International Community Responds to Election Date Announcement

As we reported on Friday, the regime’s election commission has announced the long-awaited poll date for the elections: November 7, 2010. The election commission also called on political parties to submit candidate lists in the next two weeks.

November 7 is exactly one week before Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s release. “[Burma’s ruling generals] are going to hold the election before the release of Aung San Suu Kyi because they want to marginalise her from any activities,” said NLD vice-chairman Tin Oo. “They don’t want any appearance by her during the run-up to the election, because the military junta is worried that most Burmese nationals would come out to follow her speeches[…]

Burma’s Military Regime Announces Election Date

The regime’s election commission has announced the long-awaited poll date for the 2010 elections: November 7, 2010. State-run TV and radio ran the election commission’s brief statement earlier today. The statement also called on political parties to submit candidate lists between 16 and 30 August […]

8.8.88 – A Day of Unity that Must Live On

Twenty-two years ago on 8 August, Burma’s army brutally massacred as many as 3,000 peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators marching against increasing poverty and oppression, and calling for an end to the military dictatorship. The serious human rights violations and economic mismanagement that led to the national uprising in 1988 have continued to worsen under the current regime.[…]

NGOs mark the 22nd Anniversary of 8.8.88 in Bangkok

On Sunday 8 August, 2010, several hundred activists, students, and members of civil society gathered today at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the 8.8.88 uprising in Burma. The event featured a keynote speech by Mr. Kraisak Choonhavan, President of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC). […]

A Day of Unity that Must Live On

By Khin Ohmar

It has been 22 years since 8.8.88, but the memory and spirit of that fateful day still lives on vividly in my heart, and the heart of so many activists inside and outside Burma. Even to this day, I can remember adrenaline coursing through my body in anticipation of what we hoped would be the most significant demonstration in Burma to date […]

Philippines rally commemorating 8.8.88

About one hundred members of the Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (FBC-Phils) held an action in front of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs office in Manila to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the 8-8-88 people’s uprising in Burma. The demonstrators called on the Philippine government to denounce the national elections being planned by the SPDC military junta in Burma amidst the junta’s continued crimes against its people […]

India Welcomes Than Shwe, Sets Aside Principles of Democracy

Earlier this week, Senior General Than Shwe concluded his five-day tour of India. The tour included a visit to the mausoleum of India’s treasured non-violence advocate Mahatma Gandhi, ceremonial receptions hosted by high-level Indian officials and a series of delegation level talks and treaty signings[…]

Announcing a New Photo Petition Calling for a Commission of Inquiry

Groups around the world are preparing to launch a new photo petition in support of ongoing international campaigns calling for a commission of inquiry and opposing the military regime’s elections this year.

We hope you will join in this photo petition to send a strong message that people around the world have not and will not forget about the severe human rights violations carried out by successive military regimes against the people of Burma […]

ASEAN Foreign Ministers Criticize but Fail to Act on Burma

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met earlier this week for the 43rd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting to discuss various regional issues, including Burma’s upcoming elections. In contrast to the statements of support for the elections that emerged from the bloc’s 16th summit earlier this year, this ministerial meeting saw foreign ministers expressing more apprehension than support. “Myanmar, I think, got an earful last night,” said Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN Chairman, “ASEAN is very much concerned.” […]

USDA Disbands, Paving a Dreadful Path for USDP Dominance

Last week, Burma’s military regime began dividing the assets of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) from those of its political counterpart, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), headed by Prime Minister Thein Sein. The USDP has come under fire from critics and opposition parties for its lack of regard for election regulations but the association’s move to separate assets appeared to be a token step towards transparency. Indeed, a senior military official noted that the “[USDP] will purchase buildings, vehicles and office equipment from the association. They need to do it according to the election law[…]