Burma: A Violent Past to a Brutal Future

This report looks at the history of the junta-backed social organization, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), and its transformation to the political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). It documents how the USDA’s legacy of violence, manipulation, domination, and repression has since been transferred to and continued by the USDP in their election campaigning […]

Key Stakeholders Explore the Reality on the Ground of Burma’s Military Elections

Speakers representing central stakeholders in Burma spoke today about how the elections next Sunday will not improve the situation on the ground in Burma. They spoke about the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party’s (USDP) manipulation of the polls, the National League for Democracy’s ongoing efforts for genuine democracy, escalating attacks against ethnic nationalities and the resistance of students and youths against the upcoming elections […]

Timely Report Documents the Transformation of Burma’s Military Regime’s Paramilitary Organization to Political Party

The Network for Democracy and Development (NDD) released a report today entitled, “Burma: A Violent Past to a Brutal Future; The Transformation of a Paramilitary Organization into a Political Party.” The report looks at the history of the junta-backed social organization, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), and its transformation to the political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP).

The report’s release comes in the final week before the first elections in Burma in 20 years, polls that have been widely criticized as being not free or fair […]

Intimidation, Imprisonment and Repression: The Road to Military Victory in the 2010 Elections

This 2010 Election report of ND-Burma is based on 247 cases researched throughout Burma. The report presents violations of Human Rights under 9 headings explaining how the military government has committed widespread violations to ensure victory of USDP party in the 2010 election […]

Don’t legitimize Burma’s elections

By Ashin Issariya

The government that emerges after Nov. 7 will be no less corrupt and unlawful than the present one.All actions are based on intentions. For instance, the goal of monks is to bring peace and kindness to the people, and so Burmese trust their actions. In contrast, when the military regime says they will hold elections, Burmese are skeptical because they know the intention is only to maintain power at their expense.

When Burma’s monks marched through the streets in 2007, we did so because we saw the pain of the people, and knew we had to respond. People have suffered needlessly for many years because of the military system of control and intimidation […]

Week 33: 2010 Election Watch (19-25 October)

Developments

• SPDC authorities in Rangoon arrested at least two Buddhist monks who were handing out pamphlets protesting the election near the Shwedagon pagoda.
• People put up anti-election leaflets and posters in Myitkyina, Kachin State, and in Kyainnseikyi Township, Karen State […]

Week 32: 2010 Election Watch (12-18 October)

Developments

• SPDC Election Commission Chairman Thein Soe said that no foreign journalists or international monitors would be allowed to observe the upcoming elections.
• SPDC Election Commission Chairman Thein Soe said that 3,071 candidates, including 82 independent candidates, will contest the elections […]

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 30: 2010 Election Watch (28 September – 4 October)

Developments

• The SPDC Election Commission rejected the Difference and Peace Party’s transcript for its TV and radio campaign message. It also censored the campaign messages of the All Mon Region Democracy Party, the Chin National Party, and the Shan Nationals Democratic Party […]

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) […]