Dear everyone,
This is what everyone must see. If you are from Burma, if you are interested in Burma, if you care for Burma, or even if you don't care about Burma one should watch the testimonies of the victims of the SPDC, Burma's oppressor, because the tortures were beyond our imaginations. It is advised that even military and intelligence officials from Burma watch the testimonies. Today, torture still exist in Burma. Click on the link below.
Warning: viewer discretion advised. language of the victims contains cruelty but they are eye-openers.
ေအာက္ပါ လင့္ခ္ ထဲသြားၾကည့္မယ္ဆိုရင္ နအဖရဲ ့ ႏွစ္ေပါင္းမ်ားစြာ ညွင္းပမ္းႏွိက္စက္ခဲ့တဲ့ ရက္စက္မႈေတြကို အေသးစိတ္ၾကားရမွာျဖစ္ပါတယ္။
ယေန ့ ျမန္မာႏုိင္ငံအမ်ိဳးသမီးမ်ားအဖြဲ ့ခ်ဳပ္ရဲ ့ စီစဥ္မႈနဲ ့ န၀တ နအဖ လက္ေအာက္မွာ ဘယ္လို ညွင္းပမ္း ခံခဲ့ရတယ္ဆိုတာ ဒီေန ့အခမ္းအနားမွာ ထြက္ဆိုခဲ့တဲ့ ျမန္မာ့အမ်ိဳးသမီး သူရဲေကာင္းတို ့ရဲ ့ ထြက္ဆိုခ်က္မ်ားကို နားေထာင္ၾကည့္ၾကပါဦး။
ျမန္မာျပည္ကလာတဲ့လူတိုင္း၊ ေမြးတဲ့လူတိုင္း၊ ျမန္မာ့အေရးကို စိတ္၀င္စားသူ (၀ါ) မ၀င္စားသူ ဘယ္သူမဆို နားေထာင္ၾကည့္ဖို ့ တိုက္တြန္းပါတယ္။ စစ္တပ္ကပုဂၢိဳလ္ေတြလည္း နားေထာင္ၾကပါဦး။ ေထာက္လွမ္းေရးလည္းနားေထာင္သင့္တယ္။
အမ်ိဳးသားဒီမိိုကေရစီအဖြဲ ့ခ်ဳပ္ ကို ၀န္းရံၾက
တိုင္းရင္းသားမ်ားကို ကာကြယ္ၾက
စစ္အာဏာရွင္စနစ္ပေပ်ာက္ေရး နအဖရဲ ့၂၀၁၀ ေရြးေကာက္ပြဲကို ပယ္ဖ်က္ၾက
http://www.nobelwom ensinitiative. org/blogs/ burmatribunal/ webcast
best,
Moe Chan
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Press Release: International Tribunal On Burma Calls For End To Impunity Of Military Regime
Press Release: International Tribunal On Burma Calls For End To Impunity Of Military Regime - FULL TEXT
-- For immediate release to media --
March 3, 2010, 10 am EST
International Tribunal on Burma Calls for End to Impunity of Military Regime
(New York) Nobel Peace Laureates Shirin Ebadi and Jody Williams - along with human rights experts Dr. Heisoo Shin (Korea) and Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand) - today released the findings and recommendations developed during the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women of Burma held this week in New York City. The quasi-legal event featured compelling testimony - the first ever - of 12 women from Burma who have suffered rape, torture, and other crimes at the hands of the military junta. The event highlighted the egregious human rights crimes, including rape as a weapon of war, and called for policymakers to demand a last resort: the International Criminal Court.
"Women should no longer be invisible when crimes are committed against them with impunity," said Jody Williams, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. "The history of violence and oppression of women in Burma is long and sordid--and must come to an end."
A few of the women who testified are colleagues of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the opposition, still under house arrest and a prisoner of General Than Shwe. Than Shwe is the war criminal who has reigned terror over the people of Burma for decades. World leaders have rallied in support of her freedom countless times since her Nobel Peace Prize award in 1991, passing UN resolutions almost annually and demanding the release of her and other political prisoners. But these cries have fallen on deaf ears, with the international community failing to hold General Shwe and his cronies criminally responsible. The resulting impunity has given the ruling generals of Burma even more license to escalate their power and continue to inflict violence on the people of Burma.
"We live in a globalized world, which means that Burma cannot do whatever it wants to its people within its own walls," said Shirin Ebadi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003. "Globalization is effective when it helps bring an end to injustice. The international community cannot stand by and let other countries to use their sovereignty to commit atrocities against their own people."
The purpose of the Tribunal was to spotlight the oppression of women of Burma in order to encourage policymakers and political leaders to take specific action now. The women Nobel Laureates have joined with the Women's League of Burma to highlight the systemic use of rape and other forms of violence against ethnic women in Burma. The Women's League of Burma is an umbrella organization comprising thirteen women's organizations of different ethnic backgrounds in Burma.
The women who testified now live in Thailand, Bangladesh, the US and Canada and traveled to New York to tell their personal stories and those of their families. Their stories include a range of horrific human rights violations and crimes. Testimony was organized into three categories: violence against women (rape, sexual violence, trafficking), civil and political violations (torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, harassment), and social, economic and cultural violations (forced labor, portering, relocation). Violence against women in Burma is often ethnically motivated, particularly minority groups such as the Karen who have been brutally persecuted by the military regime.
The following are the recommendations of the Tribunal:
Recommendations to the international community, particularly the United Nations:
*Urge States to take collective action to ensure the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, and 1889 guaranteeing women's full participation in post-conflict reconstruction, and freedom from all forms of sexual violence.
*Strongly urge the UN Security Council to refer Burma to the International Criminal Court.
*Call upon United Nations member States to fulfill their obligations to exercise universal jurisdiction and to prosecute through their national tribunals perpetrators of the crimes against the civilian population of Burma, including women.
*Ask United Nations agencies with a presence in Burma to increase their work in promoting and protecting human rights.
*Call upon the United Nations Security Council to take effective measures against state authorities on the basis of the responsibility of the state to protect its people from egregious human rights violations (Responsibility to Protect Doctrine).
*Urge the United Nations system to take measures to ensure that the Burmese authorities comply with international human rights standards and international humanitarian law.
Recommendations to Burma's military regime:
*Stop all forms of violence against women. "End the intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, torture, and degrading treatment against women [and all] political prisoners; [and] respect and adhere to the principles and norms of the international [criminal and] human rights standards, particularly Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women..."
*Stop attacks and persecution against ethnic nationalities and groups.
*Release immediately and unconditionally all political prisoners.
*Grant access to United Nations agencies and non-governmental humanitarian groups to ensure that women, in particular, are assisted effectively.
*Provide access to and cooperate with United Nations agencies and human rights organizations to monitor human rights within Burma.
*Ratify all human rights treaties, including ICCPR and ICESCR, and implement them effectively.
*Abide by rules of customary international law, such as the prohibitions against torture, slavery, and violence against women and children.
*Ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, reform and implement domestic legislation accordingly.
*Establish an effective process for dialogue between different stakeholders including democracy groups, ethnic minorities/nationalities, and concerned authorities with emphasis on women's participation in the pursuit of democracy.
*Revise the constitution, particularly the amnesty provisions, and other national laws in an inclusive and participatory manner, engaging all stakeholders including women, to ensure consistency with international legal obligations and human rights standards.
*Establish effective judicial mechanisms and other processes to establish accountability and provide adequate remedies for international crimes and human rights violations to end impunity.
*Build human-centered national development plans and processes that respond to women's human rights bearing in mind the special needs of rural women, and allocate national resources fairly and equitably for this purpose.
Recommendations to the Asia-Pacific region (including ASEAN, bilateral and other channels):
*Call upon ASEAN through its Summit of Heads of Government to impel Burma to apply effective and time-limited measures to comply with the ASEAN Charter and international legal obligations and human rights standards.
*Invite the ASEAN Intergovernmental Human Rights Commission to submit thematic reports covering particular issues related to Burma.
*Bearing in mind the ASEAN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and various declarations on children's rights in the region, to which Burma has subscribed, support the establishment of the ASEAN Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, including consideration of the situation in Burma.
*Call upon the various partners of ASEAN and other regional bodies and states engaging with Burma to influence constructive changes in the country.
*Prohibit trade with Burma involving goods produced through forced labor, as well as oil, gas, and electricity generated as a result of forced relocations.
*Take effective cross-border measures to prevent and punish human trafficking, in particular that of women and children, and to offer gender and child sensitive measures to protect and assist those victimized by trafficking.
*Respect the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, protect them from violence, abuse, and exploitation, and forced repatriation, which violates the international principle of non-refoulement, and ensure the application of basic standards of international law.
For more information, and to arrange interviews, please contact us:
*Rachel Vincent: Mobile: + 1-613-276-9030, rvincent@nobelwomensinitiative.org
*Kimberley MacKenzie: +1-908-342-0160, kmackenzie@nobelwomensinitiative.org
*Kieran Bergmann: +1-613-569-8400 ext. 115, kbergmann@nobelwomensinitiative.or
-- For immediate release to media --
March 3, 2010, 10 am EST
International Tribunal on Burma Calls for End to Impunity of Military Regime
(New York) Nobel Peace Laureates Shirin Ebadi and Jody Williams - along with human rights experts Dr. Heisoo Shin (Korea) and Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn (Thailand) - today released the findings and recommendations developed during the International Tribunal on Crimes Against Women of Burma held this week in New York City. The quasi-legal event featured compelling testimony - the first ever - of 12 women from Burma who have suffered rape, torture, and other crimes at the hands of the military junta. The event highlighted the egregious human rights crimes, including rape as a weapon of war, and called for policymakers to demand a last resort: the International Criminal Court.
"Women should no longer be invisible when crimes are committed against them with impunity," said Jody Williams, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997. "The history of violence and oppression of women in Burma is long and sordid--and must come to an end."
A few of the women who testified are colleagues of Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the opposition, still under house arrest and a prisoner of General Than Shwe. Than Shwe is the war criminal who has reigned terror over the people of Burma for decades. World leaders have rallied in support of her freedom countless times since her Nobel Peace Prize award in 1991, passing UN resolutions almost annually and demanding the release of her and other political prisoners. But these cries have fallen on deaf ears, with the international community failing to hold General Shwe and his cronies criminally responsible. The resulting impunity has given the ruling generals of Burma even more license to escalate their power and continue to inflict violence on the people of Burma.
"We live in a globalized world, which means that Burma cannot do whatever it wants to its people within its own walls," said Shirin Ebadi, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003. "Globalization is effective when it helps bring an end to injustice. The international community cannot stand by and let other countries to use their sovereignty to commit atrocities against their own people."
The purpose of the Tribunal was to spotlight the oppression of women of Burma in order to encourage policymakers and political leaders to take specific action now. The women Nobel Laureates have joined with the Women's League of Burma to highlight the systemic use of rape and other forms of violence against ethnic women in Burma. The Women's League of Burma is an umbrella organization comprising thirteen women's organizations of different ethnic backgrounds in Burma.
The women who testified now live in Thailand, Bangladesh, the US and Canada and traveled to New York to tell their personal stories and those of their families. Their stories include a range of horrific human rights violations and crimes. Testimony was organized into three categories: violence against women (rape, sexual violence, trafficking), civil and political violations (torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, harassment), and social, economic and cultural violations (forced labor, portering, relocation). Violence against women in Burma is often ethnically motivated, particularly minority groups such as the Karen who have been brutally persecuted by the military regime.
The following are the recommendations of the Tribunal:
Recommendations to the international community, particularly the United Nations:
*Urge States to take collective action to ensure the implementation of Security Council Resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, and 1889 guaranteeing women's full participation in post-conflict reconstruction, and freedom from all forms of sexual violence.
*Strongly urge the UN Security Council to refer Burma to the International Criminal Court.
*Call upon United Nations member States to fulfill their obligations to exercise universal jurisdiction and to prosecute through their national tribunals perpetrators of the crimes against the civilian population of Burma, including women.
*Ask United Nations agencies with a presence in Burma to increase their work in promoting and protecting human rights.
*Call upon the United Nations Security Council to take effective measures against state authorities on the basis of the responsibility of the state to protect its people from egregious human rights violations (Responsibility to Protect Doctrine).
*Urge the United Nations system to take measures to ensure that the Burmese authorities comply with international human rights standards and international humanitarian law.
Recommendations to Burma's military regime:
*Stop all forms of violence against women. "End the intimidation, harassment, arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, torture, and degrading treatment against women [and all] political prisoners; [and] respect and adhere to the principles and norms of the international [criminal and] human rights standards, particularly Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women..."
*Stop attacks and persecution against ethnic nationalities and groups.
*Release immediately and unconditionally all political prisoners.
*Grant access to United Nations agencies and non-governmental humanitarian groups to ensure that women, in particular, are assisted effectively.
*Provide access to and cooperate with United Nations agencies and human rights organizations to monitor human rights within Burma.
*Ratify all human rights treaties, including ICCPR and ICESCR, and implement them effectively.
*Abide by rules of customary international law, such as the prohibitions against torture, slavery, and violence against women and children.
*Ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, reform and implement domestic legislation accordingly.
*Establish an effective process for dialogue between different stakeholders including democracy groups, ethnic minorities/nationalities, and concerned authorities with emphasis on women's participation in the pursuit of democracy.
*Revise the constitution, particularly the amnesty provisions, and other national laws in an inclusive and participatory manner, engaging all stakeholders including women, to ensure consistency with international legal obligations and human rights standards.
*Establish effective judicial mechanisms and other processes to establish accountability and provide adequate remedies for international crimes and human rights violations to end impunity.
*Build human-centered national development plans and processes that respond to women's human rights bearing in mind the special needs of rural women, and allocate national resources fairly and equitably for this purpose.
Recommendations to the Asia-Pacific region (including ASEAN, bilateral and other channels):
*Call upon ASEAN through its Summit of Heads of Government to impel Burma to apply effective and time-limited measures to comply with the ASEAN Charter and international legal obligations and human rights standards.
*Invite the ASEAN Intergovernmental Human Rights Commission to submit thematic reports covering particular issues related to Burma.
*Bearing in mind the ASEAN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women and various declarations on children's rights in the region, to which Burma has subscribed, support the establishment of the ASEAN Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, including consideration of the situation in Burma.
*Call upon the various partners of ASEAN and other regional bodies and states engaging with Burma to influence constructive changes in the country.
*Prohibit trade with Burma involving goods produced through forced labor, as well as oil, gas, and electricity generated as a result of forced relocations.
*Take effective cross-border measures to prevent and punish human trafficking, in particular that of women and children, and to offer gender and child sensitive measures to protect and assist those victimized by trafficking.
*Respect the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, protect them from violence, abuse, and exploitation, and forced repatriation, which violates the international principle of non-refoulement, and ensure the application of basic standards of international law.
For more information, and to arrange interviews, please contact us:
*Rachel Vincent: Mobile: + 1-613-276-9030, rvincent@nobelwomensinitiative.org
*Kimberley MacKenzie: +1-908-342-0160, kmackenzie@nobelwomensinitiative.org
*Kieran Bergmann: +1-613-569-8400 ext. 115, kbergmann@nobelwomensinitiative.or
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
*Myanmar: Cyclone Nargis Emergency Appeal No. MDRMM002 Operations*
*Myanmar: Cyclone Nargis Emergency Appeal No. MDRMM002 Operations*
Update No. 27
Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC)
Date: 02 Mar 2010
Full_Report (pdf* format - 1.1 Mbytes)
GLIDE n° TC-2008-000057-MMR
Period covered by this update: September 2009 to end of January 2010
Appeal target: CHF 73,987,907 million
Appeal coverage: 96%
- 8 July 2008: A revised emergency appeal was launched for CHF 73.9 million
(USD 72.5 million or EUR 45.9 million) to assist 100,000 households for 36
months.
- 16 May 2008: An emergency appeal was launched for CHF 52,857,809 (USD 50.8
million or EUR 32.7 million) to assist 100,000 households for 36 months.
- 6 May 2008: A preliminary emergency appeal was launched for CHF 6,290,909
(USD 5.9 million or EUR 3.86 million) to assist 30,000 households for six
months.
- 5 May 2008: CHF 200,000 (USD 190,000 or EUR 123,000) was allocated from
the IFRC's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF).
Summary:
- The end of the rains in September enabled greater outreach towards
vulnerable communities through the shelter and livelihoods projects during
this reporting period, thanks to sustained efforts at hub level in these
initiatives. Similarly, water, sanitation and hygiene promotion projects
continued to reach large numbers of vulnerable households across all
targeted townships. The communitybased health and first aid programme also
made good progress primarily through trained community volunteers and Red
Cross volunteers.
- A high level of community participation continues to be an integral factor
in the success of field activities.
- The joint technical visit by three partner national societies in November,
aimed at a preliminary review of the recovery and accountability framework
across the shelter and livelihoods recovery programmes, was conducted
successfully. A draft report of the findings has been prepared, and once
final revisions are approved, this will be circulated to all partners and
will be a topic for discussion during the partnership meeting in Bangkok on
30-31 March 2010.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/MYAI-8367FZ?OpenDocument
Update No. 27
Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC)
Date: 02 Mar 2010
Full_Report (pdf* format - 1.1 Mbytes)
GLIDE n° TC-2008-000057-MMR
Period covered by this update: September 2009 to end of January 2010
Appeal target: CHF 73,987,907 million
Appeal coverage: 96%
- 8 July 2008: A revised emergency appeal was launched for CHF 73.9 million
(USD 72.5 million or EUR 45.9 million) to assist 100,000 households for 36
months.
- 16 May 2008: An emergency appeal was launched for CHF 52,857,809 (USD 50.8
million or EUR 32.7 million) to assist 100,000 households for 36 months.
- 6 May 2008: A preliminary emergency appeal was launched for CHF 6,290,909
(USD 5.9 million or EUR 3.86 million) to assist 30,000 households for six
months.
- 5 May 2008: CHF 200,000 (USD 190,000 or EUR 123,000) was allocated from
the IFRC's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF).
Summary:
- The end of the rains in September enabled greater outreach towards
vulnerable communities through the shelter and livelihoods projects during
this reporting period, thanks to sustained efforts at hub level in these
initiatives. Similarly, water, sanitation and hygiene promotion projects
continued to reach large numbers of vulnerable households across all
targeted townships. The communitybased health and first aid programme also
made good progress primarily through trained community volunteers and Red
Cross volunteers.
- A high level of community participation continues to be an integral factor
in the success of field activities.
- The joint technical visit by three partner national societies in November,
aimed at a preliminary review of the recovery and accountability framework
across the shelter and livelihoods recovery programmes, was conducted
successfully. A draft report of the findings has been prepared, and once
final revisions are approved, this will be circulated to all partners and
will be a topic for discussion during the partnership meeting in Bangkok on
30-31 March 2010.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/MYAI-8367FZ?OpenDocument
*Myanmar: Cyclone Nargis Emergency Appeal No. MDRMM002 Operations*
*Myanmar: Cyclone Nargis Emergency Appeal No. MDRMM002 Operations*
Update No. 27
Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC)
Date: 02 Mar 2010
Full_Report (pdf* format - 1.1 Mbytes)
GLIDE n° TC-2008-000057-MMR
Period covered by this update: September 2009 to end of January 2010
Appeal target: CHF 73,987,907 million
Appeal coverage: 96%
- 8 July 2008: A revised emergency appeal was launched for CHF 73.9 million
(USD 72.5 million or EUR 45.9 million) to assist 100,000 households for 36
months.
- 16 May 2008: An emergency appeal was launched for CHF 52,857,809 (USD 50.8
million or EUR 32.7 million) to assist 100,000 households for 36 months.
- 6 May 2008: A preliminary emergency appeal was launched for CHF 6,290,909
(USD 5.9 million or EUR 3.86 million) to assist 30,000 households for six
months.
- 5 May 2008: CHF 200,000 (USD 190,000 or EUR 123,000) was allocated from
the IFRC's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF).
Summary:
- The end of the rains in September enabled greater outreach towards
vulnerable communities through the shelter and livelihoods projects during
this reporting period, thanks to sustained efforts at hub level in these
initiatives. Similarly, water, sanitation and hygiene promotion projects
continued to reach large numbers of vulnerable households across all
targeted townships. The communitybased health and first aid programme also
made good progress primarily through trained community volunteers and Red
Cross volunteers.
- A high level of community participation continues to be an integral factor
in the success of field activities.
- The joint technical visit by three partner national societies in November,
aimed at a preliminary review of the recovery and accountability framework
across the shelter and livelihoods recovery programmes, was conducted
successfully. A draft report of the findings has been prepared, and once
final revisions are approved, this will be circulated to all partners and
will be a topic for discussion during the partnership meeting in Bangkok on
30-31 March 2010.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/MYAI-8367FZ?OpenDocument
Update No. 27
Source: International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies
(IFRC)
Date: 02 Mar 2010
Full_Report (pdf* format - 1.1 Mbytes)
GLIDE n° TC-2008-000057-MMR
Period covered by this update: September 2009 to end of January 2010
Appeal target: CHF 73,987,907 million
Appeal coverage: 96%
- 8 July 2008: A revised emergency appeal was launched for CHF 73.9 million
(USD 72.5 million or EUR 45.9 million) to assist 100,000 households for 36
months.
- 16 May 2008: An emergency appeal was launched for CHF 52,857,809 (USD 50.8
million or EUR 32.7 million) to assist 100,000 households for 36 months.
- 6 May 2008: A preliminary emergency appeal was launched for CHF 6,290,909
(USD 5.9 million or EUR 3.86 million) to assist 30,000 households for six
months.
- 5 May 2008: CHF 200,000 (USD 190,000 or EUR 123,000) was allocated from
the IFRC's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF).
Summary:
- The end of the rains in September enabled greater outreach towards
vulnerable communities through the shelter and livelihoods projects during
this reporting period, thanks to sustained efforts at hub level in these
initiatives. Similarly, water, sanitation and hygiene promotion projects
continued to reach large numbers of vulnerable households across all
targeted townships. The communitybased health and first aid programme also
made good progress primarily through trained community volunteers and Red
Cross volunteers.
- A high level of community participation continues to be an integral factor
in the success of field activities.
- The joint technical visit by three partner national societies in November,
aimed at a preliminary review of the recovery and accountability framework
across the shelter and livelihoods recovery programmes, was conducted
successfully. A draft report of the findings has been prepared, and once
final revisions are approved, this will be circulated to all partners and
will be a topic for discussion during the partnership meeting in Bangkok on
30-31 March 2010.
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/MYAI-8367FZ?OpenDocument
"Strong plea" by EU's Ashton for Myanmar opposition leader release
*
Mar 1, 2010, 17:32 GMT
Brussels - The European Union's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton,
issued a 'strong plea' on Monday for the release of Myanmar opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for more than a
decade.
Ashton's call came after Myanmar's Supreme Court on Friday turned down an
appeal by Suu Kyi against her latest 18-month house detention sentence,
which is set to prevent her from taking part in an election planned this
year.
'The authorities still have a chance to change course through the legal
possibility of a final appeal,' Ashton's spokesman Lutz Gullner said in a
statement.
He added that Ashton was making 'a strong plea (to Myanmar authorities) to
grasp that opportunity in the interest of the future of their country and
its people.'
According to Gullner, Suu Kyi's sentence is 'unjust' and 'damages prospects
for an inclusive political dialogue between the government and opposition
parties that is urgently needed to achieve progress in national
reconciliation and secure long-term stability.'
Read more:
http://ping.fm/ebiEH
*
Mar 1, 2010, 17:32 GMT
Brussels - The European Union's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton,
issued a 'strong plea' on Monday for the release of Myanmar opposition
leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for more than a
decade.
Ashton's call came after Myanmar's Supreme Court on Friday turned down an
appeal by Suu Kyi against her latest 18-month house detention sentence,
which is set to prevent her from taking part in an election planned this
year.
'The authorities still have a chance to change course through the legal
possibility of a final appeal,' Ashton's spokesman Lutz Gullner said in a
statement.
He added that Ashton was making 'a strong plea (to Myanmar authorities) to
grasp that opportunity in the interest of the future of their country and
its people.'
According to Gullner, Suu Kyi's sentence is 'unjust' and 'damages prospects
for an inclusive political dialogue between the government and opposition
parties that is urgently needed to achieve progress in national
reconciliation and secure long-term stability.'
Read more:
http://ping.fm/ebiEH
Sad but not unexpected
Sad but not unexpected
By Stephen Lillie
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:17:00 03/02/2010
Filed Under: Foreign affairs & international relations, Diplomacy, Politics, Human Rights
Burma’s Supreme Court has just rejected the appeal of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi against a verdict finding her guilty of violating the rules of her house arrest. The outcome is disappointing but not unexpected. The process was never about the rule of law or justice, and the trial itself was a sham. There was really no reason to think the appeal would be any better.
Aung San Suu Kyi and her two live-in companions were arrested on May 13, 2009 and charged with breaking the rules of her house arrest following the intrusion of American John Yettaw into her compound. From May to July they were placed on trial in a process the UN determined illegal. On Aug. 11, 2009, Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced three years’ hard labor, commuted to an 18-month period of further house arrest, a sentence also imposed on her companions. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the verdict as “further proof that the military regime is determined to act with total disregard for accepted standards of the rule of law and in defiance of international opinion” and wrote to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and fellow UN Security Council members calling for a global arms embargo against Burma. The UK worked with EU partners to impose further targeted EU sanctions in response to the verdict. And Aung San Suu Kyi appealed the verdict.
The Burmese elections planned for later this year present a historic opportunity to reverse Burma’s bitter decline into poverty, stagnation and international isolation. A favorable outcome of Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal would have been the start of a more optimistic outlook by the international community. That small hope has now been dashed. As British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, “I am appalled and saddened that Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal against the sentence imposed by the regime has been denied. That failed appeal is sadly no surprise. From start to end, the sole purpose of this show trial has been to prevent Daw Suu Kyi from taking part in elections.” If she is kept out of political life and while over 2,100 other prisoners of conscience remain incarcerated, the regime’s elections will not gain recognition nor international legitimacy.
In an open letter to Aung San Suu Kyi in December, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that this should be a historic year for Burma (Myanmar). Free, fair and genuinely inclusive elections would allow the country to move forward, to map a new path. But the generals are motivated by fear: fear that decades of brutality and economic mismanagement will catch up with them; fear that Aung San Suu Kyi will yet again unite Burma’s people in hope for a better future for the country. It is indeed striking that a military government with 400,000 soldiers at its command is afraid of one—albeit remarkable and deeply courageous—individual in her mid-60s. And someone who has been under house arrest for 14 of the last 20 years.
The regime’s fear is misplaced. The greatest threat to stability and security in Burma is the absence of an inclusive political process. Decades of conflict with Burma’s marginalized and excluded ethnic groups put this beyond doubt. In a country like Burma, there can be no national reconciliation, no peace and no prosperity without a political process that engages all sides and holds some prospect of meeting their aspirations.
The UK government will continue to do all it can to press the Burmese regime to engage in such a process and take advantage of the opportunity the election presents to bring reconciliation and prosperity to the people of Burma. I am encouraged by the strong stand the Philippines has taken on the human rights situation in Burma, and its leading role in the Asean in this regard. It demonstrates our two countries’ shared commitment to human rights and democracy for all people.
If there is progress, we stand ready to respond quickly and positively.
(Stephen Lillie is the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the Philippines, Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau. He was the head of the Far Eastern Group in the Asia Pacific Directorate at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London before coming to the Philippines.)
http://ping.fm/szYtR
By Stephen Lillie
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:17:00 03/02/2010
Filed Under: Foreign affairs & international relations, Diplomacy, Politics, Human Rights
Burma’s Supreme Court has just rejected the appeal of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi against a verdict finding her guilty of violating the rules of her house arrest. The outcome is disappointing but not unexpected. The process was never about the rule of law or justice, and the trial itself was a sham. There was really no reason to think the appeal would be any better.
Aung San Suu Kyi and her two live-in companions were arrested on May 13, 2009 and charged with breaking the rules of her house arrest following the intrusion of American John Yettaw into her compound. From May to July they were placed on trial in a process the UN determined illegal. On Aug. 11, 2009, Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced three years’ hard labor, commuted to an 18-month period of further house arrest, a sentence also imposed on her companions. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown described the verdict as “further proof that the military regime is determined to act with total disregard for accepted standards of the rule of law and in defiance of international opinion” and wrote to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and fellow UN Security Council members calling for a global arms embargo against Burma. The UK worked with EU partners to impose further targeted EU sanctions in response to the verdict. And Aung San Suu Kyi appealed the verdict.
The Burmese elections planned for later this year present a historic opportunity to reverse Burma’s bitter decline into poverty, stagnation and international isolation. A favorable outcome of Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal would have been the start of a more optimistic outlook by the international community. That small hope has now been dashed. As British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, “I am appalled and saddened that Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal against the sentence imposed by the regime has been denied. That failed appeal is sadly no surprise. From start to end, the sole purpose of this show trial has been to prevent Daw Suu Kyi from taking part in elections.” If she is kept out of political life and while over 2,100 other prisoners of conscience remain incarcerated, the regime’s elections will not gain recognition nor international legitimacy.
In an open letter to Aung San Suu Kyi in December, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that this should be a historic year for Burma (Myanmar). Free, fair and genuinely inclusive elections would allow the country to move forward, to map a new path. But the generals are motivated by fear: fear that decades of brutality and economic mismanagement will catch up with them; fear that Aung San Suu Kyi will yet again unite Burma’s people in hope for a better future for the country. It is indeed striking that a military government with 400,000 soldiers at its command is afraid of one—albeit remarkable and deeply courageous—individual in her mid-60s. And someone who has been under house arrest for 14 of the last 20 years.
The regime’s fear is misplaced. The greatest threat to stability and security in Burma is the absence of an inclusive political process. Decades of conflict with Burma’s marginalized and excluded ethnic groups put this beyond doubt. In a country like Burma, there can be no national reconciliation, no peace and no prosperity without a political process that engages all sides and holds some prospect of meeting their aspirations.
The UK government will continue to do all it can to press the Burmese regime to engage in such a process and take advantage of the opportunity the election presents to bring reconciliation and prosperity to the people of Burma. I am encouraged by the strong stand the Philippines has taken on the human rights situation in Burma, and its leading role in the Asean in this regard. It demonstrates our two countries’ shared commitment to human rights and democracy for all people.
If there is progress, we stand ready to respond quickly and positively.
(Stephen Lillie is the United Kingdom’s ambassador to the Philippines, Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau. He was the head of the Far Eastern Group in the Asia Pacific Directorate at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London before coming to the Philippines.)
http://ping.fm/szYtR
Myanmar's military leader Tuesday urged the rural masses to counter
pro-democracy forces said to be seeking to disrupt stability before the
country's first general elections in 20 years.
Senior Gen. Than Shwe made the comments in a statement published on the
front page of all state-run newspapers on the anniversary of Peasant's Day.
http://ping.fm/5Hc6A
pro-democracy forces said to be seeking to disrupt stability before the
country's first general elections in 20 years.
Senior Gen. Than Shwe made the comments in a statement published on the
front page of all state-run newspapers on the anniversary of Peasant's Day.
http://ping.fm/5Hc6A
Letter from U Thiha Tintswe- Patron of BDC
Attn;
All commanrades & friends
We would like to massage a political prediction on Burma's current situation because we got the important news, will organize an interrian goverment of Junta Regime within April,2010 from VIPs and it will hold 2010-Election on 2008-Constitution and then state power transfer too from military uniform to civilian uniform and so, we may see President-U Than Shwe instead of General Than Shwe and some of pro-Junta Regime may participate in it and they will hold many ministry departments by some VIP military camanders.
Before it,SPDC would transfer state ownnership business to private ownnnerships who would be their familys-relations- back bones & some of pro-Junta Regime and then their interrian goverment might approve their private business with their camands & orders.If it became, may change military camanders in Junta Regime and so, may appear the problems of power & places. It shall interest in our political predicters because if camanders of it would become soft line group, may let to create a little democratic atmospheres of marketing economy & negotiation of reconcilation, may persuade International democratic forces but If camanders of it would become hard line group, may let to drug towards the worst military detectorship system with the worst International military detectorship systems.
Surely! Junta Regime must depend on china's fuel pipe economic system and will have to give water ports & tranportation and so also china will have to defend Junta regime's water ways,habours and China & Junta regime will become the same selfish profited persons on our Burma's enrichs and so, we may talk Myanmar Junta Regime as comparados of colony of china and our Burma's Independence had been lost second times by fuel pipe system under china's communist-socialist's neo-colonism and china's fuel pipe neo-colonism may fright Thailand's pro-democracy on global democratic countries.
So, American with global democratic countries will have to defend their pro-democratic Thailand & others and so, we can see the pre-atmospheres of capital war in water ways & habours of asia and so, if they would like to avoid these conditions, Democratic bloc & communist-socialist bloc will discuss & find the results of regional reconcilation ,peace & developments.It may become our strategy & tactic on carrot & stick policy of American & democratic countries.
thanking you in anticipation.
best regard;
(U Thi Ha Tint Swe)
Washington,U.S.A.
Ph;(509)5823261.
All commanrades & friends
We would like to massage a political prediction on Burma's current situation because we got the important news, will organize an interrian goverment of Junta Regime within April,2010 from VIPs and it will hold 2010-Election on 2008-Constitution and then state power transfer too from military uniform to civilian uniform and so, we may see President-U Than Shwe instead of General Than Shwe and some of pro-Junta Regime may participate in it and they will hold many ministry departments by some VIP military camanders.
Before it,SPDC would transfer state ownnership business to private ownnnerships who would be their familys-relations- back bones & some of pro-Junta Regime and then their interrian goverment might approve their private business with their camands & orders.If it became, may change military camanders in Junta Regime and so, may appear the problems of power & places. It shall interest in our political predicters because if camanders of it would become soft line group, may let to create a little democratic atmospheres of marketing economy & negotiation of reconcilation, may persuade International democratic forces but If camanders of it would become hard line group, may let to drug towards the worst military detectorship system with the worst International military detectorship systems.
Surely! Junta Regime must depend on china's fuel pipe economic system and will have to give water ports & tranportation and so also china will have to defend Junta regime's water ways,habours and China & Junta regime will become the same selfish profited persons on our Burma's enrichs and so, we may talk Myanmar Junta Regime as comparados of colony of china and our Burma's Independence had been lost second times by fuel pipe system under china's communist-socialist's neo-colonism and china's fuel pipe neo-colonism may fright Thailand's pro-democracy on global democratic countries.
So, American with global democratic countries will have to defend their pro-democratic Thailand & others and so, we can see the pre-atmospheres of capital war in water ways & habours of asia and so, if they would like to avoid these conditions, Democratic bloc & communist-socialist bloc will discuss & find the results of regional reconcilation ,peace & developments.It may become our strategy & tactic on carrot & stick policy of American & democratic countries.
thanking you in anticipation.
best regard;
(U Thi Ha Tint Swe)
Washington,U.S.A.
Ph;(509)5823261.
Monday, 1 March 2010
Statement Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada : Condemns Burmese Decision on Aung San Suu Kyi Appeal
tags: 2010 Election, Burma, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Human Rights, Junta, Myanmar, Statement Canada, world focus on Burma
by peacerunning
Canada Condemns Burmese Decision on Aung San Suu Kyi Appeal
(No. 84 – February 26, 2010 – 1:40 p.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement expressing Canada’s disappointment over the Burmese Supreme Court’s decision to reject the appeal of pro-democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi:
“Canada is deeply disappointed that the Burmese Supreme Court has rejected Aung San Suu Kyi’s latest appeal of her detention. Neither her original trial nor the appeal process has met international standards of due process, demonstrating a complete disregard for the rule of law. Canada maintains its position that her continued detention is unwarranted, unjustified and politically motivated.
“The Burmese regime has missed yet another opportunity to prove its commitment to hold inclusive, free and fair elections. The elections planned for 2010 will only be credible if the Burmese regime allows all citizens, including opposition groups, to participate freely in a transparent electoral process.
“Since December 2007, Canada has imposed the toughest sanctions of any country against the Burmese regime to protest its treatment of its people. These sanctions include a ban on goods exported to and imported from Burma. Canada again calls upon the Burmese regime to free all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and to engage in a genuine dialogue with members of the democratic opposition and different ethnic groups of Burma.
“In 2007, the Parliament of Canada granted Aung San Suu Kyi honourary Canadian citizenship for her tireless work for democracy in Burma.”
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Loubier
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
Canada : Condemns Burmese Decision on Aung San Suu Kyi Appeal
Statement Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada : Condemns Burmese Decision on Aung San Suu Kyi Appeal
2010 MARCH 1
tags: 2010 Election, Burma, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Human Rights, Junta, Myanmar, Statement Canada, world focus on Burma
by peacerunning
Canada Condemns Burmese Decision on Aung San Suu Kyi Appeal
(No. 84 – February 26, 2010 – 1:40 p.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement expressing Canada’s disappointment over the Burmese Supreme Court’s decision to reject the appeal of pro-democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi:
“Canada is deeply disappointed that the Burmese Supreme Court has rejected Aung San Suu Kyi’s latest appeal of her detention. Neither her original trial nor the appeal process has met international standards of due process, demonstrating a complete disregard for the rule of law. Canada maintains its position that her continued detention is unwarranted, unjustified and politically motivated.
“The Burmese regime has missed yet another opportunity to prove its commitment to hold inclusive, free and fair elections. The elections planned for 2010 will only be credible if the Burmese regime allows all citizens, including opposition groups, to participate freely in a transparent electoral process.
“Since December 2007, Canada has imposed the toughest sanctions of any country against the Burmese regime to protest its treatment of its people. These sanctions include a ban on goods exported to and imported from Burma. Canada again calls upon the Burmese regime to free all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and to engage in a genuine dialogue with members of the democratic opposition and different ethnic groups of Burma.
“In 2007, the Parliament of Canada granted Aung San Suu Kyi honourary Canadian citizenship for her tireless work for democracy in Burma.”
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Loubier
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
2010 MARCH 1
tags: 2010 Election, Burma, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Human Rights, Junta, Myanmar, Statement Canada, world focus on Burma
by peacerunning
Canada Condemns Burmese Decision on Aung San Suu Kyi Appeal
(No. 84 – February 26, 2010 – 1:40 p.m. ET) The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement expressing Canada’s disappointment over the Burmese Supreme Court’s decision to reject the appeal of pro-democracy leader and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi:
“Canada is deeply disappointed that the Burmese Supreme Court has rejected Aung San Suu Kyi’s latest appeal of her detention. Neither her original trial nor the appeal process has met international standards of due process, demonstrating a complete disregard for the rule of law. Canada maintains its position that her continued detention is unwarranted, unjustified and politically motivated.
“The Burmese regime has missed yet another opportunity to prove its commitment to hold inclusive, free and fair elections. The elections planned for 2010 will only be credible if the Burmese regime allows all citizens, including opposition groups, to participate freely in a transparent electoral process.
“Since December 2007, Canada has imposed the toughest sanctions of any country against the Burmese regime to protest its treatment of its people. These sanctions include a ban on goods exported to and imported from Burma. Canada again calls upon the Burmese regime to free all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and to engage in a genuine dialogue with members of the democratic opposition and different ethnic groups of Burma.
“In 2007, the Parliament of Canada granted Aung San Suu Kyi honourary Canadian citizenship for her tireless work for democracy in Burma.”
- 30 -
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Catherine Loubier
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
613-995-1851
US criticises Burma on Suu Kyi appeal
The United States has criticized Burma's Supreme Court for not releasing Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
The court rejected her appeal asking to be freed from house arrest.
A State Department official says Washington condemns the Supreme Court's decision.
He says Aung San Suu Kyi is being held under house arrest for purely political reasons.
Suu Kyi's lawyer Nyan Win, who was barred from the courtroom, says he plans to lodge an appeal against the decision.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed disappointment over the court's decision.
Tags:burmaunited-statesworld-politicslaw-crime-and-justicecourts-and-trials
http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201003/2832909.htm?desktop
The court rejected her appeal asking to be freed from house arrest.
A State Department official says Washington condemns the Supreme Court's decision.
He says Aung San Suu Kyi is being held under house arrest for purely political reasons.
Suu Kyi's lawyer Nyan Win, who was barred from the courtroom, says he plans to lodge an appeal against the decision.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed disappointment over the court's decision.
Tags:burmaunited-statesworld-politicslaw-crime-and-justicecourts-and-trials
http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/201003/2832909.htm?desktop
Suu Kyi’s appeal rejection condemned
Sunday, 28 February 2010 13:49 Mizzima News
(Mizzima) – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Friday said he is ‘appalled and saddened’ that Burma’s military government has rejected an appeal filed by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers against her sentencing in August 2009.
“I am appalled and saddened that Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal against the sentence imposed by the regime has been denied,” Brown said. However, he said the “failed appeal is sadly no surprise.”
Brown said from start to end the sole purpose of the show trial has been to prevent Aung San Suu Kyi from taking part in elections that the junta claims will be held later this year.
Lawyers of the Burmese opposition leader on Friday told Mizzima that the Supreme Court rejected the appeal against the verdict that sentenced Aung San Suu Kyi and her two live-in party mates to 18 months of house arrest handed down in August 2009.
“The Supreme Court said it is making no changes on the verdict and upholds the lower court’s decision,” said Nyan Win, a lawyer for the Burmese pro-democracy leader who is also a spokesperson for her party – National League for Democracy (NLD).
The NLD leader was sentenced in August 2009 to three years imprisonment for allegedly violating regulations of her previous house arrest by allowing an American, John Yettaw, who sneaked into her house to stay for two nights.
The sentence handed down by a district court, however, was reduced by a special order from Burma’s military Head-of-State Senior General Than Shwe to an 18 month suspended sentence, allowing time to be served at her lakeside home.
The British Prime Minister said while Burma with a free, fair and genuinely inclusive election this year could move forward to map a new path, with Aung San Suu Kyi being kept out of political life and over 2,100 other prisoners of conscience remaining incarcerated, the regime’s elections will gain neither recognition nor international legitimacy.
Similarly, British Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis in a statement on Friday said the rejection of the appeal is a further, sad indictment of the Burmese regime.
“The military government continues to suppress all dissent, deny Burma's people their fundamental freedoms, and detain democratic and ethnic leaders,” Lewis said.
“I urge the regime to recognize that in a country of over one hundred ethnic groups, there can be no national reconciliation, no peace and no prosperity without an inclusive political process,” Lewis added.
The defense team argued that the law under which Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced is no longer valid and filed petitions at the Division and Supreme Court levels to that effect.
Nyan Win said the defense team is now gearing up to file yet another petition at the special petitions office.
http://ping.fm/RsmAB
Sunday, 28 February 2010 13:49 Mizzima News
(Mizzima) – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Friday said he is ‘appalled and saddened’ that Burma’s military government has rejected an appeal filed by opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyers against her sentencing in August 2009.
“I am appalled and saddened that Aung San Suu Kyi’s appeal against the sentence imposed by the regime has been denied,” Brown said. However, he said the “failed appeal is sadly no surprise.”
Brown said from start to end the sole purpose of the show trial has been to prevent Aung San Suu Kyi from taking part in elections that the junta claims will be held later this year.
Lawyers of the Burmese opposition leader on Friday told Mizzima that the Supreme Court rejected the appeal against the verdict that sentenced Aung San Suu Kyi and her two live-in party mates to 18 months of house arrest handed down in August 2009.
“The Supreme Court said it is making no changes on the verdict and upholds the lower court’s decision,” said Nyan Win, a lawyer for the Burmese pro-democracy leader who is also a spokesperson for her party – National League for Democracy (NLD).
The NLD leader was sentenced in August 2009 to three years imprisonment for allegedly violating regulations of her previous house arrest by allowing an American, John Yettaw, who sneaked into her house to stay for two nights.
The sentence handed down by a district court, however, was reduced by a special order from Burma’s military Head-of-State Senior General Than Shwe to an 18 month suspended sentence, allowing time to be served at her lakeside home.
The British Prime Minister said while Burma with a free, fair and genuinely inclusive election this year could move forward to map a new path, with Aung San Suu Kyi being kept out of political life and over 2,100 other prisoners of conscience remaining incarcerated, the regime’s elections will gain neither recognition nor international legitimacy.
Similarly, British Foreign Office Minister Ivan Lewis in a statement on Friday said the rejection of the appeal is a further, sad indictment of the Burmese regime.
“The military government continues to suppress all dissent, deny Burma's people their fundamental freedoms, and detain democratic and ethnic leaders,” Lewis said.
“I urge the regime to recognize that in a country of over one hundred ethnic groups, there can be no national reconciliation, no peace and no prosperity without an inclusive political process,” Lewis added.
The defense team argued that the law under which Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced is no longer valid and filed petitions at the Division and Supreme Court levels to that effect.
Nyan Win said the defense team is now gearing up to file yet another petition at the special petitions office.
http://ping.fm/RsmAB
US criticises Burma on Suu Kyi appeal
Burma's Supreme Court rejected Aung San Suu kyi's appeal asking to be freed from house arrest. [Reuters]
Last Updated: 22 hours 3 minutes ago
The United States has criticized Burma's Supreme Court for not releasing Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
The court rejected her appeal asking to be freed from house arrest.
A State Department official says Washington condemns the Supreme Court's decision.
He says Aung San Suu Kyi is being held under house arrest for purely political reasons.
Suu Kyi's lawyer Nyan Win, who was barred from the courtroom, says he plans to lodge an appeal against the decision.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed disappointment over the court's decision.
http://ping.fm/0ImMJ
Burma's Supreme Court rejected Aung San Suu kyi's appeal asking to be freed from house arrest. [Reuters]
Last Updated: 22 hours 3 minutes ago
The United States has criticized Burma's Supreme Court for not releasing Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
The court rejected her appeal asking to be freed from house arrest.
A State Department official says Washington condemns the Supreme Court's decision.
He says Aung San Suu Kyi is being held under house arrest for purely political reasons.
Suu Kyi's lawyer Nyan Win, who was barred from the courtroom, says he plans to lodge an appeal against the decision.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon expressed disappointment over the court's decision.
http://ping.fm/0ImMJ
Junta’s false propaganda on Kachin State
The situation in Kachin State, Northern Burma has been falsely portrayed in the state run media during Prime Minister General Thein Sein’s visit to the state, local people said.
PM Gen Thein Sein
The junta’s mouthpiece The New Light of Myanmar newspaper wrote quoting the Premier on the front page on January 27 that “Northern regions of Myanmar enjoy extra development.” This is totally different from the reality, residents and environmentalists said
http://ping.fm/tBaYF
The situation in Kachin State, Northern Burma has been falsely portrayed in the state run media during Prime Minister General Thein Sein’s visit to the state, local people said.
PM Gen Thein Sein
The junta’s mouthpiece The New Light of Myanmar newspaper wrote quoting the Premier on the front page on January 27 that “Northern regions of Myanmar enjoy extra development.” This is totally different from the reality, residents and environmentalists said
http://ping.fm/tBaYF
Friday, 26 February 2010
Discussion Forum about Burmese Regime's 2010 Election by Famous Burmese Monk U Kawwida, Professor Dr Salai Tun Than (Patron of Burma Democratic Concern), Poet Maung Swan Yee, Artist Win Pe, Elected Parliament Member (1990) U Peter Linpin, and Politician U Myint Soe (Secretary, National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) discuss and share their perspective about planned Burmese Regime's Election on January 29, 2010
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi loses appeal
The Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi failed in her latest bid to end more than a decade of house arrest today after the country's highest court threw out an appeal against her sentence.
The supreme court's decision was widely expected but her lawyer said he would launch a final special appeal to the supreme court after establishing the reasons why the latest attempt had been rejected. "The court order did not mention any reasons," he said.
The British ambassador Andrew Heyn attended the court session along with diplomats from Australia, France and the US.
"Although the decision comes as no surprise, it is deeply disappointing," he said. "We continue to believe that [Aung San Suu Kyi] should be released immediately, along with the other 2,000 and more prisoners of conscience." The French ambassador Jean-Pierre Lafosse said the 64-year-old democracy leader was "the victim of a sham trial".
Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyers appealed to the court last November, a month after a lower court upheld a decision to sentence her to 18 months of house arrest. She was convicted last August of violating the terms of her previous detention by briefly sheltering an American, John Yettaw who swam uninvited to her lakeside compound.
She was initially sentenced to three years in prison with hard labour in a trial that drew global condemnation, but the sentence was immediately commuted to 18 months of house arrest by junta chief Senior General Than Shwe.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained for 14 years. Her National League for Democracy won elections in 1990 by a landslide, but the military, which has ruled Burma since 1962, refused to cede power.
The junta has announced it would hold elections some time this year under a constitution that would allow the military to maintain substantial power. Aung San Suu Kyi's party has not announced whether it will contest the elections.
The court ruling also denied freedom to two female companions who share Suu Kyi's house arrest.
Burma has been widely criticised for its continued violation of human rights, including atrocities committed by its military against minority ethnic groups. Human rights campaigners say the junta holds 2,100 political prisoners.
Tin Oo, the 82-year-old deputy leader of Aung San Suu Kyi's party was released less than two weeks ago after nearly seven years in detention. On his release he said he was very hopeful Aung San Suu Kyi would also soon be freed.
Aung Din, executive director of the US Campaign for Burma lobby group condemned the Burmese judiciary system as "part of the regime's oppressive mechanism". "The only way to make the release [of Aung San Suu Kyi] and all political prisoners in Burma is to keep putting maximum pressure on Than Shwe and his cronies until they feel the heat," he said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/26/aung-san-suu-kyi-loses-appeal
The supreme court's decision was widely expected but her lawyer said he would launch a final special appeal to the supreme court after establishing the reasons why the latest attempt had been rejected. "The court order did not mention any reasons," he said.
The British ambassador Andrew Heyn attended the court session along with diplomats from Australia, France and the US.
"Although the decision comes as no surprise, it is deeply disappointing," he said. "We continue to believe that [Aung San Suu Kyi] should be released immediately, along with the other 2,000 and more prisoners of conscience." The French ambassador Jean-Pierre Lafosse said the 64-year-old democracy leader was "the victim of a sham trial".
Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyers appealed to the court last November, a month after a lower court upheld a decision to sentence her to 18 months of house arrest. She was convicted last August of violating the terms of her previous detention by briefly sheltering an American, John Yettaw who swam uninvited to her lakeside compound.
She was initially sentenced to three years in prison with hard labour in a trial that drew global condemnation, but the sentence was immediately commuted to 18 months of house arrest by junta chief Senior General Than Shwe.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained for 14 years. Her National League for Democracy won elections in 1990 by a landslide, but the military, which has ruled Burma since 1962, refused to cede power.
The junta has announced it would hold elections some time this year under a constitution that would allow the military to maintain substantial power. Aung San Suu Kyi's party has not announced whether it will contest the elections.
The court ruling also denied freedom to two female companions who share Suu Kyi's house arrest.
Burma has been widely criticised for its continued violation of human rights, including atrocities committed by its military against minority ethnic groups. Human rights campaigners say the junta holds 2,100 political prisoners.
Tin Oo, the 82-year-old deputy leader of Aung San Suu Kyi's party was released less than two weeks ago after nearly seven years in detention. On his release he said he was very hopeful Aung San Suu Kyi would also soon be freed.
Aung Din, executive director of the US Campaign for Burma lobby group condemned the Burmese judiciary system as "part of the regime's oppressive mechanism". "The only way to make the release [of Aung San Suu Kyi] and all political prisoners in Burma is to keep putting maximum pressure on Than Shwe and his cronies until they feel the heat," he said.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/feb/26/aung-san-suu-kyi-loses-appeal
Famous Burmese Monk U Kawwida, Professor Dr Salai Tun Than, Poet Maung Swan Yee, Artist Win Pe, Elected Parliament Member (1990) U Peter Linpin, and Politician U Myint Soe (Secretary, National League for Democracy (Liberated Area) discuss and share their perspective about planned Burmese Regime's Election on January 29, 2010
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Media persona urged to join pro-democracy movement
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Media persona both at home and abroad, have been exhorted to join the pro-democracy struggle in Burma, by veteran journalist Ludu Sein Win and film director Win Pe.
In a video communiqué sent to the Burma Media Conference being held in northern Thailand from February 24, Ludu Sein Win said, "The media’s objective is interlaced with the cause of democracy and freedom of our country. So I would like to ask all of you to join hands and be of mutual assistance and cooperation until you reach your goal".
Ludu Sein Win hailed media persons under attack by those opposing and resisting the right cause and truth, because they are on the side of the people and the country.
Famous writer and film director Win Pe said in his message that the military regime had not only seized the executive, legislative and judicial pillars by military might but had also seized the fourth pillar - the media.
"The most important is the fourth pillar - the media. It is not just interfering and poking its nose in the media, the fact remains the media does not exist in Burma at all," he said.
"I wish today on this occasion that you can do your utmost being members of the media for progress, goodwill, safety and freedom of our country - the Union of Burma," Win Pe said.
The Burma Media Conference is for three days and is being attended by news agencies at home and abroad, politicians, bloggers and NGOs, accounting for over 100 people.
http://ping.fm/84113
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Media persona both at home and abroad, have been exhorted to join the pro-democracy struggle in Burma, by veteran journalist Ludu Sein Win and film director Win Pe.
In a video communiqué sent to the Burma Media Conference being held in northern Thailand from February 24, Ludu Sein Win said, "The media’s objective is interlaced with the cause of democracy and freedom of our country. So I would like to ask all of you to join hands and be of mutual assistance and cooperation until you reach your goal".
Ludu Sein Win hailed media persons under attack by those opposing and resisting the right cause and truth, because they are on the side of the people and the country.
Famous writer and film director Win Pe said in his message that the military regime had not only seized the executive, legislative and judicial pillars by military might but had also seized the fourth pillar - the media.
"The most important is the fourth pillar - the media. It is not just interfering and poking its nose in the media, the fact remains the media does not exist in Burma at all," he said.
"I wish today on this occasion that you can do your utmost being members of the media for progress, goodwill, safety and freedom of our country - the Union of Burma," Win Pe said.
The Burma Media Conference is for three days and is being attended by news agencies at home and abroad, politicians, bloggers and NGOs, accounting for over 100 people.
http://ping.fm/84113
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
The Burmese military government proposes to raise the salaries of its employees and make it at par with ASEAN countries. It is believed that the move is to woo voters for the forthcoming 2010 general elections.
“Prime Minister Thein Sein announced that a government employee will get eight times his current salary, when he visited Chin state,” said a secretary of the Township general administration.
A report said that the Finance Department is chalking out the new budget and the final draft will be completed in April 2010. The Finance Department will soon review the 2009 budget.
“Very senior employees nearing retirement will be paid compensation and made to retire from service. Employees above 45 years will also be paid compensation and pension. The rest of the employees will have their salaries increased by about eight times the current salary,” he added.
The Finance Minister General Hla Thun announced on 3 December 2009 that Ministers will get salaries on the scale of Kyat 15000-1000-200000 and Kyat 19000-2000-100000 in 2010.
“The increase in salary is welcome but the price of commodities will escalate immediately and the consequences for ordinary people will be bad,” said a government employee.
Most government employees are of the opinion that the salaries are being increased by the military junta to woo voters for the forthcoming 2010 general elections.- Khonumthung News
http://ping.fm/Znaks
“Prime Minister Thein Sein announced that a government employee will get eight times his current salary, when he visited Chin state,” said a secretary of the Township general administration.
A report said that the Finance Department is chalking out the new budget and the final draft will be completed in April 2010. The Finance Department will soon review the 2009 budget.
“Very senior employees nearing retirement will be paid compensation and made to retire from service. Employees above 45 years will also be paid compensation and pension. The rest of the employees will have their salaries increased by about eight times the current salary,” he added.
The Finance Minister General Hla Thun announced on 3 December 2009 that Ministers will get salaries on the scale of Kyat 15000-1000-200000 and Kyat 19000-2000-100000 in 2010.
“The increase in salary is welcome but the price of commodities will escalate immediately and the consequences for ordinary people will be bad,” said a government employee.
Most government employees are of the opinion that the salaries are being increased by the military junta to woo voters for the forthcoming 2010 general elections.- Khonumthung News
http://ping.fm/Znaks
Thailand to deport 1.3m
BANGKOK - MORE than 1.3 million mostly Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand are scrambling to file papers by end of this month to register for an exercise to verify their nationality, failing which they may face deportation.
The 'nationality verification' exercise theoretically will help the workers get additional social security benefits in Thailand. The workers need to register by Sunday to begin the process, which could take up to two years to complete.
One problem for many though is that the Myanmar authorities have been dragging their feet over the process, and even extracting money in some instances, leaving many in limbo just days before the Feb 28 deadline. Many Myanmar workers are fearful of giving their personal information to the authorities back home.
The Thai authorities have refused to extend the deadline despite increasing calls from international rights organisations to do so.
Thai officials say they are fully aware of the issues of human rights. And given the logistics of deporting more than a million people - and the disruption to the Thai economy - it is likely that the deportation may be deferred.
In a written response on Monday to a letter from the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other organisations, Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: 'We are certainly well aware that the question of deportation needs to take into account both the enforcement of immigration law and respect for human rights.
http://ping.fm/b3KcZ
BANGKOK - MORE than 1.3 million mostly Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand are scrambling to file papers by end of this month to register for an exercise to verify their nationality, failing which they may face deportation.
The 'nationality verification' exercise theoretically will help the workers get additional social security benefits in Thailand. The workers need to register by Sunday to begin the process, which could take up to two years to complete.
One problem for many though is that the Myanmar authorities have been dragging their feet over the process, and even extracting money in some instances, leaving many in limbo just days before the Feb 28 deadline. Many Myanmar workers are fearful of giving their personal information to the authorities back home.
The Thai authorities have refused to extend the deadline despite increasing calls from international rights organisations to do so.
Thai officials say they are fully aware of the issues of human rights. And given the logistics of deporting more than a million people - and the disruption to the Thai economy - it is likely that the deportation may be deferred.
In a written response on Monday to a letter from the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other organisations, Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: 'We are certainly well aware that the question of deportation needs to take into account both the enforcement of immigration law and respect for human rights.
http://ping.fm/b3KcZ
Myanmar: Government claims destruction of poppy plantations figures hits 13139.09 acres
Source: Government of Myanmar - During the poppy cultivation season for 2009-10, a total of 13139.09 acres of poppy plantation - 12705.65 acres from 1 September 2009 to 13 February 2010 and 433.33 acres from 14 to 20 February 2010 - have been destroyed.
The total acres of poppy plantation that have been destroyed from 14 to 20 February 2010 were 149.85 acres in Tangyan, Namhkam, Kutkai and Mongyan Townships of Shan State (North), 25. 5 acres in Phekhon and Kunhing Townships of Shan State (South), 134.3 acres in Mongton, Mongping and Monghsat Townships of Shan State (East) and 123.79 acres in Tanai, Waingmaw and Phakant Townships of Kachin State.
http://ping.fm/oOJxx
Source: Government of Myanmar - During the poppy cultivation season for 2009-10, a total of 13139.09 acres of poppy plantation - 12705.65 acres from 1 September 2009 to 13 February 2010 and 433.33 acres from 14 to 20 February 2010 - have been destroyed.
The total acres of poppy plantation that have been destroyed from 14 to 20 February 2010 were 149.85 acres in Tangyan, Namhkam, Kutkai and Mongyan Townships of Shan State (North), 25. 5 acres in Phekhon and Kunhing Townships of Shan State (South), 134.3 acres in Mongton, Mongping and Monghsat Townships of Shan State (East) and 123.79 acres in Tanai, Waingmaw and Phakant Townships of Kachin State.
http://ping.fm/oOJxx
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
The 2010 General Election: A discourse on civil and constitutional rights in BurmaShare
The 2010 General Election: A discourse on civil and constitutional rights in BurmaShare
Today at 14:58
Mon 15 Feb 2010, Banya Hong Sar, Canberra
Governmental elections are the foundation of democracy and government in modern world politics. The foundation of a nation is in its upholding of a constitution that guarantees civil and political rights for its citizens. Each clause of the constitution must guarantee these rights to all citizens. Burma’s 2010 new general elections will test these perspectives. The 12th of February is marked as “Union Day” in Burma, symbolizing unity among ethnicities or unity in diversity. This symbolization does not yet match with reality in the country of Burma, where civil wars and political conflicts between ethnic groups are deeply rooted in the history of the past sixty years.
Burma has failed to uphold the constitutional, civil, and political rights of its people, and thus its foundation as a nation, since the day after the country received independence in 1948. Imbalances of power between the central government and ethnic-based state authorities have been the seed of conflicts for over half the 20th century. The Mon, Karen, Shan, Chin, Kachin, Kayeh and other ethnic people fought for constitutional rights until 1960 but the Burman-dominated government denied them “State Constitutional Rights” in both the 1947 and 1973 new constitutions. The ethnic leaders have had no other means to gain rights besides forming armed military units, to wage civil war for the right of self determination under the Burmese constitution since that time. The battle is not yet over.
The new constitution amended by a forced referendum in May 2008 was another attempt by the government of Burma, led by the military junta, to control all constitutional power over Burma’s seven ethnic States. A 194 paged document containing all the clauses in the articles of the constitution left little space for ethnic people and states to hold constitutional power. In fact, the new constitution was based on a “unitary union” desired by the military junta, rather than the “federal union” demanded by the ethnic political leaders.
The New Mon State Party (NMSP), the principal ethnic political organization of Mon State and its people, has repeatedly urged the State Peace and Development Council, the current military junta, to redraft and have a proper debate about new constitution on several occasions. However, the military junta has rejected having a public debate on redrafting the new constitution. The Mon leaders finally rejected the constitution, and also refused to form a “Border Guard Force” of its military battalions. Tension between the SPDC and NMSP leaders both politically and militarily, has been intense for some months in Mon State. Consequently, the military junta used its power to charge a young Mon monk Buddhist teacher, and democracy activist, for possessing a laptop that contained some files protesting the new 2010 elections. The police detained and tortured him last month, and he is now in a prison cell without legal access.
Unless the military junta agrees to allow opposition parties, non-Burman State leaders’ demand for a public debate and redrafting of the constitution, the new election will be a joke. If the military junta forces all of Burma’s citizens to vote for its handpicked candidates in the upcoming elections, and the world accepts the outcome, Burma will continue to be dominated by a military government. The Burmese military junta is using every avenue and all its power to force all ethnic groups’ military battalions to form “Border Guard Forces” under the legal framework and control of the Burma Armed Force. Many ethnic leaders have rejected this invitation.
Mon State’s principle ethnic political party, the New Mon State Party, and its armed wing, the Mon National Liberation Army, have been asking Mon people at home and around the world to review the new constitution, seeking to know whether it contains the Mon peoples’ interests. Over thirty civil society groups in Mon State ran an anti- election campaign by releasing traditional “Fire Balloons” in mid 2009. The military junta got angry about the campaign, and cracked down on all leading civil rights groups in Mon State. Consequently, the Mon music and language groups are under a surveillance.
Burma has been moving down the road to democracy for over twenty years. However, the new constitution does not guarantee civil and constitutional rights for the country’s citizens. Burma’s citizens call for support from the world’s democratic leaders, asking them to pressure the current military junta to grant greater political dialogue and participation within the country. This call has been ignored for years.
Burma’s “Union Day” is meaningless unless “unity in diversity” is truly accepted by Burma’s society. The survival of Burma rests on a guarantee of constitutional rights for all its citizens, and especially for the rights of Burma’s seven ethnic states. Either pro-engagement or anti- engagement with Burma’s junta will not made any difference unless the new 2008 constitution publicly debated by all citizens. The world’s leaders must support Burma’s citizens at home and around the world by encouraging public debate on the new constitution, for the best interests of the Burmese nation. Members of democratic nations like Australia, British and USA should train constitutional lawyers in Burma.
Elections are the foundation of a modern democratic government. But, the new election sponsored by the military junta is but a bandage placed atop the political injuries of the last half century. The forcibly amended new constitution must be destroyed, and a “Federal Union” model must be drafted with allowances for equal representation for all the country’s citizens in 2010. This new model should be examined by constitutional experts from the UN, USA and other nations, with collaboration from a “Burmese Constitutional Drafting Committee that can be set up at the National Convention.
Burma is heading down a long road to democracy. Drafting the best model of a constitution, with equal representation from all ethnic representatives, the National League for Democracy, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and even representation from the current military junta, is a correct approach to solving Burma’s political crisis. A sixty day long National Convention should be held, to debate this new model of the constitution. Burma’s citizens and a constitutional technical assistance group must be given at least one hundred days for comments and debate. The new federal election should be held in late 2011 or early 2012, and then afterwards state elections should be held in due time.
Civil war is not the way to achieve political goals. Placing military rule over the nation is wrong. Neither civil war nor military rule can change Burma into a democratic nation. Constitutional reform, that guarantees constitutional rights to all citizens and all of Burma’s ethnic sates, is the best approach to the crisis. Union Day is about both unity in diversity and unity in purpose.
Today at 14:58
Mon 15 Feb 2010, Banya Hong Sar, Canberra
Governmental elections are the foundation of democracy and government in modern world politics. The foundation of a nation is in its upholding of a constitution that guarantees civil and political rights for its citizens. Each clause of the constitution must guarantee these rights to all citizens. Burma’s 2010 new general elections will test these perspectives. The 12th of February is marked as “Union Day” in Burma, symbolizing unity among ethnicities or unity in diversity. This symbolization does not yet match with reality in the country of Burma, where civil wars and political conflicts between ethnic groups are deeply rooted in the history of the past sixty years.
Burma has failed to uphold the constitutional, civil, and political rights of its people, and thus its foundation as a nation, since the day after the country received independence in 1948. Imbalances of power between the central government and ethnic-based state authorities have been the seed of conflicts for over half the 20th century. The Mon, Karen, Shan, Chin, Kachin, Kayeh and other ethnic people fought for constitutional rights until 1960 but the Burman-dominated government denied them “State Constitutional Rights” in both the 1947 and 1973 new constitutions. The ethnic leaders have had no other means to gain rights besides forming armed military units, to wage civil war for the right of self determination under the Burmese constitution since that time. The battle is not yet over.
The new constitution amended by a forced referendum in May 2008 was another attempt by the government of Burma, led by the military junta, to control all constitutional power over Burma’s seven ethnic States. A 194 paged document containing all the clauses in the articles of the constitution left little space for ethnic people and states to hold constitutional power. In fact, the new constitution was based on a “unitary union” desired by the military junta, rather than the “federal union” demanded by the ethnic political leaders.
The New Mon State Party (NMSP), the principal ethnic political organization of Mon State and its people, has repeatedly urged the State Peace and Development Council, the current military junta, to redraft and have a proper debate about new constitution on several occasions. However, the military junta has rejected having a public debate on redrafting the new constitution. The Mon leaders finally rejected the constitution, and also refused to form a “Border Guard Force” of its military battalions. Tension between the SPDC and NMSP leaders both politically and militarily, has been intense for some months in Mon State. Consequently, the military junta used its power to charge a young Mon monk Buddhist teacher, and democracy activist, for possessing a laptop that contained some files protesting the new 2010 elections. The police detained and tortured him last month, and he is now in a prison cell without legal access.
Unless the military junta agrees to allow opposition parties, non-Burman State leaders’ demand for a public debate and redrafting of the constitution, the new election will be a joke. If the military junta forces all of Burma’s citizens to vote for its handpicked candidates in the upcoming elections, and the world accepts the outcome, Burma will continue to be dominated by a military government. The Burmese military junta is using every avenue and all its power to force all ethnic groups’ military battalions to form “Border Guard Forces” under the legal framework and control of the Burma Armed Force. Many ethnic leaders have rejected this invitation.
Mon State’s principle ethnic political party, the New Mon State Party, and its armed wing, the Mon National Liberation Army, have been asking Mon people at home and around the world to review the new constitution, seeking to know whether it contains the Mon peoples’ interests. Over thirty civil society groups in Mon State ran an anti- election campaign by releasing traditional “Fire Balloons” in mid 2009. The military junta got angry about the campaign, and cracked down on all leading civil rights groups in Mon State. Consequently, the Mon music and language groups are under a surveillance.
Burma has been moving down the road to democracy for over twenty years. However, the new constitution does not guarantee civil and constitutional rights for the country’s citizens. Burma’s citizens call for support from the world’s democratic leaders, asking them to pressure the current military junta to grant greater political dialogue and participation within the country. This call has been ignored for years.
Burma’s “Union Day” is meaningless unless “unity in diversity” is truly accepted by Burma’s society. The survival of Burma rests on a guarantee of constitutional rights for all its citizens, and especially for the rights of Burma’s seven ethnic states. Either pro-engagement or anti- engagement with Burma’s junta will not made any difference unless the new 2008 constitution publicly debated by all citizens. The world’s leaders must support Burma’s citizens at home and around the world by encouraging public debate on the new constitution, for the best interests of the Burmese nation. Members of democratic nations like Australia, British and USA should train constitutional lawyers in Burma.
Elections are the foundation of a modern democratic government. But, the new election sponsored by the military junta is but a bandage placed atop the political injuries of the last half century. The forcibly amended new constitution must be destroyed, and a “Federal Union” model must be drafted with allowances for equal representation for all the country’s citizens in 2010. This new model should be examined by constitutional experts from the UN, USA and other nations, with collaboration from a “Burmese Constitutional Drafting Committee that can be set up at the National Convention.
Burma is heading down a long road to democracy. Drafting the best model of a constitution, with equal representation from all ethnic representatives, the National League for Democracy, including Aung San Suu Kyi, and even representation from the current military junta, is a correct approach to solving Burma’s political crisis. A sixty day long National Convention should be held, to debate this new model of the constitution. Burma’s citizens and a constitutional technical assistance group must be given at least one hundred days for comments and debate. The new federal election should be held in late 2011 or early 2012, and then afterwards state elections should be held in due time.
Civil war is not the way to achieve political goals. Placing military rule over the nation is wrong. Neither civil war nor military rule can change Burma into a democratic nation. Constitutional reform, that guarantees constitutional rights to all citizens and all of Burma’s ethnic sates, is the best approach to the crisis. Union Day is about both unity in diversity and unity in purpose.
Obama got the DEAF EARS on the Burmese American Imprisonment In Burma
Nyi Nyi Aung, a Burmese American has been framed and imprisoned in Burma by military regime.
Unlike the case of crazy John Yettaw who swam across the lake to the villa of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's residence because of which our precious National Leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been put under house arrest again, there seem to be no one hearing the outcries of the Nyi Nyi Aung's wife as well as from Burma Democracy Movement calling for US Government to put pressure on Burmese junta to release him.
American government showed serious concerns for the release of John Yettaw and Jim Webb was swift to fly Burma securing the release of the White American, John Yettaw.
If Obama administration doesn't take timely action, it would give the impression that since Nyi Nyi Aung is a Burmese Asian American, Obama’s administration pays little attention on his freedom. One would bet that Obama will take action seriously if Nyi Nyi Aung were the White American like John Yettaw or Black American like himself, if necessary; he would rage war with junta.
The Burma Democratic Concern (BDC)'s media coordinator Buffalohair wrote that "It is sad to note that Burma’s struggle for democracy was kicked in the teeth by the very country they wanted to emulate in democracy."1
According to the letter of wife of Nyi Nyi Aung which appears in “The Strait Times”, she said – “to the President Obama and Secretary Clinton, my message is simple. Neither your words nor your actions show that you take my fiancé’s imprisonment seriously,” she wrote. “I beg you to stop ignoring his plight, and to help secure his release from this illegal and unjust imprisonment. Just as Nyi Nyi continues to live up to the oath we took to defend America, please, live up to the promise America made to defend us.”2
It is a sad story for a heart-breaking wife Wa Wa Kyaw and also it is true to say that she felt betrayed by the US government. We are very concerned that why Obama administration is so slow and so low in taking action to secure the release of the Burmese American citizen.
One might pray that there shouldn't be any discrimination in the United Sates or above all in the world at large.
In the letter sent to Aung San Suu Kyi's 63rd birthday, Obama'd stated that "If the junta continues its failure to protect the dignity, health and well-being of the Burmese people, the international community must be prepared to work harder toward effective coordinated action, including but not limited to action through the United Nations Security Council."
But, Obama has been so silence on Burma crisis since he came to power and I would like Obama to be aware that Burma crisis is in very critical situation. Military junta is planning to hold sham elections in 2010 in order to legitimise military rule in Burma. This is the time to translate words into actions for the Obama administration.
Obama you must speak up for Nyi Nyi Aung and you must speak up for Burma NOW!
NOW is the time.
Myo Thein
Director
Burma democratic Concern (BDC)
http://ping.fm/eWT4J
1. http://ping.fm/0846J
2. http://ping.fm/JiKiz
Unlike the case of crazy John Yettaw who swam across the lake to the villa of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's residence because of which our precious National Leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been put under house arrest again, there seem to be no one hearing the outcries of the Nyi Nyi Aung's wife as well as from Burma Democracy Movement calling for US Government to put pressure on Burmese junta to release him.
American government showed serious concerns for the release of John Yettaw and Jim Webb was swift to fly Burma securing the release of the White American, John Yettaw.
If Obama administration doesn't take timely action, it would give the impression that since Nyi Nyi Aung is a Burmese Asian American, Obama’s administration pays little attention on his freedom. One would bet that Obama will take action seriously if Nyi Nyi Aung were the White American like John Yettaw or Black American like himself, if necessary; he would rage war with junta.
The Burma Democratic Concern (BDC)'s media coordinator Buffalohair wrote that "It is sad to note that Burma’s struggle for democracy was kicked in the teeth by the very country they wanted to emulate in democracy."1
According to the letter of wife of Nyi Nyi Aung which appears in “The Strait Times”, she said – “to the President Obama and Secretary Clinton, my message is simple. Neither your words nor your actions show that you take my fiancé’s imprisonment seriously,” she wrote. “I beg you to stop ignoring his plight, and to help secure his release from this illegal and unjust imprisonment. Just as Nyi Nyi continues to live up to the oath we took to defend America, please, live up to the promise America made to defend us.”2
It is a sad story for a heart-breaking wife Wa Wa Kyaw and also it is true to say that she felt betrayed by the US government. We are very concerned that why Obama administration is so slow and so low in taking action to secure the release of the Burmese American citizen.
One might pray that there shouldn't be any discrimination in the United Sates or above all in the world at large.
In the letter sent to Aung San Suu Kyi's 63rd birthday, Obama'd stated that "If the junta continues its failure to protect the dignity, health and well-being of the Burmese people, the international community must be prepared to work harder toward effective coordinated action, including but not limited to action through the United Nations Security Council."
But, Obama has been so silence on Burma crisis since he came to power and I would like Obama to be aware that Burma crisis is in very critical situation. Military junta is planning to hold sham elections in 2010 in order to legitimise military rule in Burma. This is the time to translate words into actions for the Obama administration.
Obama you must speak up for Nyi Nyi Aung and you must speak up for Burma NOW!
NOW is the time.
Myo Thein
Director
Burma democratic Concern (BDC)
http://ping.fm/eWT4J
1. http://ping.fm/0846J
2. http://ping.fm/JiKiz
Monday, 22 February 2010
Burma: Is It A Real Progress?
Is It A Real Progress?
By Htun Aung Gyaw
NLD Vice Chairman U Tin Oo was released from house arrest but releasing him from house arrest does not mean progress toward democracy and it is not a progress toward positive change. But his colleague Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is still under house arrest that she’d never committed a single crime.
On 30 May, 2003 leaders of Burma’s opposition political party, National League for Democracy (NLD) made an upper Burma organizational tour with its party members and supporters. The team was led by 1991 Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and the Party Vice Chairman Tin Oo.
Their car convoy was ambushed on May 30th, 2003 by the junta dead squads which killed as many as one hundred and was known as “Depeyin Massacre”.
The SPDC regime did not captured the culprits who killed innocent supporters of NLD party, but the regime captured NLD party Vice Chairman Tin Oo and Secretary General Aung San Suu Kyi saying that their lives were in danger and they need protection.
The real protection is detention and house arrest, this kind of act proved that criminals are at large and the victims are in custody. This is the reality of today lawlessness. After seven years under house arrest U Tin Oo was finally released not because of the regime kindness, because his house arrest term was up.
We all should know the regime released U Tin Oo for not a good gesture; they released him because the house arrest term is up. The regime tactic is if there is pressure on them and it is mounting bigger and bigger, they suddenly released some political prisoners for diverting the pressure. They use to release rumors that some significant change has come soon, many more will release within a month, so people waited for another month, wasted their precious time and forgot to fight back.
The regime use to give false hope to control the unrest, prison’s strikes and people movement. The significant tactic of the regime is using political prisoners as baits or as hostages to get some benefit from international actors. It is enough time for Burmese scholars and international actors not to fall into the regime’s trap.
PS: Htun Aung Gyaw is the one of the most prominent leaders of 1988 uprising which successfully toppled the General Ne Win led totalitarian regime. He is the patron of Burma Democratic Concern (BDC).
By Htun Aung Gyaw
NLD Vice Chairman U Tin Oo was released from house arrest but releasing him from house arrest does not mean progress toward democracy and it is not a progress toward positive change. But his colleague Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is still under house arrest that she’d never committed a single crime.
On 30 May, 2003 leaders of Burma’s opposition political party, National League for Democracy (NLD) made an upper Burma organizational tour with its party members and supporters. The team was led by 1991 Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and the Party Vice Chairman Tin Oo.
Their car convoy was ambushed on May 30th, 2003 by the junta dead squads which killed as many as one hundred and was known as “Depeyin Massacre”.
The SPDC regime did not captured the culprits who killed innocent supporters of NLD party, but the regime captured NLD party Vice Chairman Tin Oo and Secretary General Aung San Suu Kyi saying that their lives were in danger and they need protection.
The real protection is detention and house arrest, this kind of act proved that criminals are at large and the victims are in custody. This is the reality of today lawlessness. After seven years under house arrest U Tin Oo was finally released not because of the regime kindness, because his house arrest term was up.
We all should know the regime released U Tin Oo for not a good gesture; they released him because the house arrest term is up. The regime tactic is if there is pressure on them and it is mounting bigger and bigger, they suddenly released some political prisoners for diverting the pressure. They use to release rumors that some significant change has come soon, many more will release within a month, so people waited for another month, wasted their precious time and forgot to fight back.
The regime use to give false hope to control the unrest, prison’s strikes and people movement. The significant tactic of the regime is using political prisoners as baits or as hostages to get some benefit from international actors. It is enough time for Burmese scholars and international actors not to fall into the regime’s trap.
PS: Htun Aung Gyaw is the one of the most prominent leaders of 1988 uprising which successfully toppled the General Ne Win led totalitarian regime. He is the patron of Burma Democratic Concern (BDC).
Prisoner's fiancee 'betrayed'
'President Obama and Secretary Clinton, my message is simple. Neither your words nor your actions show that you take my fiance's imprisonment seriously,' she wrote. 'I beg you to stop ignoring his plight, and to help secure his release from this illegal and unjust imprisonment. Just as Nyi Nyi continues to live up to the oath we took to defend America, please, live up to the promise America made to defend us.'
http://ping.fm/nY1OW
'President Obama and Secretary Clinton, my message is simple. Neither your words nor your actions show that you take my fiance's imprisonment seriously,' she wrote. 'I beg you to stop ignoring his plight, and to help secure his release from this illegal and unjust imprisonment. Just as Nyi Nyi continues to live up to the oath we took to defend America, please, live up to the promise America made to defend us.'
http://ping.fm/nY1OW
Mass Burmese hunger strike in Malaysian camp
Up to one thousand detained migrants, mainly Burmese, in a Malaysian camp are on hunger strike and demanding access to the UN refugee agency amidst severe overcrowding.
The predominantly Burmese inmates in the Lenggeng camp have for a long time been living in “terrible conditions”, according to Mie Ye Tun from the Arakan Refugee Relief Committee (ARRC).
“It is very difficult to continue their life; they are ready to [hunger] strike until whenever,” Mie Ye Tun told DVB after contacting detainees too afraid to speak to the press.
The camp is said to have a capacity of 1,250; but as of August 2009 it had a population of 1,430. Exact figures of the current population are difficult to attain.
Aegile Fernandez, head of Tenaganita, a migrant NGO based in Kuala Lumpur, said: “They have transferred detainees from other camps so it’s really full to the brim. I think this is one of the reasons they are on this hunger strike, because there is lack of water and it is so uncomfortable being crushed into one place like that.”
She added that “we are asking Suharkam [the Malaysian human rights commission] to go in immediately and get feedback”.
Fernandez also suggested that the protest had come amidst a crackdown by Malaysian authorities on undocumented foreigners in the country.
“They have started the operations for nabbing the undocumented workers after the Chinese New Year [last week] so the camps now will get even more full up; they will just dump them in with or without water.”
Malaysia’s home minister last week was quoted in the press as saying that the government intended to create an environment where foreigners without legal status would feel “afraid and threatened”.
If there was any doubt therefore about the chain of command in Malaysian policing, Mie Ye Tun relayed that: “One of the captains [elected detainees] from the camp was beaten badly because he made a report to the outside”. Another captain was “told to eat the food or [the police] will become violent. They threatened them”.
The crackdown comes after Malaysia was reclassified as a Tier 3 country for human trafficking by the US state department; the worst possible classification on its scale.
The situation has been called into question by Tenaganita as the Malaysian government looks set to register around 10,000 new migrant workers, despite the large numbers of undocumented migrants already in the country.
“Our call is that they stop the intake of new migrant workers; we have asked the government to register the ones who are already here,” she said.
“The ones who are here have not all come here illegally, [but] have become undocumented as a result of the employers or agents”.
http://ping.fm/ijgWI
Up to one thousand detained migrants, mainly Burmese, in a Malaysian camp are on hunger strike and demanding access to the UN refugee agency amidst severe overcrowding.
The predominantly Burmese inmates in the Lenggeng camp have for a long time been living in “terrible conditions”, according to Mie Ye Tun from the Arakan Refugee Relief Committee (ARRC).
“It is very difficult to continue their life; they are ready to [hunger] strike until whenever,” Mie Ye Tun told DVB after contacting detainees too afraid to speak to the press.
The camp is said to have a capacity of 1,250; but as of August 2009 it had a population of 1,430. Exact figures of the current population are difficult to attain.
Aegile Fernandez, head of Tenaganita, a migrant NGO based in Kuala Lumpur, said: “They have transferred detainees from other camps so it’s really full to the brim. I think this is one of the reasons they are on this hunger strike, because there is lack of water and it is so uncomfortable being crushed into one place like that.”
She added that “we are asking Suharkam [the Malaysian human rights commission] to go in immediately and get feedback”.
Fernandez also suggested that the protest had come amidst a crackdown by Malaysian authorities on undocumented foreigners in the country.
“They have started the operations for nabbing the undocumented workers after the Chinese New Year [last week] so the camps now will get even more full up; they will just dump them in with or without water.”
Malaysia’s home minister last week was quoted in the press as saying that the government intended to create an environment where foreigners without legal status would feel “afraid and threatened”.
If there was any doubt therefore about the chain of command in Malaysian policing, Mie Ye Tun relayed that: “One of the captains [elected detainees] from the camp was beaten badly because he made a report to the outside”. Another captain was “told to eat the food or [the police] will become violent. They threatened them”.
The crackdown comes after Malaysia was reclassified as a Tier 3 country for human trafficking by the US state department; the worst possible classification on its scale.
The situation has been called into question by Tenaganita as the Malaysian government looks set to register around 10,000 new migrant workers, despite the large numbers of undocumented migrants already in the country.
“Our call is that they stop the intake of new migrant workers; we have asked the government to register the ones who are already here,” she said.
“The ones who are here have not all come here illegally, [but] have become undocumented as a result of the employers or agents”.
http://ping.fm/ijgWI
Over 260 households being forcibly relocated
In yet another instance of high handedness by the Burmese military junta, over 260 households in Mudita Street, Ward No. 2 in North Okkalapa, Rangoon have been ordered to move from their current location, local residents alleged.
Most of the residents on Mudita Street, Ward No. 2 are slum dwellers.
The North Okklapa Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman and Ward No. 2 PDC Chairman issued the order on February 16. The order entails shifting from their places. The reason cited was the outbreak of cholera in the locality last year.
"We were told to shift in January as well. We were to move to Buthidaung under the supervision and arrangement of the authorities and would be given Kyat 300,000 per household or else sign on a paper. We signed on the paper refusing the offer," a local resident from Mudita Street told Mizzima.
"We have lived here for 35 years and pay municipal taxes. We were told to go back to the place from where we came. Now they want us to demolish our houses but we don't want to move to another place at a bad time like now." another local resident said.
Rumours doing the rounds suggest the local authorities will also forcibly shift 1,500 other households in Metta, Marga, Neikban, Thitsa, Aung Bawga and Aung Chan Tha Streets from Ward No.
http://ping.fm/dSR5c
In yet another instance of high handedness by the Burmese military junta, over 260 households in Mudita Street, Ward No. 2 in North Okkalapa, Rangoon have been ordered to move from their current location, local residents alleged.
Most of the residents on Mudita Street, Ward No. 2 are slum dwellers.
The North Okklapa Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) Chairman and Ward No. 2 PDC Chairman issued the order on February 16. The order entails shifting from their places. The reason cited was the outbreak of cholera in the locality last year.
"We were told to shift in January as well. We were to move to Buthidaung under the supervision and arrangement of the authorities and would be given Kyat 300,000 per household or else sign on a paper. We signed on the paper refusing the offer," a local resident from Mudita Street told Mizzima.
"We have lived here for 35 years and pay municipal taxes. We were told to go back to the place from where we came. Now they want us to demolish our houses but we don't want to move to another place at a bad time like now." another local resident said.
Rumours doing the rounds suggest the local authorities will also forcibly shift 1,500 other households in Metta, Marga, Neikban, Thitsa, Aung Bawga and Aung Chan Tha Streets from Ward No.
http://ping.fm/dSR5c
Burma's political prosecution of dissidents undermines legitimacy of planned elections
Min Myat Kyaw [Member, Asian Human Rights Commission]: "The sentencing of four supporters of democracy party leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to two years' imprisonment last week is the latest instance of how courts in Burma (Myanmar) operate under the military regime there to defeat civil and political rights, without regard to the terms of the very laws that they purport to uphold.
The imprisonment of Naw Ohn Hla and three others attracted some interest abroad partly because it coincided with a visit to Burma by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the country, Tomas Ojea Quintana. The envoy has rightly emphasized that an election scheduled for late in the year will not be taken seriously abroad unless all prisoners of conscience are freed.
But the manner in which cases of political imprisonment are conducted in Burma underscores the difficulties that the global community faces in documenting and addressing their incidence. The same week that Naw Ohn Hla was jailed, the Asian Human Rights Commission issued an appeal on new charges against Ma Sandar, who was released just last September after serving a sentence that was instigated by her complaints about corrupt councilors. The new case against her is under the same sections of law and before the same judge; the outcome too will probably be the same. The week before, the Commission issued an appeal for Dr. Wint Thu and eight others, whom Special Branch police illegally arrested and held incommunicado for nearly three months. In December a court handed them jail terms of up to 71 years for allegedly planning to commemorate the monk-led uprising of 2007. The prosecutor's evidence consisted of confessions that were extracted through police torture.
The constant movement of detainees to and from Burma's jails on charges that have little or nothing to do with the real reasons for their custody and even less to do with the standards of law that the courts pretend to enforce makes tracking their cases and understanding their mechanics a full time job. No sooner are persons like Ma Sandar or Naw Ohn Hla let out than they or others are rearrested and charged with new offences. There are no sweeps netting hundreds or thousands of dissidents that might grab headlines overseas. Nor are there any mass releases: amnesties free up space for new inmates, and typically include few political prisoners, many of whom are near to the end of their terms anyhow. Instead there is only a daily passing back and forth through the penal turnstiles. There is only the pointless inflicting of meaningless punishments on people like Naw Ohn Hla, Ma Sandar and Dr. Wint Thu, who are condemned for mundane acts that in most other parts of the world would not excite official interest, let alone attract criminal sanctions. There is only the cruel banality of a dictatorship whose institutions for political and social control are not going to go away on account of an election."
http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/hotline/2010/02/burmas-political-prosecution-of.php
The imprisonment of Naw Ohn Hla and three others attracted some interest abroad partly because it coincided with a visit to Burma by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the country, Tomas Ojea Quintana. The envoy has rightly emphasized that an election scheduled for late in the year will not be taken seriously abroad unless all prisoners of conscience are freed.
But the manner in which cases of political imprisonment are conducted in Burma underscores the difficulties that the global community faces in documenting and addressing their incidence. The same week that Naw Ohn Hla was jailed, the Asian Human Rights Commission issued an appeal on new charges against Ma Sandar, who was released just last September after serving a sentence that was instigated by her complaints about corrupt councilors. The new case against her is under the same sections of law and before the same judge; the outcome too will probably be the same. The week before, the Commission issued an appeal for Dr. Wint Thu and eight others, whom Special Branch police illegally arrested and held incommunicado for nearly three months. In December a court handed them jail terms of up to 71 years for allegedly planning to commemorate the monk-led uprising of 2007. The prosecutor's evidence consisted of confessions that were extracted through police torture.
The constant movement of detainees to and from Burma's jails on charges that have little or nothing to do with the real reasons for their custody and even less to do with the standards of law that the courts pretend to enforce makes tracking their cases and understanding their mechanics a full time job. No sooner are persons like Ma Sandar or Naw Ohn Hla let out than they or others are rearrested and charged with new offences. There are no sweeps netting hundreds or thousands of dissidents that might grab headlines overseas. Nor are there any mass releases: amnesties free up space for new inmates, and typically include few political prisoners, many of whom are near to the end of their terms anyhow. Instead there is only a daily passing back and forth through the penal turnstiles. There is only the pointless inflicting of meaningless punishments on people like Naw Ohn Hla, Ma Sandar and Dr. Wint Thu, who are condemned for mundane acts that in most other parts of the world would not excite official interest, let alone attract criminal sanctions. There is only the cruel banality of a dictatorship whose institutions for political and social control are not going to go away on account of an election."
http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/hotline/2010/02/burmas-political-prosecution-of.php
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