nlmDecember06

HOME
ARCHIVES	Friday, 1 December 2006	THE MYANMAR TIMES

Nay Pyi Taw, 1 Dec-Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar, has sent a message of congratulations to His Excellency Mr Felipa Calderon Hinojosa, President-elect of the United Mexican States, on the occasion of his assumption of duty as the President of the United Mexican States.

Nay Pyi Taw, 30 Nov -Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye received new Military Attaché Colonel Khamsy Vongkhamsao of the Lao People's Democratic Republic to the Union of Myanmar at Bayintnaung Yeiktha, here, at 11 am today.

Also present at the call were Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein, Military Affairs Security Chief Maj-Gen Ye Myint and Deputy Military Attaché Capt Xayasone Keonhothi of the Lao PDR.

Nay Pyi Taw, 30 Nov -Vice-Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council of the Union of Myanmar Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Maung Aye received Defence and Military Attaché Colonel Yayat Hidayat of the Republic of Indonesia who had completed his tour of duty and his successor Colonel Dedi Priatna Ariestadi at Bayintnaung Yeiktha, here, at 11.30 am today.

Also present at the call were Commander-in-Chief (Navy) Vice-Admiral Soe Thein, Commander-in-Chief (Air) Lt-Gen Myat Hein and Military Affairs Security Chief Maj-Gen Ye Myint.

Independent Representatives-elect submit proposals on chapters Election, Political Parties and Provisions on State of Emergency to Plenary Session of National Convention

Yangon, 30 Nov -Independent Representatives-elect of the Delegate Group of Representatives-elect submitted proposals on the detailed basic principles that should be adopted for the chapters ?Election?, ?Political Parties? and ?Provisions on State of Emergency? to be included in drafting the State Constitution at the Plenary Session of the National Convention which continued at Pyidaungsu Hall of Nyaunghnapin Camp in Hmawby Township, Yangon Division, at 9 am today.

Present on the occasion were Chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein and Commission members, Chairman of the National Convention Convening Work Committee Chief Justice U Aung Toe and Work Committee members, Chairman of the National Convention Convening Management Committee Auditor-General Maj-Gen Lun Maung and Management Committee members, chairmen and officials of subcommittees, delegates of political parties of National Unity Party, Union Pa-O National Organization, Shan State Kokang Democratic Party, Mro (or) Khami National Solidarity Organization, Lahu National Development Party, Union Kayin League, Kokang Democracy and Unity Party and Wa National Development Party, representatives-elect of National Unity Party and Mro (or) Khami National Solidarity Organization, independent representatives, delegates of national races from Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan (South), Shan (North) and Shan (East) States, Sagaing, Taninthayi, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions, delegates of peasants from Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan (South), Shan (North) and Shan (East) States, Sagaing, Taninthayi, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions, delegates of intellectuals and intelligentsia, delegates of workers from Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan (South), Shan (North) and Shan (East) States, Sagaing, Taninthayi, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions, delegates of State Service Personnel from the State Peace and Development Council Office, the President Office, the Pyithu Hluttaw Office, the Government Office, the Supreme Court, the Attorney-General's Office, the Auditor-General's Office, the Multi-party Democracy General Election Commission Office, the Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Yangon City Development Committee, the Mandalay City Development Committee and ministries, other invited delegates, delegates from Shan State (North) Special Region-1, Shan State (North) Special Region-2, Shan State (North) Special Region-3, Shan State (East) Special Region-4, Shan State (North) Special Region-5, Shan State (South) Special Region-6, Kachin State Special Region-1, Kachin State Special Region-2, Kayah State Special Region-1, Kayah State Special Region-2, Kayah State Special Region-3, Kayinni National Democratic Party (KNDP) (Dragon) Group, Kayinni National Progressive Party (KNPP) (Hoya), Kayinni National Unity and Solidarity Organization (Ka Ma Sa Nya), Democratic Kayin Buddhist Organization (DKBA) and Haungthayaw Special Region Group, Nyeinchanyay Myothit Group from Hpa-an Township of Kayin State, Burma Communist Party (Rakhine State Group), Arakan Army (AA), Homein Region Development and Welfare Group, Shwepyiaye (MTA), Manpan People's Militia Group, Mon Peace Group (Chaungchi Region) and Mon Nai Seik Chan Group that had returned to the legal fold.

Before the Plenary Session of the National Convention, Chairman of the NCCC Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein and Commission members, Chairman of the NCCWC Chief Justice U Aung Toe and Work Committee members, Chairman of the NCCMC Auditor-General Maj-Gen Lun Maung and Management Committee members, chairmen and officials of the subcommittees, delegates of political parties, representatives-elect, delegates of the National Races, Peasants, Workers, Intellectuals and Intelligentsia, State Service Personnel, and Other Invited Persons, signed attendance books at Pyidaungsu Hall and the recreation hall.

U Maung Hla (a) U Hla Myint of Delegate Group of National Races presided over the Plenary Session of National Convention together with, Member of NCCWC U Myo Thant (Maung Hsu Shin), U Saw Philip (a) U Philip Sam of Delegate Group of Political Parties, U Maung Gyi of Delegate Group of Representatives-elect, U Kan Nyunt of Delegate Group of Peasants, U Kyaw Win Tun of Delegate Group of Workers, Dr Maung Maung Wint of Delegate Group of Intellectuals and Intelligentsia, U Tin Kha of Delegate Group of State Service Personnel and Dr Manan Tu Ja of Delegate Group of Other Invited Persons.

Director (Meeting) U Than Aung of NCCWC Office acted as Master of Ceremonies and Deputy Director U Aung Kyi as co-MC.

The MC declared the start of meeting as 1,066 out of 1,080 delegates were in attendance, accounting for 98.7 per cent, and the plenary session commenced with the permission of the meeting chairman.

Proposals on the detailed basic principles that should be adopted for the chapters ?Election?, ?Political Parties? and ?Provisions on State of Emergency? to be included in drafting the State Constitution made by Independent Representatives-elect of Delegate Group of Independent Representatives-elect U Tin Win of Ayeyawady Division Kyaiklat Township Constituency-2, U Thein Kyi of Magway Division Taungdwingyi Township Constituency-1, U Hla Soe of Magway Division Minbu Township Constituency-2, U Mya Hlaing of Yangon Division Twantay Township Constituency-2, U Kyi Win of Mingaladon Township Constituency-1 and U Tin Tun Maung of Mingaladon Township Constituency-2 were presented to the Plenary Session. First, Independent Representative-elect U Kyi Win of Mingaladon Township Constituency-1 presented proposals on the Chapter ?Election? and U Tin Tun Maung of Mingaladon Township Constituency-2 on the Chapter ?Political Parties? and the Plenary Session took a break at 10.05 am.

When the Plenary Session resumed at 10.25 am, Independent Representatives-elect U Tin Win of Ayeyawady Division Kyaiklat Township Constituency-2, U Hla Soe of Magway Division Minbu Township Constituency-2 and U Thein Kyi of Magway Division Taungdwingyi Township Constituency-1 presented proposals on the detailed basic principles that should be adopted for the chapters ?Election?, ?Political Parties? and ?Provisions on State of Emergency? to be included in drafting the State Constitution.

Allegations contrary to present endeavours exerted by Government with goodwill for prosperity of Myanmar

Nay Pyi Taw, 29 Nov-The following is the clarification made by Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Brig-Gen Khin Yi on situation in prisons in Myanmar at the press conference on undertakings in education, health and social sectors of the State here yesterday.

Whilst clarifying the unfounded allegations towards Myanmar, I would further like to report a summary of the situation in our prisons that have been wrongly accused in the news media.

Myanmar took a considerable length of time to uphold the Union as a united entity, forge national solidarity, work towards prevalence of law and order with peaceful and secure living condition and at the same time, managed to cultivate the basic prerequisite of building trust between ethnic nationals and have placed emphasis on the development of the country by laying down programs incomparable to any undertakings in past eras.

This scenario for peaceful development of a new country is something that the internal and external destructive elements, together with opposition groups should welcome warmly. Instead, they are now stirring the tranquillity of our country with an aim to totally destroy Myanmar by attacking from all possible fronts. Local stooges are particularly active in broadcasting propaganda and fabricated information liberally that can generate suspicion and insolence against the Government by the people. This is done in collusion with external mass media organizations, TV and radio stations and through Internet. Disregarding the prescribed ethics for news media, codes of conduct and accepted norms, they are deliberately inflating the wrong and unfounded information to create misunderstanding among the people. I will elaborate on the situation in our prisons, citing actual happenings, which is one of the many fabricated tales the destructive elements have created through the media, for all of us to realize and understand.

From overabundant amorphous tell tales on prisons, I would like to highlight the propagations coming from Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) and some of the external broadcasting stations:

- DVB station broadcast on 23 June 2006 on a dysentery outbreak in Insein prison that is worrisome for prisoners;

- DVB station broadcast on 29 June 2006 on Government stopping food supplies to prisoners and the need for prison staff members to find its own ways to feed them, the absence of medical doctor in prisons creating health problems for long term prisoners and the development of gastric ulcers among prisoners from low quality rice they were fed;

- DVB station broadcast on 1 August 2006 on the absence of health care within prisons with prisoners having to depend on unsafe water and food with no nutritional values;

- Myitzima station broadcast on 15 August 2006 on prisoners suffering from malaria, diarrhoea and malnutrition from hard labor in Buthidaung prison in Rakhine State;

- DVB station broadcast on 22 August 2006 on prisoners having to sleep on concrete floors causing hypertension and strokes without proper medical care in Toungoo prison;

- DVB broadcast on 4 September 2006 on the absence of proper medical care in prisons and refusal to refer to outside specialists and hospitals;

- DVB broadcast on 6 November 2006 quoting the declaration of Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) that state that the prisoners are not receiving their fully receiving their share of food, living conditions, medical care, that prison authorities are reluctant to provide protection to prisoners and that there are no medical doctors in most prisons and ;

- Myitzima station broadcast on 8 November 2006 on severe beatings of prisoners on arrival at Thayawady and Thayet prisons, finding faults to put into solitary confinement, to beat up, to bar from bathing and to give punishments, torturing physically and mentally and, finding fault and punishing for unwrapping cheroot butts to read are the allegations that exist.

There was even an open letter sent to the Secretary General of the United Nations on 15 November 2006 by AAPP requesting to take action against the increasing death tolls due to sub standard medical facilities within prisons.

If we are to examine the allegations I have just reported, we will find that most of them are premised on the absence of medical care, poor quality food, illegal punishments and uncaring attitudes towards prisoners. All these allegations are negating the reality and would like to take this opportunity to clarify the actual situation of our prisons to members of the press and to distinguished guests present here.

Our Head of State, when visiting No (2) new life agriculture camp under the Prisons Department on 22 January 1999, laid down the following directives for a change in the management system of Prisons Department:

- attempts should be made to turn prisoners into productive people once they are released, to be able to support the country in one way or another, to strive towards increasing productivity, to try and enhance their status from lowly prisoners to good and useful people, to establish rehabilitation centres and to enable to dismiss prisoners mentality;

- as labour contributors, to provide newspapers, journals, TVs and radios so that they will constantly be in touch with the outside world;

- for those labourers who are not accompanied by their families, leaves should be granted for them to go and meet their families during slack seasons with warrants and some travelling allowance provided so that they will not breed evil thoughts from long separations from their spouses and families and;

- the new life agriculture production camp should join hands with neighbouring villages, teach them cultivation methods and to extend help and assistance to poor and elderly people. Distinguished guests will understand that such directives stems from compassion and goodwill towards the prisoners.

In line with the directives laid down by the Head of State, the Prisons Department under the Ministry of Home Affairs is making resolute efforts, through multi dimensional approach, towards a change in the religious, health, social, education, welfare, food consumption and living environment of the prisoners so that they will become productive people once released from prisons. These efforts have resulted in noticeable changes between prisons in the past and the present ones. I would like to highlight some of the changes made through the process. In the religious environment:

- all the prisoners enjoy freedom of religion and can worship any religion of their choice;

- whether they are Buddhist, Islam or other faith believers, arrangements are being made for them to go on Sabbath if they wish;

- for prisons' labour camps that do not have Buddha statues, the Director-General or the Deputy Director-General, during their tours to these camps will carry a Buddha statue for Buddhist prisoners and have it enshrined, together with prisoners for them to earn good deeds;

- morning and evening praying sessions are organized daily for Buddhist prisoners as part of an effort to ease their state of mind;

- meditation sessions are also organized occasionally and every fortnight, monks are brought to the prisoners' living quarters in turn to preach, inscriptions of Buddha teachings are hung on the walls of every sleeping quarters, prayer recital competitions are held between different quarters and arrangements are made for prisoners, both males and females, to participate in religious events like Waso robe offerings, Kathina robe offerings and to other good deeds like contributing to monastery constructions, listening to preaches, etc.

If we look into the health care facilities that are being provided to prisoners, you will see that:

- prisoners of both sexes are urged to take morning exercise every day for 30 minutes as soon as their living quarters are opened;

- on Independence Day every year, sport competitions are held within the prison compound such as hiking around the prison as well as volley ball and table tennis matches;

- medication for prisons and labour camps are issued free of charge on a biannual basis from the medical depot of the Department of Health and the need for additional medicines and hospital equipment are supplement form the Government budget. From officially published records, we can see that the Government had supplemented a total of 2,035,010 kyats for 2004-05 fiscal year and 2,470,887 kyats for 2005-06 fiscal year. Likewise, the Ministry of Home Affairs supplemented a total of 6,598,870 kyats for 2004-05 fiscal year and 9,843,964 kyats for 2005-06 fiscal year from funds accumulated either from the fees generated by prisoners working in production camps or from their welfare funds.

- for almost every prisons with hospitals, doctors and nurses are especially assigned and for smaller prisons and labour camps without hospitals, outside township medical officers visited these places every week with health assistants and medical orderlies providing additional medical care and medical records are filed systematically;

- for cases that are difficult to manage at smaller prisons and labour camps, patients are referred to respective general hospitals or to specialists and occasional, even let them treated through cost sharing basis and;

- from daily records kept by prison authorities, we learn that sleeping quarters are regularly inspected by the authorities to ensure proper lighting and ventilation and insecticides are sprayed on a regular basis to keep away mosquitoes, flies, ticks and mites. This verifies that the authorities have not neglected the health and hygiene of both male and female prisoners.

- We find that the labour camp authorities see to it that the visiting family members have assess to food and sleeping facilities, that responsible officials and members of NGOs visit prisoners to provide required counselling and educational information, that round discussion sessions are held for prisoners to share their personal experiences with their peers so that they have no regrets and that plans are in place for prisoners to enable them to tread their life with dignity in future as reformed persons.

At the same time education and trainings are provided to foreigners to enable them to lead a honest life and make a decent living once they are released from prison setting which include:

- as part of vocational programs, training sessions on weaving, cane crafts, auto and machine mechanics, knitting, painting, sculpture, sewing, photo mechnics, foot wear manufacturing, furniture, agriculture and livestock breeding are held for prisoners. In Insein prison, worksites outside the prison settings are established to engage prisoners in agriculture, livestock breeding and rock excavation works and for young prisoners who are involved in establishing prisoners' funds, vocational as well as academic trainings are provided. To cite an example, in the academic year 2005-06, 35 young prisoners from Central Insein Prison were provided with school education starting from kindergarten to fourth standard and passed the final exams with first, second and third positions.

- during 2006-07 academic year 170 prisoners, both males and females, were provided with school education from kindergarten to tenth standard;

- arrangements are made to enable prisoner to read newspapers, journals and magazines and to watch and listen to radio and TV so that they will not loose track of the developments within and outside the country during their punishment in prisons;

- laws prescribed for prisons allow mothers to keep their infants together in prisons up till four years of age but allowance is made for infants to remain up till six years of age is circumstances warrant;

- for children accompanying their mothers into prisons, nursery schools are opened for them to learn poetry and lessons;

- a rehabilitation centre (Shwe Pyi Thar) for drug addicted prisoners was opened on 6 January 1999 and a total of 756 addicts have been sent there during their prison terms for treatment and rehabilitation;

- care for women centre was opened in Twantay on 5 October 2002 and a total of 938 imprisoned female HIV/AIDS patients and commercial sex workers were sent with systematic measures in place to ensure that HIV is not transmitted further through psychological and physical treatment and rehabilitation programs;

- a similar centre for women was also established in Mandalay on 5 February 2005 and a total of 124 HIV infected prisoners were sent for rehabilitation.

I would now like to explain the activities undertaken for the welfare of the prisoners:

- Myanmar people are inherently good-natured and most enthusiastic donors. Even though the prisoners are undergoing punishment for breaking one of the prevailing laws at one point of time, they are not viewed negatively by prison staff members and are assisting them in every possible ways, including provision of food and amenities together with NGOs who are donating goods with zest and enthusiasm;

- enhanced health consciousness in Insein Prison led to the installation of fly proof latrines in all sleeping quarters and plans are being made to install likewise in other prisons;

- as part of modernizing prison visiting rooms, walls are now paved with tiles and fans are installed and for outside living rooms, floors are laid with tiles with modern furniture furnished to upgrade the mental wellbeing of the prisoners;

- at the new life agriculture production camp, prisoners are given leave to return to their families after one year or residence and this is based on the individual prisoner's character, integrity, determination to work and adherence to prisons' rules and regulation. From the records of Prisons Department, we learnt that a total of 775 prisoners were granted home leave since 1999.

The Prisons Department is obliging and catering to the food requirements of prisoners and my observations on this aspect are:

- with the arrangement of prisons and camps, freshly cooked meals are served everyday to prisoners for their health with meat, fish and special vegetable dishes served at least once a week from farm produce for prisoners;

- reverse osmosis system water purifying plants worth 43 million kyats is being installed at Insien prison with funds donated from outside sources and the prisoners are getting 3 litres of purified water for their daily consumption. Another water purifying plant worth 1.5 million kyats had also been installed within the female quarter of Lashio prison from funds generated through fund raising activities spearheaded by the Commander of North East Command. Another plant donated for Thayawady prison is now in the process of constructing the building to house the plant and an accompanying tank which should become operational soon.

- Donations for installing water purifying plants at Mandalay, Myingyan, Mawlamyine, Myaungmya, Buthidaung, Loikaw and Taunggyi prisons are in receipt now and installation process will commence soon;

- Although there are unfounded allegations on prisoners having to sleep on concrete floors, we find that all prison sleeping quarters are inlaid with wooden coverings and for prisons at cooler regions, adequate blankets are being issued to prisoners and facilities with ample water supplies exist for bathing and washing. And prisoners are provided with soap for bathing and washing on a weekly basis.

In reality, as I have explained earlier, the cost of maintaining the prisons under the Prisons Department and the cost of providing adequate food and supplies to prisoners are borne through the allocated Government budget with the Ministry of Home Affairs, under the arrangement of Prisons Department, supplementing through the funds generated by the prisoners themselves through their labour. In addition, we have witnessed local non-governmental organizations such as Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation, Myanmar Maternal and Child Welfare Association, Myanmar Red Cross Society and Fire Brigades together with outside donors joining hands, as part of our inherent good nature and enthusiasm, contacting the authorities to visit prisons and camps to extending help and assistance enthusiastically in every possible way they can.

Through these help and assistance, prisoners today are enjoying privileges such as basic nutritional diet, adequate health care, rest and recreation during free time, books and literature to read, engage in physical fitness activities and keeping in close contact with their family members.

Both the humanitarian organization and individuals who have lend assistance to prisoners and detainees, like typical Myanmar nationals, are most gratified to be able to contribute to this noble exercise. The individual, who financed the installation of water purifying plant at Insein Prison, also financed the installation of a similar plant at Thayawady prison out of pure compassion. Here, I would like to emphasize the fact that a similar donor, with an aim to purify the lives of people under imprisonment, donated a water purifying plant for the female quarter of Lashio is nothing but a gesture of the inborn nature of Myanmar people not to discriminate its own kind.

There are a total of 42 prisons and 91 labour camps under the management of the Prisons Department, Ministry of Home Affairs out of which all 42 prisons and 7 labour camps are being visited by representatives from humanitarian organizations in Myanmar between October 2005 and November 2006 and met with prisoners and detainees to extend necessary assistance and donate goods of their needs. Their total donations in terms of food stuff, basic necessities, medicines, novels, journals and magazines amounted to more than 75 million kyats (755520787) and the lists are being displayed on board for your review.

As I have explained earlier, external news media, broadcasting stations and destructive elements including AAPP are alleging that:

- Myanmar prisons are not providing nutritional food to prisoners, there are outbreaks of contiguous diseases in the prisons and safe and adequate drinking water is not available therein;

- no opportunities exist to read and study in prisons which are all generalized. As I have explained earlier, members of press and distinguished guests will be in a position to gauge whether these allegations actually reflect the prevailing reality. Specific directives laid down by the Government coupled with close scrutiny at all levels by responsible persons have now changed the present day prison management scenarios in Myanmar.

In other words, the goodwill and concerted efforts of the Government, responsible officials, individual donors and NGOs have led the relationships between prisoners and staff members to evolved into a family like structure where all inherent rights in the fields of health care, social needs, freedom to worship, food requirements, living conditions and welfare facilities call all be enjoyed within the prescribed legal framework. This clearly demonstrates that the unfounded allegations disseminated through external media sources are fabrications directed at discrediting the solidarity of our country.

The Prisons Department, in line with the motto of the Ministry of Home Affairs Eradicate colonial characteristic, safeguard the interest of the people and the State? is an institute that is extending deserved rights to prisoners in accordance with laid down orders, directives and prescribed jail manuals that are in conformity with prevailing time and circumstances. We have officially announced in various local newspapers that any evidence on individuals who have interacted harshly, suppressed rudely and engaged in acts of torture against prisoners, in defiance to the above mentioned policy, can be reported to responsible authorities including the Ministry of Home Affairs. Actually, this is a formal interpretation of the policy laid down by our Head of State that clearly defines that nobody is above the law. In other words, it means that this is part of the process to establish an orderly democratic system where the prevalence of clean governance is a prerequisite. All I can say at this juncture is that the shameless allegations put forward by internal and external destructive elements together with some international news media runs contrary to the present schemes the Government had been exerting with goodwill for future prosperity of Myanmar.

Myanmar can never condone human trafficking and will continue to cooperate with neighbours, other humanitarian organizations, in combating the threat

Nay Pyi Taw, 30 Nov-The following is the clarification on anti-human trafficking made by Director General Brig-Gen Khin Yi of Myanmar Police Force at the press conference on undertakings carried out in the education, health and social affairs sectors of the State, here, yesterday.

I would like to further clarify, citing actual incidence, to the prevailing allegations against Myanmar's efforts in combating human trafficking together with actual facts and figures.

In the present days, the problem of human trafficking has become widespread all around the world. Internationally, this problem is recognized as ?slavery? that have vanished 200 years ago and re-emerged in a form of modern day slavery in the 1990s. Researchers viewed the disintegration of the Soviet Union and the rapid advancement of information technology to be the major factors that led to re-emergence of modern day slavery commonly known as human trafficking. The worldwide spared of this problem emanated particularly from increased trafficking of females from Eastern European to Western European countries.

Human trafficking is as a lucrative business that yield high returns from low investments and this invite gluttonous Organized Criminal Groups to commit crimes regardless of territorial borders. Nowadays, human trafficking has become part of defiant issue like terrorism and drug trafficking that is threatening the entire humankind. Accordingly, in the year 2000, the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crimes and a Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons was drafted and adopted unanimously with a pledge for international cooperation in combating the threat.

Human trafficking is a clandestine crime and therefore, hard to find out the exact people who have been trafficked. It is however estimated that, more than 27 million people have become victims worldwide with an additional of one to two million annually from which there is a profit of more than 1.5 trillion US dollars every year from this trade.

issue is prevalent in Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam; people from this region are mostly trafficked to Britain, Japan and the United States; at least three hundred thousand women and children from Mekong Sub-Region including Myanmar are being trafficked annually and; South East Asia is ranked amongst regions with high human trafficking incidence with a share of 54% of the whole of Asia.

As we all know, the world began to take notice of the human trafficking problem in 1990s and this evolved into a major issue around the year 2000. Myanmar became aware of the problem since then and after the World Women's Conference held in Beijing in 1995, we started to initiate measures to address this issue that impinges on the personnel well being of women. As part of the process, the Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs chaired by the Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement was formed on 3 July 1995 and through its newly established working committees, measures were taken, as a priority, to protect women and children from being trafficked. The establishments of Myanmar National Working Committee for Women's Affairs chaired by the Deputy Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement and the Working Committee for Prevention of Trafficking in Persons chaired by the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs and followed on 7 October 1996 and 17 July 2002 respectively.

In this connection, I would like to present that Myanmar adopted the National Plan of Action in 1997 to suppress human trafficking and consist of measures to prevent, prosecute, protect, rehabilitate and reintegrate. The plan is based on Multi-Sectoral Approach in line with internationally recognized strategy and is being implemented since.

Moreover, the National Task Force was also formed in 1997 with members representing both governmental and non-governmental agencies and is holding mass media campaigns through educational sessions, pamphlets and video plays. They are being presented not only through Myanmar Radio and Television stations but committees at various levels assisted in presenting them through video parlours based in wards and villages. Ten video plays depicting true trafficking incidences are being produced in both Myanmar and Shan dialects and are being staged all through the Shan States including border areas.

As a joint endeavour between Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs and UN Inter Agency Project on Human Trafficking in the Greater Mekong Sub Region (UNIAP), a Mobile Training Team was formed in the year 2000 with representatives from various Government Departments and has trained 500 officials from State and Divisional level Government Departments that deal with human trafficking problem. As one of the measures to deter women from making a living across border, micro credit loan is being introduced to start a local vocational business. Financial assistance is being provided to poor children to further their education.

In addition, 2001 a Central Supervision Committee led by the Director General of Myanmar Police Force is being formed with subsequent sub-committees at state, district, township and village levels to prevent people from leaving the country illegally which serves as a main cause for trafficking people. Since its formation on 23 September 2001, the committee was able to persuade 868,995 persons from illegal migration and took action against 1,638 brokers.

The Government of Myanmar opened a receiving centre in Myawady on 18 February 2002 to receive, without taking action, and extend necessary assistance to those who left the country illegally and returned home after getting into trouble outside. From the date the camp opened on 18 February up to 30 October 2006, it received 20,883 returnees and sent them back to their families. A total of 303 trafficked victims who were repatriated from foreign countries were received and returned to their respective parents or guardians.

With a resolve to suppress human trafficking, Myanmar held its First ever National Seminar on Human Trafficking in May 2003 in Yangon successfully. The Ministers for Home Affairs and Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement together with Myanmar National Committee for Women's Affairs, UNIAP, UNICEF and Save the Children (UK) coordinated to hold the Seminar that served as a milestone in a joint effort between Myanmar, UN Agencies and INGOs in combating human trafficking. Future working plans were adopted by the seminar which is being currently implemented.

In Myanmar 53% of its total population are women and our traditional norms and culture placed them on an equal footing with men. In order to undertake comprehensive approaches to the overall development and personal safety of women, Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation (MWAF) was formed on 20 December 2003 and since then, have been working towards preventing, suppressing and assisting women and children from being trafficked.

As part of preventive measures, information on the nature and modes of human trafficking are being distributed widely and, suppressive measures include training, discussions and educational sessions together with teams to provide required counselling. Assistance activities include providing advice to returnees, organizing rehabilitation programs, caring for their health and sending the returnees back to their families in close cooperation with other humanitarian organizations and INGOs.

In order to emphasize matters relating to human trafficking, the Department against Transnational Crime (DTC) of Myanmar Police Force, in close cooperation with ARCPPT Project implemented under the agreement signed between the Governments of Australia and Myanmar and formed a 40-member strong Anti Trafficking Unit in 2004 with police officials. Similarly, members of task forces trained by internationally recognized experts are assigned to nine major and border towns like Muse, Tachilek, Myawady, Mawlamyaing, Kawthoung, Bhamo, Kalay, Mandalay and Yangon to suppress human trafficking.

Myanmar Police Force managed to take action against 786 cases involving 1,638 offenders ? 887 males and 751 females ? during the period 17 July 2002 to 30 October 2006. At the end of the trial of 308 cases, life sentences were imposed on 3 offenders, above 10 years imprisonment for 101 offenders, under 5 years for 350 offenders, below 5 years for the remaining 158 out of the total 612 offenders. A total of 3,875 victims ? 1,978 males and 1,887 females ? were rescued from the hands of traffickers and were returned to their respective families. Considering this, you all can see how the government is implementing in dealing with anti-trafficking in persons.

As Myanmar do not have specific laws to take action against human trafficking, we have initiated, since January 2004, to develop drafting process that will conform to the international conventions and later in September 2004, international legal experts were invited to review the first draft. Taking into consideration of the advice given by international legal experts as well as the prevailing situation in Myanmar, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law was promulgated on 13 September 2005. Since then, action was taken against 36 cases and 44 offenders were put on trial in line with the law which prescribed imprisonment for life (to serve in the prison until death) to guilty traffickers. There are also provisions that allow confiscation of trafficker's properties which makes the law a very powerful tool for suppressing human trafficking.

To effectively implement the provisions contained in the Anti-Trafficking in Person Law, the Central Body for Suppression of Trafficking in Persons was formed on 11 February 2006. The Working Group on Prevention of Trafficking in Persons and Protection of Trafficked Victims, the Working Group on Legal Framework and Prosecuting Measures and the Working Group on Repatriation, Reintegration and Rehabilitation of Trafficked Victims were also formed on 27 February 2006. Subsequent bodies for suppression of Trafficking in Persons at State and Division, District and Township levels have already been formed and anti-trafficking projects are now being implemented.

Myanmar had not only tackled this problem from all aspects within the country but is also placing emphasis on international cooperation by becoming a party to the following international conventions affiliated with human trafficking:

(5) the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children,

(8) Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters and have been cooperating closely with members of ASEAN.

Myanmar together with Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 22 December to implement the ARCPPT Project. These project activities include training members of Myanmar Police Force, and accordingly 104 police officials have been trained and visited major towns within States and Divisions with high incidences of trafficking to impart knowledge and information. This is being undertaken in 9 States and Divisions for 14 times. The activities also include strengthening of Criminal Justice Systems by providing sound technical assistance and enhancing cooperation among countries where the project is being implemented.

Additionally, to initiate effective measures in combating human trafficking in the Mekong Sub-Region, Myanmar hosted the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking (COMMIT) meeting in October 2004 with the participation of all six countries that form Mekong Sub-Region namely Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam where a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in combating human trafficking was successfully signed. In accordance with COMMIT MoU, a plan of action was developed and is now being implemented in all member countries. Representatives from six member countries occasionally meet in a form of meetings, seminars and workshops to discuss matters relating to exchange of information and experiences and to extend reciprocal assistance as part of cooperation and action plan implementing process.

On 15 January 2005, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between Myanmar and China who shared common borders, to combat transnational crimes and to maintain restore peace along the borders of the two countries. Singing another MoU between the two counties to combat human trafficking is another provision prescribed in the signed MoU and to realize this provision, the first meeting of senior officials from two countries was held in November 2005 in Bagan, Myanmar followed by a second meeting in November 2006 in Kunming, China.

In addition, as we are members of both ASEAN and BIMSTEC, we would like you all to know that the activities laid down by these organizations are also been implemented.

As I have stated earlier, Myanmar had earnestly striven to suppress human trafficking where the cooperation of our nationals have played an important role in gaining practical achievements. From these achievements, I would like to share some outstanding incidences.

On 20 July 2006, learning that two Myanmar girls were held in custody in a hotel room of a border town of a neighbouring country from a dutiful citizen, members of Muse district police force and special anti-human trafficking unit, with the aide of police from the neighbouring country, rescued the two trafficked Myanmar girls and arrested the two traffickers ? Kyaw Myint and Soe Soe Mar? who held the girls in custody. They were taken action by Muse Police station in accordance with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law.

From investigations, we learnt that both Kyaw Myint and Soe Soe Mar were active traffickers that lured local girls to be sold across the border. From this connection, we were able to expose a total of 64 traffickers-51 locals and 13 foreigners.

From the gang leader Kyaw Myint himself, we learnt that he had sold off more than 90 girls to a neighbouring country and with the cooperation of the police force from that country, we were able to arrest another 34 persons linked to the case and we are still in process of exposing additional 30 offenders.

From trafficker Kyaw Myint, we have confiscated a mobile phone, a million kyats deposited at Muse Yoma Bank by his wife, a raw jade weighing 24.8 kilos and another one weighing 11 kilos, from another trafficker Fatty @ Ye Myo, we confiscated two mobile phones, 5 tickles of gold, and a plot of land numbered (2207) at Bo Min Yaung Street, Ward No (71), South Dagon, Yangon, from a trafficker who aided in rounding up girls, we confiscated a house at Moe Hnan Kone Village, Pyaw Bwe Township which was bought from proceeds accrued through human trafficking. All apprehended traffickers will be put on trail in accordance with Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law.

I would further like to dwell on another case involving a girl from Myeik who used to work for Garman cold storage factory starting from April 2002. After she had worked there for over a year, the factory closed down due to shortage of raw materials and at the invitation of her cousin aunt, she went to Ranong in May 2004 to work in a furniture factory where she got married to a rubber plantation worker named Nay Min Tun aged 22, son of U Tut from Ahnan Village, Thanbyuzayet. She later learnt that her husband was having an affair with the female owner of the plantation and when she confronted with her husband, she was threatened by the owner. On the night of 15 October 2005, while she was sleeping within the compound of the plantation, she felt burning sensations on her face and later weak up to learn that she was splashed with acid and had to be hospitalized for treatment at a nearby hospital.

After being treated in hospital six months, she went back to her hometown in April 2006. However, the burns were so severe that she had to undergo reconstructive surgery on 31 October 2006 at the Yangon General Hospital Surgical Department for Facial, Jaw and Throat Surgeries with the assistance of Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation and NGOs.

She had filed a case against her cousin aunt Daw Win that has exploited her salaries in accordance with the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law section 24.

The assistance provided by Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation and related NGOs during her repeated operations at Yangon General Hospital coupled with the humanitarian assistance she is receiving; we learnt that her physical conditions have improved. I would like to present that this is a classic example of the role taken by Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation, a local NGO, in caring for the trafficking victims.

In the same context, I would like to report on the actions taken against the newly discovered gang that is sexually exploiting children in Yangon. Since 2001/2002 we came to learn the existence of foreigners visiting to Myanmar as tourists to exploit children and through the information imparted by the Australian Federal Police, we caught one German national by the name of Mr Rabler (aged 35) engaging in sexual abuse with two children at Ywama Hotel in Hline township in December 2003 and took action against him.

Later in November 2006, we were able to interpret information from two different sources?one from the Special Branch of Myanmar Police Force and another from local police forces?to become aware of the existence of brokerage gangs that are aiding foreigners who are visiting to Myanmar as tourist to sexually abuse children here in Myanmar.

Based on this information, members of Yangon Division police force, in cooperation with the special anti-human trafficking unit, rounded up three prominent brokers on 13 November 2006. Linkages emanating from interrogations led to the exposure of another 21 brokers from this ring within nine days, including two who are currently serving sentences from crimes they committed earlier.

Through these brokers, we learnt that 10 foreigner paedophiles have sexually abused children here in Myanmar. Those are 3 from Denmark, 2 each from US and Dutch, 1 Each from British, Austria and Canada.

One of the key players here is Myat Ko who lives in Dala and I would like to explain how he was used as a broker. Born on 5 November 1987, Myat Ko is the eldest son with a younger sibling and since the age of 14 he started selling postcards around Sule and Botahtaung pagodas in 2003. He met Dr Michael Pastoor, a German citizen who was visiting Myanmar as a tourist and we learnt that he went to meet Myat Ko's parents and verbally promised to adopt the boy. At the end of the year 2003, Myat Ko was sent to FMA school on Maha Bandoola Street to learn English language and then was moved to IEC school on Sula Pagoda Road where he attended the English school for the whole year of 2004. Between March, June and August 2005, he visited Chiang Mai and Ahyudaya in Thailand together with Michael and later to Berlin, Germany. In November 2005, Michael bought an apartment No Ma/67 (Ka) on Dhamayon Street, Sangyoung township in the name of Myat Ko for a price of nineteen million kyats and then was sent to Thailand for three months to learn Thai language. Michael, under the guise of his adopted son, taught Myat Ko how to use Internet and to speak English and now, although Myat Ko's education is only of fourth grade level, we learnt that, in addition to his sound knowledge on the use of Internet, he can also speak English, Thai and German. Using the Internet Cafe at Dagon Centre, Myat Ko surfed the web for clients in foreign countries and from his website, we found that he has connections in Germany, Italy and Thailand. It is evident that Michael had used Myat Ko to gather and distribute information locally, searched for markets and to act as the main contact point for clients who would like to indulge in such acts. We learnt that Myat Ko, together with Kyaw (one of the arrested brokers) from Dala formed a gang of around 20 brokers and cruised Mahabandoola Garden areas to lure innocent children to engage in sexual acts with foreigners and then sent them to hotels where pornographic movies were shown to these children and then engage in unnatural sex acts on reciprocal basis. Victims earn around 5,000 to 7,000 kyats per session with brokers getting 5,000 to 10,000 kyats for each boy they brought. I am clarifying this incidence for people to understand how the members of anti-trafficking units have exposed child sex abuse cases that have infiltrated Myanmar from neighbouring countries.

I would like to take this opportunity to explain on Child Sex Tourism here. There are more than 800 million tourists visiting countries around the world annually out of which 156 million visited countries in Asia with more than 51 million to 10 ASEAN countries. Similarly, exploiting children sexually is also increasing and it is estimated that at least a million children are being abused annually. According to a study undertaken by ?End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Child Sex Tourism (ECPAT)? INGO, this industry thrives in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, and in central American countries including Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil and the United States and that people indulging in child sex acts are visiting countries around the world as tourists. It was further stated in the study report that the majorities of child abusers are Americans and include Germans, French, Swedish, Danish and British people as well.

As the problem of exploiting children sexually is closely linked to trafficking, we are giving special attention to this issue and since 1993; we have been taking measures to protect children in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Myanmar Child Law. In June 2006 , 40 members of Myanmar Police Force are being trained by ARCPPT project and became members of Anti-Trafficking Unit formed then, Similarly, anti-trafficking task forces were formed in nine border towns to undertake measures to protect children and suppress human trafficking. Between the periods 2001 to 2006, we have conducted 15 training sessions for 540 police officials who have been then assigned to different States and Divisions to protect tourists as well as to watch and observe their criminal behaviours. The problem of child exploitation is also linked to tourist industry and we learnt that the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism, in cooperation with Australian based Child Wise Tourism Organization, have conducted 5 workshops to educate 280 of its staff members on this problem. Similarly, the Ministry of Home Affairs that spearheads the Central Body for Suppression of Trafficking in Persons, conducted 2 workshops in cooperation with the British Criminal Investigation Department for 70 participants and another 6 workshops in cooperation with UNICEF to enhance their knowledge and capabilities on suppressing trafficking for 408 participants.

Although Myan-mar has successfully undertaken measures to combat human trafficking, as I have explained in length earlier, one powerful Western country, in line with its supper-handed strategies is alleging our country one sided without taking into consideration of our comprehensive efforts to develop our country and to suppress human trafficking. It had graded Myanmar, based on their prevailing internal standards and legal norms, at the lowest level (TIER-3) in combating human trafficking for the past six years since the 2000.

Additionally, it has extended the sanctions imposed unrealistically to deter our efforts in modernizing and developing Myanmar economically.

We can fairly say that the emergence of human trafficking problems in small countries emanated from the supper-handed actions of a powerful country aimed at taking advantage of the smaller ones inequitably.

To cite an example, this particular powerful country, based on unfounded allegations, imposed economic sanctions against Myanmar leading to a closure of 160 garment factories within Yangon Division and the reduction of workers from 40 such factories resulting in more than eighty thousand jobless workers with problems for daily survival. This jobless work force include more than seventy thousand female workers and by taking advantage of the problems they are facing to sustain the daily livelihood of their families, some younger ones were lured to become victims of this trafficking gambit. From these events, we can fairly conclude that the fault lies upon a powerful country whose upper handedness in interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar resulted in this state of affairs.

We would therefore like to refute the allegation that Myanmar is amongst the weakest countries that had not conformed to the measures prescribed in the lowest category of human trafficking grading of a powerful Western country. The practical measures undertaken by Myanmar clearly testify that Myanmar is one of the most effective countries that have effectively suppressed human trafficking.

On one side, this powerful country, instead of showing good will towards our efforts in suppressing human trafficking and lending assistance, it is imposing sanctions based on unfounded allegations which are directing young Myanmar girls to become victims of human trafficking trade. As you all are aware, Myanmar Women's Affairs Federation (MWAF) that has tirelessly assisted in measures to suppress human trafficking have unequivocally denounced the grading of Myanmar at TIER-3 category in the June 2006 report on human trafficking produced in June 2006 by a Department of that powerful country.

In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that, although the neo-colonialist powerful country together with destructive elements have launched multi faceted moves to deter and disrupt our honest endeavours, Myanmar can never condone human trafficking and would continue to cooperate with our neighbour and other humanitarian organizations, relying on our own social environment and inter strength, in combating this threat.

Questions and answers made at the press conference on undertakings in education, health and social affairs sectors of the State

Nay Pyi Taw, 30 Nov -he following are the questions and answers made at the press conference on undertakings carried out in education, health and social affairs sectors of the State held here at the Ministry of Health yesterday.

U Myat Khaing (Snap Shot Journal): I would like to ask the MPF Director-General about the problem of narcotics. I heard the country is solving this problem in cooperation with the international community and achieving success. Some places have been declared drug free zones. But our country is still being criticized for the problem. Besides, narcotic drugs are still being trafficked and arrests made in the country. Why is it so?

Another question is that according to the MPF DG, Kyaw Myint sold about 90 women to contacts in China. Fatty (a) Ye Myo also sold 14 others to that country. In those cases, some of them were rescued. What I also heard is that foreigners are using the children for sexual abuses. How long has it happened so? Are there any other persons to be arrested?

MPF Director General: In connection with the smuggling of narcotics in our country, already-processed drugs such as heroin, Ice and methamphetamine tablets cannot be produced in our country alone. I have mentioned about it repeatedly. I think to produce such kinds of drugs we need precursor chemicals. Myanmar as a developing nation cannot produce precursor chemicals. So, we cannot say that narcotic drugs are produced by our country alone. Precursor chemicals can be smuggled into the country via the other country. In this way narcotic drugs are there in our country. To solve this problem the State has laid down a 15-year project from 1999 to 2014. ASEAN's goal of setting up drug free region is in 2015. But our goal will be achieved in 2014, one year earlier than that of ASEAN.

There was accusa-tion against our country concerning the problem of narcotics in the American-annually issued Periodical Determination publication. No matter how we've been accused, we will continue our efforts to make the country the drug free one by 2014. They are pointing the accusing finger at us from their own point of view.

Regarding the problem of human trafficking, especially child sex abuse, that problem emerged in the country in 2001. But the world had seen the problem earlier. It is very common on the Internet. During the year of 2003, MPF Headquarters in collaboration with Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested a German on charges of child sex abuse. However, he was deported as he was infected with HIV. Again, we were able to arrest Myat Ko's gang induding the leader. The gang is made up of 21 brokers and 11 foreigners. We got the name list of some of the foreigners. Action has been taken against the brokers. Human trafficking, in other words, is exploitation. It also connects with sexual exploitation and labour exploitation. Human smuggling and human trafficking are different. Human smuggling means sending one illegally to another country by charging money in violation of the existing law of that country. There is no exploitation in this case. But there is exploitation in human trafficking. Now those children are sexually exploited. So, this case is described as human trafficking. According to the confession of the arrested brokers, there are more persons to be arrested and interrogated. Trafficking in persons has links with global tourism. It is mostly common in places like beach resorts and hotels. Each year, some 50 million tourists come to Asia. Myanmar started to experience this problem via the Internet used by some unscrupulous tourists making full use of advancing information technology. This year, the dangerous person who persuaded tourists coming to the country to abuse child is Mya Ko now under arrest. He was brought up by a German and his education is only the forth standard. He was sent to Thailand and Germany. He was trained to use the Internet and speak English. He did his job on the Internet by offering the illegal market of this country to the other country. He is expected to be 19 now.

U Yin Kyaw (Crime Journal) : The first thing I would like to know is what is meant by human trafficking and human smuggling and how many prison terms they can carry. It is said that, in Myanmar, human trafficking is so rampant that it causes anxiety among the public and it has reached a critical point. I would like to know what steps are being taken to control these crimes. Nowadays, video houses are everywhere in villages and towns and cities. These videos have bad effects on children and youths. As I am in charge of crime news, I see that there are about seven or eight reports on sexual crimes in which children and youths are involved. How should they be educated about sex? Which departments are responsible for controlling these crimes? Is it only the duty of Myanmar Police Force?

Brig-Gen Khin Yi : As I have already explained, the main difference between human trafficking and human smuggling is exploitation. Human trafficking is selling, buying and handing over people by persuation with the intention of exploitation. In the case of human traffficking, the person who traffics exploits the one who is trafficked. Here, the exploitation can be either sexual exploitation or labour exploitation. The former does not give in full what the latter deserves. In the case of smuggling, there is no exploitation. For instance, a person wants to go abroad to work. At this, a broker offers to send him by taking fees for his service. In such a case, there is no exploitation but there is a breach of existing immigration act. I think you will understand the difference between human trafficking and human smuggling. Now I will explain how action is taken regarding human trafficking. The human trafficking law was enacted in Myanmar on 13 September, 2005. Before that, a person who committed human trafficking had to face a charge of persuasion under Section 366 and the maximum penalty carries from five years in prison or transportation. Since 13 September, 2005, human trafficking can carry life imprisonment. At present, 44 offenders in 36 cases are being tried in accord with the new law. One of them has been sentenced. According to the new law, an offender can be given life imprisonment. In addition, his property and asset can be confiscated if they are related with human trafficking. Regarding the dimensions of human trafficking in Myanmar, it is not as dangerous as in other countries. Most countries in the world, especially some neighbouring countries, are vulnerable to this crime. There are also two or three vulnerable countries in ASEAN. Most of the people who commit this crime are from the west. They usually have same- sex relationship. Most foreigners who come here intend to sexually abuse children and youths. At first, they committed such crimes in other countries. Now they have come to our country with this ulterior motive. We think that same sex crimes arose starting from 2001. The first time we exposed such a crime was in 2003. According to our network, there are some brokers in addition to the 21-broker gang we have exposed. And, in our country, human trafficking is most in border areas and it is rare in inland areas. Therefore, we can say that human trafficking has not yet become a national threat.

In connection with human trafficking, the government is cooperating with related organizations especially ARCPPT in Asian region under the four strategies. We handle the matter under the four-P strategy. The four Ps are Prevention, Prosecution, Protection and Policy and International Cooperation. Awareness system is being launched in the country. Related ministries also conduct workshops on human trafficking. Over 500 MPF members have been trained to handle the human trafficking. Task forces were deployed in nine hot spot areas in the country. Awareness system includes the media and distribution of pamphlets. Regarding the prosecution, we have taken action against more than 1,600 people. Moreover, we are taking preventive measures. Finally, we are cooperating with international community in accordance with the policy and international cooperation strategy.The human trafficking is a kind of transnational crime, it is the concern of all nations in the world. Therefore, it cannot be handled by any individual country alone. Even in a country, it is the concern of all the people, all NGOs and all UN agencies here. It can be regarded as an international organized crime and must be tackled accordingly.

U Myo Thu (Hmukhin Shudaunk Journal): I'd like to ask Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Brig-Gen Khin Yi whether ICRC would be allowed to visit prisons or not in future because I heard that ICRC has not been allowed to visit the prisons. There are accusations against the prison system of Myanmar. So, I'd like to know how about the prison system of Myanmar.

It does not mean that we do not allow ICRC to visit the prisons. Any organization or agency can perform their services in designated regions in accordance with rules and regulations laid down by the Government. At present, NGOs, such as Myanmar Women's Affairs Organization, Maternal and Child Welfare Association and Union Solidarity and Development Association visit the prisons and provided assistance to them. It does not mean that we marginalize the ICRC and carry out its tasks. We are responsible for these tasks. ICRC and other organizations would observe rules and regulations of our country. If they fail to observe the rules and regulations, they may be prohibited from visits to prisons.

NGOs in Myanmar have provided social assistance, provision and medicines to prisoners. We did it on our own responsibilities. We don't need to explain these activities if there are not false accusations against the prison condition. We will also clarify the false accusation against the Government in the media. News of the activities of the Prisons Department were also put in the dailies.

U Kyaw Soe of Live News Journal: I would like to know matters related to health sector. I heard a foreign radio had broadcast that Japan will donate US$ 2.6 million to combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases of Myanmar through UNICEF. Please tell me about it.

Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint: Japanese Government hadn't provided such assistance for HIV/AIDS to Myanmar. However, UNICEF officials and the Japanese Ambassador signed an agreement recently. Japan will donate cash to the fund of UNICEF, and then UNICEF will manage the fund on health matters of Myanmar.

Daw Aye Aye Win (AP News Agency): I would like to know the reasons why the government has ordered to close down the five field offices of ICRC.

Director-General of MPF Brig-Gen Khin Yi: Currently, there are changes in focal point as to contacting the five field offices of ICRC in the country. We are considering new rules and regulations for foreign organizations. So, their functions are just temporarilly suspended.

Daw Aye Aye Win (AP News Agency): Is it so? But what I learnt is that they were ordered to close down. Why? What I undestand is that their operations were suspended because of the new regulation.

Director-General of MPF Brig-Gen Khin Yi: The new regulation is under consideraton. We have not ordered them to close down. It is just a short period of time in order to avoid complications to their obligations before the new regulation is promulgated.

Daw Aye Aye Win (AP News Agency): I would like to know the government's opinion about the forced labour in Myanmar accused by ILO in International Criminal Court.

Director-General of MPF Brig-Gen Khin Yi: General Administration Deaprt-ment under the Ministry of Home Affairs plus the Ministry of Labour are now trying to settle the matters of forced labour. We are tackling this problem in accord with the rules and regulations and directives of our country.

U Hein Latt of Popular Journal: Let me ask you about trafficking in persons. I understand if anyone trafficks in women, children and youths, the person will be sentenced to 10 years' or life imprisonment. I think there will be some difference in imprisonment if somebody trafficks other persons except women, youths and children. Please tell me the differences of imprisonment.

MPF Director-General Brig-Gen Khin Yi: The imprisonment for trafficking in women, children and youth is similar to that of other persons. In reviewing facts and figures for three years, I counted equal number of men and women under trafficking and sentence of imprisonment. The law concerning trafficking in persons was promulgated on 13 September 2005. Before the law, the vocabulary on trafficking in person was called human seduction. In this regard, the person would be sentenced to imprisonment from 5 years' to life sentence. Now, action will be taken against the offender to the life sentence under the new law. Therefore, the person is to serve the whole life for the case until he die. Gender will not be discriminated in the law.

U Zeya Myat Khaing (Gita Journal): I would like to ask you three questions. The first is that an uncle and a nephew fell in a well and they were killed in Pyinmana recently. You visited the scene. I want to know the case because the well is only 13 inches wide. A fire broke out in Botahtaung Township recently. Some reporters took photos of the fire and they were interrogated in the township that night. I would like to know whether a reporter can take the photo of outbreak of fire in Yangon or not. And can we take photos in Nay Pyi Taw when we cover the news?

MPF Director-General Brig-Gen Khin Yi: Both uncle and his nephew lost their lives when they fell in the well. I did visit the scene of crime as it happened in Nay Pyi Taw. An inquest was made as there were no injuries on their bodies. The police filed the case and investigated it. According to the investigation, it is impossible to fall into the 13-inch wide well. But a child can fall into the well. The man may fall into the well while he was rescuing the child. According to the investigation by the doctor, there were no injuries on the bodies caused by a thing. The two persons were killed due to the lack of oxygen. The case is still under investigation.

Photo can be taken anywhere except restricted or security areas. When we asked the reporter we could know where or when or from what angle he shot. Action will be taken against those who are involved in outbreak of the fire. There is no reason for the reporter to face action against him if he is not guilty. Photo can be taken in Nay Pyi Taw if the area is not restricted. Some areas of the armed forces cannot be shot.

U Zeya Myat Khaing (Gita Journal): I would like to ask the Minister for Health. What kind of permission is given to the medical companies regarding the import of HIV medicine?

Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint: Food and Drug Administration is formed under the ministry. The FDA laid down policies in connection with the import of new medicine and the imported medicines were tested by Drug Administrative Committee (DAC). If the medicines are potent and they have no side effects, the DAC recommends that the company can import the medicine. The inspection team also inspects the imported medicine and price. If everything is OK, I sign it and registration certificate is issued to the company. Medicine importing team also decides that the price is reasonable or not. Then I approve their recommendation.

U Aung Hla Tun (Reuters): I heard Min Ko Naing and four were called in twice in custody of Section 5 J under the Emergency Provision Act. Will action be taken against them? Has their case been put up to the court? Or will the case be put up to the court?

MPF Director-General Brig-Gen Khin Yi: The Government is questioning five ?88 generation students' including Min Ko Naing till today about their participation in security and explosive matters. Indeed, they were remanded in custody to prove that we do not keep anyone in custody illegally. Decision will be made to take action against them depending on their participation in security and explosive matters. If necessary, we will make official clarification on their case.

U Aung Thu Myaing (Ji Ji News Agency): First, I would like to ask you, Minister for Education. Please, tell me grading of Myanmar's education standard at the international level. Is there corruption at the ministry? If it is, will you have any arrangement to take action against offenders?

Minister for Education Dr Chan Nyein: Matters related to Myanmar's education standard was included in my report. Both basic and higher education are being upgraded to meet the international standard. The task is also included in the teaching course. The Head of State has given guidance with regard to the education standard. Hence, teachers are being trained for upgrading the basic education sector from the primary to the matriculation.

We are upgrading curricula and syllabus yearly, and providing refresher courses for the teachers. Likewise, teachers at universities are assigned duties to do researches in cooperation with international institutions. Therefore, Myanmar is gaining progress of education standard day by day. One day, we will achieve the aim of upgrading the education standard at regional and international levels. With regard to corruption, teachers may involve in the corruption cases concerning tuition and others. As far as I know, the corruption is being combated clearly after I have taken responsibility of Minister for Education. Now, the task of combating corruption continues. However, there are about 250,000 education staff in the basic education and over 20,000 in the higher education. Action is being taken against those involved in the corruption. At present, both teachers and students are abiding by respective disciplines system atically.

U Ko Ko (Flower News Journal): I'd like to know the three most common diseases in Myanmar and whether there was a plan for fighting these diseases. I'd like to know if there was corruption in the Ministry of Health. If so, how about a plan to fight the corruption?

Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint: Most are seasonal diseases, for example, diarrhoea which breaks out during the rainy season. However, Disease of National Concern are HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB. There are also diarrhoea and hypatitis.

Concerning the second question, there is a few cases of corruptions in the ministry. Actions are taken against corrupt employees after being investigated. The ministry also transfers and dismisses corrupt employees if their cases are serious.

U Ko Ko (Flower News Journal): I'd like to know the three most common crimes in Myanmar and if there were political prisoners in Myanmar. How do you define a political prisoner? I'd like to know if there was corruption in the Ministry of Home Affairs. If there was, how about a plan to fight the corruption?

Director-General of Myanmar Police Force Brig-Gen Khin Yi: According to the annual report, the first most common crime is the murder case and those who were involved in murder cases are not premeditated ones. The second is the theft case and the third is the cases of harm and injury. There is no political prisoners in Myanmar. However, a person of a political party will be jailed if he breaks the law. Therefore, prisoners are not designated as political prisoners.

There are four institutions under the Ministry of Home Affairs. They are Myanmar Police Force, Prisons Department, Bureau of Special Investigation and General Administration Department. May be there are corruptions in the departments. The ministry set up hot lines for the people to inform the officials concerned of the ministry about the corruption and malpractices in the ministry. In the letters sent to the ministry, most people called for arresting the culprits.There is a few cases of corruption. If there is a corruption case, we investigate the case and actions are taken against corrupt employees.

U Ko Ko ( Flower News Journal): Rumours are abroad that the basic education examinations will be held before earlier than usual in 2007 because of some important matter of the State. Is it true? Concerning the public health care, patients are complaining about services and relations of private hospitals and clinics. I would like to know how the Ministry of Health is trying to handle the situation. Is there any law and action to be taken by the ministry?

Education Minister Dr Chan Nyein: Rumour is a matter of irritation for our country. Ministry of Education always announces every matter officially. We have never made prompt announcements. We do everything giving enough time in line with the rules and regulations.

Health Minister Dr Kyaw Myint: It is true that private hospitals and clinics are overcharging for their services. We have known weak points on health care and service charges. This is a good question. Laws on private hospitals and clinics will be promulgated in the near future.

Nay Pyi Taw, 29 Nov-A press conference on undertakings in education, health and social affairs sectors of the State was held at the Ministry of Health, here, this morning and it was attended by President U Sao Kai Hpa of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club, Secretary U Thitsar Hla Htway and members, editors and journalists of local magazines and journals.

The journalists raised queries on clarification made by Minister for Health Dr Kyaw Myint, Minister for Education Dr Chan Nyein, Deputy Minister for Science and Technology U Kyaw Soe and Director-General Brig-Gen Khin Yi of Myanmar Police Force and officials concerned made clarification.

Afterwards, diplomats, officials of UN agencies and journalists viewed the five directives laid down by the Head of State in the development of the education sector, educational vision and motto, extending of educational opportunities, applying teaching aids, Education for All, promoting skill of teachers, adult literacy, ten work programmes for 30-year long term education promotion plan in the basic education sector, comparison of curricula in high school level, newly opened universities and colleges, teaching programmes, research departments and international forum, documentary photos and facts and figures displayed at the press conference. They also observed work done for welfare of prisoners in the sectors of religion, social affairs and education, situation in prisons in the country, anti-human trafficking endeavours, artifacts and products of prisons, documentary photos, anti-narcotic drug drives of MPF, documentary photos of the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health.

All citizens should always keep in the fore Our Three Main National Causes, with political awareness

Yangon, 30 Nov -The following is the proposals of Lahu National Development Party presented by U Kya Shi of the party on the detailed basic principles that should be adopted for the chapters Election, Political Parties and Provisions on State of Emergency to be included in drafting the State Constitution at the Plenary Session of the National Convention held at Pyidaungsu Hall of Nyaunghnapin Camp in Hmawby Township, Yangon Division, on 28-11-2006.

I wish you the esteemed Chairman and members of the Panel of Chairmen, the Chairman of National Convention Convening Commission and members, the Chairman of National Convention Convening Work Committee and members, the Chairman of National Convention Convening Management Committee and members and National Convention delegates to be blessed with health and happiness and auspiciousness. I am U Kya Shi, a National Convention delegate of Lahu National Development Party. I will now discuss the chapter Election explained by the Chairman of National Convention Convening Work Committee.

The Work Committee Chairman explained the detailed basic principles for the chapter at the plenary session of the National Convention held on 30 October 2006. They are in conformity with the stipulations stated in the constitutions of world nations and 1947 Constitution and 1974 Constitution. Hence, we find that the following points should be adopted as detailed basic principles for the chapter.

Every citizen who has turned 18 on the date on which elections commence, who is not disqualified by law, who is eligible to vote, and who has the right to vote under the law, shall have the right to vote.

Every citizen who is eligible to vote and who has the right to vote by the law shall cast only a vote for a Hluttaw each at a constituency.

In addition, people of national races concerned who are eligible to vote in accordance with the provisions of the State Constitution shall have the right to vote in electing representatives of national races to the Region or State Hluttaw concerned.?

(a) Electorate living in the Union territories, or the Union territories designated by the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw under the law, shall elect members of the Pyithu Hluttaw and the Amyotha Hluttaw only.

(b) Save as otherwise prescribed by the Constitution, a Region or State Hluttaw member elected in a constituency that the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw has designated as a Union territory shall no longer stand as a Hluttaw member?

Every citizen who is not disqualified by the provisions of this Constitution and the provisions of the law regulating elections shall have the right to stand for election to a Hluttaw.

The Work Committee Chairman presented in detail the matter concerning the recall of an MP, citing the respective sections and articles of the 1947 Constitution and 1974 Constitution as examples. Hence the para 6 and subparas (a) to (e) should be adopted. The point,The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw shall prescribe necessary laws on election and recall is also appropriate.

Now I will discuss the formation of the Pyidaungsu Election Commission. The National Convention laid down a fundamental principle to enact necessary laws for the formation of political parties for the flourishing of genuine discipline-flourishing democracy. There should be a body to realize the law concerning the parties. Hence the Pyidaungsu Election Commission should be formed. Concerning the matter, the Work Committee Chairman made a thorough explanation which includes 1947 Constitution and 1974 Constitution and the constitutions of some nations. Hence, the paras 8 (a) and (b) and 9 (a) to (h) should be adopted. The point ?If the President has to blame or charge the chairman or a member of the Pyidaungsu Election Commission, he shall do so in accord with the provision prescribed in this Constitution on blaming the Union Chief Justice or any of Union Supreme Court Judges.? is comprehensive enough to be adopted.

The chairman and members of the commission should be permitted to resign from it due to health grounds or other reasons. The points, If the chairman or a member of the Pyidaungsu Election Commission in service wishes to resign from his own accord due to his health condition or any of other reasons, he may submit his resignation to the President. If the seat of the chairman or a member of the Pyidaungsu Election Commission is vacant due to resignation, termination of responsibilities, death, or any of other reasons, the President may appoint a new chairman or a member of the Pyidaungsu Election Commission in accord with the provisions on appointment of a Union minister enumerated in the State Constitution. and If the chairman or a member of the Pyidaungsu Election Commission is a government employee, he shall be deemed to have resigned from civil service in accord with the existing civil service rules and regulations from the date he is appointed as the chairman or a member of the Pyidaungsu Election Commission. should be adopted as the detailed basic principles.

The Pyidaungsu Election Commission's action and measures over the following matters shall be final:

We also agree to the points Responsibilities, powers and rights of the chairman and members of the Pyidaungsu Election Commission shall be prescribed by law. and The role of the chairman of the Pyidaungsu Election Commission is designated to be equivalent to the position of a Vice-President, and a member, to the position of a Union minister in order to make reference to responsibilities, powers and rights of the chairman and members of the Pyidaungsu Election Commission in prescribing laws.

Disputes may arise in future if there is no explanation about the stay of national people who went abroad for further study under the permission of the government, on business or on personal affairs. Now, the nation has launched the market-oriented economic system. Therefore, many nationals are staying in foreign countries on duty with the permission of the government, or on business, or on personal affairs. Such stay in foreign countries should be deemed to have settled in the Union.

We would like to suggest that expression the period of staying in foreign countries under State permission should be deemed to have settled in the Union should be added to the point having settled in the Union of Myanmar for at least 10 consecutive years up to the time of being elected as Pyithu Hluttaw representative.

I will now discuss the detailed basic principles for the chapter Political Parties. The National Convention has already adopted the fundamental principle the State shall enact necessary law for systematic formation of political parties for flourishing of genuine multiparty democracy system?. There should be a law to systematically establish political parties for flourishing of discipline-flourishing genuine multiparty democracy system and emergence of political parties that will correctly lead the citizens. The Union of Myanmar that has been under the rule of her own monarchs became a colony after three wars, the first one in 1824, the second in 1852, and the third in 1885, with the colonialists. The nation regained independence on 4 January 1948. But she faced many dangers of insurgency resulting from colonialist instigation.

Hence, the Tatmadaw had to safeguard the nation. Every time the Union faced disintegration, the Tatmadaw had to safeguard it. Time and again, the Tatmadaw has safeguarded the nation. The neo-colonialists begrudging the unity of the national races of the Union have been making attempts to break up the national unity and the Union through various means to make Myanmar their minion. All the citizens should always keep in the fore Our Three Main National Causes, with political awareness. It is also necessary for political parties to safeguard Our Three Main National Causes as a national duty.

Hence, the point Political parties set the objective non-disintegration of the Union, non-disintegration of national solidarity and perpetuation of sovereignty should be adopted as a detailed basic principle.

It is found that it is required to lay down detailed basic principles concerning the qualifications of political parties as necessary, after taking the experiences Myanmar had faced as lessons, for the flourishing of genuine multiparty democracy in the nation. A political party must abide by the Constitution and the existing laws in addition to accepting and exercising a genuine multiparty democracy system. Moreover, it must be legally registered.

A systematically formed political party can exist as a political party and carry out organizational work in the nation in accord with the law. In addition, it will have the permission to stand for elections held in the nation.

(a) it has been declared as an unlawful association in accord with the existing law.

(b) it contacts or abets the insurgent group waging the armed rebellion against the State or the association or persons determined by the State to have committed terrorist acts or the association declared to be unlawful association directly or indirectly.

(c) it directly or indirectly receives financial, material and other assistance from the government or a religious association, or any other association or an individual person of a foreign country.

2. If the body having the authority to register political parties finds that a political party is connected with anyone of the points stated in the above-mentioned sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (c) or (d), the party's registration shall be revoked.

Political parties should be the organizations capable of heading towards flourishing of discipline-flourishing genuine multiparty democracy in the entire Union and in the respective Regions and States in accord with the nation's political, security, economic and social conditions and traditions and customs. It is opined that the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw should enact necessary laws for the political parties to prevent differences when they carry out the leadership role.

Hence the point The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw shall enact necessary laws concerning the political parties. should be adopted.

I will now present the chapter on the Provisions on State of Emergency. After studying the 1947 Constitution and the constitutions of some nations, it is found that the power to declare a state of emergency is vested in the President. But the power is not totally and independently vested in the President. The President has to submit the measures he has taken to the legislative bodies for approval. The study also shows that a state of emergency can be declared because of war, foreign invasion, armed insurgency, natural disasters, economic failures and the President's assumption that a grave situation is endangering the