Summary of News
- Union Minister Dr. Win Myat Aye addresses at the 147th International Parliamentary Union Assembly
- Union Minister Dr. Zaw Wai Soe holds talks with French Senator Mr. Pascal Allizard
- Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister U Aung Myo Min engages in discussion with Canadian MPs
- The Ministry of Women, Youths, and Children Affairs provides financial support to IDPs and allots 14 lakh kyat for female members of local PDFs
- Deputy Minister U Maw Htun Aung cautions against Junta’s deceptive schemes to divert public attention from the ongoing revolution
- Italia-Birmania Insieme Presents “Guilty Silences: The Danieli & C. S.P.A. Case” Report in Lower House of Italy, urging authorities to take action against Italian companies, including Danieli, and stop them from supporting Myanmar’s dictatorship
1. Union Minister Dr. Win Myat Aye addresses at the 147th International Parliamentary Union Assembly
Dr. Win Myat Aye, Union Minister of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management in the National Unity Government, delivered an address at the general debate program of the 147th International Parliamentary Union Assembly.
A parliamentary delegation from Myanmar, headed by Union Minister Dr. Win Myat Aye, is participating in the general debates, governing council sessions, meetings of standing committees and related meetings during the 147th IPU assembly, taking place in Luanda, Angola, from October 23 to 27.
On October 25, Myanmar delegation leader Dr. Win Myat Aye addressed the general debate on the theme “Parliamentary diplomacy for peace, justice, and strong institutions.” He highlighted the “atrocities and terrorism acts” committed by the military junta and the defensive efforts against their violence by the people and revolutionary forces, including the CRPH. Dr. Win Myat Aye emphasized not only the endeavors to restore democracy but also to establish a federal democratic state. He urged parliaments to discuss the situation in Myanmar within their parliaments, press their respective governments to exert more pressure on the Myanmar military junta to cease their atrocities, and provide financial and technical assistance to the democratic forces in Myanmar.
The Myanmar delegation also held bilateral meetings with the President of IPU and its officials, as well as other parliamentary delegations, including Timor-Leste and Indonesia.
The Myanmar parliamentary delegation participating in the 147th IPU Assembly comprises members of the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), including Dr. Win Myat Aye (representing Bago Region Constituency No. 5), U Nay Myo Htet (representing Yangon Region Kyauktada Constituency), and Dr. Mya Thida, who serves as the delegation advisor.
2. Union Minister Dr. Zaw Wai Soe holds talks with French Senator Mr. Pascal Allizard
On October 25, Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, Union Minister for Education and Health of the National Unity Government, held a discussion with French Senator Mr. Pascal Allizard, according to a release from the Office of the National Unity Government Representative in France. Daw Nan Su Mon Aung, the NUG Representative to France, and representatives from the Association Médicale Franco Asiatique (AMFA), a French association actively involved in addressing the Myanmar issue, were also in attendance during the discussion.
Mr. Pascal Allizard spearheaded the initiative for France to officially recognize the NUG government in the French Senate in 2021. In their meeting, Union Minister Dr. Zaw Wai Soe sought practical assistance from the French government for Myanmar, engaging in discussions on the ongoing progress of the revolution and addressing other significant topics.
Senator Pascal Allizard reiterated his commitment to stand by the people of Myanmar and provide ongoing support. Furthermore, he conveyed that he has inquired with the French government about their future course of action concerning Myanmar affairs.
3. Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister U Aung Myo Min engages in discussion with Canadian MPs
Dr. Aung Myo Min, Union Minister for Human Rights the National Unity Government, along with President Office Spokesperson U Kyaw Zaw and Deputy Human Rights Minister U Aung Kyaw Moe had a discussion with Canadian MPs on October 25 at the Parliamentary Centre in Ottawa.
The discussions covered subjects like Canada’s continuous assistance for democratic initiatives in Myanmar, addressing matters pertaining to holding the military accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity, and the pursuit of long-term solutions for the Rohingya, as stated in the Facebook post by Deputy Minister U Aung Kyaw Moe.
The Canadian MPs in attendance are MP Adam Chambers (Shadow Minister for the National Revenue), MP Garnett Genuis (Shadow Minister for International Development), MP Stephanie Kusie, MP Dave Epp, MP Shuvaloy Majumdar, and MP Ziad Aboultaif.
Union Minister U Aung Myo Min and Deputy Minister U Aung Kyaw Moe are on a working trip to Canada.
4. The Ministry of Women, Youths, and Children Affairs provides financial support to IDPs and allots 14 lakh kyat for female members of local PDFs
On October 25, 2023, the Ministry of Women, Youths, and Children’s Affairs of the National Unity Government announced financial support for internally displaced persons (IDP) and conflict-affected students, as well as female members of local PDF groups. Additionally, funds were allocated for the establishment of a federal system.
According to the statement, during the third week of October 2023, the Ministry extended support by providing 85 lakh kyat to internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Laiza’s Mung Lai Hkyet, Kachin; 20 lakh kyat to IDPs in Shwegyin Township, Bago; 21 lakh kyat for IDP students in Wuntho Township, Sagaing; 14 lakh kyat for female members of local PDF groups; and an additional 20 lakh kyat designated for essential expenses in the establishment of the federal democracy system.
5. Deputy Minister U Maw Htun Aung cautions against Junta’s deceptive schemes to divert public attention from the ongoing revolution
In a Facebook post on October 25, Deputy Minister U Maw Htun Aung cautioned the public to remain vigilant against deceptive schemes orchestrated by the junta, designed to divert their attention from the ongoing revolution.
“Realizing that their direct propaganda efforts have been no longer effective since last year, the dictators have shifted to an indirect strategy to achieve their desired results. In devising indirect schemes, they leverage information and content intended to go viral, aiming to foster public disinterest and discourage participation in the ongoing revolution. It is important for everyone to be aware of these tactics,” he stated.
Currently, certain artists and entertainers who align themselves with the military junta are organizing events with the intention of diverting public attention from the ongoing revolution.
“The dictators, no longer able to employ their propaganda channel, MRTV, to brainwash the public as they did in 1988, are now resorting to indirect tactics on the online information front, with the aim of reducing interaction between the general public and the revolutionary forces,” Deputy Minister U Maw Htun Aung continued.
6. Italia-Birmania Insieme Presents “Guilty Silences: The Danieli & C. S.P.A. Case” Report in Lower House of Italy, urging authorities to take action against Italian companies, including Danieli, and stop them from supporting Myanmar’s dictatorship
Italia-Birmania Insieme, also known as Italy-Burma Together, unveiled a comprehensive report titled “Guilty Silences: The Danieli & C. S.P.A. Case” during a press conference in the lower house in Rome on October 24, 2023.
The comprehensive 50-page report was collaboratively prepared by Italia-Birmania Insieme, with the contributions of the Pa-O Organization (PYO) and the Confederation of Trade Unions of Myanmar (CTUM) and with the collaboration of the Federazione Italiana Metalmeccanici, or Italian Federation of Metalworkers (FIM), a member of the Confederazione Italiana Sindacati Lavoratori, or Italian Confederation of Trade Unions (CISL), and Atlante delle Guerre. The report delves into the current situation in Myanmar, detailing aspects such as the Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), the establishment of Danieli Company in Myanmar, allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity, and potential repeated violations of international human rights. It specifically references international frameworks such as the UN Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines on Multinationals 2011, the ILO Tripartite Declaration on Multinational Enterprises, and the EU’s restrictive measures. Moreover, the report outlined demands directed towards the Italian government and Danieli Company.
During the presentation of the report, Cecilia Brighi, General Secretary of Italia-Birmania Insieme, highlighted and discussed the instances in which the Italy-based Danieli company has been collaborating with the regime since the previous dictatorships dating back to 1979. She pointed out that the company’s cooperation with military-owned entities such as Myanmar Economic Cooperation and its investments in Myanmar lack transparency.
She also addressed the confiscation of lands by military groups for the construction projects of the Pinpet steel plant and the Myingyan steel plant, emphasizing the resulting consequences. She highlighted that land confiscation is universally recognized as a violation of ILO Convention 29 on forced labor. Furthermore, she discussed the exploitation and processing of iron, underscoring its highly negative impact on the environment. Cecilia Brighi questioned the military junta’s use of steel products from these plants in the production of weapons, especially considering their involvement in bombing and killing civilians.
Cecilia Brighi also brought attention to the following facts: Italian products continue to enter Myanmar; imports from Myanmar have increased rather than decreased since the military coup on February 1, 2021; and it is totally unacceptable for Italy, a country built on democracy and human rights, to conduct business with a dictator in the face of sanctions.
The report presentation was attended by several notable individuals, including MP Laura Boldrini, the Chairwoman of the Standing Committee on Human Rights; Riccardo Noury, spokesman of Amnesty International Italy; Roberto Benaglia, General Secretary of the Italian Federation of Metalworkers (FIM) within the Italian Confederation of Trade Unions (CISL); Alessandro De Pascale, journalist from Atlante della Guerra; and Francesco Radicioni, journalist from Radio Radicale, along with various other Italian journalists and activists.
#Credit : Radio NUG
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