Week 31: 2010 Election Watch (5-11 October)

Developments

• Youth activists posted signs that urged people to boycott the upcoming elections in 15 Villages across Arakan State.
• Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) organizers told residents of Shweza Village, Maungdaw Township, Arakan State, that if they did not vote for USDP candidates, they could be fined up to 100,000 kyat (about US$1,000) and serve one year in prison […]

Week 29: 2010 Election Watch (21-27 September)

Developments

• The SPDC Election Commission rejected the transcripts for the TV and radio campaign messages of the Union of Myanmar Federation of National Politics, the 88 Generation Student Youths (Union of Myanmar), and the Democratic Party (Myanmar) […]

The SPDC’s crimes continue: A UN Commission of Inquiry is still needed to protect Burma’s people

In March 2010, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma Tomás Ojea Quintana recommended that the UN consider establishing a Commission of Inquiry to investigate “gross and systematic” human rights abuses in Burma.

Following Ojea Quintana’s recommendation, 11 countries endorsed the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry on crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma. A Commission of Inquiry, in addition to opening a door for victims’ rights to truth and justice, also has a preventive value to discourage more crimes from being perpetrated […]

Week 24: 2010 Election Watch (17-23 August)

Developments

• The SPDC Election Commission published Notification 91/2010 which requires candidates to seek approval for public speeches seven days in advance.. In addition, candidates cannot give speeches or distribute materials that criticize the constitution, “tarnish” the image of the state or the military, or “harm security. As with earlier regulations on campaign activities, chanting slogans, marching or carrying flags are prohibited as part of candidate rallies […]

ASEAN/Regional Countries Urged to Support a UN Commission of Inquiry

The Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (Altsean-Burma), a regional network of human rights groups, reiterates its call for ASEAN members and other governments in the region to support moves to convene a UN Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma […]

Week 23: 2010 Election Watch (10-16 August)

Developments

• The SPDC Election Commission set the election date for 7 November and also established a two-week filing period that ends on 30 August for political parties to submit their list of candidates for review and approval.
• The SPDC Election Commission designated constituencies for the National and Regional Parliaments […]

Week 22: 2010 Election Watch (3-9 August)

Developments

• Union Democracy Party Chairman Phyo Min Thein resigned over concerns that the upcoming elections would not be free and fair due to the oppressive SPDC election laws […]

NGOs mark the 22nd Anniversary of 8.8.88 in Bangkok

On Sunday 8 August, 2010, several hundred activists, students, and members of civil society gathered today at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the 8.8.88 uprising in Burma. The event featured a keynote speech by Mr. Kraisak Choonhavan, President of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC). […]

Week 21: 2010 Election Watch (27 July – 2 August)

Developments

• The SPDC Election Commission told four leaders of the National Democratic Force that they must seek pardons for their past political activities if they want to participate in the upcoming elections […]

July 2010 Burma Bulletin

The Burma Bulletin is a short month in review of events in Burma, particularly those of interest to the democracy movement and human rights activists.

In the July 2010 issue you will find:

* 2010 elections: double standards, censorship, and coercion
* Military offensive in Eastern Burma
* Aid still needed in the delta […]