17-23 January: ASEAN Ignoring the Facts in Call to End Sanctions

On 16 January, ASEAN foreign ministers at a summit in Lombok, Indonesia, endorsed a reversal of Western sanctions against Burma’s military regime. This disappointing move demonstrates ASEAN’s continued failure to take a strong leadership role in promoting democracy and good governance, and advancing human rights in the region.

ASEAN foreign ministers claimed the November 2010 elections and release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest were “sure signs that the country is heading toward a more democratic system” […]

10-16 January: SPDC Continues Authoritarian Rule with Military Draft Law as Citizens Push for Genuine Democracy

Although Burma’s new parliament is set to hold its first session on 31 January 2011, the current military regime continues to control the country with no intention of loosening its grip on power. The revelation that the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) enacted an unpublicized military draft law days before parliamentary elections provides further evidence of the generals’ aims: to perpetuate military rule and to deny the people of Burma their basic rights and freedoms. With the military unwilling to make any positive changes for the country, democracy and ethnic organizations continue to take the cause into their own hands, developing the foundation for democracy and national reconciliation despite the risk of a military crackdown.

20 December – 9 January: Welcoming 2011 with New Hope and Opportunities

At the dawn of 2011, Burma Partnership would like to wish you all a happy new year, reflect on the past year and move into the future with the conviction that strengthened collaboration can bring genuine change in Burma.

At the close of 2010, the SPDC held fraudulent and undemocratic elections, which have only served to perpetuate military rule and entrench ethnic inequality. Burma will soon see a military dominated parliament filled primarily with old, familiar faces. The junta-allied Union State and Development Party (USDP) achieved a fraudulent electoral “victory” claiming to have won 77% of the electoral seats; together with the 25% of parliamentary seats reserved for military appointees, the election results ensure that pro-democracy or ethnic voices will be silenced as the same old regime continues under a new name […]

13-19 December: Repression Continues While Observers Naïvely Seek to “Wait and See”

More than six weeks following the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC)’s elections to install a superficially civilian government dominated by the military and its allies, the reality on the ground in Burma has not changed for the better. The military regime continues to wage war against armed ethnic groups, the media, and the democratic forces working for progress. This repressive environment will undoubtedly remain in place as the same regime pursues identical oppressive policies from expensive new parliament buildings. Critics of the elections are asked again and again to “wait and see” before condemning the new parliament, but it begs the question: are the “pragmatic” supporters of the elections simply naïve? […]

6-12 December: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Works To Make Reconciliation in Burma a Reality

In the month following her release from more than 15 years of unjust captivity over the last 21 years, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has demonstrated through words and actions why she continues to be a powerful force for social and political progress. While the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has maintained its authoritarian command to gain greater personal profit and perpetual military rule, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has displayed even handed leadership in the nation’s struggle for democracy, ethnic equality and inclusive development. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s efforts not only underscore the flaws of the SPDC’s unilateral “Roadmap to Democracy,” but also illuminate a real path towards national reconciliation […]

29 November – 5 December: Civilians in Danger as Election-Related Armed Conflict Continues in Eastern Burma

Since Burma’s fraudulent elections on 7 November, Thailand has seen the largest influx of civilians from Burma fleeing into the country in more than a decade. On 8 November alone, 25,000 civilians fled from fighting in the town of Myawaddy and another 10,000 crossed from Three Pagoda Pass. In the weeks following the initial outbreak of violence, the armed conflict, along with flows of fleeing civilians, has continued. The volatile situation illustrates the damage done by the SPDC’s authoritarian process to entrench military rule through their “Roadmap to Democracy” and their failure to facilitate genuine national reconciliation. Just as democratization in Burma requires global support, a collective, international effort is needed to ensure the protection of civilians under threat in Eastern Burma […]

18-25 October: Monks’ Ongoing Resistance Against the Burma’s Military Regime

Riot police and security forces were on high alert in Rangoon this week after monks and activists issued a statement that they would be organizing protests against the 7 November elections. At least 2 monks were detained at the Shwedagon Pagoda for handing out pamphlets saying they do not accept the elections or the regime’s new flag.

Saturday marked the end of Buddhist Lent, an important religious event. On this day, temples and pagodas throughout the country hold alms donation ceremonies and are attended by millions of people. At Thayettaw Monastery in Rangoon, authorities stopped alms donations to monks […]

11-17 October: Students and Youths Oppose 7 November Polls in Burma

Today marks World Youth Day for Democracy, a day in which Burma’s student and youth organizations are remembering their colleagues who have been imprisoned for demanding positive change. Students have been leaders in calling for progress in Burma throughout the country’s history, whether calling for the right to form student unions or resisting military rule as in the 1988 uprising. Students have also actively opposed the regime’s ‘roadmap to democracy’ with “Vote No” campaigns in the lead up to the 2008 constitutional referendum […]

4 – 10 October: Thailand Must Promote Human Security in Burma and ASEAN

Today, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva embarked on his first official trip to Burma. He is expected to be briefed on the SPDC’s plans after the elections and discuss the situation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, other prisoners and ethnic minority groups, while economic interests also appear to be a main focus of the meetings.

Abhisit’s visit is timely in light of Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya’s comment last week regarding a plan to repatriate refugees and intellectuals back to Burma after the elections. The statement raised serious concerns for the safety of those who could be repatriated, many of whom could be met with fines, arbitrary arrests, and even torture for leaving the country. Those who have been involved in political activities could face particularly harsh repercussions […]

30 September – 3 October: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s Release is Not an Olive Branch

Rumours circulated this week about the possible release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, days after the elections. Her latest term of house arrest is set to expire on 13 November.

Agence France-Presse reported that an SPDC official declared, “November will be an important and busy month for us because of the election and because of Aung San Suu Kyi’s release.” Another official said, “She will be released on that day according to the law.”

However, as we have seen repeatedly in the past, particularly with the regime’s disregard for the election laws, the SPDC only acts according to the law when it suits their needs. While we want to see Daw Suu free from house arrest immediately, her release notably raises three key issues […]