Photo : United Nations
The NIAS Neighbourhood Reader Daily Brief #89, 12 September 2023, Tuesday
The NIAS Neighbourhood Reader Daily Brief #89, 12 September 2023, Tuesday
Immaculine Joy Paul C, Melvin George, Dhriti Mukherjee, and Lakshmi Parimala. H
NEPAL
PM should push for implementation of agreements during his China visit, says The Kathmandu Post
On 11 September, The Kathmandu Post reported on Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Dahal’s upcoming visit to China on 23 September. The visits between Nepal and China have increased post-pandemic, with the relationship between the two countries growing with frequent engagements by leaders and expert teams. The article states that there have been limited results, despite the countries signing landmark agreements, mainly due to a lack of their implementation. Therefore, during the upcoming visit, it is important for Dahal to focus on the implementation of the agreements, boosting exports, and winning the confidence of the country. (“PM’s China calling,” The Kathmandu Post, 11 September 2023)
BANGLADESH
"If we fall into the middle-income trap, we will not be able to achieve our goal of becoming a developed nation by 2041," says PM Adviser
On 12 September, speaking at a launch ceremony of a report titled “Production Transformation Policy Review of Bangladesh: Investing in the Future of a Trading Nation,” the Prime Minister’s Adviser Salman F Rahman, emphasised the need to address challenges to avoid the middle-income trap. He stated that falling into the middle-income trap would obstruct Bangladesh from achieving its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2041. He further stressed the need for domestic revenue mobilization, modernizing the tax collection system with a wider tax net, and diversification of exports. Bangladesh is set to graduate from the LDC category in 2026, following which it aims to be a high-income nation by 2041. (“If Bangladesh falls into ‘middle-income trap, it can’t become developed nation by 2041: Salman F Rahman,” The Daily Star, 12 September 2023)
MYANMAR
War crimes and crimes against humanity intensifies in Myanmar, says UN IIMM
On 11 September, the United Nations Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) said the grievousness of the war crimes and crimes against humanity has increased in Myanmar. IIMM head, Nicholas Koumjian reported to the UN Human Rights Council: “Last year I reported to this Council an increase in serious international crimes committed in the country. Tragically, the frequency and intensity of war crimes and crimes against humanity has only increased in recent months.” Deaths of several innocent civilians, including children, execution of captured resistance force combatants and civilians, torching of houses and villages, airstrikes, and indiscriminate shelling have increased. Regardless of the military junta’s rejection to provide access to information, credible evidences were collected by IIMM on arrests without due process, torture, sexual abuse, and mistreatment of detainees from over 700 sources. (“Crimes against humanity are getting more brazen in Myanmar : UN told,” The Irrawaddy, 12 September 2023)
UEC member visits China to observe state building and Party building
On 10 September, Union Election Commission (UEC) member Than Tun went to China to observe the state building and party-building of the Communist Party of China (CCP). Following the announcement of junta leader Min Aung Hlaing to conduct the elections after the national census in October 2024, CPC’s International Affairs Department invited Than Tun. He will be there in China till 16 September. (“Two Myanmar junta election officials on separate visits to China, Russia,” The Irrawaddy, 12 September 2023)
Hunger strikes of political prisoners continues in Sagaing Monywa Prison
On 12 September, The Irrawaddy reported that pro-democracy activist Ko Wai Moe Naing and 49 other political prisoners joined the hunger strike in Sagaing Monywa Prison. On 8 September, food, clothes, books, and other goods were grabbed by the military's special inspection, and police intelligence personnel led 14 political prisoners to start a hunger strike. Monywa People's Strike Committee said that three out of the 14 fell unconscious, and no medical attention was given as the Prison Department tagged the strike as illegal. Myanmar Political Prisoners’ Network Representative U Thaik Tun Oo said: “We are now trying to spread information about the strike to international organizations. Meanwhile, people in Sagaing Region are supporting the strikers by conducting photo campaigns.” The 14 who started the strike were moved to a separate cell. (“Over 50 political prisoners on hunger strike at notorious myanmar jail,” The Irrawaddy, 12 September 2023)
THAILAND
Govt should investigate reports of KNLA camping inside Thai border: Fair Party MP
On 12 September, Bangkok Post reported that Fair Party MP Kannavee Suebsang urged the government to probe into the reports of armed Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) entering the Umphang district of Tak province by crossing the Thai border. He held the government responsible for explaining what happened if the reports were confirmed. There exists a perception that Thailand is siding with the Myanmar Junta. Mr. Kannavee said: “That kind of violation of Thailand’s state sovereignty by close to 100 Myanmar soldiers is a national issue, not a border matter.” Thai soldiers did not take any steps until a netizen posted on social media about the soldiers camped a kilometre away from the Thai community. Bangkok Post said the Myanmar soldiers who blocked the way of Thai soldiers, agreed to return through the negotiations of the army’s Naresuan Task Force. (“Border hopping Myanmar troops cause alarm,” Bangkok Post, 12 September 2023)
IRAN
Israel’s Defence Minister accuses Iran of building airport, which could serve as a launchpad
On 11 September, speaking at a high-profile security meeting near Tel Aviv, the Defence Minister of Israel, Yoav Gallant, accused Iran of building an airport in Southern Lebanon, to be used as a launchpad for attacks against Israelis. Displaying satellite pictures of the site, which showed flags of Iran and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, he stated that Iran is planning to act against the citizens of Israel, warning that Israel should be prepared for a ‘deadly attack.’ While Israel and Hezbollah have maintained a tense ceasefire since their 2006 conflict, recent provocations and increased tensions have raised concerns. ("Israel accuses Iran of building airport in southern Lebanon to launch attacks against Israelis," AP News, 12 September 2023)
PAKISTAN
“We expect the Afghan interim authorities to be mindful of Pakistan’s concerns,” states FO spokesperson
On 11 September, Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch stated: "We expect the Afghan interim authorities to be mindful of Pakistan’s concerns, respect the territorial integrity of Pakistan and ensure that the Afghan territory is not used as a launching pad for terrorist attacks against Pakistan.” This is following the sixth day of the Torkham border’s closure. She went on to highlight that though Pakistan would continue facilitating trade with Afghanistan, it would not condone the illegal construction of structures and indiscriminate firing. Baloch stated that “Pakistan has continued to exercise restraint and prioritise dialogue,” and is ready “to resolve all bilateral issues and concerns through constructive dialogue.”
Although Afghanistan is yet to respond, it issued a statement last week, saying that the border closure and firing led by Pakistani troops was “contrary to good neighbourliness.” The statement also expressed concerns over the economic implications of this closure, as the halting of truck movement could “adversely affect bilateral and regional trade, and cause trade and financial losses to common mercantile class on both sides.” It also blamed Pakistan for creating “hindrances at Karachi port” which “harms bilateral trade” and thus causes “impediments and delays for regional trade and transit.” (Iftikhar A Khan & Ibrahim Shinwari, “Kabul can’t build posts on Pakistani soil: FO,” Dawn, 12 September 2023; “Pakistan Accuses Afghan Forces Of 'Indiscriminate Firing' At Its Posts On Torkham,” The Friday Times¸ 11 September 2023)
Speculation of US influence on Pakistan’s elections addressed
On 11 September, Washington state department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated that the US was neither trying to influence the outcome of Pakistan’s elections nor was it in favour of any party or candidate. This was in response to speculation after US Ambassador Donald Blome met Chief Election Commissioner Sikander Sultan Raja. Miller in his statement emphasised that “the United States does not take any position with respect to the outcome of an election in Pakistan.” He further suggested that questions be directed to the embassy for “for specific comments” on the meeting. (Anwar Iqbal, “US not trying to influence elections in Pakistan, says State Dept,” Dawn, 12 September 2023)