Support the Giri Relief Committee to Assist the Victims of Cyclone Giri in Western Burma

On October 22nd and 23rd 2010, Cyclone Giri ripped through Arakan state in western Burma leaving at least 101,923 people homeless and the number of affected people at over 260,000. Although some assistance has reached these victims, thousands remain without food, shelter and health care. The risk of water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases is expected to rise without
clean water and a lack of shelter and mosquito nets.

The Giri Relief Committee

The Giri Relief Committee consists of members based in Arakan state and along the border committed to providing timely and targeted assistance to survivors of Cyclone Giri. Our members in Arakan state can act swiftly to buy supplies locally and distribute them quickly to those in need […]

Neither Free Nor Fair: Burma’s Predetermined Elections

Burma’s elections yesterday were marked by fraudulent activities, a notably low voter turnout, and an overall skepticism that these polls would bring any real change to people’s lives. Despite crippling media restrictions and a ban on international election monitors in Burma, over the course of the last two days there has been substantial and mounting evidence of significant elections-related violations emerging from the country. While these violations undermine the credibility of the elections, they have not been unexpected based on the pre-election conditions. Long before election day, it was evident that the military regime had failed to create the necessary conditions for these elections to accurately represent the will of the people […]

Burma’s Election Day Marked by Fraud and Low Voter Turnout

Despite crippling media restrictions and a ban on international election monitors in Burma, over the course of the day there has been substantial and mounting evidence of significant elections-related violations emerging from the country.

Violations reported by media, citizens inside Burma, and inside networks include accusations of ballot stuffing, unsecure ballot boxes, flawed voter lists, lack of secret voting processes, and illegal campaigning. Many voters were also told how to vote by polling station staff or had their ballots cast in their name . Members of the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) interfered in many polling stations, taking on roles and responsibilities prohibited in the election laws […]

Election Day Has Arrived: Burma Election Tracker Online!

Today, on the day of elections, we invite you to join us in tracking the elections through personal interviews, media articles and citizen reports documented on the website. Together, we can follow the elections, and see the developments as they occur over the next few weeks.

The information gathered on this site is a testament to the will of the Burma’s democracy and human rights activist networks inside and outside the country – given the military’s draconian restrictions on reporting and freedom of speech, what is remarkable is the fact that these personal stories have even been able to make its way out of the country. The reports are thanks to a vast network of media reporters, activists, citizens in Burma, migrants, and Burma’s diaspora […]

Security Tightened in Rangoon on Eve of Sunday Election

The day before the elections, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has stepped up the security in Burma. Since the morning of 6 November, police presence increased in Rangoon, in front of City Hall downtown as well as in the outlying residential areas. By 9pm, the streets were quiet again. See more photos here.

Kalay Declaration: Ethnic and Democratic Leaders Inside Burma Working for a Unified National Reconciliation Conference

Recently a significant grouping of ethnic, democratic, and student and youth leaders proposed a plan that could potentially lead to an end of Burma’s political stalemate. Known as the Kalay Declaration, this pact has been gathering momentum and support from important political and ethnic leaders, and veteran politicians from across Burma.

On October 24th, the Zomi National Congress (ZNC), a 1990 election winning party, met in Kalay Township, Sagaing Division, for their 22nd anniversary. The Zomi are an ethnic group in western Burma and the ZNC are known for being very strong and active in working to promote democracy. They came together with other democratic leaders in the country, and collectively made a declaration of commitment to begin a consultative dialogue towards the creation of a federal union, or as they also put it, a 2nd Panglong Agreement […]

Protest in New Delhi Urging Government of India to Reject Burma’s Elections

Burma Centre Delhi in collaboration with India-based Burmese pro-democratic forces organized a protest rally at Jantar Mantar on 3 November 2010 against the upcoming Burma’s 2010 election on 7 November 2010. The event was one of the biggest as around 900 Burmese from different ethnic groups participated in their respective traditional attires holding placards and shouting slogans in the capital of India […]

‘Boycott Air Bagan’ Campaign Launched in Chiang Mai

On October 28th a group of Burmese and international citizens with a concern for the people of Burma launched a campaign in Chiang Mai, Thailand, calling for a complete boycott of Air Bagan, a Burmese airline with close ties to the Burmese military regime, as well as other businesses that support and sustain the military dictatorship in Burma.

A protest demonstration was conducted in front of Air Bagan’s Chiang Mai office early in the afternoon. Almost immediately after the protest began, the staff of Air Bagan locked the front door and shut off their lights. The office remained closed for the rest of the day […]

Don’t legitimize Burma’s elections

By Ashin Issariya

The government that emerges after Nov. 7 will be no less corrupt and unlawful than the present one.All actions are based on intentions. For instance, the goal of monks is to bring peace and kindness to the people, and so Burmese trust their actions. In contrast, when the military regime says they will hold elections, Burmese are skeptical because they know the intention is only to maintain power at their expense.

When Burma’s monks marched through the streets in 2007, we did so because we saw the pain of the people, and knew we had to respond. People have suffered needlessly for many years because of the military system of control and intimidation […]

Monks’ Ongoing Resistance Against the Burma’s Military Regime

Riot police and security forces were on high alert in Rangoon this week after monks and activists issued a statement that they would be organizing protests against the 7 November elections. At least 2 monks were detained at the Shwedagon Pagoda for handing out pamphlets saying they do not accept the elections or the regime’s new flag.

Saturday marked the end of Buddhist Lent, an important religious event. On this day, temples and pagodas throughout the country hold alms donation ceremonies and are attended by millions of people. At Thayettaw Monastery in Rangoon, authorities stopped alms donations to monks […]