US Envoy Kurt Campbell’s statement on his visit to Burma

US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs Kurt Campbell arrived in Naypidaw on May 9, 2010 and proceeded to meet with the Junta, the NLD, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, ethnic leaders and other stakeholders.

“The key objective of my trip was to underscore the purposes and principles of our engagement, and to lay out the reasons for our profound disappointment in what we have witnessed to date,” the envoy said. “What we have seen to date leads us to believe that these elections will lack international legitimacy. We urge the regime to take immediate steps to open the process in the time remaining before the elections.” […]

Senate passes Gregg legislation condemning injustices in Burma

Legislation authored by U.S. Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) to highlight the persistent injustices in Burma passed the U.S. Senate today. The bipartisan resolution (S.Res.480) condemns the continued persecution of Burmese democracy leader Daw Aung Suu Kyi, her supporters, and the citizens of Burma. It also calls on the military regime in Burma to permit a credible and fair election process and the transition to civilian, democratic rule. The following Senators joined Senator Gregg in cosponsoring this legislation: Senators Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Bob Bennett (R-UT), Sam Brownback (R-KS), and Susan Collins (R-ME).[…]

Ban Ki-moon Fails to Act as National League for Democracy Banned by Burma Regime

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has failed to take any serious action to prevent Burma’s largest political party, the National League for Democracy (NLD), becoming a banned organisation. Under new election laws introduced by Burma’s dictatorship the NLD will officially cease to exist from midnight tonight […]

We Must Deny the Military Regime in Burma the Legitimacy it Craves

‘A sanctions regime says to the junta and the world…the United States does not view this government as having the support of its citizenry’

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday regarding the bill to renew sanctions against the Burmese junta:

“Today I rise to introduce a bill that would renew sanctions against the Burmese junta. As in years past, I am joined in this effort by my good friend, Senator Feinstein. Senators McCain, Durbin, Gregg and Lieberman are original cosponsors of this bipartisan legislation and continue to be leaders on the issue.[…]

UNHCR (Malaysia) Must Avoid Discrimination

Burma Democratic Concern (BDC) today calls for UNHCR (Malaysia) to respect human rights and to avoid discrimination dealing with Burmese refugees from Burma.

Burma is make up with Burmese (Bamar), Kachin, Kayar, Karean, Chin, Mon, Arakan and Shan. Burmese refugees fled from Burma due to military regime’s extreme repression. People of Burma voted for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as their leader and they don’t agree with junta illegitimate rule in Burma. Military regime sees no difference in oppressing people of Burma and always uses ultimate force to crush all the opposition regardless of religion, race or ethnicity.[…]

CSW Calls for Urgent Action to Provide Medical Treatment for Burmese Political Prisoner Ko Mya Aye

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) today called on the military regime in Burma to provide proper medical treatment to political prisoners, including Ko Mya Aye, one of the leaders of 88 Generation Students Group, who led protests in 1988 and again in 2007. CSW has also urgedthe international community to intervene in his case […]

Burmese Political Prisoner Ko Mya Aye Denied Medical Treatment – Now On Death Row

Ko Mya Aye, one of the leaders of 88 Generation Students Group, which led protests in 1988 and again in 2007, is being denied access to proper medical treatment he urgently needs for a heart condition.

On 9th of April he was moved from Loikaw Prison in Karenni State to Taungyi Prison in Shan State. Both prisons are many miles from emergency medical care he will need if he has another heart attack, and too far away for family to make regular visits. […]

After Cyclone, Repress Impedes Civil Society and Aid

Humanitarian Space Across Country Again Narrowing Ahead of 2010 Polls

The Burmese government continues to deny basic freedoms and place undue restrictions on aid agencies despite significant gains in rehabilitating areas devastated by Cyclone Nargis two years ago, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today […]

Burma’s Democracy and Ethnic Rights Movement Welcomes European Union Statement on Elections and Call for Dialogue

The Ten Alliances of Burma’s democracy and ethnic rights movement expressed support for the European Union’s renewal of its Common Position on Burma for another year, which also extended economic sanctions on the military regime […]

Burma’s Generals Begin Transition to ‘Civilian’ Dictatorship

Responding to media reports that Burmese Prime Minister Thein Sein and around 20 other military officers in government positions have resigned their military ranks, Burma Campaign UK described this as the beginning of the transition of Burma from a military to civilian dictatorship […]