Statement by the Press Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, on Convening of Myanmar’s National Assembly

1. Today, the National Assembly was convened in Myanmar for the first time in 23 years since 1988 in light of the result of the general elections held on November 7th, 2010. The Government of Japan will closely observe the future direction of the National Assembly, including its administration, debates to be taken as well as activities of pro-democracy movement and ethnic minority parties […]

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 […]

Japan: Press Burma for Justice

Japan should publicly support the establishment of an international Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma, Human Rights Watch and five other nongovernmental organizations said in a letter to Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara made public today.

Letter to Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara calling for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry

Dear Foreign Minister,
We write to you regarding the serious human rights situation in Burma. We urge Japan to publicly support the establishment of an International Commission of Inquiry for Burma and to support an annual Burma resolution of the upcoming autumn session of the UN General Assembly which includes a support for a United Nations Commission of Inquiry.[…]

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 […]

Statement on the 22nd anniversary of 8.8.88 Burmese People’s uprising against the military dictators

Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the”8.8.88 people’s revolt against the military dictators” of Burma. Even though, many blood, sweats and life had been sacrificed and many have been still sacrificing, people’s desire to build a democratic nation and a free society has not been accomplished yet. People of the Union of Burma have still suffering from gross violation of Human Rights, unruly terrorizations and unlawful detentions committed by the military dictators.[…]

Peoples’ Tribunal on Crimes against Women of Burma (Japan)

June 27th 2010(Sun) 1:PM to 5 PM
Aoyama Gakuin University, Hotei sitsu
Open to the Public
Information 03-3835-2110, 080-6787-0959

Migrant workers vote in ‘People’s Ballot’ campaign

Burmese migrant workers in Mae Sot, Thailand voted in the “People’s Ballot” campaign today, which pitted Aung San Suu Kyi against Senior General Than Shwe, part of a worldwide tribute to the National League for Democracy’s landslide victory in national polls in 1990.[…]