【359-362】UN Report: Myanmar Generals Must Face Justice

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*【359】

AS IT IS

UN Report: Myanmar Generals Must Face Justice

August 27, 2018

FILE - Rohingya refugees gather during the visit of UN secretary general Antonio Guterres and World Bank president Jim Yong Kim at the Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, July 2, 2018. (REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain)

United Nations investigators are accusing the military in Myanmar of carrying out numerous crimes last year during its campaign against Rohingya Muslims.

Myanmar’s armed forces carried out mass killings and rapes of Rohingya with “genocidal intent,” the U.N. investigators said. They added that the commander-in-chief and five generals should be tried under international law for the most serious crimes.

In a report, they urged the U.N. Security Council to set up a court to try suspects or send their cases to the International Criminal Court in The Hague. They said that the Security Council should restrict arms to Myanmar and order targeted sanctions to punish individuals most responsible for crimes.

The investigators blamed Myanmar’s de facto leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi, for failing to use her “moral authority” to protect civilians. They said her government was partly to blame for the crisis. It accused the government of letting hate speech continue, destroying documents and failing to protect minorities from crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The report also criticized Facebook for letting the world’s largest social media business be used to spread violence and hatred. The company reacted on Monday by announcing that it was blocking 20 Myanmar officials and groups found by the U.N. to have “committed or enabled serious human rights abuses.”

A military spokesman, Major General Tun Tun Nyi, said he could not immediately comment on the U.N. report. He spoke to the Reuters news agency. The Myanmar government was sent a copy of the report before it was made public.

One year ago, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army attacked 30 Myanmar police stations and a military base. To answer the attacks, government troops launched operations against suspected rebels and their supporters in Rakhine state. About 700,000 Rohingya fled the area to escape the violence. Most are now living in refugee camps in neighboring Bangladesh.

The U.N. report said the military action, which included setting fire to villages, was “disproportionate to actual security threats.”

The U.N. panel said the crimes were “similar in nature” to genocidal crimes in other countries.

Myanmar’s government has rejected most claims of violence made against the security forces by refugees. The government has built centers to help refugees return to the country, but U.N. aid agencies say it is not yet safe for them to do so.

Moral authority

The United Nations defines genocide as acts meant to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group in whole or in part. Such a designation is rare, but has been used in countries such as Bosnia, Rwanda and Sudan.

The U.N. panel also said there was enough information to support “the investigation and prosecution of senior officials in the (army)” to determine if they were responsible for a genocide.

The head of the panel is Marzuki Darusman of Indonesia. He said that the commander-in-chief of Myanmar’s military, Min Aung Hlaing, should resign until there is an investigation into his part in the violence.

The list of generals also includes Brigadier-General Aung Aung, commander of the 33rd Light Infantry Division, which directed operations in the village of Inn Din, where 10 Rohingya captive boys and men were killed.

Those killings were discovered by two Reuters reporters, Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo. They were arrested last December by the government for violating Myanmar’s Official Secrets Act.

A ruling in their trial was expected on Monday, but has been postponed until September 3.

In April, seven soldiers were sentenced to 10 years in prison for taking part in the Inn Din killings.

“Oppression from birth to death”

The U.N. investigators spoke with 875 suspected victims and witnesses in Bangladesh and other countries. They examined documents, videos and satellite images.

Years of state-sponsored discrimination against Rohingya had resulted in “oppression from birth to death,” the report said.

The Rohingya see themselves as native to Rakhine state. They are considered migrants by Myanmar’s Buddhist majority and are denied citizenship.

In March, the panel’s members had accused Facebook of permitting it to be used to support violence. The report said the social media company should have acted quicker.

On Monday, Facebook said in a statement: “The ethnic violence in Myanmar has been truly horrific. Earlier this month, we shared an update on the steps we’re taking to prevent the spread of hate and misinformation on Facebook.”

I’m Jonathan Evans.

The Reuters news agency reported this story. Susan Shand adapted the report for VOA Learning English. The editor was George Grow.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

intent – n. the thing that you plan to do or achieve

sanctions – n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country

de facto – adj. actual; in reality

authority – n. the power to influence opinions or behavior

disproportionate – adj. having or showing a difference that is not fair, reasonable, or expected

panel – n. a group of people who answer questions, give advice or opinions about something, or take part in a discussion for an audience

designation – n. the act of officially choosing someone or something to do or be something

migrant – n. someone who moves from place to place, usually to find work

update – n. current information; an up-to-date version or report

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AS IT IS

Iran Commander: US Navy Does Not Belong in Gulf

August 27, 2018

In this July 2, 2012 file photo, an Iranian Revolutionary Guard speedboat moves in the Persian Gulf while an oil tanker is seen in background. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File)

A top Iranian military commander says his country has full control of the Persian Gulf and the United States Navy does not belong there.

The commander, General Alireza Tangsiri, is head of the navy for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported his comments.

“We can ensure the security of the Persian Gulf and there is no need for the presence of aliens like the U.S. and the countries whose home is not in here,” Tangsiri said.

He added that “All the carriers and military and non-military ships will be controlled and there is full supervision” of the waterway.

Iran has suggested it could take military action in the Gulf to block oil shipments by other countries. That suggestion came after the U.S. government announced this month it was ordering new economic sanctions against Iran.

The sanctions followed a U.S. decision in May to withdraw from a 2015 deal between Iran and world powers. President Donald Trump approved the withdrawal from the agreement, which he has strongly criticized. The sanctions seek to increase pressure on Iran, as U.S. officials seek a new deal to limit Iran’s nuclear activities and missile program.

A U.S. military official said earlier this month that one reason the U.S. keeps navy ships in the Gulf is to “ensure the free flow of commerce in international waterways.”

The head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, warned Monday that nations unfriendly to Iran would not succeed in possible conflicts in the Gulf.

“The enemies are strictly avoiding any conflict with Iran because they know it will not be beneficial for them,” the Tasnim news agency reported Jafari as saying.

Also on Monday, Iran appealed to the United Nation’s top court in an effort to get the U.S. sanctions lifted.

People walk toward the International Court of Justice in the Hague, the Netherlands, Aug. 27, 2018. Iran is going to the United Nations' highest court in a bid to have U.S. sanctions lifted.

Iran brought the case to the U.N.’s International Court of Justice. Lawyers representing Iran said the U.S. measures are already severely harming Iran’s economy and threatening the wellbeing of its citizens.

In a written statement about the case to the U.N. court, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the claims “meritless.”

Pompeo said that Iran’s legal effort was an attempt “to interfere with the sovereignrights of the United States.” Those rights, he said, include the lawful placing of economic sanctions, which he said “are necessary to protect national security.”

I’m Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His story was based on reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

ensure – v. make sure something happens

alien – n. belonging to a foreign country

sanction – n. measure put in place to cause a country to obey international law, usually by limiting or banning trade

commerce – n. activities involved in buying and selling things

strictly – adv. exactly or correctly

beneficial – adj. helpful or useful

meritless – n. worthless or underserving

sovereign – adj. having independent power to govern

*【361】

S IT IS

Pope About Call for Resignation: “I Will Not Say a Single Word”

August 27, 2018

Pope Francis speaks with the media during his flight back to Italy from a trip in Dublin, Ireland, August 26, 2018.

Pope Francis said Sunday that he had read the letter from a former Vatican official that calls for the Roman Catholic Church leader’s resignation. However, the Pope told reporters he would not say a single word about the letter’s contents. He said the letter “speaks for itself.”

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano wrote the 11-page document and had released it to Catholic media groups earlier in the day Sunday.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, Apostolic Nuncio to United States, listens to remarks at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' annual fall meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, Nov. 16, 2015.

In the letter, Vigano accuses Pope Francis of having known for years about sex abuse reports involving former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of the United States.

Last month, the Pope accepted McCarrick’s resignation following the release of evidence that he had abused a child. It was the first resignation of a Cardinal in connection with sex abuse claims.

Vigano wrote that the Pope “must acknowledge his mistakes.” He also said Francis should resign to honor the Church’s policy of rejecting abuse or hiding of abuse.

Vigano served as the Vatican Ambassador to the United States from 2006 to 2011. He said he told Francis about the accusations against McCarrick in June 2013.

Vigano wrote that the current Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, also received information from the Vatican about McCarrick. Wuerl’s spokesman denied the accusation.

Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, enters church for Mass at St. Mathews Cathedral, Wednesday, August 15, 2018 in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)

The letter was released during the Pope’s two-day trip to Ireland. Pope Francis opened a service Sunday in Dublin by asking for forgiveness for the “scandal and betrayal” felt by victims of sex abuse by Catholic clergy.

Organizers had been expecting a crowd of 500,000 people, but only about 200,000 gathered. Among them were protesters of the Catholic Church. Demonstrator Maggie Lawler expressed dissatisfaction with the Pope’s message.

Pope Francis arrives to celebrate Mass at the Phoenix Park in Dublin, Ireland, Sunday, Aug. 26, 2018.

“Apologies don't really go far enough. There needs to be accountability. People need to answer questions, they need to stand up, be responsible for their actions.”

Protester Elaine Murphy agreed with Lawler. She described Francis’ apology Sunday as “empty.”

The Pope also met privately in Ireland with a group of abuse victims.

I’m Caty Weaver.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_______________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

acknowledge - v. to say that you accept or do not deny the truth or existence of (something)

scandal - n. an occurrence in which people are shocked and upset because of behavior that is morally or legally wrong

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AS IT IS

Services Set for McCain, Tributes from Around the World

August 27, 2018

U.S. Vietnam-born citizen Mai Tran mourns near a portrait of U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) after she paid respect to him at the U.S. embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, Aug. 27, 2018. (REUTERS/Kham)

American Senator John McCain will be buried at the U.S. Naval Academy where he began his military service more than 60 years ago.

The former Navy pilot, prisoner of war, congressman, presidential candidate and senator died at the age of 81 after a yearlong battle with brain cancer.

A private burial service next Sunday will bring to a close nearly a week of events to honor McCain.

McCain will lie in state Wednesday at the Capitol building of his home state Arizona. A funeral will be held Thursday. Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden will speak at the service.

On Friday, McCain will lie in state at the U.S. Capitol, where the public can pay their respects. On Saturday, his body will pass the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and arrive for a funeral at the Washington National Cathedral.

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, the two men who defeated McCain in his campaigns for the presidency, are expected to speak at the service.

Flags flying a half-staff in honor of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., frame the U.S. Capital at daybreak in Washington, Aug. 26, 2018.

McCain-Trump clashes

U.S. President Donald Trump is not expected to attend any of the services. Two administration officials told the Associated Press that McCain’s family had asked Trump not to attend.

McCain and Trump had clashed several times in the past.

In 2015, as a presidential candidate, Trump questioned McCain’s public image as a war hero who was imprisoned by the North Vietnamese. Trump said, “He’s not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren’t captured.”

McCain later condemned Trump’s policy toward Russia. He called Trump’s joint press conference earlier this year in Finland with Russian President Vladimir Putin “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”

The Washington Post reported that Trump rejected the publication of a statement members of his administration wrote to praise McCain. The president sent out a Tweet instead. It said, “My deepest sympathies and respect go out to the family of Senator John McCain. Our hearts and prayers are with you.”

-t1-

The American flags at the White House were lowered to half-staff to honor McCain. That means the flags were lowered to half of the usual height.

The U.S. Flag Code notes that flags are to be lowered to half-staff “on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress.” However, presidents often sign proclamations to extend that period of time.

By Monday morning, the flags at the White House were back to full-staff. A leading veterans group sharply criticized the move.

Later in the day, Trump released a statement.

It read, “I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment.”

An American flag above the White House flies at full-staff less than 48 hours after the death of Sen. John McCain, Aug. 27, 2018, in Washington.

Worldwide tributes

Words honoring McCain came in from around the world.

From Vietnam, Tran Trong Duyet said, “When I learnt about his death early this morning, I feel very sad. I would like to send condolences to his family. I think it’s the same feeling for all Vietnamese people as he has greatly contributed to the development of Vietnam-U.S. relations.” Duyet ran the prison that kept McCain after his plane was shot down over Hanoi during the Vietnam War.

Many Vietnamese paid respects to the senator at the U.S. Embassy. They included Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh. Others left flowers at Truc Bach Lake where McCain crashed his plane.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel J. Kritenbrink pays tribute before a sculpture depicting the capture the then-US Navy pilot John McCain whose fighter jet was shot down in 1967, near Truc Bach lake in Hanoi on August 27, 2018.

French President Emmanuel Macron commented on Twitter. He said that McCain “was a true American hero. He devoted his entire life to his country.”

Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, praised McCain’s support for the Jewish state. He said, it came “from his belief in democracy and freedom.”

And Germany’s chancellor, Angela Merkel, called McCain “a tireless fighter for a strong trans-Atlantic alliance. His significance went well beyond his own country.”

I’m Ashley Thompson.

Hai Do adapted this story for VOA Learning English from AP News stories. Mario Ritter was the editor.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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