Tel Aviv Arms Expo

 

[925boy]

Really strange..It should have been done a long time ago...

At least they finally did it. Good move by US.

keep cleaning Myanmar guys . USA can go Fck herself

Cleaning Myanmar of what? Muslims?

 

[Imran Khan]

At least they finally did it. Good move by US.


Cleaning Myanmar of what? Muslims?

illegal bangladeshis

 

[925boy]

illegal bangladeshis

if they are illegal Bangladeshis why didnt Myanmar govt and police just arrest and detain them and then transfer them to Bangladesh? why kill them? you know what Myanmar military just did? GENOCIDE. choose which side of history you want to be on. if ur not wise enough to choose well, then i cant help you and im done on this topic.

 

[Imran Khan]

if they are illegal Bangladeshis why didnt Myanmar govt and police just arrest and detain them and then transfer them to Bangladesh? why kill them? you know what Myanmar military just did? GENOCIDE. choose which side of history you want to be on. if ur not wise enough to choose well, then i cant help you and im done on this topic.

they are too much to catch and jailed sir . how can you jailed millions ? now look what india did ? 4million illegal bangladeshis found in Assam how can india jailed 4 million people now ?

 

[ghost250]

wow..certain pakisthanis now talking on behalf of their hindu ma*te*s....returning the favour,i see..

 

[Nilgiri]

4million illegal bangladeshis found in Assam how can india jailed 4 million people now ?

Easy, there is a big jail right next door called Bangladesh where they came from.

 

[Mirzah]

https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/myanmar-army-barred-future-israeli-arms-expos-newspaper.html

Myanmar Army Barred from Future Israeli Arms Expos: Newspaper

• 
  
  
  • 1.4k

By MOE MYINT 17 July 2019

YANGON – The Myanmar military will be denied access to future Israeli arms expos after the Jewish state was humiliated on the international stage for inviting Myanmar army officials to an arms trade show in Tel Aviv in June.

The Israeli government’s decision followed the publication of an article in Israeli newspaper Haaretz in June that exposed the attendance of a Myanmar military major and two captains at the Israel Defense and Homeland Security Expo (ISDEF), raising questions about the ties between the Israeli Defense Ministry and the Myanmar military (or Tatmadaw).

The Israeli Defense ministry had earlier denied selling arms to the Myanmar military, which has a notorious reputation internationally, and the story shocked military observers.

On June 7, Myanmar military spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun told The Irrawaddy that its officials would probably join such an exhibition if invited by the host country.

On Wednesday, Haaretz reported that starting this month the Israeli Foreign Ministry will reject visas for Myanmar military officials as long as Myanmar remains under an international arms embargo over its human rights violations.

Based on Israeli government officials’ verbal statements, the paper said, the ISDEF expo is open to any interested person around the world, but as the Myanmar military’s attendance had resulted in widespread criticism of Israel, its Foreign Affairs Ministry has decided not to issue visas to Myanmar army officials and those from other rights-abusing nations in order to “avoid future embarrassments.”

Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon was quoted by Haaretz as saying that, “Israel does not sell arms to Myanmar and this policy has not changed.”

The United Nations labeled the Myanmar military’s 2017 clearance operations against the Rohingya as having “genocidal intent”. The operations were carried out in the wake of attacks by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in northern Rakhine.

The army’s rampage forced more than 700,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh within a few months. International rights groups called for the army’s top brass to be prosecuted at the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take responsibility for the operations.

In recent days, ICC prosecutors visited Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh to conduct initial inquiries.

The repatriation of tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees has yet to begin, although Myanmar and Bangladesh signed agreements on their return in 2018. Citing the army’s extrajudicial killings and other rights abuses against the Rohingya community, the US on Tuesday imposed sanctions against Myanmar military chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, deputy chief Vice Senior General Soe Win, Brigadier General Than Oo and Brigadier General Aung Aung. Their family members were included in the travel ban.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that the release of soldiers convicted of extrajudicial killings at Inn Din village in Maungdaw during the ethnic cleansing of Rohingya in 2017 was “one egregious example of the continued and severe lack of accountability for the military and its senior leadership.”

The Myanmar military has been accused by the UN of fresh atrocities in its clashes with the Arakan Army in northern Rakhine this year.

“We remain concerned that the Burmese government has taken no actions to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations and abuses, and there are continued reports of the Burmese military committing human rights violations and abuses throughout the country,” Pompeo said.



https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news...eps-are-still-at-tel-aviv-arms-expo-1.7332146

Israel Denies Arming Myanmar. But Its Officials Are Still Visiting a Tel Aviv Arms Expo

wow even Israelis are keeping a distance from the savage burmese

 

[925boy]

wow even Israelis are keeping a distance from the savage burmese

maybe cuz daddy US already started to..

 

[bluesky]

We need the US support so as the Rohingyas can go back to their homes in Arakan without the fear of being bullied. The US position is the exact opposite of China. I am happy BD govt is now reluctant to use Chinese $22 billion loan trap. I am not also unhappy that the USA is strict with Chinese exports there. China was using the trade surplus to buy sovereignty of nations across the Globe.

The Chinese people all over the developed world steal technology. Every country has to put a fence to stop China from stealing its intellectual properties. China has a black mind that cannot be cleaned because it is made of coal. No wonder, it is not respected by other countries. Money has been historically the only thing important for them.

 

[Aung Zaya]

travel ban and expo ban actually do not make any effect on Myanmar. No one of Myanmar officials will go to US and Israel already transferred tech and equipments for current projects. Israel never betrayed us. even in worst time of sanction.