Junta Announces Election Law

On 8 March, the Burma’s military regime announced it had enacted the election laws 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. Read more on the details about […]

International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women of Burma – March 2nd, 2010

The International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women in Burma starts on March 2nd in New York City.
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Rising Concerns as Migrant Workers’ Nationality Verification Deadline Approaches

Human rights and migrant worker organizations are concerned that over 1.3 million migrant workers—the majority of whom are Burmese—could be deported from Thailand if they fail to enter the nationality verification process before 28 February.

In January, the Thai Cabinet passed a resolution allowing for a two-year extension of work permits for the migrants provided that they were willing to submit biographical information to their home governments prior to 28 February. […]

The Repression of Ethnic Minority Activists in Myanmar

The 58-page report, The Repression of Ethnic Minority Activists in Myanmar, draws on accounts from more than 700 activists from the seven largest ethnic minorities, including the Rakhine, Shan, Kachin, and Chin, covering a two-year period from August 2007.

The authorities have arrested, imprisoned, and in some cases tortured or even killed ethnic minority activists. Minority groups have also faced extensive surveillance, harassment and discrimination when trying to carry out their legitimate activities. […]

The Repression of Ethnic Minority Activists

Myanmar urged to end repression of ethnic minorities before elections

Myanmar’s government must halt its repression of ethnic minority activists before forthcoming national and local elections, Amnesty International warned in a major report released on Tuesday.

The 58-page report, The Repression of ethnic minority activists in Myanmar, draws on accounts from more than 700 activists from the seven largest ethnic minorities […]

2,100 Displaced, Villages Burned, Schools Abandoned as Seven Burma Army Battalions Attack

Over 2,100 people displaced, 4 villages burned, 14 schools abandoned and a clinic burned as seven Burma Army battalions attack villagers in Western Karen State, Burma. 12 February 2010. (Reports relayed from teams in the field with the IDPs)

More than 2,100 newly displaced Karen villagers hide from Burma Army after attacks

Seven Burma Army battalions (Five as the assault element and two in support) attacked villagers in Ler Doh township, Nyaunglebin District, Western Karen State, displacing over 2,100 villagers. […]

Burmese Junta Unjustly Convicts American Political Prisoner Nyi Nyi Aung

Today, a Burmese court found American Nyi Nyi Aung guilty on false charges and sentenced him to 5 years in a Burmese prison, including hard labor. The judge commuted the sentence to 3 years. Nyi Nyi was found guilty of forging a national identity card; failing to declare currencies at customs; and failing to renounce his Burmese citizenship. Freedom […]

Poisoned Hills: Opium cultivation surges under government control in Burma

Through community assessments, this report by the Palaung Women’s Organization (PWO) shows that opium cultivation is increasing dramatically in Burma’s northern Shan State. The amounts are far higher than reported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and are flourishing in areas controlled by Burma’s military regime, not in the ceasefire areas claimed by the UN.