Former Diplomat, Junta Apologist to Lead Powerful New Ministry

RANGOON — A career diplomat, and past defender of Burma’s dire human rights record under military rule, has been chosen to head the powerful new Ministry of the State Counselor’s Office under Aung San Suu Kyi […]

Revived Cement Factory Draws Protestors in Hpa-an

RANGOON — Hundreds of locals in the Karen State capital Hpa-an gathered on Tuesday to voice objections to a recently revived proposal there to develop a limestone quarry and cement factory, which was put on hold two years ago pending public consultation […]

Salween Farmers Demand Government Accountability for Land Confiscation

RANGOON — Participants at a land rights seminar in Mon State urged the incoming National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government to address past practices of land confiscation with a special court dedicated to the issue […]

Anger Over NLD Candidate Picks Spills Into Pakokku’s Streets

MANDALAY — More than 300 people, including members of the National League of Democracy (NLD), staged a demonstration on Friday in Pakokku, Magwe Division, to voice dissatisfaction over the opposition party’s roster of local candidates set to contest Burma’s general election later this year.

Activist Su Su Nway Arrested for Trespassing

RANGOON — Labor rights activist Su Su Nway was arrested on Thursday on charges of trespassing in relation to her support for farmers claiming their lands had been seized by the military […]

As Case Goes to High Court, Kachin Women Maintain Husbands’ Innocence

MYITKYINA, Kachin State — Being forced to flee their burned out homes after fighting flared in Kachin State in June 2011 put incredible strain on the families of Lashi Lu and her fellow villager Hkawn Nan, who along with many of their neighbors took shelter in a Myitkyina camp for internally displaces persons (IDPs). But things got far worse for both women a year later, when soldiers from Infantry Battalion 37 arrested their husbands while they were working as cattle hands […]

Burma Army Restricts Aid to Kachin IDPs, Charity Group Says

More than 1,000 displaced civilians from five villages in northern Burma have been trapped for over a week without food and other assistance amid clashes between ethnic rebels and government troops in Kachin State, according to a religious group that provides aid for the displaced […]

Villagers Urge Environmental Protections for Inle Lake

RANGOON — Over 100 local communities in Shan State banded together on Monday to demand a stop to the deterioration of Inle Lake, which has suffered a dramatic drop in water levels and quality as a result of nearby development […]

Local Youth Mark 4th Anniversary of War in Kachin State

RANGOON — On Saturday, hundreds gathered in Rangoon to commemorate four years of conflict in Kachin State, calling for additional support for some 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camps in Burma’s far north […]

Govt Neglecting Student Demands, Mandalay Protestors Say

MANDALAY — Student activists here said authorities are neglecting the desires of students and teachers despite a sustained campaign of public protests against the controversial National Education Law.

About 50 students from student unions of Mandalay, Sagaing, Monywa and Myingyan took to the streets of Burma’s second biggest city again on Thursday and set up camp in front of City Hall, where they held an unauthorized demonstration against the education legislation. […]