3-9 May: The Increasingly Unlevel Playing Field of the Junta’s Elections

Dear Friends and Supporters, On 7 May 2010, in accordance to the junta’s election laws, the National League for Democracy (NLD) ceased to exist as a legal political entity for its decision to abstain from the upcoming military elections. It is still unclear what steps will be taken against the NLD in regards to office […]

26 April-2 May: People Begin to Flee Homes Under Threat of Civil War

The situation in north-eastern Burma is becoming increasingly tense and unstable as yet another set of deadlines pass, by which ethnic ceasefire groups were supposed to join the junta’s Border Guard Force (BGF) under the command of the SPDC Army. On 25 April, the National Democratic Front, made up of 8 ethnic armed groups, released a statement rejecting the BGF proposal and demanding that the junta end its military operations and intimidations in ethnic areas. The Kachin Independence Organization/Army, the United Wa State Army (UWSA) and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA, aka Mongla) also remain resolute in their opposition to the junta’s proposal and stand by their counter proposals, which have been dismissed by the regime. General Htay Maung of the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army (KNU/KNLA) Peace Council, a faction that split from the KNU in February 2007 to attempt to achieve peace by working with the SPDC, issued a scathing letter that rejected the BGF proposal. The Shan State Army-North may be facing divisions between different factions over the decision.[…]

12-25 April: Thingyan Bombing Shows Instability Under SPDC Rule

On 15 April 2010, a string of bomb explosions in Rangoon brutally interrupted the city’s Thingyan festivities, leaving 170 civilians injured and killing 10. The three blasts rocked the city at 3pm in a lakeside park pavilion sponsored by Than Shwe’s grandson. While not entirely unprecedented in a country marked by civil unrest, the recent bombings were the deadliest since those on 7 May 2005, which resulted in 19 deaths and over 150 injured.

5-11 April: ASEAN All Talk, No Action on Burma

Dear Friends and Supporters,

ASEAN held their 16th Summit this past week in Hanoi, Vietnam, where they discussed enhancing economic cooperation and inaugurated the Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC). The ASEAN leaders were also forced to discuss the issues of Burma’s human rights situation under the military regime and it’s manipulation of the electoral process in the lead up to this year’s polls […]

29 March – 4 April: ASEAN Must Step Up on Human Rights and Burma

Dear Friends and Supporters,

The ASEAN Inter-governmental Commission of Human Rights (AICHR) held its first meeting in Jakarta from 28 March to 1 April. Delegates discussed the Rules of Procedure (RoP), the guidelines according to which the body will operate, and the first 5-year work plan, both of which will be taken up at the 16th ASEAN Summit that begins today in Hanoi. Civil society from throughout ASEAN gathered to raise important human rights cases, including that of Burma, only to be ignored by the new body. […]

22-28 March: Quintana’s Report Sparks Debate and Action; NLD Decides Not to Register

Dear Friends and Supporters, UN Special Rapporteur Tomas Ojea Quintana’s courageous report calling for a UN-sanctioned investigation into crimes against humanity and war crimes has already carried ripple effects from Geneva to New York to Jakarta, fueling discussions in both the UN Human Rights Council and the UN Security Council, and prompting civil society to […]

15-21 March: Quintana’s Recommendations to the UNHRC Must be Supported

Dear Friends and Supporters, 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 […]

8-14 March: Threat of Civil War and Unjust Election Laws, Recipe for Democracy?

Dear Friends and Supporters, 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 […]

1-7 March: International Women’s Day Marked Around the World

Dear Friends and Supporters,

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 in the lead up to the junta’s elections. […]

22-28 February: Rejection of Daw Suu Appeal Bodes Ill for “Democratic” Elections

Dear Friends and Supporters,

On 26 February, Burma’s Supreme Court rejected Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal to end her house arrest, giving no reason for the decision. However, Daw Suu’s lawyers are not giving up. Nyan Win said they are preparing for a special appeal, asking the chief justice of Burma to convene a panel of judges to look at the case. […]