Librarian's Choice
Librarian's Choice
Source/publisher:
Burma Centre for Ethnic Studies, Analysis Paper No. 8
Date of publication:
2014-10-00
Description:
"July 2014, saw a third ethnic conference held to discuss the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement and
August saw the first conference of the United Nationalities Federal Conference (UNFC). The Ethnic
Armed Organisations? Summit, held in Laiza, Kachin State, was the culmination of peace talks both
within armed ethnic organisations and with the Government?s Union Peace-making Working
committee. The Summit, arranged by the Nationalities Ceasefire Coordination Team, was designed
to finalise a Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) draft and military Code of Conduct.
The peace process in the country has faced many obstacles over the last three years. Obvious issues
including concerns over trust, confusion over the NCA and dialogue phase, conflict in Kachin State,
fighting in Shan and Karen States, and divisions within individual armed groups themselves, have
resulted in drawing out the process. While throughout this period, the Government has found its own
position weakened due to these delays and the Burma Army has been given the opportunity to
consolidate their hold over ethnic areas and gain more territory..."
Paul Keenan
Date of entry/update:
2014-11-05
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Centre for Development and Ethnic Studies (CDES), Peace processes, ceasefires and ceasefire talks (websites, documents, reports and studies)
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
130 KB
Local URL:
BCES-AP-8-Struggling_for_Peace.pdf
BCES-AP-8-Struggling_for_Peace.pdf more
Source/publisher:
Focus on the Global South, Land Research Action Network
Date of publication:
2014-10-00
Description:
This report covers much of SE Asia, with specific references to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Myanmar....."...In Myanmar, the ceasefire negotiations and move
toward democracy have opened the door to a
virtual gold rush for foreign investors, posing new
threats to the country?s rural populations in the
guise of economic development. On March 30,
2012, the Parliament approved the Farmland Law
and Vacant, Fallow and Virgin Lands Management Law, which are designed to encourage large-scale
agricultural investment and retain the government?s
power to revoke the use rights of local communities
to farmlands and confiscate lands.3 The laws
fail to recognize the tenure rights of farmers and
local customary laws governing land. Particularly
disadvantaged are ethnic nationalities that practice
swidden or shifting cultivation and complex systems
of land use and management. Most local communities
do not have legal registration papers to prove land
ownership, and forced evictions of local populations
for foreign investment, as well as arrests of those who
resist these incursions, are on the rise..."
Shalmali Guttal, Mary Ann Manahan, Clarissa Militante, Megan Morrissey
Date of entry/update:
2014-11-04
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
2.87 MB
more
Source/publisher:
"The Conversation"
Date of publication:
2014-11-01
Description:
"The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is set to publish the ?synthesis report” of its fifth assessment period, drawing on three individual working group reports already published on: the physical science of climate change; climate impacts and adaptation; and mitigation, or how to reduce emissions or enhance the natural uptake of greenhouse gases (GHGs). The latest report is the first collective assessment of climate change by governments since the 2007 report, published just as the world fell off a financial and economic cliff. It is therefore a vital input to the current round of UN climate negotiations culminating in Paris next year..."
Simon Buckle
Date of entry/update:
2014-11-02
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
International Panel on Climate Change
Date of publication:
2014-11-01
Description:
Introduction:
"The Synthesis Report (SYR) of the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) provides an overview of the state
of knowledge concerning the science of climate change, emphasizing new results since the publication of the
IPCC Fourth Assessment Report in 2007 (AR4). The SYR synthesizes the main findings of the AR5 (IPCC)
based on contributions from Working Group I (The Physical Science Basis), Working Group II (Impacts,
Adaptation and Vulnerability), and Working Group III (Mitigation of Climate Change), plus two additional
IPCC reports (Special Report on Renewable Energy and Special
Report on Managing the Risks of Extreme
Events and Disasters to Advance Climate Change Adaptation).
The AR5 SYR is divided into four topics. Topic 1 (Observed changes and their causes) focuses on
observational evidence for a changing climate, the impacts caused by this change and the human
contributions to it. Topic 2 (Future climate changes, risks, and impacts) assesses projections of future climate
change and the resultant projected impacts and risks. Topic 3 (Future Pathways for Adaptation, Mitigation
and Sustainable Development) considers adaptation and mitigation as complementary strategies for reducing
and managing the risks of climate change. Topic 4 (Adaptation and mitigation) describes individual
adaptation and mitigation options and policy approac
hes. It also addresses
integrated responses that link
mitigation and adaptation with other societal objectives.
The challenge of understanding and managing risks and uncertainties are important themes in this report. See
Box 1 (?Risk and the management of
an uncertain future?) and Box 2 (?Sources and treatment of
uncertainty?).
This report includes information relevant to Article 2 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC)..."
Date of entry/update:
2014-11-02
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Center for Strategic & International Studies
Date of publication:
2014-10-00
Description:
"...The burning question in Washington about Myanmar?s transition is: are things
regressing, stalled, or moving forward?
The short answer is all of the above.
The Union of Myanmar is in the third year of a historic transition. Like other
comparable transitions of countries emerging from decades of misrule and
repression, the process is exceedingly complex and cannot be reduced to simple,
categorical, or fixed characterizations. Change is fluid and nonlinear, spread across
the multiple, interlocking sectors: health and development, human rights,
constitutional change, electoral preparations, the search for peace, and economic
reform and revitalization. A transition scorecard paints a mixed picture that is
simultaneously positive, bewildering, and downright frustrating. Myanmar elicits a full range of emotions and interpretations. The current process
unfolding calls for humility, patience, realism, and the long view. A rush to snap
judgments is ill-advised. For better or worse, Myanmar is presently beset with
turbulence and uncertainty...What follows is a summary of CSIS?s observations and thoughts on strengthening U.S.
support for Myanmar?s transition. It attempts to synthesize, succinctly and fairly,
what was learned through rich conversations with a multitude of individuals representing diverse interests and perspectives..."
J. Stephen Morrison, Murray Hiebert RADM Thomas Cullison (USN Ret.), Todd Summers, Sahil Angelo
Date of entry/update:
2014-11-01
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
2.23 MB
Local URL:
CSIS-2014-10-Morrison.pdf
CSIS-2014-10-Morrison.pdf more
Source/publisher:
United Nations General Assembly
Date of publication:
2014-10-28
Description:
This statement supplements the Special Rapporteur?s written report, A/69/398, of 23 September 2014 - http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs19/2014-UNGA69-SRMreport-en.pdf .....
"...In my report I recognize the important gains made through Myanmar?s reform process to
date. I commend the initial reforms that have undoubtedly improved the political, economic,
social and human rights landscape in the three years since the establishment of the new
Government. Yet, there are signs of possible backtracking which, if not addressed, could
undermine Myanmar?s efforts to take its rightful place as a responsible member of the
international community that respects and protects
human rights. I urge the Government of
Myanmar to continue its partnership with the international community to ensure that human
rights lie at the foundation of its democratic transition..."
Yanghee Lee
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-31
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Statements by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Reports to the GA by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English)
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
59.44 KB
Local URL:
2014-UNGA69-SRM-oral-en.pdf
2014-UNGA69-SRM-oral-en.pdf more
Source/publisher:
UNESCO
Date of publication:
1982-00-00
Description:
Conscious of the need to highlight the endogenous nature of development and
the variety of ways in which it can be brought about, the General Conference
of Unesco has called for a study of the effects of the activities of the transnational
corporations on the development process, especially in the Organization?s
spheres of competence. If development is to be endogenous, the
different societies concerned must retain their own identity, drawing their
strength from their own specific forms of thinking, and acting and setting
themselves goals that are consonant with those values and with the needs
they feel and the resources they possess. This is the spirit in which this
study has been undertaken. The study is based on an extensive bibliography,
which calls on the findings of a large number of studies on the activities of
the transnational corporations, including those carried out by Unesco and
the United Nations Centre on Transnational Corporations. It takes stock of
our knowledge of the socio-cultural impact of the transnational corporations?
activities and is a starting-point in the bid to identify the effects they
have more clearly.
Jean-Louis Reiffers, Andre Cartapanis, William Experton, Jean-Luc Fuguet
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-30
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
4.71 MB
more
Source/publisher:
International Crisis Group (ICG) Asia Report N°261
Date of publication:
2014-10-22
Description:
The International Crisis Group?s latest report, Myanmar: The Politics of Rakhine State, looks at how the legacy of colonial history, decades of authoritarian rule and state-society conflict have laid the foundation for today?s complex mix of intercommunal and inter-religious tensions. Rakhine State, whose majority ethnic Rakhine population perceive themselves to be ? with some justification ? victims of discrimination by the political centre, has experienced a violent surge of Buddhist nationalism against minority Muslim communities, themselves also victims of discrimination. The government has taken steps to respond: by restoring security, starting a pilot citizenship verification process and developing a comprehensive action plan. However, parts of this plan are highly problematic, and risk deepening segregation and fuelling tensions further, particularly in the lead-up to the 2015 elections.
The report?s major findings and recommendations are:
Rakhine Buddhists have tended to be cast as violent extremists, which ignores the diversity of opinions that exists and the fact that they themselves are a long-oppressed minority. They are concerned that their culture is under threat and that they could soon become a minority in their state. These fears, whether well-founded or not, need to be acknowledged if solutions are to be developed. The desperate situation of Muslim communities including the Rohingya, who have been progressively marginalised, must also be frankly recognised and resolutely addressed.
The government faces a difficult challenge: the demands and expectations of Rakhine and Rohingya communities will be very difficult to reconcile. Ways must be found to allay Rakhine fears, while ensuring the fundamental rights of Muslim communities are respected. To end the climate of impunity, the government must bring to justice those who organised and participated in violence.
Clarifying the legal status of those without citizenship is important. But many Muslims will likely refuse to identify as ?Bengali”, fearing this is a precursor to denial of citizenship. A negotiated solution should be pursued, or the citizenship process may stall. Coercion is likely to spark violence.
The international community ? especially UN agencies on the ground ? have a critical role in supporting the humanitarian and protection needs of vulnerable communities, which are likely to persist for years. The government itself must do more in this regard.
Unless Myanmar is successful in creating a new sense of national identity that embraces the country?s cultural, ethnic and religious diversity, peace and stability will remain elusive nationwide.
?Any policy approach to the problem must start from the recognition that there will be no easy fixes and that reconciliation will take a long time” says says Jonathan Prentice, Chief Policy Officer and Acting Asia Program Director. ?Halting extremist violence requires starting a credible process now that can demonstrate to the Rakhine and Muslim communities that political avenues exist in which their legitimate aspirations might be realised”.
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-25
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
430.48 KB
more
Source/publisher:
Landgrab.org
Description:
More than 70 articles, back to 2007, on landgrabbing in Burma/Myanmar,
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-24
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
English, Français,
more
Source/publisher:
Myanmar Times
Date of publication:
2014-03-03
Description:
The phrase ?land grab” has become common in Myanmar, often making front page news. This reflects the more open political space available to talk about injustices, as well as the escalating severity and degree of land dispossession under the new government.
But this seemingly simple two-word phrase is in fact very complex and opaque. It thus deserves greater clarity in order to better understand the deep layers of meaning to farmers in the historical political context of Myanmar.
Understanding the deeper significance and meaning that farmers attach to the words ?land grab” entails frank discussions of formerly taboo subjects related to the country?s history of armed conflict, illicit drugs, cronyism and racism.
Various state and non-state armed actors have been responsible for land grabs in Myanmar during the past several decades, mirroring recent historical periods.
Kevin Woods
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-24
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Law and policy on land in Burma/Myanmar, Land confiscation for military, commercial and other purposes
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Land Use Allocation and Scrutinizing Committee
Date of publication:
2014-10-18
Description:
Opening Speech by Director General of the Forest Department ? Secretary of the Land Use
Allotment Scrutinizing Committee...
Presentation on draft national land use policy, U Aye Maung Sein, Director (retired) SLRD (Refer to
Powerpoint)...Presentation on public consultation action plan and CSO pre-consultation, U Shwe Thein, LCG
(Refer to Powerpoint)...Presentation on the framework of that national land law, U Aung Naing, Director Union Attorney
General Office (Refer to Powerpoint)...Question and answer discussion 11.20 ? 12.05...Overview on national land resource management plan ? pilot projects ? Dr Myat Su Mon (refer to
powerpoint)...Presentation on One Map Myanmar Concept, Dr Myat Su Mon, AD, Forest Department (refer to
presentation)...Presentation on collaboration on national land resource management related monitoring and
evaluation ? Rob Obendorf...Question and Discussion 14.30-15.30...Closing Remarks by Director General of the Forest Department ? Secretary of the Land Use
Allotment Scrutinizing Committee
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-24
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Law and policy on land in Burma/Myanmar
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
552.41 KB
more
Source/publisher:
Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Land Use Allocation and Scrutinizing Committee
Date of publication:
2014-10-18
Description:
"...[O]n 19th June, 2012, the President of the Union guided on the
following land reform matters to draw and implement the national
development long term and short term plans:
(a) To manage, calculate, use and carry out systematically the
Sustainable Development of natural resources such as land, water,
forest, mines to enable to use them future generations;
(b)To manage and carry out systematically the land use policy and land
use management not to cause land problems such as land use, land
fluctuation and land trespass;
(c) To disburse, coordinate and carry out with the Union Government,
the Land Use Allocation and Scrutinizing Committee, the Myanmar
Investment Commission, the Privatization Commission, the Vacant,
Fallow and Virgin Land Management Committee and relevant
departments for urban and rural development plans and investment
plans;
(d)To carry out to renegotiate, draw and enact the laws and matters
relating to tax and custom duty administered by the various
departments relating to land in accord with international standards
or existing situations..."
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-24
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
269.13 KB
Local URL:
National_Land_Use_Policy-en.pdf
National_Land_Use_Policy-en.pdf more
Description:
The births of three out of ten under five children in Myanmar have not been officially recorded.
Nay Pyi Taw, 28th July 2014 : A National forum on accelerating birth registration in Myanmar was conducted at Thingaha Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw on 28th July 2014, a joint event between UNICEF and government ministries, to identify strategies for strengthening birth registration for all children in Myanmar.
Birth registration is a critical first step towards the fulfilment of a whole range of children?s rights including entitlement to services such as health and education. Knowing the age of a person is central to protecting children from labour, forcible conscription in armed forces, child marriage and trafficking, and for ensuring they are dealt with appropriately by the justice system. A birth certificate may support the tracing and repatriation of children who are trafficked. All such issues are highly relevant to Myanmar.
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-23
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)
Language:
English, Burmese/ မြန်မာဘာသာ
more
Source/publisher:
Judicial Commissioner, British Burma
Date of publication:
1883-00-00
Description:
INDEX TO NOTES I TO VIII ON BUDDHIST LAW:-
NOTE I ? MARRIAGE (899K):
1. How contracted...
2. Its incidents.....
NOTE II ? MARRIAGE (1.6MB):
1. How dissolved. The right to divorce and the rights flowing from divorce.....
NOTE III ? MARRIAGE (3.2MB):
Preface including introductory remarks by Dr. E. Forchhammer, Professor of Pali...
1.Translation of Wunnana Dhammathat on marriage, with a commentary...
2. Translation of the Wunnana Dhammathat on divorce, with a commentary....
Appendices:
A —Translation of the Wini Tsaya Paka Thani Dhammathat on marriage and divorce...
B.—Cases illustrative of the Buddhist law as now administered in the Court of the Judicial Commissioner of British Burma and the Subordinate Courts......
NOTE IV. -- MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE (not yet available):
.1. On the Hindu origin of the Burmese law, by J. Jardine, Esq., Judicial Commissioner of British Burma...
2. Introductory preface by Dr. E. Forchhammer, Professor of Pali...
3. Translation of the Wagaru Dhammathat on marriage and divorce from a Pali manuscript on palm-leaves by Dr. E. Forchhammer, Professor of Pali...
4. Translation of the Manu Reng Dhammathat on marriage and divorce from the printed Burmese edition of Maung Tet Tu, with notes, by Dr. E. Forchhammer, Professor of Pali...
5. Appendix of cases illustrating the Burmese law of marriage and divorce as now administered.....
NOTE V. -- INHERITANCE AND PARTITION (1.7MB):
Preface...
1. Translation by Mr. S. Minus of the chapter on inheritance and some miscellaneous sections of the Manu Wunnana Dhammathat as edited in Burmese by Maung Tet Tu, with notes by J. Jardine, Esq , Judicial Commissioner of British Burma...
2. Translation of the. Law of Inheritance according to the Wagaru Dhammathat by Dr. E. Forchhammer. Professor of Pali, from a Pali manuscript on palm-leaves in his possession.....
NOTE VI. -- INHERITANCE AND PARTITION (315K):
Preface...
Translation by Maung Tecka Phyu of? the Law of Inheritance according to the Mohavicchedani Dhammathat from a Burmese manuscript : edited by Dr. E, Forchhammer, Professor of Pali.....
NOTE VII ? INHERITANCE AND PARTITION (828K):
Preface...
Translation by Maung Tekka Phyu and Mr. S. Minus from a Burmese manuscript on palm-leaves, of the Law of Inheritance in the Dhammvilasa: revised and edited by Dr. E. Forchhammer, Professor of Pali.....
NOTE VIII ? MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE (381K):
Preface...
Translation by Mr. S. Minus of the Law of Marriage and Divorce according to the Mohavicchedani Dhammathat from a Burmese manuscript on palm-leaves: edited by Dr. E. Forchhammer, Professor of Pali......
The individual volumes (Vol. 4 is missing) have different dates - 1883, 1888, 1903, and 1953. 1883 being the earliest, we have used this date for the dossier.
John Jardine
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-21
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
70.1 KB
Local URL:
Buddhist_Law-index.pdf
Buddhist_Law-index.pdf more
Source/publisher:
United Nations (A/69/398) via Online Burma/Myanmar Library
Date of publication:
2014-09-23
Description:
These Conclusions and Recommendations were extracted by the Online Burma/Myanmar Library from the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. See the Alternate URL for the full report.
Yanghee Lee
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-20
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Reports to the GA by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English)
Language:
English
Format :
pdf pdf
Size:
149.98 KB 452.79 KB
more
Source/publisher:
Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law (Working Paper No 2014/01)
Date of publication:
2014-01-00
Description:
"...The Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Myanmar?s third and current constitution (?the Constitution”), was adopted following a referendum on 10 May 2008, held just eight days after Cyclone Nargis, the most devastating natural disaster in Myanmar?s history. There was little or no public participation in the production of the text of the Constitution; indeed the proposed text was published just one month before the referendum and was unavailable to a large part of the electorate....
2. However, Myanmar has recently taken a significant step towards participatory democracy by inviting public views on the amendment of the Constitution. In July 2013 the Joint Committee for Reviewing the Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar (?the Committee”) was established with the aims of:
guaranteeing the perpetuation, peace, stability and development of the Republic;
bringing eternal peace to all national races and ethnic people by bringing unity between them; and
carrying on democratic reforms for building the state.
One of the Committee?s first actions was, on October 3 2013, to announce a nationwide consultation exercise aimed at garnering advice from a broad range of political parties, organizations and individuals as to how the Constitution might be amended. This exercise ran until December 31 2013. The Committee has stated that it received 28,247 letters in response....
3. During the consultation period, the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law (?the Bingham Centre”) took part in a project to encourage participation by the citizens of Myanmar in that consultation exercise. The Bingham Centre assisted in many well-attended workshops across different parts of Myanmar between October and December 2013. As a result of these workshops, over 500 people submitted responses to the Committee. A summary of the Bingham Centre?s experience of people?s priorities for reform is set out below....
4. However, the immediate priority for reform identified by the overwhelming majority of delegates at the numerous workshops was to amend the onerous procedure for amending the Constitution, without which reform is likely to be extremely difficult. This paper seeks to put those popular concerns into context by comparing to other constitutions around the world the three elements of this procedure, which, in our view, combine to make it so onerous. Those three elements are:..."
Naina Patel, Alex Goodman, Naomi Snider
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-20
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Rule of Law - Burma/Myanmar-specific, National and State constitutions, draft constitutions and amendments (commentary)
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
768.71 KB
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Source/publisher:
International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
Date of publication:
2014-10-10
Description:
"As Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-Ocha visits Myanmar to revive the stalled Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the governments of Thailand and Myanmar should cooperate to establish a legal framework protecting the human rights of the area?s residents, said the ICJ.
The multi-billion dollar Dawei development, strategically located along the Thai-Myanmar peninsula, will be one of Southeast Asia?s largest industrial complexes, with a 250 sq km deep-sea port, petrochemical and heavy industry hub.
After the project failed to attract sufficient investment, it was taken over directly by the Dawei SEZ Development Company, jointly owned by the governments of Thailand and Myanmar..."
Daniel Aguirre, Sam Zarifi
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-16
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Land confiscation for military, commercial and other purposes, Dawei (Tavoy) Special Economic Zone
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
United Nations General Assembly (A/69/398)
Date of publication:
2014-09-23
Description:
Резюме
Важный процесс перехода и глубокие реформы в Мьянме заслуживают одобрения. Тем не менее необходимо обратить внимание на возможные признаки свертывания реформ во избежание ослабления достигнутого прогресса. В настоящем докладе определяются предполагаемые основные направления деятельности Специального докладчика и излагаются рекомендации по содействию мерам, принимаемым Мьянмой в целях обеспечения уважения, защиты и поощрения прав человека и достижения демократизации, национального примирения и развития.
Yanghee Lee
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-16
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Reports to the GA by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (Russian)
Language:
Russian
Format :
pdf
Size:
607.5 KB
Local URL:
2014-UNGA69-SRMreport-ru.pdf
2014-UNGA69-SRMreport-ru.pdf more
Source/publisher:
United Nations General Assembly (A/69/398)
Date of publication:
2014-09-23
Description:
摘要
缅甸的重要过渡和意义深远的改革必须得到赞扬。但应消除退缩迹象，以避免损害已取得的进展。本报告介绍了特别报告员初步关注的重点领域和为促进缅甸努力尊重、保护和促进人权及实现民主化、民族和解和发展而提出的建议。
Yanghee Lee
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-16
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Reports to the GA by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (Chinese)
Language:
Chinese
Format :
pdf
Size:
650.88 KB
Local URL:
2014-UNGA69-SRMreport-ch.pdf
2014-UNGA69-SRMreport-ch.pdf more
Source/publisher:
United Nations General Assembly (A/69/398)
Date of publication:
2014-09-23
Description:
لا أد من الإشادة أالمرحلة الانتقالية الهامة الـ رـر ـا ميانمـار وأالإصـاحات البعيـدة
المدى الجارية فيها. غير عنه ينبغـي التدـدلأ لألأ عامـات لتملـة للتراجـلا حـس لا تتسـب في
تقــويا التقــدم ا ــرر. ويعــرت رــذا التقريــر ــالات التركيــز الر يســية الأو
ليــة الــ تارحهــا
المقررة الخاصة وتوصـيااا الراميـة لى الإسـهام في الجهـود الـ تبـذلها ميانمـار مـن عجـ احتـرام
حقوق الإنسان وحمايتها وتعزيزرا ولرسا الديمقراطية وتحقيق المدالحة الوطنية والتنمية
Yanghee Lee
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-16
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Reports to the GA by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (Arabic)
Language:
Arabic
Format :
pdf
Size:
367.25 KB
Local URL:
2014-UNGA69-SRMreport-ar.pdf
2014-UNGA69-SRMreport-ar.pdf more
Source/publisher:
Naciones Unidas. Asamblea General (A/69/398)
Date of publication:
2014-09-23
Description:
Resumen:
"El importante proceso de transición y las amplias reformas que se están
llevando a cabo en Myanmar son dignos de elogio.
Sin embargo, se debe hacer frente
a cualquier posible señal de retroceso para no echar por tierra los avances
conseguidos.
En el pr
esente informe se describen los principales ámbitos
preliminares de atención y las recomendaciones de la Relatora Especial, que tienen
como objetivo contribuir a los esfuerzos de Myanmar para respetar, proteger y
promover los derechos humanos y lograr la d
emocratización, la reconciliación
nacional y el desarrollo."
Sra. Yanghee Lee
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-16
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
Español, Spanish
Format :
pdf
Size:
391.39 KB
Local URL:
2014-UNGA69-SRMreport-sp.pdf
2014-UNGA69-SRMreport-sp.pdf more
Source/publisher:
Nations Unies, Assemblée générale (A/69/398)
Date of publication:
2014-09-23
Description:
Résumé: "Les importantes réformes en cours au Myanmar
doivent être saluées, et le pays
est en transition. Pourtant, il faut s?occuper des indices d?un possible retour en
arrière de façon à ne pas compromettre les progrès réalisés. Le présent rapport
expose les analyses préliminaires de la Rapporteure spéciale
et ses premières
recommandations pour contribuer à ce que fait le pays dans la voie du respect, de la
promotion et de la protection des droits de l?homme, et dans la poursuite de la
démocratisation, de la réconciliation nationale et du développement du pays."
Yanghee Lee
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-16
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
Français, French
Format :
pdf
Size:
567.33 KB
Local URL:
2014-UNGA69-SRMreport-fr.pdf
2014-UNGA69-SRMreport-fr.pdf more
Source/publisher:
United Nations General Assembly (A/69/398)
Date of publication:
2014-09-23
Description:
Summary: "The important transition and far-reaching reforms in Myanmar must be commended. Yet, possible signs of backtracking should be addressed so as not to undermine the progress achieved. The present report sets out the Special Rapporteur?s preliminary key areas of focus and recommendations aimed at contributing to Myanmar?s efforts towards respecting, protecting and promoting human rights and achieving democratization, national reconciliation and development."
Yanghee Lee
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-16
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Reports to the GA by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English)
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
452.79 KB
Local URL:
2014-UNGA69-SRMreport-en.pdf
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Source/publisher:
International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
Date of publication:
2014-06-00
Description:
"...The field
covered under the title ?
business and human rights”
is vast
and
complex. It
encompasses
issues relating to
the
respective role of States and business enterprises,
which as such cover a wide diversity of matters. It may
address
issues relating to
incorporation
and functioning of corporate bodies in
domestic
jurisdictions,
the
financing
of economic activities, rules governing transnational investment,
State-owned
national
bodies that promote
and insure
export and
imports,
the securities field, and the
relationship between the State and private business
es, particularly those operating
abroad.
It touches
upon
the law of civil remedies and criminal law, and in many
countries it involves constitutional law.
While there are many actors
and
situations
that
may
exert
influence
on business
behaviour,
this report
focuses
on the
identification of
gaps in international law and its
implementation,
which are
arguably
part of
the
permissive
environment
for
businesses?
abuse of human rights.
Business
conduct
is
constrained
not
only by publicly enacted
laws and regulations,
the breach of which may be sanctioned by public authorities, but
also by a plethora of written and unwritten rules that govern economic interactions in
the market,
including
consumer preferences
and
State preferences as
a
consumer
of
businesses? goods and services. Self-regulation in the form of enterprise codes of
conduct responds
to those market incentives and can be fairly effective when
certain
conditions are in place.
However, the ICJ and many other actors have been critical of
the value of these initiatives as an effective tool for corporate accountability and have
warned against over-reliance on them.
As a form of regulation of business behaviour,
self-regulation is not the focus of this report. Moreover, multi-
stakeholder initiatives and
codes of conduct as regulatory options have been mapped out during the work carried
out by Professor
Ruggie
during his mandate as Special Representative. To
undertake
this work
again
would be duplicative and unnecessary.
For the purposes of this report, it
suffices to
restate the general consensus
that a mix of voluntary and regulatory
approaches is possible and necessary when
addressing
business
and human rights.
The objective of this report is to identify gaps in international regulation
that
could
justify the need for new international instruments.
The report
focuses
only
on
those
gaps that are:
1)
of a normative character,
in terms of
defining
the
content and scope
of
international
standards;
or
2) relate to
the effective implementation of
those
standards, including
access to an effective remedy for victims of abuse.
Significantly,
most of those issues have already been
effectively
addressed
in
various ways by
human
rights advocates, scholars and jurists.
The report
aims at recommending options to
address those normative
and implementation
gaps..."
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-10
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.58 MB
more
Source/publisher:
United Nations General Assembly (A/69/362)
Date of publication:
2014-08-29
Description:
Summary:
"The present report, submitted pursuant to paragraph 16 of General Assembly
resolution
68/242
, covers the period from 11 August 2013 to 6 August
2014. During
the reporting period, Myanmar continued the reform agenda while the country geared
up for the 2015 elections. Parliament enacted fresh laws reflecting popular needs and
ensuring popular accountability. Efforts continued for a nationwide cease
fire and for
building the framework for a political dialogue. The tension in Rakhine did not
lessen, causing widespread concern and alarm both domestically and internationally.
Myanmar assumed the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
on 1 January 2014. The United Nations continued its wide
-
ranging engagement with
and provision of support to Myanmar."
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-10
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
291.7 KB
Local URL:
2014-UNGA69-SGreport-en.pdf
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Source/publisher:
Displacement Solutions
Date of publication:
2014-02-00
Description:
LAND RIGHTS
AND MINE ACTION
IN MYANMAR -
DO NO HARM:
PROPOSALS FOR A SET
OF EIGHT CORE PRINCIPLES AND A
14-STEP SEQUENCING PROCESS FOR
LAND RIGHTS-SENSITIVE MINE SURVEY
AND CLEARANCE IN MYANMAR.....
"Vast areas of land in Myanmar are currently contaminated by landmines and other explosive
remnants of war (ERW) as a legacy of decades of armed conflict between the national
government and a wide range of ethnic armed groups. However, the political climate in
Myanmar has been rapidly changing, peace talks have been progressing, and plans are being
developed to commence demining of contaminated lands. Programme and policy formulation
by mine action related organisations in Myanmar is currently underway, and landmine and ERW
survey and clearance operations are expected to commence in the near future. In addition, the
Myanmar Mine Action Center (MMAC) is about to be established under the Myanmar Peace
Centre (MPC) and, once it has been activated, will be expected to play the key governmental role
in mine action efforts.
2.
Mine action is a vital component of broader strategies to secure sustainable peace in countries
emerging from conflict and instability. At the same time, mine action is inextricably linked to
broader land rights questions because demining frees land that was previously unusable and/or
difficult and dangerous to access. If managed poorly or if carried out purely on a technical basis
without taking land rights questions into account, de-mining can re-ignite or create new land
conflicts, facilitate land grabbing for resource extraction or other large-scale business activities,
lead to forced displacement, serve to reinforce or exacerbate economic inequalities, and trigger a
range of other undesirable outcomes. It is thus vital that demining efforts in Myanmar be subject
to policies and agreements that can prevent such outcomes. It is essential, in other words, that
the landmine survey and clearance efforts
Do No Harm..."
.
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-08
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Mine Clearance in Burma/Myanmar, Anti-Personnel Landmines - Specialist organisations and commentary
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Burma Partnership
Date of publication:
2014-10-02
Description:
"While it appears that the peace process in Burma is making substantial progress, and this is certainly what the
government is espousing, the realities on the ground for many people are much the same as they have always
been. In non-ceasefire areas incidences of conflict occur almost daily between the Burma Army and the Kachin
Independence Organization (KIO) and conflict with the Ta?ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has sharply
increased since the start of 2014, while in areas where ceasefires have been signed, sporadic fighting
continues. Meanwhile, severe human rights violations continue, including the systematic use of rape as a
weapon of war by the Burma Army. To date there has been no effort from the government to put this
unreformed and unrepentant institution under civilian control or make any meaningful moves towards finding
justice for those victims of human rights abuses. As for the peace process itself, there has been a disproportionate focus, especially from the government side,
on achieving a nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA). These discussions have been ongoing for over 18
months, and the supposed benefits of this agreement are uncertain. The Burma Army and the government
appear to have contradictory positions with the Burma Army proving to be particularly obdurate, while on the
ethnic armed group side, increased inter and intra group tension is further complicating the process..."
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-07
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Peace processes, ceasefires and ceasefire talks (websites, documents, reports and studies)
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University
Date of publication:
1885-00-00
Description:
All 10 volumes..."Edited with Introduction, Notes and
Summary in English of Each Order by
THAN TUN, M.A.,B.L., Ph.D. (London),
Professor of History , Mandalay University".....The documents were subsequently prepared and digitised by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University.....The versions offered here by the Online Burma/Myanmar Library have been reduced in size using Finereader-11 ocr software. This makes the files more accessible, but may involve some loss of resolution. The Kyoto versions may be accessed via the Alternate link to the Kyoto site.
Than Tun (editor)
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-05
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Legal history and philosophy of Burma (texts and commentary), The Royal Orders of Burma (1598-1885), Multiple periods of Burmese history
Language:
English, Burmese (မြန်မာဘာသာ)
Format :
pdf
Size:
51.48 KB
Local URL:
ROB-TOC.pdf
ROB-TOC.pdf more
Source/publisher:
The Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business
Date of publication:
2014-09-30
Description:
MCRB held a consultation on the draft tourism sector-wide impact assessment in Yangon on:
Monday 25 August – for business stakeholders, in English...
Tuesday 26 August – for international NGO/government/advisory stakeholders, in English...
Wednesday 27 August – for local civil society organisations, in Myanmar...
Documents for discussion included the following:
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-02
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
The Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business
Date of publication:
2014-09-04
Description:
" The Oil & Gas Sector-Wide Impact Assessment (SWIA), developed by the Myanmar Centre for Responsible Business (MCRB) in partnership with its co-founders, the Institute of Human Rights and Business and the Danish Institute of Human Rights, is intended to support responsible business practices in this growing sector of Myanmar?s economy.
The Myanmar Oil & Gas SWIA puts detailed information on potential impacts of the sector into the public domain for uptake and use by a wide range of audiences. It assesses not only localised impacts on individuals and groups that may arise from projects in the sector, but also cumulative impacts and the sector?s potential impacts on Myanmar society as a whole.
This is important because:
Myanmar is currently facing a rapid increase in investment in its oil and gas (O&G) sector with the award of 16 onshore and 20 offshore blocks in the space of 12 months in 2013-2014
Even though the country is emerging from decades of ethnic conflict, authoritarian rule and economic isolation it is, and will remain for some time, a high-risk country with poor governance. An understanding of the potential impacts of the sector is necessary to improve the outcomes for Myanmar and its people.
Responsible business conduct in the Oil & Gas sector in Myanmar therefore requires enhanced due diligence to determine what impacts business activities may have on society, including on human rights. This must include robust approaches to managing those impacts. The Oil & Gas SWIA is intended to be a resource for these efforts.
The recommendations in the SWIA are directed towards government, businesses (and investors in those business), civil society and development partners for Myanmar, and are intended to support wider multistakeholder collaboration..."
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-02
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Oil and gas
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
5.73 MB
more
Source/publisher:
Asia Foundation
Date of publication:
2014-09-16
Description:
မြန်မာနှိုင်ငံရ ှိ
ပြည်နယ်န င့်တှိုင်းဒေသကြ းမ ား၏
ဖ ံ့ဖြှိ းတှိုးတက်မှုကှို
အထောက်အကူပေးခြင်း
နှို
င်ငံတော်
န င့်
က
ဏ္ဍ
ဆှိုင်ရာ
မူဝါဒ
တှို့န
င့်
ဒေသန
ရလှို
အင်မ ားအား
ခ ှိန်ညှိ ြ
ခင်း
က ှိ း
စိုကဲအင်နားဒ
....Abstract: "This paper aims to extract lessons from development partners? engagement in Myanmar to offer suggestions for improved subnational governance and balanced regional development. The analysis in this paper is based on literature that describes and evaluates past and on - going regional development interventions in Myanmar by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). These interventions were all in fields of critical importance to Myanmar?s sustainable growth — agriculture and rural development, health, and infrastructure. The lessons summarized in this paper imply that decentralization needs to be carefully designed to strike the right balance between local preferences and national/sector policy for regional development. These lessons suggest th ree tasks that could be the key to finding the appropriate formula for balanced regional development: 1) developing a mechanism for integrating ?top - down? and ?bottom - up? priorities, 2) deepening the process of centralizing information in order to continuo usly adjust strategic plans to match the needs evolving on the ground, and 3) making the best use of existing institutions at all levels of the government."
Kyosuke Inada
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-02
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
Burmese/ မြန်မာဘာသာ
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.41 MB
more
Source/publisher:
Asia Foundation
Date of publication:
2014-08-00
Description:
Abstract:
"This paper aims to extract lessons from development partners? engagement in Myanmar to offer suggestions
for improved subnational governance and balanced regional development. The analysis in this paper is based
on literature that describes and
evaluates past and on
-
going regional development interventions in Myanmar
by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). These interventions were all in fields of critical
importance to Myanmar?s sustainable growth
—
agriculture and rural development,
health, and infrastructure.
The lessons summarized in this paper imply that decentralization needs to be carefully designed to strike the
right balance between local preferences and national/sector policy for regional development. These lessons
suggest th
ree tasks that could be the key to finding the appropriate formula for balanced regional
development: 1) developing a mechanism for integrating ?top
-
down? and ?bottom
-
up? priorities, 2) deepening
the process of centralizing information in order to continuo
usly adjust strategic plans to match the needs
evolving on the ground, and 3) making the best use of existing institutions at all levels of the government."
Kyosuke Inada
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-02
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
2.09 MB
more
Source/publisher:
Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Date of publication:
2014-08-00
Description:
"...In his inaugural address, President U Thein Sein rightfully identified a raft of challenges. One of these is an
urgent need for investment in physical and social infrastructure. Another is the need for strong, growthoriented
development, led initially by agriculture and natural resources, and followed by manufacturing for
domestic and export markets. The President also emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability,
good governance and the rule of law; resolute action against corruption; and addressing the widening income
gap between rich and poor.
To overcome the obstacles, the government will need to accelerate reforms. Doing so requires a clear,
multipronged development that produces quality jobs and reduces poverty. Myanmar has a historic
opportunity to develop integrated, comprehensive long-term policies. Getting them right, by learning from
the successes and failures of its neighbors—and adapting those lessons to the country?s specific contexts—
carries enormous advantages.
This report examines how Myanmar can unlock its full potential. It stresses that charting a successful course
will involve considerable care in sequencing policies and programs in the right sectors at the right time. It
also details the policy challenges ahead—among them, how to strengthen market institutions, enhance
governance and institutional capacity, improve infrastructure, develop human capital, and promote regional
integration....A successfully integrated development policy framework will need to consider comprehensive development
and reform planning and phasing. It is in this context that the Asian Development Bank?s (ADB) Economics
and Research Department presents this report,
Myanmar: Unlocking the Potential
, which is based on an in-
depth country study undertaken in 2013. The report examines the most important and immediate issues that
need to be tackled to unlock the potential. These include weak infrastructure, creating modern market and
government institutions, human development, stronger regional integration, a clear focus on inclusive growth,
and environmental protection..."
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-02
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Bodu Bala Sena website
Date of publication:
2014-10-01
Description:
"The Buddhist Society of the world has awoken to the ground realities of
subtle incursions taking place under the guise of secular, multicultural and
other liberal notions that are directly impacting on the Buddhist ethos and
space. These incursions are being funded from overseas and have made its
impact globally and are subtly spreading into the local situations. Both the
Bodu Bala Sena (of Sri Lanka) and 969 movement (of Burma) in realizing the
impeding dangers have felt that it must now come forward to derive practical
and meaningful ways to address these burning issues which cannot be left
for politicians to deal with. We feel that in the light of the same incursions
taking place in the Buddhist countries that remain it is now opportune a time
for the Buddhists of the world to get together and derive a national and
international plan to address these issues without delay...".....In the meantime, the old BBS website has gone offline and the new one, http://bodubalasena.net/ seems not to contain the text of the MOU - in English, anyway
Date of entry/update:
2014-10-02
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Inter-Communal violence and discrimination - Myanmar - General articles and analysis, Burmese Buddhism and Society
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
73.48 KB
Local URL:
BBS+969-MOU.pdf
BBS+969-MOU.pdf more
Source/publisher:
Network Myanmar
Description:
Extensive and wide-ranging online collection of useful documents. The archive ends in October 2016 when Network Myanmar closed. The main link here, however, contains some updates beyond the 2016 cut-off.
Date of entry/update:
2014-09-25
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Category:
Arakan (Rakhine) State - reports etc. by date (latest first), Arakan (Rakhine) State - reports etc. - academic, library and think-tank sources and individual scholars, Arakanese/Rakhine/Rohingya history
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Navdanya
Description:
"Navdanya means ?nine seeds? (symbolizing protection of biological and cultural diversity) and also the ?new gift? (for seed as commons, based on theright to save and share seeds In today?s context of biological and ecological destruction, seed savers are the true givers of seed. This gift or ?dana? of Navadhanyas (nine seeds) is the ultimate gift – it is a gift of life, of heritage and continuity. Conserving seed is conserving biodiversity, conserving knowledge of the seed and its utilization, conserving culture, conserving sustainability.
Navdanya is a network of seed keepers and organic producers spread across 17 states in India.
Navdanya has helped set up 111 community seed banks across the country, trained over 5,00,000 farmers in seed sovereignty, food sovereignty and sustainable agriculture over the past two decades, and helped setup the largest direct marketing, fair trade organic network in the country.
Navdanya has also set up a learning center, Bija Vidyapeeth (School of the Seed / Earth University) on its biodiversity conservation and organic farm in Doon Valley, Uttarakhand, North India.
Navdanya is actively involved in the rejuvenation of indigenous knowledge and culture. It has created awareness on the hazards of genetic engineering, defended people?s knowledge from biopiracy and food rights in the face of globalisation and climate change.
Navdanya is a women centred movement for the protection of biological and cultural diversity."..... Earth Democracy Climate Change...
Women for Diversity...Organic Movement...
The Earth University - Bija Vidyapeeth
Campaigns.....Several useful publications for download
Date of entry/update:
2014-09-25
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
International Institute for Sustainable Development
Date of publication:
2014-09-12
Description:
"...This note examines some of the key legal and policy implications of the Myanmar–Japan Bilateral Investment Treaty
(BIT).
This treaty was signed on December 15, 2013 but, at the time of writing, does not appear to have entered
into force. Although Myanmar is already a party to a handful of bilateral and multilateral investment treaties,
the
Myanmar–Japan BIT is particularly significant for two reasons. The first is that it is the first investment treaty to be
negotiated and signed by the transitional government that took power in 2011. As such, it provides insights into
how the current Government might approach other investment treaty negotiations over the coming years. The
second reason is that the Myanmar–Japan BIT differs significantly from recent ASEAN investment treaty practice
(to which Myanmar is a party). For one, the investment protection provisions of the Myanmar–Japan BIT use older-
style language, thereby leaving leeway for investment tribunals to limit Myanmar?s policy space in a manner that
would not be possible under the ASEAN investment treaties. Myanmar also appears to provide more extensive
pre-establishment rights to Japan than it provides to ASEAN member states under the ASEAN Comprehensive
Investment Agreement (ASEAN CIA), and it could be argued that the rights granted to Japanese investors must now
also be extended to investors of the other nine ASEAN states..."
Jonathan Bonnitcha
Date of entry/update:
2014-09-23
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Japanese investment, Laws, decrees, bills and regulations relating to business and investment (commentary)
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
919.17 KB
more
Source/publisher:
International Institute for Sustainable Development.
Date of publication:
2014-06-00
Description:
Executive Summary:
"This paper reviews Myanmar?s existing investment treaties and examines the legal implications of key terms contained
in them. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of Myanmar?s current investment treaty context, which
can inform a way forward for possible reform and contribute to a deeper understanding of the implications of potential
future treaties. This paper focuses on key provisions that have proven important in other countries? experience with
investment treaties over the past decade.
1
The main findings of this paper are as follows:
1.
Myanmar has seven investment treaties in force, plus an eighth treaty—the Myanmar–Japan bilateral
investment treaty (BIT)—that may soon enter into force.
2.
Myanmar?s investment treaties cover the investment relationship between Myanmar and 15 other countries.
These 15 countries are all located in East, South-East and South Asia and in Oceania (Australia and New
Zealand).
3.
Four of Myanmar?s investment treaties, which cover Myanmar?s investment relationship with 13 different
countries, were negotiated either with or through ASEAN.
4.
Myanmar?s investment treaties that were negotiated with or through ASEAN show some degree of
consistency, although important differences between these four treaties remain. In contrast, there is a very
high degree of variation between Myanmar?s ASEAN investment treaties and Myanmar?s BITs, both in the
types of provisions included in different treaties and in the drafting of provisions common to several treaties.
5.
These variations have significant legal implications for the nature and extent of Myanmar?s obligations under
different treaties. They also make the government?s task of complying with Myanmar?s existing investment
treaties more complex.
6.
Many of Myanmar?s investment treaties contain most-favoured nation (MFN) clauses. The effect of these
provisions is that any benefit extended to foreign investors from one country under one investment treaty
may need to be extended to foreign investors covered by Myanmar?s other investment treaties. As a result,
Myanmar may be required to grant a combination of benefits to foreign investors that is more generous than
that provided by any one of Myanmar?s investment treaties, considered individually.
7.
Aside from the Myanmar–Philippines BIT, all of Myanmar?s investment treaties allow foreign investors to
bring claims under the treaty directly to investor–state arbitration. In such disputes, an arbitral tribunal
will decide if the state in which the investment is located has breached the treaty. If the investor?s claim is
successful, the tribunal will make a binding, monetary award against the state.
Because Myanmar?s investment treaties are enforceable through investor–state arbitration, questions relating to the
extent of Myanmar?s obligations under different treaties have important practical implications"
Jonathan Bonnitcha
Date of entry/update:
2014-09-23
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Laws, decrees, bills and regulations relating to business and investment (commentary), Laws and regulations governing investment
Format :
pdf
Size:
974.18 KB
more
Source/publisher:
"Energy Policy" (ElsevierLtd,) March 2014
Date of publication:
2014-03-10
Description:
Abstract: "A brisk building boom of hydropower mega-dams is underway from China to Brazil. Whether benefits of
new dams will outweigh costs remains unresolved despite contentious debates. We investigate this
question with the ?outside view? or ?reference class forecasting? based on literature on decision-making
under uncertainty in psychology. We find overwhelming evidence that budgets are systematically biased
below actual costs of large hydropower dams—excluding inflation, substantial debt servicing, environmental, and social costs. Using the largest and most reliable reference data of its kind and multilevel
statistical techniques applied to large dams for the first time, we were successful in fitting parsimonious
models to predict cost and schedule overruns. The outside view suggests that in most countries large
hydropower dams will be too costly in absolute terms and take too long to build to deliver a positive risk-
adjusted return unless suitable risk management measures outlined in this paper can be affordably
provided. Policymakers, particularly in developing countries, are advised to prefer agile energy
alternatives that can be built over shorter time horizons to energy megaprojects"....Keywords:
Large hydropower dams,
Schedule and cost estimates,
Cost–benefit forecasting,
Reference class forecasting,
Outside view."
Atif Ansa, Bent Flyvbjerg, Alexander Budzie, Daniel Lunn
Date of entry/update:
2014-09-20
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
591.13 KB
Local URL:
Oxford_study_on_dams-2013-red.pdf
Oxford_study_on_dams-2013-red.pdf more
Source/publisher:
Aljazeera (People & Power)
Date of publication:
2014-08-21
Description:
As Myanmar emerges slowly from five decades of dictatorship, will it ever catch up with its more prosperous neighbours?...After almost half a century of authoritarian rule, Myanmar (or Burma) is gradually coming in from the cold, dark years of repression and dictatorship giving way to new industries and culture – driven by both, the growing interest of foreign investors and the gradual softening of political criticism and sanctions from the US, Europe and others...However, ... there still is a clear divide between those benefiting from the new world, and those struggling to survive in old Burma. Prosperity – or anything approaching it – is still a long way off. Most of Myanmar?s 60 million people have yet to experience the full benefits of that growing freedom and the country – though rich in natural resources - remains one of most deprived in the world...Thanks to a wide range of newspapers now available the population is becoming better informed but on a practical level although some adventurous entrepreneurs are prepared to take a risk on new start-ups and business ventures, most people do not even have the money to fund their child?s education..."
Sally Sara, Vivien Altman, ABC
Date of entry/update:
2014-08-22
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Social studies of Burma
Language:
English
more