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ARCHIVES	Wednesday, 1 March 2006	ON LINE EDITION

Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law takes into consideration gender sensitivities and child friendly approaches National Seminar on Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law held

YANOGN, 28 Feb — A ceremony to open the National Seminar on the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law sponsored by the Ministry of Home Affairs and UNIAP was held at the Sedona Hotel on Kaba Aye Pagoda road here this morning with an address by Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein.

Also present on the occasion were Chairman of Yangon Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Yangon Command Brig-Gen Hla Htay Win, ministers, the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, deputy ministers and members of the Central Committee for Prevention against Trafficking in Persons, presidents of Myanmar Women Affairs Federation and Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association and members, diplomats of foreign missions led by Dean of Diplomatic Corps Philippine Ambassador Mme Phoebe A Gomez, resident representatives of UN agencies led by UN Coordinator Mr Charles James Petric, officials of the State Peace and Development Council Office, heads of department, officials of social organizations at home and abroad and the respective sub-committees, resource persons and guests.

In his address, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein said: I will not hesitate to express my full satisfaction by the measures, our country has taken over the past several years in our consistent and persistent efforts to fight the crime of human trafficking both within our country and in the region. Today, indeed, is a day that Myanmar can be proud of, for the efforts we have put in, to create an enabling legal environment to fight the crime of human trafficking both within the country and with other States.

Before I go any further, let me congratulate the law review and drafting team on a job well done! I am aware of the numerous meetings, the numerous review sessions and the often animated discussions you had throughout the long process of drafting the new law. The Ministry of Home Affairs, as the key Ministry to combat human trafficking has indeed done a good job of taking its responsibility seriously through initiating and providing supporting services to the law review and drafting process. I am also aware that the Attorney-General’s Office, as the key ministry responsible for drafting law, has also provided collaboration and invaluable technical advice and support to this process. Contribution from other ministries that have been involved in the whole drafting process, such as the Ministry of Labour, Justice, Immigration and Population and National Registration, Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, Foreign Affairs, National Planning as well as the Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation should also be acknowledged.

I am pleased to note that the law you have before you is the result of inter-sector involvement, which as we all know, is the only way to truly combat this unacceptable human rights abuse called trafficking. The whole law drafting process, in fact, should also be commended for the active participation and involvement by all the technically relevant ministries as well as our international partners. You may be aware that the process of drafting this law is unprecedented in the history of Myanmar . While still in the draft stage, the law was put up for debate, discussion and consultation that brought in internal and external experts.

The consultation workshop on the Draft Law took place more than a year ago, in September 2004 with active support from the UN Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region, the UNIAP together with UNODC and the ARCPPT. It will not be incorrect to say that the law that you have in front of you is very much a result of internal and external consultation, striving to ensure internationally recognized norms and standards. While we stand proud with the enactment of the new Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law, I would like to throw caution to the wind. This law has, as you all know, received favourable reviews regionally as well as internationally. These favourable reviews have also been accompanied by skepticism about our capacity to successfully implement this law. While we rejoice in this great step forward, we must be, as we are aware of the challenges that lie ahead.

The drafting of the law in itself has not been easy. The law you have in front of us was not drafted overnight. We took a good few years to first debate on the need for a specific anti-trafficking law. We reviewed existing legal provisions; the Penal Code, the Criminal Law, the Civil Law, the Anti-Prostitution Act among others. Only after a thorough

review, did we proceed to draft a new Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law. We also took into account the recommendations of the first National Seminar on Trafficking conducted in 2003 and our regional and international commitments.

The COMMIT MoU signed by the Ministers from the six GMS countries, here in Yangon in October 2004 pledged to adopt and enforce appropriate Legislation against trafficking and the Vientiane of ASEAN Declaration Against Trafficking in Persons adopted by the Heads of States of the ASEAN countries in November 2004 pledged to establish a regional focal network to prevent and combat trafficking. The law also stands as a testament to our commitment to the UN Convention to the Transnational Organized Crime and its accompanying Protocol on Trafficking in Persons.

The participatory process through which the law as drafted has been rewarding. The law, its very much centered in the best interest of the victims and promotes a victim—centric and rights—based approach in combating trafficking. I also see that the law takes into consideration gender sensitivities and child friendly approaches. It also provides for an effective protection of trafficked victims and safeguarding of their individual rights including providing medical support and medical examination only with the consent of the victim.

While the enactment of the law provides a much need legal tool to combat trafficking, as the next two days discussions on the law will reveal, the implementation of this highly comprehensive law on trafficking if not going to be an easy undertaking. The challenge now is to successfully and effectively implement the law. The whole law enforcement sector and the criminal justice system including everyone from all walks of life will have to cooperate and work together to ensure its effective implementation. Lessons learnt from looking at countries, who have before us, enacted anti-trafficking laws reveal that we have many challenges ahead; that the law is new, means the system and the personnel responsible now needs to become thoroughly familiar with the law. Only when the essence of it is truly ingrained in the system, and when we become fully versed with the subtleties of the law, can we expect to do justice to it. The issue of human trafficking, the abuse of individuals, deserve the best, the law can give. We have the law in our hands. Now we need to deliver it effectively.

This National Seminar is the first among many steps to ensure that this happens. We have gathered here today some of the best expertise in the country on the issue. Let there be no wavering about our commitment to ensure justice for the victims and proportional punishment of the perpetrators of the crime and the prevalence of the due process of the law. I have no doubt that the two days’ discussions will yield rich and fruitful discussions that will strengthen the implementation of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law that this Seminar sets out to do.

Next, Minister for Home Affairs Maj-Gen Maung Oo made a speech. He said: The Seminar on the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law was conducted for the relevant authorities to have a better understanding of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law, which was promulgated on 13 September, and to enhance the cooperation among the law enforcement agencies, social organizations, government departments INGOs and NGOs.

Nowadays, the problem of trafficking in persons has become one of the top priorities on the international agenda. Hence, the issue has to be handled by every nation of the world at all levels. In fact, the clandestine nature of the crime makes it extremely difficult to give estimates about the number of victims and according to the estimation of researchers, 1 million to 2 millions people have been trafficked each year. It also estimates that 300000 women and children are being trafficked within the Mekong Sub-Region. If we study the statistics on trafficking, we can comprehend that the situation is most alarming. Not only the victims but also their families have to face great hardships. Myanmar , therefore, has designated combating of trafficking in persons as a national duty. The implementation of the relevant tasks have been carried out not only in the country but also in cooperation with the neighbouring countries, regional countries as well as with the international organizations.

In December 2003, the Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation representing the women mass, who are more than half of the population of Myanmar , was established and tasks to ensure the development and security of the women’s lives were implemented. Under the federation, the Working Committee for Prevention of Trafficking and Smuggling of Persons was formed and tasks on prevention and suppression of trafficking in persons have been carried out with commitment. Moreover, also in December 2003, the MoU on Asia Regional Cooperation to Prevent People Trafficking-ARCPPT Project was signed by Myanmar , Cambodia , Thailand , and Laos together with

Australia

and in accord with the project Task Force for combating trafficking in persons have been formed and tasks are being implemented effectively.

In March 2004, Myanmar acceded to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the protocols on combating Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants. Myanmar became a member to demonstrate its resolve on trafficking in persons and it reflects the fact that it is in cooperation with the international community.

As the Mekong Sub-Region is designated as an area where trafficking in persons is rampant, in October 2004, at the COMMIT MoU the first of its kind in the world concerning regional agreement to cooperate on the Mekong Basin Region Countries namely Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam signed together the MoU. the signatory countries pledged to the elimination of the problem and laid down future work programs which are being implemented.

As the follow-up activity the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law was promulgated in 2005 which is indeed complete and adequate.

If we study the said law, we will find the law contains provisions not only for taking of action against the offenders to be prosecuted and punished and but also includes provisions that value and respect human rights.

At this seminar, the experts on the subjects will submit papers and hold discussions which the participants will better understand the provisions of the law and thus will be able to lay down future work programs, and also find important details that can be incorporated into the Rules which will be promulgated in the near future. This seminar, therefore, will be an important milestone in the history of Myanmar on Combating of Trafficking in Persons.

After the opening ceremony, Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein, Minister Maj-Gen Maung Oo and members, members of panel of chairman of the seminar, resource persons, Presidents and members of Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation and Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, diplomats led by Dean of Diplomatic Corps the Philippines Ambassador, resident representatives led by UN Coordinator pose for documentary photos.

Curriculum Vitae of His Excellency Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia

Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was born on 9 September 1949 at Pacitan, East Java, Indonesia. He graduated from Infantry Military Academy of Indonesia in 1973 and from 1982 to 1983 he attended the Infantry Officers Advanced Course in USA . He was at the School of Infantry Military Command from 1988 to 1989 and from 1990 to 1991 he attended the Command and General Staff College in USA . Also from 1990 to 1991, he studied a postgraduate course leading to a Master of Arts degree in Management at Webster University, USA. Then from 2001 to 2004, he attended a postgraduate course leading to a Doctorate in Agricultural Economics at Bogor Institute of Agriculture, Bogor , West Java, Indonesia.

He was commissioned as Second Lieutenant (Infantry) in 1973. From then he had 27 years of service in the military, combined with service in governmental institutions, trainings, visitations, and assignments in 28 countries including USA, Russia, Germany, UK, Panama, Belgium, and Australia. He served in various posts as Commander of Infantry, Staff Officer, Territorial Commander, Trainer and Lecturer in Operational Zones, Bases, and Oversea Posts. In 2000, he was promoted to a General in the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI).

He had also served as Minister of Mining and Energy, Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs in the National Union Cabinet, and Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs in the Gotong Royong Cabinet. In the country’s first direct presidential election in 2004, he was elected as President of the Republic of Indonesia for the 2004-2009 period.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint inspects Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) Sagaing Division to put 500,000 acres under physic nut plants

YANGON, 28 Feb — Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Ye Myint of the Ministry of Defence, accompanied by Mandalay Division Peace and Development Council Commander of Central Command Maj-Gen Khin Zaw, yesterday went to Ayeyawady Bridge (Yadanabon) in Mandalay and inspected the construction of the bridge.

After hearing reports on installation of iron beams, construction of railroad on the bridge and the approach road and overpass, Lt-Gen Ye Myint gave instructions.

Afterwards, Lt-Gen Ye Myint attended the physic nut seeds sowing ceremony held at Sagaing District Myanma Agricultural Service.

Sagaing Division sets its target of growing 500,000 physic nut plants and so far 76,162 acres have been put under physic nut plants. Moreover, residents sow physic nut seeds on 60 acres. The division is expected to meet its target of growing 500,000 physic nut plants in 2006.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint said the government set the target of 7 million of physic nut plants across the country. The soil and weather conditions of

Myanmar

is favorable for growing of physic nut plants. As the physic nut oil can be used as fuel in engines, cultivation of physic nut plants can lead to prosperity of farmers.

Lt-Gen Ye Myint and party planted physic nut saplings. Tatmadaw members and families planted over 100,000 physic nut plants at the ceremony. They then observed a physic nut farm in the compound of Kaunghmudaw Pagoda. Afterwards, they inspected summer paddy fields at between Myinmu and Myaung Townships .

During inspection of Kyauknaga Dam, they observed physic nut fields. Physic nut oil can be used as biodiesel and the cake of milled physic nut can be used as natural fertilizer.

Government has so far spent more than K 1,200,000 m on 183 irrigation facilities across the nation Yinnyein Sluice Gate in Paung Township , Mon State , opened

YANGON, 28 Feb—The inauguration of the Yinnyein Sluice Gate took place at the pavilion near the facility in Paung Township , Mon State , yesterday morning.

Member of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Maung Bo of the Ministry of Defence delivered an address on the occasion, saying that the purpose of the sluice gate was to prevent the farmland along Yin Nyein Creek and Kyon Htaw Creek from being flooded in the rainy season, to prevent sea water entering the cultivated areas, to store fresh water, to extend cultivation of crops, and to boost the per acre yield.

The sluice gate, the 183rd irrigation facility of its kind in the nation, will be able to benefit some 20,000 acres of farmland. The irrigation facilities the government have built at a total cost of close to K 3,900 million in Mon State benefit around 84,000 acres. So far, the government has spent more than K 1,200,000 million on the construction of 183 irrigation facilities across the nation.

Today, states and divisions have seen parallel development. Now, the dreams of emergence of such magnificent roads, bridges and irrigation facilities the length and breadth of the nation have come true.

He cited the speech delivered by Head of State Senior General Than Shwe at the opening of Thanlwin Bridge (Mawlamyine), saying that it was important to enhance the strength of national unity and to ensure community peace and tranquillity and prevalence of law and order in the nation. Any kinds of hindrances the nation was facing could be surmounted through these two factors.

In order to cover the requirements of the growing population of the nation, the nation must be transformed from an agro-based system into mechanized one. In this regard, fuel becomes fundamental to achieving the goal. He called for putting seven million acres all over the nation under physic nut in three years. In conclusion, he urged local people to maintain the facility for its durability.

Chairman of Mon State PDC Commander of South-East Command Maj-Gen Soe Naing said that having an average annual rainfall of 180 to 200 inches in the rainy season, Paung Township sees many of its fields flooded in the rainy season. Moreover, when it is in tide, the fields are flooded by sea water.

In compliance with the guidance of the Head of State, the government has made a prudent investment of more than K 1,600 million to build Yin Nyein Sluice Gate.

In response to the goodwill of the government, local farmers on their part are to carry out agricultural tasks with a sense of duty, he urged.

In conclusion, he called on local authoritative bodies at all levels, department personnel and local farmers to imbue themselves with Union Spirit and to make collaborative efforts for ensuring durability of the irrigation facilities in Mon State and greening of the region.

On behalf of local people, U Ba Htauk of Thabyu Chaung Village in Yin nyein Village-tract, Paung Township , Thaton District, expressed thanks to the government for building the sluice gate.

Lt-Gen Maung Bo unveiled the stone plaque of the facility. Commander Maj-Gen Soe Naing and Minister Maj-Gen Htay Oo formally opened the facility.

Lt-Gen Maung Bo and party and guests inspected the sluice gate, and viewed the nurturing of physic nut saplings.

The minister reported on the purposes of the facility and benefits; the commander, on benefited area, pattern of monsoon and summer paddy.

The Yinnyein Sluice Gate is located near Yinnyein Creek, one and a half miles upstream Kyonhaw Village , Paung Township . The water surface area of the concrete type facility is 31.25 square miles with 40 16 feet x 16 feet gates, a 2,600 feet intake canal and a 2,400 feet outfall canal.

YANGON, 28 Feb — Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan this afternoon received Managing Director of Ntegrator Pte Ltd of Singapore Mr Jimmy Chang and Deputy General Manager Mr Jason Leong at Myanma Radio and Television here.

Also present at the call were departmental officials of the Ministry of Information.

YANGON, 28 Feb — Secretariat member of the Union Solidarity and Development Association Minister for Industry-1 U Aung Thaung met with USDA secretaries and executives of Bahan, Tarmway and Pabedan Townships at his ministry this afternoon.

The minister discussed in detail the management and organizational affairs of the association, training programmes to enhance the qualifications of the members and the task of serving the national interest and safeguarding the national interest, while keeping in the fore Our Three Main National Causes. He also urged them to become good organizers in the best interest of the State and the people.

YANGON, 28 Feb — Minister for Construction Maj-Gen Saw Tun and Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Myint Thein yesterday went to Twantay Bridge construction in Hlinethaya Township to assist the construction of the bridge.

The 840-foot-long bridge on Hlinethaya-Twantay road is under construction. The minister inspected the work site of the bridge and fulfilled the requirements. At the meeting with officials concerned at the construction site, the minister urged them to make efforts for completion of the road works along Hlinethay-Twantay Road .

The approach bridge is 1,365 ft long. The motor road of the bridge is 28 feet wide and it is flanked by four-foot-wide padestrian lanes. The bridge can withstand 60 tons of load. Construction Minister Maj-Gen Saw Tun on 26 February also inspected maintenance of roads and bridges along Yangon-Mawla-myine Road . During his tour of inspection, the minister went to Sittaung Bridge (Moppalin) on Yangon-Mawlamyine Road and gave instructions.

Sittaung Bridge is of iron reinforced type and 1,365 feet in length. Its motorway is 28 ft wide, with 6-foot-wide walkways on each side of it. The bridge can withstand 60-tons loads.

Central committee, work committees, and State/Division, District, Township committees for anti-trafficking in persons formed

YANGON, 28 Feb—Under Sub-Section (A), Section (5) of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law, the Government of the Union of Myanmar has formed the Central Committee for Anti-Trafficking in Persons under Notification No 2/2006 dated 11-2-2006 with the Minister for Home Affairs as chairman.

The Central Committee for Anti-Trafficking in Persons, after issuing a notification dated 27-2-2006, has formed three work committees — the work committee for anti-trafficking and protecting of victims led by the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs, the work committee for legal affairs and trial led by the Deputy Attorney-General, and the work committee for reception, organization and rehabilitation led by the Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement.

The Central Committee for Anti-Trafficking in Persons also formed State/Division level Committees for Anti-Trafficking in Persons, District level Committees for Anti-Trafficking in Persons, and Township level Committees for Anti-Trafficking in Persons on 27 February 2006.

Myanmar

has formed such committees at all levels to accelerate the implementation of tasks for anti-trafficking in persons.

YANGON, 28 Feb — National Seminar on the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law took place at the Sedona Hotel, this morning, which was co-organized by Ministry of Home Affairs and United Nations Inter Agency Project on Human Trafficking in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

It was attended by Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Brig-Gen Phone Swe, Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement Brig-Gen Kyaw Myint, Deputy Attorneys General Dr Tun Shin and U Myint Naing, departmental heads, officials of local and international organizations and UNIAP.

Deputy Minister Brig-Gen Phone Swe chaired the first session at which papers on the background history of anti-trafficking in persons law were presented. Next, Head of Transnational Crime Department Police Col Sit Aye, UNIAP Regional Programme Manager Dr Su Su Tha Tun and Col Khin Maung Si of the Ministry of Home Affairs read out their respective papers. Next, the resource persons answered the queries raised by those present.

Then followed the second session of the seminar at which papers on enacting of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law were presented. Deputy Attorney General U Myint Naing presided over the seminar. Director General of the Attorney-General’s Office U Mya Nyein, Directors Daw Kyin San and Daw Khin Myo Myint and Director U Htin Zaw of Supreme Court read their respective papers. Next, they replied to the questions raised by those present. The aim of the seminar is to disseminate the knowledge of anti-trafficking in persons law to the public and officials, to effectively enact the law and to bring together judicial organizations, government departments and non-governmental organizations to the seminar. The seminar continues tomorrow.

YANGON , 28 Feb — Chairman of Yangon City Development Committee Mayor Brig-Gen Aung Thein Lin inspected measures being taken by Engineers Department (Road & Bridge) of YCDC for proper drainage and smooth transport in the city this morning.

The mayor inspected widening of ditches and tarmacking of the road at the corner of U Chit Maung Street and Kyaung Street in Bahan Township, widening of Myayagon Street between Bo Min Yaung Street and Theinbyu Road and repaving of the road in Mingala Taungnyunt Township, and tarmacking of Bogyoke Aung San Street in front of Yangon General Hospital in Latha Township, Anawrahta Street in Lanmadaw Township and Strand Road between Kyaung Street and Theingyi Street in Kyimyindine Township.

During his inspections, the mayor gave instructions to officials on performance of their tasks with goodwill and meeting the set standard in implementing the projects.

YANGON , 28 Feb — Country Coordination Mechanism Meeting on anti-AIDS, TB and malaria was held at the Traders Hotel here today, with an address by Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint.

Resident Representative of UNDP Mr Charles Petrie explained the different stages of the project of the global anti-AIDS, TB and malaria body, the sponsor of the meeting. A total of US$ 11.8 million Myanmar received in aid will be shared among the Health Ministry and local and foreign NGOs to launch the anti-AIDS, TB and malaria campaign.

Assistant Resident Representative U Tin Maung Cho explained the method of sharing the aid among the respective bodies, accomplishments and future programmes.

YANGON , 28 Feb — Aung Win (Srixon and Yangon City Development Committee) took the lead with total strokes 216 at an 18-hole event (professional level) for the third day of Myanmar PGA and Myanmar Golf Federation President Cup Golf 2006 at Hanthawady Golf and Country Club in Bago today.

He was followed by Aung San Win (Srixon) with 218 strokes and Myint Thaung (Bridgestone), Nay Linn Tun and Soe Kyaw Naing with 219 strokes each.

Bo Bo and Naing Naing Linn led the men’s amateur level with 223 strokes each ahead of Aung Win (Forestry) and Htay Aung Htay with 225 strokes each.

KBZ Bank Ltd, KM Golf Centre, Imperial Jade Purified Drinking Water, Grand Royal Special Reserve, Myanmar Brewery Ltd, Eden Group Co Ltd, Hanthawady Golf and Country Club provide assistance to holding the tournament. Hole-in-One sponsor of the tournament is Taunggyi Gem Master Enterprises Ltd.