Protests Against Controversial Chinese Copper Mine Resume

Local villagers and activists resumed their demonstrations against a Chinese-backed copper mine in central Burma on Wednesday, as anger continues to grow over the government’s failure to address community grievances over the project.

Hundreds of villagers gathered near Sagaing division’s Monywa copper mining project yesterday to demand a complete halt to the project, which locals say has caused irreparable damage to the local environment and communities. There is growing anger over the government’s failure to address their concerns, despite the formation of an official investigative body […]

Thousands Gather to Mark Copper Mine Crackdown

More than 2,000 activists and local residents gathered near the Letpadaung copper mine in Sagaing Division on Tuesday to demand that the authorities take action against those responsible for a violent crackdown on protests in the area two months ago.

“We want to urge the authorities to charge those who are responsible for the brutal repression that happened on Nov. 29, and for the government to stand on the side of its citizen,” said activist Thaw Zin […]

Movement Against Article 18

On 27 December, the Movement for Democracy Current Forces (MDCF) led a protest calling for abolishment of Article 18 of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law and Article 505(b) of the Penal Code. Rather than granting freedom of expression, assembly and association, these laws are being used to intimidate, silence and arrest human rights defenders and activists in Burma […]

Authorities Arrest Mine Activists

Police are on the hunt for four others as Burma cracks down on protests at a controversial copper mine.

Burmese authorities have arrested at least six activists and are searching for four others who organized protests at the site of a China-backed copper mining venture, which villagers say had been set up on their illegally confiscated land.

The government has also ordered protesters to leave the Letpadaung Copper Mine’s premises in northwestern Burma by midnight or face legal action […]

Police Arrest Four Miners During March to Naypyidaw

Four miners from Moehti Moemi gold mine in central Burma’s Yemathin township, who have been marching to Naypyidaw to protest a government order that closed their mines, were attacked by police and arrested today near Myohla town […]

Demonstrators Call on US President Obama to Support Peace in Myanmar

More than 20 people staged a demonstration at the University of Yangon as US President Barack Obama arrived to deliver his public speech today. They held up posters calling for Obama to help stop civil war and use his visit to raise the issue of peace.

“We welcome President Obama, but his visit cannot overshadow the need for peace, human rights and democracy in our country […]

Rangoon Lawyers Take to the Streets – Again

Some 200 lawyers held a demonstration along Maha Bandula Road in Rangoon on Wednesday morning to protest the lack of government response to their previous calls to resist the sale of the city’s 101-year-old High Court and the Police Commissioner Office to a consortium of local and Chinese businessmen […]

Both Sides File Suits in Mine Protest

Over 1,000 villagers staged a symbolic demonstration on Tuesday at a graveyard to dramatize their struggle against a Chinese co-owned mine in the Letpadaung mountain range near Sagaing Division’s Monywa city.

The villagers are protesting their displacement from land following months of confrontations with the company and the authorities […]

Officials Press Charges Against ‘Electricity Protestors’

Activists who joined the widespread protests calling for sufficient electricity supplies in Mandalay in May have been charged by the city’s police for demonstrating without official permission.

Following frequent power cuts during the hot season, protests kicked off in Mandalay on 20 May and eventually spread throughout the country to Rangoon, Monywa and Prome […]

Petition Campaign Launched to Free Imprisoned Activist

Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Network has launched a petition campaign calling for the release of the group’s leader and founder Aye Myint who is serving a life sentence after being charged with plotting a bomb attack in Rangoon four years ago.

Myint Aye was arrested in August 2008 in connection with an assault on the Union Solidarity and Development Association’s offices in Rangoon’s Shwepyithar township […]