Impunity Prevails after Two Youths Killed in Pegu

On 4 September, two youths were shot execution style in Pegu, north-east of Rangoon. The incident took place shortly after midnight when the youths were involved in a minor traffic accident with a motorbike carrying two military officers. One eye-witness reported, “After arguing with local youngsters, about 10 soldiers, including officers, came back to the town with arms, looking for the young men they had had problems with. The soldiers found them near a local teashop and shot them after more arguing.” The youths were identified as Aung Thu Hein, 22, and Soe Paing Zaw, 18.[…]

Canadian Foreign Minister Expresses Support for a Commission of Inquiry

On 3 September, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lawrence Cannon, recorded a video message speaking about Canada’s support for a UN commission of inquiry into human rights violations by the military regime in Burma […]

USDP Dominates Election Candidate Lists

Political parties in Burma submitted their final candidate lists to the Union Election Commission on 30 August. While the Election Commission has until 10 September to formally approve of the candidates, informal reports about the candidate list do not appear promising.[…]

“I want to go home. I want to see my parents.”

Nu Po Refugee Camp is located in an isolated part of Thailand six hours south of Mae Sot. The camp is sometimes called ‘Noh Poe’, which means ‘small lake’ in Karen. Almost 15,000 people live here. Most of the residents of the camp are Karen who have left their own state in Burma due to the long-standing civil war. Many others are monks who fled Burma following the Saffron Revolution of 2007. Another significant segment of the population is comprised of former political prisoners, who come for refuge after they escape across the border to Thailand […]

Burma Issues presents ‘Unheard Voices’ – documenting inside voices on the 2010 Elections

[…] In February and March Burma Issues’ video team and Karen Youth Organization went on a trip inside Burma. Armed with video cameras about the upcoming election in 2010 they tried to inform local people of their human rights to a free and fair election. On the course of the trip, the voices of those speaking about the 2010 elections were collected […]

The Emperor’s New Clothes?

In the latest of a series of resignations in the military, reports emerged on Friday that eight top military officials resigned from their military posts, possibly including Senior General Than Shwe and his deputy, General Maung Aye. The reports have yet to be confirmed. However, if accurate, Than Shwe would remain the head of state until the end of the 2011 financial year, at which point he is expected to hand over power to the incoming elected government […]

Upcoming Event – Burma and the Media: Amplifying Voices for Democracy

On September 16, the Nobel Women’s Initiative and the Paley Center for Media will host “Burma and the Media: Amplifying Voices for Democracy” in New York City. This panel discussion—featuring Nobel Laureates, Burmese and international journalists and documentary filmmakers—will examine how global and social media are transforming Burma’s democracy movement […]

US Supports UN Inquiry in Burma; Others Must Follow Suit

Last Tuesday, the Obama administration declared their support for a UN commission of inquiry into crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma. Activists, think tanks, and UN officials, including UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Burma Tomás Ojea Quintana and his predecessors Paulo Pinherio and Yozo Yokota, have long called for this commission of inquiry in order to move towards justice and peace in Burma.[…]

East Timorese Students’ Protest Welcomed Burmese Military Junta Minister

Young East Timorese students met Burma’s Military Junta Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. U Nyan Win at the airport on his recent three day official visit in the Republica Democratica de Timor-Leste (RDTL). This is the first high official of the Military Junta visit Timor after the country’s restoration of independence. ‘The objective of the visit is to build alliance with RDTL and to support RDTL to become member of ASEAN in 2012,” RDTL Foreign Affairs Official Milena said in Pantai Kelapa […]

Ashin Issariya (aka King Zero): “We need unity. We need to act and work hard.”

By Ashin Issariya (aka King Zero), Alexandra Rösch, Garrett Kostin

September 27 will be the third anniversary of the brutal crackdown on the peaceful Saffron Revolution in Burma in 2007. Since then many monks have been arrested, forcibly disrobed, and put into jail and forced labor camps. Others have been forced into hiding. Some have fled to Thailand, while others are still hiding inside the country. While their struggle for peace and freedom goes on, the world seems to have forgotten about them […]