Press Invitation: Hundred of Indian Parliamentarians Call for Release of 2000 Political Prisoners in Burma

Mr. Ram Jethmalani, Convener and other honourable members of the Indian Parliamentarians’ Forum for Democracy in Burma (IPFDB) will hold a press conference to support the call by Burmese democratic leader and Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi for the release of Burma’s Political Prisoners […]

Monthly Chronology of Burma’s Political Prisoners (August, 2011)

The laws set to criminalize peaceful dissent continue to reign in the Thein Sein regime, marking the month of August. Reports emerged that two youths were arrested and allegedly tortured for having three posters under their motorbike seat calling for the release of political prisoners […]

Quintana Sees Through Burma Regime’s Public Relations Tricks

Throughout the course of the past few weeks the regime has put a great deal of effort into burnishing its image, taking a number of steps aimed at appearing to be responsive to international demands for democratic change. Sadly, most of these steps are simply window dressing and have not reduced the incidences of human rights abuses in Burma.

One action the regime has taken that is designed to improve its reputation internationally is the very public meeting between President Thein Sein and opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. But all talks between Daw Suu and the regime have focused on avoiding “conflicting views” rather than engaging in the genuine dialogue necessary for national reconciliation. Similarly, the second session of parliament opened this past week as part of the regime’s campaign to appear as if it has transitioned to civilian government. Given that 76% of the seats are held by MPs from the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party, this parliament is still little more than a rubber stamp for the military regime […]

Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar

I have just concluded my five-day mission to Myanmar – my fourth visit to the country since I was appointed in March 2008 and my first since February 2010. I would like to thank the Government of Myanmar […]

Burma Regime Demonstrates Continued Lack of Interest in Genuine National Reconciliation

Over the course of the past week the military regime has made several statements suggesting that it wishes to begin the national reconciliation process with ethnic armed groups and opposition activists. Unfortunately, none of these overtures can be considered genuine.

On 17 August, President Thein Sein gave a speech in which he invited any of the ethnic armed groups currently engaged in conflict with the Burma Army to “hold talks with respective [regional] governments if they really favour peace.” But by issuing the invitation only for groups to talk individually with regional government, the regime clearly signaled its intention to continue its policy of only piecemeal talks and agreements, part of its divide and rule strategy […]

The Role of Students in the 8888 People’s Uprising in Burma

The decision of over hundreds of thousands of Burmese to take to the streets on 8 August 1988 did not happen overnight, but grew out of a growing sense of political discontent and frustration with the regime’s mismanagement of the country’s financial policies that led to deepening poverty […]

Growing Crisis In Burma – Ban Ki-moon Must Take The Lead

Burma Campaign UK today renewed its call for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to take the lead in international efforts to free political prisoners in Burma, and persuade the dictatorship to enter into genuine high level dialogue.

Letters and postcards from 2,500 supporters of Burma Campaign UK will be sent to the UN Secretary General today […]

Statement on the 64th Anniversary of Martyr’s Day

Today commemorates the 64th Anniversary of the Martyr’s day of the Union of Burma. The Martyr’s Day is an unforgettable day of mourning for the whole people of the country including the nationalities.

The thugs and the terrorists coveting the state power assassinated Bogyoke Aung San and other national leaders while they were ardently striving for the independence of the country […]

Free the Democratic Voice of Burma’s Video Journalists

Despite pledges by Burma’s new government that it has begun the transition to civilian rule, 17 video journalists (VJs) for the Oslo-based exiled media organisation, the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), remain imprisoned. They are among nearly 2,100 political prisoners in Burma, a testament to the lingering hold of dictatorial rule on the country […]

Burma’s Political Prisoners

On the visit of Bo Kyi, former political prisoner and Joint-Secretary of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma to Brussels, the above organisations appeal to the European Union and Member States to strengthen their call to the Burmese authorities to immediately and unconditionally […]