‘No happiness’: Misery for Myanmar exiles four years on from coup

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Updated 31 January 2025
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‘No happiness’: Misery for Myanmar exiles four years on from coup

‘No happiness’: Misery for Myanmar exiles four years on from coup
  • The exiles in Thailand are among thousands who fled Myanmar when generals ousted the elected civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi on February 1, 2021, and launched a bloody campaign of violent repression against dissent

SAMUT SAKHON, Thailand: Four years after Myanmar’s military seized power in a coup, the country is in the grip of a bloody civil war that has driven many of the country’s young across the border to Thailand.
There they scrape by doing hard jobs for little pay — often living in fear of being arrested and sent back to Myanmar.
AFP met three of them in Mahachai, a district of Samut Sakhon in Bangkok’s western suburbs known as “Little Myanmar” for its population of migrant workers.
They told of their experiences and hopes and fears for the future — speaking under pseudonyms for their own safety and that of their families back in Myanmar.“After the coup, I lost all my dreams,” Ma Phyu told AFP.
Before the military seized power, the 28-year-old was teaching young children while studying at university in Yangon with the aim of qualifying as a teacher.
After the February 1, 2021 coup, which ousted the elected civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, the generals launched a bloody campaign of violent repression against dissent.
Resistance has been fierce, led in large part by young people who grew up during Myanmar’s 10-year dalliance with democracy.
Like thousands of others, Ma Phyu chose to flee Myanmar rather than live under the junta, and now cannot return for fear of retribution from the authorities.




This photo taken on January 26, 2025 shows Myanmar migrant workers walking to an outdoor market in Samut Sakhon province. (AFP)

Thailand is home to the world’s largest Myanmar diaspora — 2.3 million registered workers, plus another 1.8 million unofficial migrants, according to the UN migration agency IOM.
Lacking Thai language skills, Myanmar migrants in Thailand are forced into difficult and dirty jobs including construction, food and farm work — often being paid below minimum wage.
Ma Phyu now works from 5:30 p.m. to 3:00 am in a fish processing plant, six days a week, regularly scolded by her supervisors for not understanding instructions in Thai.
Her husband arrived from Myanmar last year and the couple now live in a single-room apartment in Mahachai.
“I can’t stand the smell of fish any more. I feel disgusted at work and it’s the same at home. Nothing changes, I don’t want to live any more,” Ma Phyu said.
“My previous life was full of happiness. If there had been no coup, there would have been a good life for me.”

In a shabby room in a run-down building in Mahachai, Lwin Lwin practices Japanese grammar with five other Myanmar migrants.




This photo taken on January 26, 2025 shows Myanmar migrant worker “Lwin Lwin” learning Japanese at a makeshift school inside a fellow Myanmar worker’s flat in Samut Sakhon province. (AFP)

The 21-year-old, who fled Myanmar without finishing high school, hopes learning the language will give her a way out of a tough existence in Thailand.
“The coup turned my life upside down. I thought I would finish school, go to university and work for the government,” she told AFP.
“But then the coup happened and all my ambitions were swept away.”
Like Ma Phyu, Lwin Lwin works in a fish processing factory in Samut Sakhon and lives in a crowded accommodation block.
“There is no happiness,” she said.
“I never thought I would be working in canned fish factory, but no matter what I feel, sad or happy, I have to work.”

Thura, 25, fled Myanmar after the junta announced in February last year that it would enforce conscription into the military.
Like thousands of others, Thura chose to escape to Thailand rather than fight for a regime he did not believe in, abandoning his dream of running his own garage.
“At first I wanted to join a People’s Defense Force and fight for the revolution,” he said, referring to the civilian groups that have taken up arms across the country to oppose the junta’s rule.
“But I have many siblings and I chose to come to Thailand.”
Remittances from workers in Thailand are a vital lifeline for many families in Myanmar, where the civil war has wrecked the economy.
In 2022 nearly one billion dollars were sent from the kingdom, according to the IOM.
Thura is waiting for his “pink card” — an official document allowing him to work in Thailand — and until it arrives he rarely leaves the one-room apartment he shares with his sister.
“We will be traumatized by this military coup till we die,” he said.
“If there were no coup, young people like us would be eating at home with our parents, brothers and sisters.
“Instead we are apart from our families for many years. It’s not good and I feel sad for us.”
 


King Charles invites Trump for unprecedented second UK state visit

King Charles invites Trump for unprecedented second UK state visit
Updated 17 sec ago
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King Charles invites Trump for unprecedented second UK state visit

King Charles invites Trump for unprecedented second UK state visit
WASHINGTON: Donald Trump accepted an invitation from King Charles on Thursday to visit Britain, making the US President the first elected political leader in modern times to be hosted for two state visits by a British monarch.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer handed Trump a letter from Charles during a press conference with reporters at the White House. Trump immediately accepted the invitation.
“This is really special. This has never happened before. This is unprecedented,” Starmer told Trump as he handed him the letter.
“The answer is yes,” Trump responded, telling Starmer that he would attend with first lady Melania Trump. “We look forward to being there and honoring the king, honoring the country.”
No date for the visit was announced.
The late Queen Elizabeth welcomed Trump for a three-day state visit in June 2019 during his first term in office, during which he had attended an opulent state banquet and a private lunch with the sovereign, as well as having tea with Charles, who was then heir.
That visit already put Trump in a select group of US presidents, as only Barack Obama and George W. Bush were afforded official state visits to Britain during Elizabeth’s record 70 years on the throne.
It would also turn out to be the last of the more than 110 she hosted during her reign before her death in September 2022.
The visit was not the only occasion when Trump met Elizabeth. He was also invited to tea at Windsor Castle during a trip to Britain in 2018, when he was widely seen to have broken royal protocol by failing to bow to the queen and then walking in front of her as they inspected a military guard.
Both his visits to Britain also attracted large protests, with his 2018 trip costing police more than 14 million pounds as 10,000 officers were deployed from all over Britain.

London lit up with stars, crescent moons in celebration of holy month of Ramadan

London lit up with stars, crescent moons in celebration of holy month of Ramadan
Updated 3 min 57 sec ago
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London lit up with stars, crescent moons in celebration of holy month of Ramadan

London lit up with stars, crescent moons in celebration of holy month of Ramadan
  • Ramadan lights will shine brightly in central London from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. until March 29
  • London was the first major European city to adorn its central streets with Ramadan lights

LONDON: The UK’s capital, London, was illuminated with festive lights to celebrate the Muslim holy month of Ramadan for the third consecutive year this week.

Mayor Sadiq Khan switched on over 30,000 LED bulbs to celebrate Ramadan, which is set to start on Friday evening, bringing joy to residents and curious tourists on Coventry Street, off London’s Piccadilly Circus.

The vibrant center of the British metropolis was illuminated with a sign that read “Happy Ramadan,” alongside shapes of stars and crescent moons. This festive display will shine brightly from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. until March 29. After that date, it will change to convey the message “Happy Eid,” which will be displayed until April 6.

For the residents of the Big Smoke, who have endured weeks of bitter cold and near-zero temperatures, Ramadan lights provided respite between Christmas and the anticipation of Easter.

Eric, a London resident, was enchanted by the interactive Ramadan lights in Leicester Square, near the Mary Poppins statue. He wanted to “learn more” about the Muslim holy month and celebrate the multicultural atmosphere of London. He was carrying a battery-operated cardboard lantern, a symbol of Ramadan since the Egyptians used it in the 10th century to brighten the path for the Muslim Caliph.

London was the first major European city to adorn its central streets with Ramadan lights, a trend later embraced by Frankfurt in 2024. This is the third year the Aziz Foundation has organized the fasting month lights, which has become part of the city’s calendar over the years alongside Hanukkah and Diwali.

Rahima Aziz BEM, a trustee at the Aziz Foundation, told Arab News that the interactive Ramadan lights installation in Leicester Square is a new addition featuring the message “Spread the Light” that shines when pressed.

“This is our message for this year. We really want Muslims to feel involved in the whole process. You come to (London’s) West End not just to see the (Ramadan) lights but also to immerse yourself in the experience,” she said.

Ramadan lights installation in Leicester Square features the message “Spread the Light” that shines when pressed. (Arab News)

Councillor Robert Rigby, the lord mayor of Westminster, led a lantern parade of schoolchildren in Leicester Square before jointly switching on the lights of the interactive installation on Wednesday afternoon. Not far away, King Charles III and Queen Camilla were doing their part to mark the upcoming Ramadan period by helping to pack food donation parcels at an Indian restaurant in Soho.

Rigby expressed his pride in seeing Westminster, Britain’s political and cultural center, as a diverse and welcoming city. “We are home to many different faiths, Muslims included, and we are very grateful for any visitors coming to this wonderful city ... from all over the world,” he told Arab News.

The crowd gathered on Coventry Street in the early evening to watch Khan switch on the lights.

Hatem Al-Shammari, a tourist from Hail in Saudi Arabia, was passing by with a friend when they paused to admire the lights. This was his second visit to London, and he was surprised to discover that all the festivities were in celebration of Ramadan. He told Arab News that in the past, such an event in a European city was unheard of.

“You could see people (from various faiths) celebrating together, not just Muslims; this is something beautiful, and the vibes are very nice. May Allah bless us in Ramadan,” he said.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, alongside the Shahada, a profession of faith, prayer, giving alms, and performing Hajj. This March, British Muslims are expected to fast for approximately 13 hours each day, from sunrise to sunset. However, when Ramadan occurs in the summer, the fasting period can last nearly 16 hours, and these hours vary between countries. Starting from this Saturday’s sunrise, Muslims will refrain from food, drink, and some activities, such as sex and smoking, during daylight for 30 days as a way to reflect on religion, life, and empathize with the poor.

Sara, a university student, believes that Ramadan brings the British Muslim community closer and helps them connect with their faith. She told Arab News that she is excited about the events at her university, including the bring your dish iftar meals.

For Yousef, one of the schoolchildren who illuminated the “Spread the Light” interactive installation, Ramadan is about coming together despite the long hours of fasting. He said that exams are approaching at his school, and although he will feel hungry during the day, what matters most to him is “breaking the fast at iftar with family and friends.”


King Charles, Queen Camilla join Ramadan charity effort at London restaurant

King Charles, Queen Camilla join Ramadan charity effort at London restaurant
Updated 27 February 2025
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King Charles, Queen Camilla join Ramadan charity effort at London restaurant

King Charles, Queen Camilla join Ramadan charity effort at London restaurant
  • Visit highlights royal couple’s support for interfaith initiatives

LONDON: Britain’s King Charles III joked on Wednesday he was past his “sell-by date” as he and Queen Camilla helped pack food donation boxes for charity at Darjeeling Express, an Indian restaurant in Soho, ahead of Ramadan.

The British monarch and his wife visited the female-run restaurant, founded by British restaurateur Asma Khan, to support its initiative of cooking for charitable causes during the Muslim holy month.

Camilla assisted staff in packing biryani meals for Doorstep, a charity aiding families in temporary housing.

As she ladled food into a takeaway box, she joked: “Is that enough, or some more? They might still be a bit hungry after my portion.”

Charles, who was initially occupied with meeting guests, joined in with meal preparation, asking: “Is it chicken and proper basmati rice?” He was delighted to learn that some curry would be sent to Buckingham Palace for him.

The king and queen later packed dates into bags for iftar meals to be served in hospitals.

When Charles noticed the speed of the process, he laughed: “We don’t waste time. Paid by results!” Khan was impressed by their teamwork, saying: “You are packing them faster than I can seal them. I never realized this was such a speedy couple.”

The visit highlighted the royal couple’s long-standing support for interfaith initiatives in Britain and abroad, continuing Charles’ tradition of engaging with different religious communities across the UK and the Commonwealth.


EU urges ‘respect’ for court sentence against Bosnian Serb leader

EU urges ‘respect’ for court sentence against Bosnian Serb leader
Updated 27 February 2025
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EU urges ‘respect’ for court sentence against Bosnian Serb leader

EU urges ‘respect’ for court sentence against Bosnian Serb leader
  • “The EU expects all political actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina to respect the decisions of the courts,” a European Commission spokesman said
  • Russia has slammed the verdict as “political“

BRUSSELS: The European Union Thursday urged all sides in Bosnia to respect court rulings and avoid “divisive” actions after the head of the country’s Serb region was sentenced to jail for defying an international envoy.
“The EU expects all political actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina to respect the decisions of the courts and acknowledge their independence and impartiality without applying any pressure or interference,” a European Commission spokesman said.
Brussels urges all actors to “refrain from and renounce provocative, divisive rhetoric and actions, including questioning the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the country,” spokesman Anouar El Anouni told reporters.
Under a 1995 peace agreement, Bosnia is split into two autonomous bodies — a Bosniak-Croat federation and a Serb entity, connected by a weak central government under supervision by an international high representative.
Milorad Dodik, the pro-Russian leader of the Serb-dominated Republika Srpska (RS), was sentenced to a year in jail Wednesday for failing to comply with decisions made by the high representative, Christian Schmidt.
Russia has slammed the verdict as “political,” and Bosnian Serb lawmakers were weighing potential measures in response.
The EU has previously warned that challenging the terms of the 1995 Dayton peace accords that ended Bosnia’s intercommunal war would threaten the country’s ambitions to join the bloc.
“The European Union is unequivocally committed to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective as a single, united and sovereign country,” El Anouni said.
“We encourage all political actors to focus on the EU path, and this for the benefit of citizens, a large majority of whom do support EU integration,” he added.


Over 500,000 Afghans displaced due to climate disasters in 2024: IOM

Over 500,000 Afghans displaced due to climate disasters in 2024: IOM
Updated 27 February 2025
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Over 500,000 Afghans displaced due to climate disasters in 2024: IOM

Over 500,000 Afghans displaced due to climate disasters in 2024: IOM
  • “Nearly 9 million individuals were impacted by climate hazards in the last 12 months,” according to the IOM report
  • “Roughly three in five of those displaced relocated elsewhere within their province of origin“

KABUL: More than half a million people in Afghanistan were displaced due to climate disasters in 2024, the International Organization for Migration said in a country report published on Tuesday.
“Nearly 9 million individuals were impacted by climate hazards in the last 12 months, with over 500,000 displaced by floods, drought, and other disasters,” according to the IOM report.
“Roughly three in five of those displaced relocated elsewhere within their province of origin,” with the western Herat and Farah provinces among the hardest hit, it said.
This week, 39 people were killed due to floods, hail and storms in southwestern Afghanistan, mainly in Farah, according to local authorities.
Afghanistan is among the poorest countries in the world after decades of war and is ranked the sixth most vulnerable to climate change, which is spurring extreme weather.
Drought, floods, land degradation and declining agricultural productivity are key threats, according to the United Nations.
Flash floods last May killed hundreds and swamped swaths of agricultural land in Afghanistan, where 80 percent of people depend on farming to survive.
“Over 11 million people in Afghanistan are at high risk of severe impacts from climate-induced disasters in the future,” the IOM said.
The UN agency estimates that “climate-sensitive livelihoods, like subsistence farming, make up 73 percent of jobs in Afghanistan.”
It added that “92 percent of villages have limited access to emergency services” and “96 percent lack resources for crucial measures like early warning systems and search and rescue.”