On March 8, The Irrawaddy’s editorial team invited US Ambassador Scot Marciel to our office in Yangon to participate in a conversation on a range of issues, particularly the many challenges Myanmar is facing. The ambassador offered his frank views in response to questions from senior editors. Here are excerpts from the interview: The Irrawaddy: […]
Implementation of burma’s vacant, fallow and virgin land management law: at odds with the nationwide ceasefire agreement and peace negotiations
Land rights of peoples must be protected to improve prospects for peace. The Government of Myanmar’s approach to land policy risks increasing land conflicts and exacerbating current challenges in formal peace negotiations. Civil society organizations strongly oppose implementation of the recently-amended Vacant, Fallow and Virgin Land Management Law (VFV Land Law), due to well-founded fears […]
NLD government to face tougher challenges in 2018
Among the many countries struggling for democracy, some succeed, some fail, while others slide back after a few measures of success. Myanmar is one of these countries, which recently gained democracy through peaceful reforms and elections but now appears to be sliding back to its old draconian ways. After more than 20-year military rule, the […]
UN Hails Myanmar’s Historic New Parliament
The UN has added its powerful voice of support for the dramatic leadership changes happening now at all levels in Myanmar’s government. When U.Thant of Burma (now Myanmar) was elected UN Secretary-General back in November 1962, he was the first Asian to hold that post after Trygve Lie of Norway and Dag Hammarskjold of Sweden. […]