“This is Not Democracy” – New Short Film About the 2010 Elections

Burma Partnership, in collaboration with Kestrel Media, is releasing today a 17-minute film that shows why the people of Burma do not believe that the upcoming elections will bring any genuine democratic progress to their country.

“This is Not Democracy” examines the historical context of the current elections, illustrating how the military regime’s so-called “Roadmap to Democracy”, including the 2008 Constitution, is nothing more than an attempt to cement military rule under a civilian façade […]

Students Distribute Resistance Jewelry

High school students have made jewelery with photos of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her father, General Aung San. They are distributing the earrings to friends and supporters inside Burma.

Students and Youths Oppose 7 November Polls in Burma

Today marks World Youth Day for Democracy, a day in which Burma’s student and youth organizations are remembering their colleagues who have been imprisoned for demanding positive change. Students have been leaders in calling for progress in Burma throughout the country’s history, whether calling for the right to form student unions or resisting military rule as in the 1988 uprising. Students have also actively opposed the regime’s ‘roadmap to democracy’ with “Vote No” campaigns in the lead up to the 2008 constitutional referendum […]

Thailand Must Promote Human Security in Burma and ASEAN

Today, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva embarked on his first official trip to Burma. He is expected to be briefed on the SPDC’s plans after the elections and discuss the situation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, other prisoners and ethnic minority groups, while economic interests also appear to be a main focus of the meetings.

Abhisit’s visit is timely in light of Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya’s comment last week regarding a plan to repatriate refugees and intellectuals back to Burma after the elections. The statement raised serious concerns for the safety of those who could be repatriated, many of whom could be met with fines, arbitrary arrests, and even torture for leaving the country. Those who have been involved in political activities could face particularly harsh repercussions […]

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Release is Not an Olive Branch

Rumours circulated this week about the possible release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, days after the elections. Her latest term of house arrest is set to expire on 13 November.

Agence France-Presse reported that an SPDC official declared, “November will be an important and busy month for us because of the election and because of Aung San Suu Kyi’s release.” Another official said, “She will be released on that day according to the law.”

However, as we have seen repeatedly in the past, particularly with the regime’s disregard for the election laws, the SPDC only acts according to the law when it suits their needs. While we want to see Daw Suu free from house arrest immediately, her release notably raises three key issues […]

An Election Not Worthy of Support

Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, recently said the world must exercise “utmost vigilance” to ensure the approaching elections in Myanmar (Burma) are free and fair.

We are disappointed in such comments, which focus on the election as something important for our country, as something worth waiting and watching for, although this election is not the solution for Burma.

The elections, scheduled for Nov. 7, are designed to legalize military rule in Burma under the 2008 constitution, which was written to create a permanent military dictatorship in our country […]

Refugees Recall ‘Saffron Revolution’

It was a day like any other. Kyaw Kyaw Htun, a 19-year-old university student, lived outside Rangoon, so when he started the day he had heard nothing of the clashes taking place between monk-led demonstrators and troops on the capital’s streets.

“I knew that some monks were marching around town but I did not know how many people were involved,” he said in an interview on the third anniversary of the so-called “Saffron Revolution.”

He made his way to the Internet cafe where he worked part-time and then discovered the full scale of the confrontation between demonstrators and armed forces.

A colleague was preparing to join the demonstration. He told Kyaw Kyaw Htun that the entire population of Rangoon was joining with the monks and that now was the people’s opportunity “to put an end to their suffering.”

Kyaw Kyaw Htun, using a pseudonym, admits now that he was scared because he had never been involved in politics before. But “many people were going so it felt alright” […]

Demonstrations and Media Crackdowns Mark 3rd Anniversary of Saffron Revolution

Today marks the 3rd Anniversary of the Saffron Revolution when tens of thousands of peaceful demonstrators led by Buddhist monks took to the streets of Burma’s cities, triggered by an overnight 500% increase in fuel prices on 15 August 2007. The protests escalated to hundreds of thousands of monks, nuns, and citizens participating in over 150 protests across the country. On 26 September, the SPDC launched a violent crackdown, arresting over 3,000 people and raiding monasteries. At least 31 people were killed […]

Waihnin Pwint Thon Speaks for Burma and Political Prisoners at the UK Labour Party Conference

[…] the most incredible speech ever given in this country by anyone at any political conference or meeting about Burma. Waihnin Pwint Thon, daughter of jailed 88 Generation Student leader Ko Mya Aye, and one of the leading campaigners for Burma and political prisoners in her own right, gave an extraordinarily powerful speech that not only defied her young age, but deserved the lengthy standing ovation it received […]

Election Commission Wipes Away Opposition

On 14 September, the Union Election Commission (EC) officially announced the dissolution of the National League for Democracy and nine other political parties. The NLD and five other political parties – the Union Pao National Organization, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy Party, the Shan State Kokang Democratic Party, and the Wa National Development Party – were dissolved because they failed to re-register under section 25 of the junta’s Political Parties’ Registration Law. An additional five political parties were banned because they failed to meet the minimum candidate requirements.

State-run media that carried the news of the dissolutions also accused the NLD of “attempting to mislead the people into misunderstanding the law” […]