Join our mailing list for latest news and information about Burma.
Blog (446 found)
Burma needs a general election, not an election of Generals
The message could not have been clearer. On Armed Forces day, as soldiers marched through Naypyidaw, Burma’s Senior General Than Shwe set out his vision for “disciplined democracy”. A moment that could have been cause for celebration is instead a cause for concern and regret […]
• • •Video on Burma by Philippine Senator Pimentel
Philippine Senator Aquilino ‘Nene’ Q. Pimentel, Jr., Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Committee on Human Rights of Parliamentarians, has produced a 17-minute video presentation about the situation in Burma and recommended solutions. […]
• • •
Quintana’s Recommendations to the UNHRC Must be Supported
On 15 March, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar, Tomas Ojea Quintana, presented his progress report on the country to the 13th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). In his report, Quintana documented the “gross and systematic violation of human rights” being carried out at the hands of the military regime.[…]
• • •
Threat of Civil War and Unjust Election Laws, Recipe for Democracy?
On 8 March, the junta began releasing its election laws. The first two to be released—the Election Commission and Political Party Registration Laws—made it clear that these elections will be truly undemocratic and carried out exactly as the junta wants. Political parties will now have 60 days—until 7 May—to submit their registration in order to run in the elections. Some parties are already preparing to register, including at least three organized by the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), and the pro-junta National Political Alliance, consisting of nine smaller groups.[…]
• • •Junta’s Announcement of Election Laws Paints Dire Image
On 8 March, the Burma’s military regime announced it had enacted the election law for this year’s polls, but did not set a date for the general election. State-run television reported that details of the laws would be published as supplements in the junta’s newspapers over the coming days. So far, the Union Election Commission and Political Parties Registration Laws have been made public, painting a dire image of the elections that lay ahead.
From what has been released so far, here are some notable points […]
• • •Exhibition: “Path of Perseverance: The Chin from Burma”
@ The Art Center, Center of Academic Resources, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
March 10 – April 3, 2010
Opening Reception: Wednesday March 10, 2010, 4:30-7pm
The exhibition will feature an exceptional portfolio of photographic images by the photographer, artist and writer Benny Manser. Benny’s travels and photographs have created a potent mixture of awe and message which in turn has identified with the horrendous issues of Burma and how the world has seemingly left the plight to fend for itself. […]
Women’s Participation: The Pivot for a Peaceful Burma
The women of Burma face oppression on multiple levels. Under the military regime, women are barred from holding any positions of power. They must deal with the ongoing day-to-day realities of extreme poverty, as well as lack of healthcare and education. Their bodies have been used as battlegrounds throughout decades of conflict. Moreover, they must face societal gender stereotypes, according to which they are treated as subordinates and objects in their day-to-day life.
Despite palpable barriers, the women of Burma have worked tirelessly to take on essential roles in the fight for peace, stability and democracy in Burma. […]
International Women’s Day Marked Around the World
Today marks the International Day of Women. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma released a brief today on the situation of 177 female political prisoners in Burma’s prisons. In their press release, AAPP stated that these women are an important force within the pro-democracy movement and should be released immediately with all other political prisoners […]
• • •Taiwan’s 5×65 Campaign for Five Women Political Prisoners
On 7 March, the Taiwan Free Burma Network and Taiwan Amnesty International organized the “5×65 Campaign” in Taipei to commemorate International Women’s Day and to raise awareness about five women political prisoners from Burma who were sentenced to 65 years in prison. These five women are Nilar Thein, Thin Thin Aye (a.k.a. Mie Mie), Sandar Min, Mar Mar Oo, and Thet Thet Aung.
About 50 activists demonstrated in a crowded public area in Taipei. Passers-by stopped at the info booth to learn more about the five women political prisoners. Over 300 people signed postcards and a petition calling on Senior General Than Shwe to release these women. […]
All posts