PFOB Chair Decries Absurd Election Complaint Fees and Calls on the Military and its Proxy Party to Protect Aung San Suu Kyi

It is absurdly difficult to make a complaint about the recent sham elections in Burma orchestrated by the military and their party USDP. To make a single complaint costs about 5 times your annual income. And if the complaint is determined to be unfounded, you can be fined about 15 times your annual salary. “This is absurd” said PFOB Chair the Honourable Larry Bagnell M.P. Yukon […]

Week 35: 2010 Election Watch (2-8 November)

Developments

Widespread evidence of electoral fraud, irregularities, threats, harassment, and lack of independent monitoring characterized Election Day and the days leading up to it:

• In the days before the election, local SPDC officials, polling station officials, and Union Solidarity and Development (USDP) members throughout the country solicited advance and proxy votes, in the overwhelming majority of cases specifically for the USDP […]

Action alert: calling for protests against ‘shame elections’ in Burma

Canadian Friends of Burma (CFOB) is calling on supporters across Canada to hold a ‘day of action’ on Nov. 6, 2010, in protest of the ‘shame elections’ scheduled on Nov. 7 in Burma.

We are deeply troubled with the ongoing elections in Burma that is not even meeting the lowest level of international standards and the process being carried out in a manner that is not inclusive, transparent and free […]

Leading Burmese Buddhist monks call on Burma election boycott

During a recent visit to Ottawa, Burmese Buddhist monks who played a leading role in the 2007 Saffron Revolution earnestly called on the government of Canada and the Canadian Parliament to reject the Nov. 7 elections in Burma due to unfair and undemocratic process […]

Canada Concerned by Dissolution of Political Parties in Burma

“Canada is disappointed that Burma’s military regime has reached a new low in its failure to live up to its democratic promises. The dissolution of the NLD and nine other political parties further illustrates the regime’s systematic disregard for the basic principles of democracy […]

Canadian Foreign Minister Expresses Support for a Commission of Inquiry

On 3 September, the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lawrence Cannon, recorded a video message speaking about Canada’s support for a UN commission of inquiry into human rights violations by the military regime in Burma […]

Canada is to support UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma

Canadian Friends of Burma has learned that the Government of Canada is to support a UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma, according to a spokesperson to the Canadian Foreign Minister.

“Canada supports both the UN Special Rapporteur’s work on human rights abuses in Burma, and the idea of a UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses by the Burmese regime,” said Ms. Catherine Loubier, a spokesperson, quoting Minister Lawrence Cannon […]

Critics Decry Norinco Outlay on Ivanhoe’s Burmese Mine

Critics of Canada’s Ivanhoe Mines say that a recent report in Burma’s state-controlled media that Chinese weapons firm Norinco is to spend nearly US$1 billion to develop the Monywa copper project’s long-stalled second phase is further evidence that the notorious weapons firm has bought Ivanhoe’s stake in Burma’s largest mining project – a charge the Vancouver-based miner has repeatedly denied.

New Democrats call for UN commission of inquiry on Burma

Canada should add its support for the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the military regime in Burma, says New Democrat Leader Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth).

“Canadians have spoken out against human rights violations in Burma – from political repression and forced displacement of civilians to sexual violence, torture and murder,” said Layton. “Violating human rights has been used systematically and with impunity by the Burmese junta and it’s time to establish a UN Commission of Inquiry” […]

Liberals call on the Conservative government to support a United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the human rights situation in Burma

The Liberal Party is calling on the Conservative government to support an international call for a special United Nations Commission of Inquiry into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Burmese junta […]