Tuesday, 2 December 2008
Monday, 13 October 2008
British Government Pledges To Do All It Can to Help People Of Burma
The British Prime Minister’s website has issued a response to an online petition about Burma from the Burma Campaign UK. In its response the government pledges to do all it can to help the people of Burma.
The petition was started one year ago during the democracy uprising, and called on the Prime Minister to personally engage world leaders on the issue of Burma, and set timelines and benchmarks for change.
“We are pleased by the commitment of the British government to continue supporting us in our struggle for freedom, said Hlaing Sein, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “Prime Minister Gordon Brown has consistently raised Burma with fellow world leaders, and has become one of the strongest voices supporting our cause. However, we need to see more concrete action from the international community, and we hope he will lead the way in pushing for a stronger approach by the UN, and more targeted sanctions from the European Union.”
For more information contact Hlaing Sein on 07900990538.
The petition was started one year ago during the democracy uprising, and called on the Prime Minister to personally engage world leaders on the issue of Burma, and set timelines and benchmarks for change.
“We are pleased by the commitment of the British government to continue supporting us in our struggle for freedom, said Hlaing Sein, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “Prime Minister Gordon Brown has consistently raised Burma with fellow world leaders, and has become one of the strongest voices supporting our cause. However, we need to see more concrete action from the international community, and we hope he will lead the way in pushing for a stronger approach by the UN, and more targeted sanctions from the European Union.”
For more information contact Hlaing Sein on 07900990538.
Myanmarese troops who killed Japanese journalist were following government orders
The secret military documents obtained by the Mainichi.
The secret military documents obtained by the Mainichi.
Myanmarese troops who gunned down Japanese journalist Kenji Nagai at an anti-government rally in Yangon last year were explicitly ordered to shoot anyone carrying a camera or video camera, according to secret military documents obtained by the Mainichi Shimbun on Saturday. Local officials had claimed he was shot accidentally.
Hundreds of thousands of monks took part in a string of demonstrations during September 2007, which were brutally put down by the military. The orders appear to be an attempt by the military to prevent evidence of the uprising and consequent military attacks being circulated at home and abroad.
The documents claim that most of those dressed as monks were actually linked to armed underground organizations that were trying to overturn the government, and called for "resolute measures" against them. The orders themselves instructed troops to shoot anyone holding a placard or flag, and those at the head of any demonstrations.
Troops were also told that "those carrying cameras, video cameras or tape recorders were primary targets," and were instructed to shoot if they couldn't make an arrest.
According to military sources, when the demonstrations intensified in mid-September, the military headquarters appointed 15 people to head a new "public order" department, ostensibly to quell the protests. The department -- which was dissolved at the end of the month -- comprised mostly of army personnel, and included both security and secret police forces.
The Mainichi Shimbun has also obtained a new video, showing 50-year-old Nagai immediately after he was shot. In the video, soldiers try and drag a collapsed Nagai up by the hand, with Nagai trying to prop himself up with the other before collapsing again, showing that he was apparently conscious for a period after the attack.
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Student killed by mob in Myingyan
A Myingyan college student was attacked and killed last night by a mob of about 20 people armed with sticks and swords, according to students at Myingyan college.
Mahn Bhu Khee, 19, from Chin state's Kanpatlat township, was a second-year Zoology student in Myingyan, Mandalay division.
Locals said the attack took place at around 10.30pm yesterday while he was on his way back from a funfair at Thone Su pagoda by motorbike.
The attack took place about 50 yards away from township police station (1).
An officer on duty at Myingyan police station said Mahn Bhu Khee’s attackers were also on motorbikes.
"The attack took place near the police station and it involved people on motorbikes – he was alone when he was attacked," the officer said.
The officer said about 15 people had been arrested so far in connection with the murder.
Officials at Myingyan hospital said the autopsy showed Mahn Bhu Khee died from a stab wound from a knife sharpener.
"He died on the spot after he was stabbed. A post mortem was carried out this morning but I don't know the exact details as it was done by the hospital chief," an official said.
"The hospital chief is attending the provincial Peace and Development Council meeting at the moment."
Angry students descended on the police station this morning and were told that the police were still in the process of hunting down the perpetrators.
The students speculated that Swan Arr Shin members were responsible for the attack, as they had been told by township police chief Colonel Htun Sint during riot training three days ago that the authorities would take responsibility for the consequences of harsh crackdowns on rioters.
A report earlier this week from a source close to Myingyan township Peace and Development Council office said that local authorities had been given three-step instructions for dealing with protestors – first to try to negotiate with them, then to shoot at their legs and finally to shoot to kill.
A Myingyan resident said it would have been difficult for anyone else to carry out such an attack given the heightened security presence in the township.
"Htun Sint told them during his speech that they had permission to shoot at demonstrators and told them to be sure to treat them harshly," he said.
"Everyone thinks it's them who committed the murder because no one else would do it at a time like this when the security is extremely tight with a police presence all over the place."
Myingyan college students are now negotiating with the authorities to collect their schoolmate's body so they can bury it tomorrow.
Officials at Myingyan college and the victim's family could not be reached for comment on the case.
Mahn Bhu Khee, 19, from Chin state's Kanpatlat township, was a second-year Zoology student in Myingyan, Mandalay division.
Locals said the attack took place at around 10.30pm yesterday while he was on his way back from a funfair at Thone Su pagoda by motorbike.
The attack took place about 50 yards away from township police station (1).
An officer on duty at Myingyan police station said Mahn Bhu Khee’s attackers were also on motorbikes.
"The attack took place near the police station and it involved people on motorbikes – he was alone when he was attacked," the officer said.
The officer said about 15 people had been arrested so far in connection with the murder.
Officials at Myingyan hospital said the autopsy showed Mahn Bhu Khee died from a stab wound from a knife sharpener.
"He died on the spot after he was stabbed. A post mortem was carried out this morning but I don't know the exact details as it was done by the hospital chief," an official said.
"The hospital chief is attending the provincial Peace and Development Council meeting at the moment."
Angry students descended on the police station this morning and were told that the police were still in the process of hunting down the perpetrators.
The students speculated that Swan Arr Shin members were responsible for the attack, as they had been told by township police chief Colonel Htun Sint during riot training three days ago that the authorities would take responsibility for the consequences of harsh crackdowns on rioters.
A report earlier this week from a source close to Myingyan township Peace and Development Council office said that local authorities had been given three-step instructions for dealing with protestors – first to try to negotiate with them, then to shoot at their legs and finally to shoot to kill.
A Myingyan resident said it would have been difficult for anyone else to carry out such an attack given the heightened security presence in the township.
"Htun Sint told them during his speech that they had permission to shoot at demonstrators and told them to be sure to treat them harshly," he said.
"Everyone thinks it's them who committed the murder because no one else would do it at a time like this when the security is extremely tight with a police presence all over the place."
Myingyan college students are now negotiating with the authorities to collect their schoolmate's body so they can bury it tomorrow.
Officials at Myingyan college and the victim's family could not be reached for comment on the case.
88 Generation leader Nilar Thein arrested
Nilar Thein, one of the leaders of the 88 Generation Students group who had been in hiding from government authorities since last year, was arrested last night at a house in Rangoon’s Yankin township.
She took part with other 88 generation leaders in the peaceful march in August last year to protest against the military regime’s doubling of fuel prices.
When the authorities began cracking down on protestors, arresting many of her colleagues, Nilar Thein left her month-old baby daughter with her in-laws and went into hiding.
Nilar Thein’s husband Kyaw Min Yu (also known as Ko Jimmy) is being detained in Insein prison with other student leaders.
She took part with other 88 generation leaders in the peaceful march in August last year to protest against the military regime’s doubling of fuel prices.
When the authorities began cracking down on protestors, arresting many of her colleagues, Nilar Thein left her month-old baby daughter with her in-laws and went into hiding.
Nilar Thein’s husband Kyaw Min Yu (also known as Ko Jimmy) is being detained in Insein prison with other student leaders.
Exiled opposition MPs contest junta’s UN seat
Elected members of parliament from the 1990 election have submitted a letter to the United Nations challenging the right of the ruling State Peace and Development Council to represent Burma at the UN.
The National Council of the Union of Burma, based on the Thai-Burma border, announced yesterday that the campaign letter had been submitted to the office of UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday.
The letter was signed by Daw San San, vice-chairperson of the exiled Members of Parliament Union, according to Associated Press reports.
The letter said that the group had established a permanent mission to the UN and had designated MPU secretary U Thein Oo, an MP-elect from Mandalay division, as permanent representative to the UN to push the group’s claims in New York.
The UN secretary-general’s office confirmed that the letter had been received and said it would be dealt in accordance with procedures.
The NCUB campaign is led by secretary-general U Maung Maung and is supported by the MPU, the International Burmese Monks Organisation and Burmese students and young people in the US who have been protesting outside the UN building in New York.
NCUB spokesperson U Myint Thein said the campaign was intended to highlight that the military regime did not legitimately represent the people of Burma.
“Some of the international community regards the SPDC military clique as a legitimate government and think that the constitution written by the SPDC is fine,” he said.
“We are trying to make them understand that after the 2010 election, it will be seen as a legitimate government, but in fact this is against the will of the people,” he went on.
“The SPDC army clique is not a legitimate government and the SPDC is ostensibly opposing and sidelining the great result of the 1990 election.”
But the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, the Burmese government in exile made up of elected MPs and led by Dr Sein Win, did not sign up to the NCUB campaign.
Bo Hla Tint, an NCGUB minister, said that other countries would be unlikely to support the NCUB request because of the precedent it could set.
“The NCUB has been holding consultations for more than a year about this. They have been having discussions with us, and we explained our position to them at the time,” Bo Hla Tin said.
“When the result of the election was still fresh in 1993-4 and the situation for democratic countries who supported us was good at the UN, we ourselves consulted friendly countries and our advisors and attempted the same thing,” he explained.
“But friendly countries advised us that if we challenged [the regime’s] credentials, some countries would worry that that could become the norm and it would cause diplomatic difficulties to friendly countries and those that give us humanitarian support,” he continued.
“That’s why we explained that we do not want to do this kind of thing.”
U Bo Hla Tint said that the two sides continued to be at odds over the issue, and that while the NCGUB has issued a statement saying they do not oppose the campaign, they will not play a role in signing or submitting the letter.
There have been rumours of tensions between the NCUB and NCGUB for many years, but they have not previously been made manifest so publicly.
But officials from the two organisations insist that, while there may be differences of opinion over policy, they are united in their aims.
NCUB’s U Myint Thein dispute claims of divisions between the two groups on this issue.
“There is no split; NCGUB has no wish to oppose this action,” he said.
“On their side, there is discussion over whether they should support the campaign, but when it comes to carrying out the duties individually, they are not being able to take an individual and practical role due to their personal circumstances.”
U Bo Hla Tint of NCGUB said the discussions demonstrated the healthy level of debate within the pro-democracy movement.
“What the SPDC is really afraid of isn’t being expelled from ASEAN or the UN – we all know that it is really afraid of having to give up power,” U Bo Hla Tint said.
“This is one campaign, not the main political solution, and differences of opinion on campaigns are not so important,” he explained.
“In terms of the really important political matters, we have no reason to have different opinions. We will continue to work as one with the alliance and the remaining forces,” he said.
“If everyone in the democracy movement had the same opinions on every issue, it would not be a democracy movement - it would become a dictatorship.”
The National Council of the Union of Burma, based on the Thai-Burma border, announced yesterday that the campaign letter had been submitted to the office of UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday.
The letter was signed by Daw San San, vice-chairperson of the exiled Members of Parliament Union, according to Associated Press reports.
The letter said that the group had established a permanent mission to the UN and had designated MPU secretary U Thein Oo, an MP-elect from Mandalay division, as permanent representative to the UN to push the group’s claims in New York.
The UN secretary-general’s office confirmed that the letter had been received and said it would be dealt in accordance with procedures.
The NCUB campaign is led by secretary-general U Maung Maung and is supported by the MPU, the International Burmese Monks Organisation and Burmese students and young people in the US who have been protesting outside the UN building in New York.
NCUB spokesperson U Myint Thein said the campaign was intended to highlight that the military regime did not legitimately represent the people of Burma.
“Some of the international community regards the SPDC military clique as a legitimate government and think that the constitution written by the SPDC is fine,” he said.
“We are trying to make them understand that after the 2010 election, it will be seen as a legitimate government, but in fact this is against the will of the people,” he went on.
“The SPDC army clique is not a legitimate government and the SPDC is ostensibly opposing and sidelining the great result of the 1990 election.”
But the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, the Burmese government in exile made up of elected MPs and led by Dr Sein Win, did not sign up to the NCUB campaign.
Bo Hla Tint, an NCGUB minister, said that other countries would be unlikely to support the NCUB request because of the precedent it could set.
“The NCUB has been holding consultations for more than a year about this. They have been having discussions with us, and we explained our position to them at the time,” Bo Hla Tin said.
“When the result of the election was still fresh in 1993-4 and the situation for democratic countries who supported us was good at the UN, we ourselves consulted friendly countries and our advisors and attempted the same thing,” he explained.
“But friendly countries advised us that if we challenged [the regime’s] credentials, some countries would worry that that could become the norm and it would cause diplomatic difficulties to friendly countries and those that give us humanitarian support,” he continued.
“That’s why we explained that we do not want to do this kind of thing.”
U Bo Hla Tint said that the two sides continued to be at odds over the issue, and that while the NCGUB has issued a statement saying they do not oppose the campaign, they will not play a role in signing or submitting the letter.
There have been rumours of tensions between the NCUB and NCGUB for many years, but they have not previously been made manifest so publicly.
But officials from the two organisations insist that, while there may be differences of opinion over policy, they are united in their aims.
NCUB’s U Myint Thein dispute claims of divisions between the two groups on this issue.
“There is no split; NCGUB has no wish to oppose this action,” he said.
“On their side, there is discussion over whether they should support the campaign, but when it comes to carrying out the duties individually, they are not being able to take an individual and practical role due to their personal circumstances.”
U Bo Hla Tint of NCGUB said the discussions demonstrated the healthy level of debate within the pro-democracy movement.
“What the SPDC is really afraid of isn’t being expelled from ASEAN or the UN – we all know that it is really afraid of having to give up power,” U Bo Hla Tint said.
“This is one campaign, not the main political solution, and differences of opinion on campaigns are not so important,” he explained.
“In terms of the really important political matters, we have no reason to have different opinions. We will continue to work as one with the alliance and the remaining forces,” he said.
“If everyone in the democracy movement had the same opinions on every issue, it would not be a democracy movement - it would become a dictatorship.”
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
Thursday, 28 August 2008
Lawyer Kyi Win asks to visit Daw Suu again
U Kyi Win, lawyer for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, is waiting to hear if his request for permission to visit the detained National League for Democracy leader on Friday has been approved.
The NLD has recently expressed concern about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after reports that she is refusing to accept food deliveries.
U Kyi Win has visited the pro-democracy leader twice this month to discuss her appeal against the military regime’s decision to extend her house arrest for another year.
The NLD has recently expressed concern about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi after reports that she is refusing to accept food deliveries.
U Kyi Win has visited the pro-democracy leader twice this month to discuss her appeal against the military regime’s decision to extend her house arrest for another year.
Five NLD members arrested for peaceful protest
t least five National League for Democracy members were arrested last night and taken to court today, the latest in a series of arrests of NLD members, according to party spokesperson U Nyan Win.
Hlaing Tharyar township NLD members U Tin Yu, U Kyaw San, U Soe Min and Daw Hla Hla Maw, and Kyimyintaing member U Yan Naing Tun were arrested at around midnight by the authorities and taken to Hlaing Tharyar township court today to face charges, U Nyan Win said.
A colleague of Yan Naing Tun confirmed the arrests.
“Last night, six people – the Hlaing Tharyar police commission and his team and members of Kyimyintaing special branch including Win Myint – came to arrest Ko Yan Naing Tun,” he said.
“They are being tried at Hlaing Tharyar court.”
Lawyer U Phoe Phyu said the five had been arrested for carrying out a peaceful demonstration.
“The reason [for their arrest] is that on 15 May they walked from Shwe Yin Aye bus stop to Nyaungdon road in a peaceful protest carrying banners reading ‘Free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’,” he said.
The five are being tried alongside Ko Mee Thway, Ko Kyaw Soe Win, Ko Win Myint, Ko San Lwin, Ko Thant Myo and Ko Myo Kyaw Swe, who were arrested on 5 May for staging a demonstration demanding Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s release.
Phoe Phyu said the 11 people would all face the same charges.
“They are being charged under sections 143, 145, 152, 505 and 505(b) of the penal code for illegal assembly, resisting officials on duty, and disturbing the public order,” he said.
All 11 were taken to Insein jail after appearing in court, Phoe Phyu said.
According to the NLD’s Nyan Win, around 10 party members and activists have been arrested this month, including U Karkyinsi and his son on 14 August, seven visitors from Irrawaddy division to Rangoon including Ko Aung Kyaw and Ko Tin Aung on 7 August, and Dr Thet Lwin from Rangoon and another person on an unspecified date.
Nyan Win said the latest arrests were further evidence of the authorities’ campaign of harassment against the NLD.
“The NLD has been persecuted from the start, that is nothing out of the ordinary,” Nyan Win said.
“What is strange is that it has become more intense in recent days. They are speeding up the destruction of the NLD. That’s all we can think.”
Hlaing Tharyar township NLD members U Tin Yu, U Kyaw San, U Soe Min and Daw Hla Hla Maw, and Kyimyintaing member U Yan Naing Tun were arrested at around midnight by the authorities and taken to Hlaing Tharyar township court today to face charges, U Nyan Win said.
A colleague of Yan Naing Tun confirmed the arrests.
“Last night, six people – the Hlaing Tharyar police commission and his team and members of Kyimyintaing special branch including Win Myint – came to arrest Ko Yan Naing Tun,” he said.
“They are being tried at Hlaing Tharyar court.”
Lawyer U Phoe Phyu said the five had been arrested for carrying out a peaceful demonstration.
“The reason [for their arrest] is that on 15 May they walked from Shwe Yin Aye bus stop to Nyaungdon road in a peaceful protest carrying banners reading ‘Free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’,” he said.
The five are being tried alongside Ko Mee Thway, Ko Kyaw Soe Win, Ko Win Myint, Ko San Lwin, Ko Thant Myo and Ko Myo Kyaw Swe, who were arrested on 5 May for staging a demonstration demanding Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s release.
Phoe Phyu said the 11 people would all face the same charges.
“They are being charged under sections 143, 145, 152, 505 and 505(b) of the penal code for illegal assembly, resisting officials on duty, and disturbing the public order,” he said.
All 11 were taken to Insein jail after appearing in court, Phoe Phyu said.
According to the NLD’s Nyan Win, around 10 party members and activists have been arrested this month, including U Karkyinsi and his son on 14 August, seven visitors from Irrawaddy division to Rangoon including Ko Aung Kyaw and Ko Tin Aung on 7 August, and Dr Thet Lwin from Rangoon and another person on an unspecified date.
Nyan Win said the latest arrests were further evidence of the authorities’ campaign of harassment against the NLD.
“The NLD has been persecuted from the start, that is nothing out of the ordinary,” Nyan Win said.
“What is strange is that it has become more intense in recent days. They are speeding up the destruction of the NLD. That’s all we can think.”
NLD member sentenced after exposing corruption
National League for Democracy member who has reported on government corruption cases in the past has been sentenced to 13 months’ imprisonment on charges of obstructing a government official.
Tontay NLD member Ma Sandar was sentenced under sections 353 and 294 of the penal code for obstructing a public servant and obscenity.
The charges were brought against her by Tontay township deputy police sergeant Soe Win Aung in February.
The incident took place when two people who bought car batteries from Ma Sandar were stopped and questioned by police and intelligence agents, who then went to Ma Sandar’s shop and got into an argument with her.
Ma Sandar’s husband U Zaw Myint Tun said he believed the charges against her were politically motivated because she had reported cases of official corruption to senior authorities in the past.
Her daughter Theint Theint Thu agreed, saying that her mother had never broken any laws, but was working on behalf of the people.
“She reported the local authorities’ corruption to senior officials to let general Than Shwe know about it and this was within the law,” she said.
Other township residents also said Ma Sandar had been treated unfairly, citing the example of a man who had attacked the township deputy police chief and had only been given a 1000 kyat fine.
Tontay NLD member Ma Sandar was sentenced under sections 353 and 294 of the penal code for obstructing a public servant and obscenity.
The charges were brought against her by Tontay township deputy police sergeant Soe Win Aung in February.
The incident took place when two people who bought car batteries from Ma Sandar were stopped and questioned by police and intelligence agents, who then went to Ma Sandar’s shop and got into an argument with her.
Ma Sandar’s husband U Zaw Myint Tun said he believed the charges against her were politically motivated because she had reported cases of official corruption to senior authorities in the past.
Her daughter Theint Theint Thu agreed, saying that her mother had never broken any laws, but was working on behalf of the people.
“She reported the local authorities’ corruption to senior officials to let general Than Shwe know about it and this was within the law,” she said.
Other township residents also said Ma Sandar had been treated unfairly, citing the example of a man who had attacked the township deputy police chief and had only been given a 1000 kyat fine.
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Should Daw Aung San Suu Kyi meet with Mr Gambari?
On Wednesday Mr Gambari was kept waiting for an hour at the government guest house where the scheduled meeting was supposed to take place.
He left the guest house when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi failed to appear according to the reports from Burma.
The UN envoy extended his five-day visit in an apparent effort to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
He left the guest house when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi failed to appear according to the reports from Burma.
The UN envoy extended his five-day visit in an apparent effort to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
ABFSU member’s parents jailed for 6 years
ABFSU member’s parents jailed for 6 years
The parents of one of the leaders of the All-Burmese Federation of Student Unions, Ko Sithu Maung, have been sentenced to six years’ imprisonment by Hlaing township court for obstructing police investigations.
U Peter and Daw Nu Nu Swe, who are both in their 50s, were found guilty of three charges, including harassing officers on duty and inciting a riot in their ward.
The couple was arrested in October last year after they delayed answering the door to police who came to their house looking for their son.
In their defence, U Peter and Daw Nu Nu Swe testified in court that the police had knocked on their door late at night with no warrant and had not been accompanied by local officials and so they had not let them in at first because they did not know who they were.
But the court found them to have acted illegally and handed down six-year prison terms to the couple.
Ko Sithu Maung was arrested on 9 October last year from a safehouse along with two other ABFSU leaders.
He is now in Insein prison awaiting trial.
U Myint Aye to be charged with misappropriating aid
Human rights activist U Myint Aye is to be charged with misappropriating relief funds despite the lack of evidence against him, according to a police officer who did not want to be named.
U Myint Aye, a prominent of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters network, was arrested on 8 August on the orders of the interior ministry but authorities could not find any incriminating evidence against him, the police officer told DVB.
The interior ministry reportedly issued a directive instructing officials to charge U Myint Aye with misappropriating funds intended for victims of Cyclone Nargis.
At the time of U Myint Aye’s arrest, authorities also seized receipts for donations to cyclone victims and a list of donors and the interior ministry ordered officials to interrogate the donors, the police officer said.
U Myint Aye, a prominent of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters network, was arrested on 8 August on the orders of the interior ministry but authorities could not find any incriminating evidence against him, the police officer told DVB.
The interior ministry reportedly issued a directive instructing officials to charge U Myint Aye with misappropriating funds intended for victims of Cyclone Nargis.
At the time of U Myint Aye’s arrest, authorities also seized receipts for donations to cyclone victims and a list of donors and the interior ministry ordered officials to interrogate the donors, the police officer said.
Monday, 18 August 2008
U.N. special envoy arrives in Myanmar, expected to meet with Suu Kyi+
The U.N. special adviser on Myanmar, Ibrahim Gambari, arrived in Yangon on Monday for a five-day visit to the military-ruled country in an effort to spur democratic change.
Gambari was welcomed upon arrival at the airport by Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister Kyaw Thu and was scheduled to meet with Yangon-based diplomats later in the day.
This is Gambari's fourth visit to Myanmar since the junta's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests in September last year, which sparked a global outcry.
During his visit, the special envoy is expected to meet again with detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as he was allowed to in his previous missions.
Suu Kyi has been detained for more than 12 of the past 18 years.
Gambari was initially expected to visit Myanmar in May but the trip was postponed after Cyclone Nargis caused widespread devastation in the country that month.
Gambari was welcomed upon arrival at the airport by Myanmar Deputy Foreign Minister Kyaw Thu and was scheduled to meet with Yangon-based diplomats later in the day.
This is Gambari's fourth visit to Myanmar since the junta's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests in September last year, which sparked a global outcry.
During his visit, the special envoy is expected to meet again with detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as he was allowed to in his previous missions.
Suu Kyi has been detained for more than 12 of the past 18 years.
Gambari was initially expected to visit Myanmar in May but the trip was postponed after Cyclone Nargis caused widespread devastation in the country that month.
Monday 18th August, 2008
A team of archaeologists has unearthed ancient artifacts from the Bronze Age and the Iron Age in Myanmar.
Found in Thazi township in the central Mandalay division by the Archaeological, Natural Museum and Libraries Department under the Ministry of Culture, the artifacts provide an evidence of transition from Bronze culture to Iron culture in Myanmar.
Foreign archaeologists once considered that in the early history, Myanmar was transferred from Stone Age into the Iron Age without flourishing of Bronze culture.
According to state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar, the thesis was proved wrong when many artifacts were excavated in such regions as Nyaungkan, Myin-U Hle, Hnawkan and Kukkokha that provided evidences of bronze culture in the country, and that was supported by the artifacts found in Kanthitgon village.
Archaeological research was carried out in eight different places simultaneously and among the ancient objects found in Kanthitgon village were nine complete bodies along with some incomplete sets of bodies of all ages, child, middle age and old age.
The bodies were buried together with bronze and iron weapons.
The artifacts of the Bronze Age found in the village also included bronze arrow heads, spears, wire bundles, cups, floral works, stone beads, bone beads, different sizes of pots and plates and iron spears.
Found in Thazi township in the central Mandalay division by the Archaeological, Natural Museum and Libraries Department under the Ministry of Culture, the artifacts provide an evidence of transition from Bronze culture to Iron culture in Myanmar.
Foreign archaeologists once considered that in the early history, Myanmar was transferred from Stone Age into the Iron Age without flourishing of Bronze culture.
According to state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar, the thesis was proved wrong when many artifacts were excavated in such regions as Nyaungkan, Myin-U Hle, Hnawkan and Kukkokha that provided evidences of bronze culture in the country, and that was supported by the artifacts found in Kanthitgon village.
Archaeological research was carried out in eight different places simultaneously and among the ancient objects found in Kanthitgon village were nine complete bodies along with some incomplete sets of bodies of all ages, child, middle age and old age.
The bodies were buried together with bronze and iron weapons.
The artifacts of the Bronze Age found in the village also included bronze arrow heads, spears, wire bundles, cups, floral works, stone beads, bone beads, different sizes of pots and plates and iron spears.
20 Years since 1988 – Japanese Policy Betrays the Burmese People
20 Years since 1988 – Japanese Policy Betrays the Burmese People
By Benedict Rogers
Twenty years ago on August 8, 1988, thousands of Burmese pro-democracy demonstrators were slaughtered by their country’s military regime in a massacre known as “8888”. Since then, Burma ’s illegal junta has intensified its grip on power, and continued its crimes against humanity. In doing so, it has been assisted by the Japanese government. August 8, 2008 was also the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing . China has been the major ally of Burma ’s military regime, providing arms, investment and diplomatic cover. As Japanese people tune in to watch the Games, they should ponder the question: is it not time their government reconsidered its policy toward the Burmese regime, and put pressure on China to stop protecting these thugs?
Since 1988 Burma ’s political and humanitarian crisis has only got worse. Over 2,000 political prisoners are in jail, subjected to daily torture. Burma ’s democracy leader, Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, remains under house arrest. The Burmese army has the highest proportion of forcibly conscripted child soldiers in the world. Since 1996, over 3,200 villages in eastern Burma have been destroyed by the military in a campaign of ethnic cleansing that targets civilians. Rape is deployed as a weapon of war, forced labour is widespread and people are used as human minesweepers. Over a million people are internally displaced, on the run in the jungle without food, medicine or shelter. Millions more have fled across Burma ’s borders into exile.
In 1990, Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) overwhelmingly won elections, but has never been permitted to take up its rightful place in government. Instead, many elected representatives from the pro-democracy movement have been jailed or exiled. Last September, in a repeat of the massacre 20 years ago, Buddhist monks courageously led peaceful protests – and were once again gunned down. Japanese photo-journalist Kenji Nagai was among those killed.
Cyclone Nargis struck Burma in May this year and caused great destruction. Prior to the cyclone, the regime received over 40 warnings from Indian meteorologists, but failed to notify residents in the Irrawaddy Delta. As the scale of the devastation became clear, the international community rushed to offer assistance, but the regime had the audacity to refuse offers of international aid. It eventually relented, but imposed heavy restrictions. Since then the military rulers obstructed and diverted aid for their own purposes, and now stand accused of stealing millions of dollars from UN aid money through foreign exchange mechanisms. Over 2.5 million people are still homeless, a million people have received no help, and the death toll exceeds 130,000. In the face of such criminal negligence, Japan has said nothing.
Despite the devastation caused by the cyclone, the junta went ahead with its sham referendum on a new constitution, declaring a 99% turnout and claiming that 92.4% voted for the constitution. What did Japan do? Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hitoshi Kimura, said that the fact that Japanese embassy staff were able to observe the poll, albeit in just a few polling stations, “made it a good opportunity from the point of view of improvement of transparency.”
It is difficult to imagine a more absurd position. The referendum law made it illegal to campaign against the constitution or even criticize it. Opponents were subject to a jail sentence of at least three years. Moreover, Buddhist monks and nuns, numbering 500,000, were denied the vote, as were religious leaders from other faiths. Millions in the conflict areas, 700,000 Muslim Rohingyas, and millions of refugees in exile were excluded. Further, the junta rejected international monitors. There are widespread reports of vote rigging, harassment, intimidation and bribery. Most people who voted yes did so not out of belief but from fear. Ballot papers were easily identifiable – so the regime could scrutinise how people had voted, and punish those who voted no. In some areas, the army and local officials cast votes on behalf of people. To hold a referendum days after a cyclone was not just callous, it was a blatant sign that the junta had no intention of holding a free vote. Yet still, Japan stayed silent.
An official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) told me earlier this year that Japan ’s priority is to preserve its relations with the junta in Burma . Such a policy is not sustainable. Japan ’s policy on Burma is not just a betrayal of the Burmese people, but of the liberal democratic values on which modern Japan is built.
It is time for Japan to turn up the heat on the junta and end its deafening silence. The constitution, which enshrines military rule and lacks legitimacy, should be rejected. Japan should support efforts through the UN to impose meaningful benchmarks for progress in democratic reform and a universal arms embargo. In addition, with Tokyo being Asia’s financial center, Japan should consider introducing financial sanctions targeting the assets and transactions of the generals. Japan could also support bringing a case to the International Criminal Court, charging the generals with crimes against humanity. The Japanese people must urge their government to awaken its moral senses.
Benedict Rogers is a writer and human rights activist and has made over 20 visits to Burma and its borderlands. He works for the human rights organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide, and is Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission in the UK . He is the author of A Land Without Evil: Stopping the Genocide of Burma’s Karen People (2004, Monarch Books) and a new report recently launched in Japanese, Carrying the Cross: The military regime’s campaign of restriction, discrimination and persecution against Christians in Burma .
By Benedict Rogers
Twenty years ago on August 8, 1988, thousands of Burmese pro-democracy demonstrators were slaughtered by their country’s military regime in a massacre known as “8888”. Since then, Burma ’s illegal junta has intensified its grip on power, and continued its crimes against humanity. In doing so, it has been assisted by the Japanese government. August 8, 2008 was also the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing . China has been the major ally of Burma ’s military regime, providing arms, investment and diplomatic cover. As Japanese people tune in to watch the Games, they should ponder the question: is it not time their government reconsidered its policy toward the Burmese regime, and put pressure on China to stop protecting these thugs?
Since 1988 Burma ’s political and humanitarian crisis has only got worse. Over 2,000 political prisoners are in jail, subjected to daily torture. Burma ’s democracy leader, Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, remains under house arrest. The Burmese army has the highest proportion of forcibly conscripted child soldiers in the world. Since 1996, over 3,200 villages in eastern Burma have been destroyed by the military in a campaign of ethnic cleansing that targets civilians. Rape is deployed as a weapon of war, forced labour is widespread and people are used as human minesweepers. Over a million people are internally displaced, on the run in the jungle without food, medicine or shelter. Millions more have fled across Burma ’s borders into exile.
In 1990, Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) overwhelmingly won elections, but has never been permitted to take up its rightful place in government. Instead, many elected representatives from the pro-democracy movement have been jailed or exiled. Last September, in a repeat of the massacre 20 years ago, Buddhist monks courageously led peaceful protests – and were once again gunned down. Japanese photo-journalist Kenji Nagai was among those killed.
Cyclone Nargis struck Burma in May this year and caused great destruction. Prior to the cyclone, the regime received over 40 warnings from Indian meteorologists, but failed to notify residents in the Irrawaddy Delta. As the scale of the devastation became clear, the international community rushed to offer assistance, but the regime had the audacity to refuse offers of international aid. It eventually relented, but imposed heavy restrictions. Since then the military rulers obstructed and diverted aid for their own purposes, and now stand accused of stealing millions of dollars from UN aid money through foreign exchange mechanisms. Over 2.5 million people are still homeless, a million people have received no help, and the death toll exceeds 130,000. In the face of such criminal negligence, Japan has said nothing.
Despite the devastation caused by the cyclone, the junta went ahead with its sham referendum on a new constitution, declaring a 99% turnout and claiming that 92.4% voted for the constitution. What did Japan do? Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hitoshi Kimura, said that the fact that Japanese embassy staff were able to observe the poll, albeit in just a few polling stations, “made it a good opportunity from the point of view of improvement of transparency.”
It is difficult to imagine a more absurd position. The referendum law made it illegal to campaign against the constitution or even criticize it. Opponents were subject to a jail sentence of at least three years. Moreover, Buddhist monks and nuns, numbering 500,000, were denied the vote, as were religious leaders from other faiths. Millions in the conflict areas, 700,000 Muslim Rohingyas, and millions of refugees in exile were excluded. Further, the junta rejected international monitors. There are widespread reports of vote rigging, harassment, intimidation and bribery. Most people who voted yes did so not out of belief but from fear. Ballot papers were easily identifiable – so the regime could scrutinise how people had voted, and punish those who voted no. In some areas, the army and local officials cast votes on behalf of people. To hold a referendum days after a cyclone was not just callous, it was a blatant sign that the junta had no intention of holding a free vote. Yet still, Japan stayed silent.
An official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) told me earlier this year that Japan ’s priority is to preserve its relations with the junta in Burma . Such a policy is not sustainable. Japan ’s policy on Burma is not just a betrayal of the Burmese people, but of the liberal democratic values on which modern Japan is built.
It is time for Japan to turn up the heat on the junta and end its deafening silence. The constitution, which enshrines military rule and lacks legitimacy, should be rejected. Japan should support efforts through the UN to impose meaningful benchmarks for progress in democratic reform and a universal arms embargo. In addition, with Tokyo being Asia’s financial center, Japan should consider introducing financial sanctions targeting the assets and transactions of the generals. Japan could also support bringing a case to the International Criminal Court, charging the generals with crimes against humanity. The Japanese people must urge their government to awaken its moral senses.
Benedict Rogers is a writer and human rights activist and has made over 20 visits to Burma and its borderlands. He works for the human rights organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide, and is Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission in the UK . He is the author of A Land Without Evil: Stopping the Genocide of Burma’s Karen People (2004, Monarch Books) and a new report recently launched in Japanese, Carrying the Cross: The military regime’s campaign of restriction, discrimination and persecution against Christians in Burma .
Tuesday, 12 August 2008
Two NLD representatives arrested
Two 1990 elected members of parliament from the National League for Democracy were arrested at their houses in the early hours of this morning, according to NLD spokesperson U Nyan Win.
Nyan Win said the two were taken in by special branch police at around 2am.
"Two of our MPs, U Nyi Pu and Dr Tin Min Htut, were arrested from the houses where they were staying in Rangoon by the special police at around 2am last night," said U Nyan Win.
U Nyi Pu is people's parliament representative in Gwa township in Arakan state while Dr Tin Min Htut is an elected representative in Irrawaddy division's Pantanaw township.
Both men were among the signatories of a letter sent to United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon at the end of July, in which they declared their opposition to the 2010 elections and expressed concern about the UN stance on Burma.
The letter was signed by five 1990 elected representatives and questioned the UN’s change from its original aim of bringing about national dialogue to its current urging of all groups to join the government’s road map to democracy.
Nyan Win said the two were taken in by special branch police at around 2am.
"Two of our MPs, U Nyi Pu and Dr Tin Min Htut, were arrested from the houses where they were staying in Rangoon by the special police at around 2am last night," said U Nyan Win.
U Nyi Pu is people's parliament representative in Gwa township in Arakan state while Dr Tin Min Htut is an elected representative in Irrawaddy division's Pantanaw township.
Both men were among the signatories of a letter sent to United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon at the end of July, in which they declared their opposition to the 2010 elections and expressed concern about the UN stance on Burma.
The letter was signed by five 1990 elected representatives and questioned the UN’s change from its original aim of bringing about national dialogue to its current urging of all groups to join the government’s road map to democracy.
Monday, 11 August 2008
Rights activist U Myint Aye arrested
U Myint Aye, a prominent member of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters network, was arrested at his house in Kyi Myint Taing township on 8 August, according to his family.
U Myint Aye's wife Ma Leh Leh said township police chief U Myat Linn and divisional investigation police deputy chief U Kyaw Htin, accompanied by ward authorities, arrived at the house at around 4pm on Friday, the 20th anniversary of the 1988 national uprising in Burma.
U Myint Aye's wife Ma Leh Leh said township police chief U Myat Linn and divisional investigation police deputy chief U Kyaw Htin, accompanied by ward authorities, arrived at the house at around 4pm on Friday, the 20th anniversary of the 1988 national uprising in Burma.
Authorities arrest rights activist and ABFSU members
Three All Burma Federation of Student Union members and a member of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters network have been arrested by Burmese government officials.
At least three ABFSU members, including one of the group's leaders Ko Than Naing, who had been in hiding from government arrest, were arrested by authorities last night, according to a member of the group.
HRDP member U Myo Myint from Kyi Myint Taing township was arrested in the early hours of 7 August at his home, U Myint Aye of HRDP told DVB.
“He lives in a village across the river from the main Kyi Myint Taing township in Rangoon and he was arrested at his house at 1am,” Myint Aye said.
“He was taken from his home by the authorities who also seized his camera and three CDs. We still don’t know where he is being held and his family hasn’t heard anything about him either,” he said.
“Our group’s work is nothing provocative; if [the authorities say] something has happened then I can find a way to explain it.”
Myint Aye said that another HRDP member, Ko Tin Maung Oo from Bahan township, who is being held in Insein prison, has still not been allowed a family visit since his arrest in June.
“Ko Tin Maung Oo, a Bahan township resident, was arrested by authorities on 11 June 2008 and his family has only been able to send him food but not to visit him,” Myint Aye said.
Myint Aye added that none of his belongings that he was carrying at the time of his arrest, which included a wristwatch, necklace, three rings, a mobile phone and a camera, had been returned to his family.
At least three ABFSU members, including one of the group's leaders Ko Than Naing, who had been in hiding from government arrest, were arrested by authorities last night, according to a member of the group.
HRDP member U Myo Myint from Kyi Myint Taing township was arrested in the early hours of 7 August at his home, U Myint Aye of HRDP told DVB.
“He lives in a village across the river from the main Kyi Myint Taing township in Rangoon and he was arrested at his house at 1am,” Myint Aye said.
“He was taken from his home by the authorities who also seized his camera and three CDs. We still don’t know where he is being held and his family hasn’t heard anything about him either,” he said.
“Our group’s work is nothing provocative; if [the authorities say] something has happened then I can find a way to explain it.”
Myint Aye said that another HRDP member, Ko Tin Maung Oo from Bahan township, who is being held in Insein prison, has still not been allowed a family visit since his arrest in June.
“Ko Tin Maung Oo, a Bahan township resident, was arrested by authorities on 11 June 2008 and his family has only been able to send him food but not to visit him,” Myint Aye said.
Myint Aye added that none of his belongings that he was carrying at the time of his arrest, which included a wristwatch, necklace, three rings, a mobile phone and a camera, had been returned to his family.
Security forces target Sittwe monasteries
Government authorities beefed up security in Sittwe in Arakan state on Saturday after rumours emerged that monks were planning to stage a protest, according to a local resident.
Troops were deployed around the town and some went into monastery compounds to search the premises, the resident said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
It is not yet known which monasteries were targeted, but soldiers were seen in the town until 9pm on Saturday.
Troops were deployed around the town and some went into monastery compounds to search the premises, the resident said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
It is not yet known which monasteries were targeted, but soldiers were seen in the town until 9pm on Saturday.
Saturday, 9 August 2008
Monday, 4 August 2008
UN Human Rights Rapporteur started tour in Rangoon
Burma Tomas Ojea Quintana has met with senior monks and representatives of government-sponsored women organization in Rangoon.
On his first visit to the country, Mr Quintana is expected to visit Napyidaw, new capital of Burma, to meet with government officials and also planned to visit cyclone hit areas in the Irrawaddy delta.
It is still not very clear if he will be meeting with the leaders of the opposition party, the National League for Democracy.
Meanwhile the NLD party released a statement for the lack of opportunity for them to appeal the decision to extend house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
On his first visit to the country, Mr Quintana is expected to visit Napyidaw, new capital of Burma, to meet with government officials and also planned to visit cyclone hit areas in the Irrawaddy delta.
It is still not very clear if he will be meeting with the leaders of the opposition party, the National League for Democracy.
Meanwhile the NLD party released a statement for the lack of opportunity for them to appeal the decision to extend house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
Saturday, 2 August 2008
ABFSU slams abuse of ten Muslim students
The All Burma Federation of Student Unions has criticised the treatment of ten Muslim student activists who have been sent to hard labour camps for their participation in demonstrations in September 2007.
The ten activists were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by Kyauktada township court this month and sent to remote prison camps in shackles, the organisation said.
In a statement released on 28 July, ABFSU called on the Burmese regime to respect the rights of students and prison inmates, and urged student and human rights groups and the international community to lobby for their protection.
ABFSU spokesperson Myo Tayza said the harsh conditions in prison work camps, where inmates are subjected to hard labour, poor conditions and no proper medical care, had led to the deaths of many prisoners, including 19 monks.
“They throw various charges at us, then send us to these prison work camps, where there is nothing but physical and mental suffering, and there is little hope that anyone can recover from these things,” Myo Tayza said.
“They are not only giving us punishment under the law, they are also torturing us personally.”
ABFSU accused the junta of deliberately causing mental and physical harm to its opponents and seeking to lower the morale of democracy and human rights activists.
“They are committing these abuses on to make an example of the students to discourage future activists,” Myo Tayza said.
“This is an intentional and criminal act against these people.”
The ten activists were sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by Kyauktada township court this month and sent to remote prison camps in shackles, the organisation said.
In a statement released on 28 July, ABFSU called on the Burmese regime to respect the rights of students and prison inmates, and urged student and human rights groups and the international community to lobby for their protection.
ABFSU spokesperson Myo Tayza said the harsh conditions in prison work camps, where inmates are subjected to hard labour, poor conditions and no proper medical care, had led to the deaths of many prisoners, including 19 monks.
“They throw various charges at us, then send us to these prison work camps, where there is nothing but physical and mental suffering, and there is little hope that anyone can recover from these things,” Myo Tayza said.
“They are not only giving us punishment under the law, they are also torturing us personally.”
ABFSU accused the junta of deliberately causing mental and physical harm to its opponents and seeking to lower the morale of democracy and human rights activists.
“They are committing these abuses on to make an example of the students to discourage future activists,” Myo Tayza said.
“This is an intentional and criminal act against these people.”
Zarganar and Zaw Thet Htway appear in court
Prominent comedian and activist Zarganar and sports writer Zaw Thet Htway have appeared in court for the first time since they were arrested in June.
The two appeared before Western Rangoon provincial court in Insein prison and were charged with violating section 505(b) of the penal code for inciting offences against the state or causing public alarm.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment.
The next court hearing for the pair will be held on 7 August, according to family members of other political prisoners who were present at the hearing.
The two men’s families said they had not been informed of any court hearings.
Both Zarganar and Zaw Thet Htway were enthusiastically working to provide aid to cyclone victims before their arrests on 4 and 13 June respectively.
The two appeared before Western Rangoon provincial court in Insein prison and were charged with violating section 505(b) of the penal code for inciting offences against the state or causing public alarm.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of two years’ imprisonment.
The next court hearing for the pair will be held on 7 August, according to family members of other political prisoners who were present at the hearing.
The two men’s families said they had not been informed of any court hearings.
Both Zarganar and Zaw Thet Htway were enthusiastically working to provide aid to cyclone victims before their arrests on 4 and 13 June respectively.
US sanctions target gem industry
The United States government has strengthened sanctions against the Burmese regime, particularly targeting the gem-mining industry, a valuable source of income for the junta.
The US Treasury announced on Wednesday it was designating a further ten companies controlled by the Burmese government and its officials, including those involved in the gem-mining industry.
President Bush also signed the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act on the same day extending sanctions against Burmese regime leaders, their families, and those providing financial or political support to the regime, including the gem industry.
Adam J. Szubin of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said the measures were intended to further clamp down on the junta’s revenues.
“We are tightening financial sanctions against Burma’s repressive junta and the companies that finance it,” Szubin said.
“The regime’s refusal to protect and allow relief to reach the Burmese people as Cyclone Nargis devastated their country is but another example of the regime’s heartless neglect of its people.”
National League for Democracy information officer U Nyan Win said the US government’s continued strengthening of sanctions demonstrated the lack of political development in Burma.
"Firstly, I can see this is just the US continuing its existing sanctions on Burma, and this means there has been no progress achieved in Burma's political situation," Nyan Win said.
"Secondly, I would like to make it clear the NLD is not going to say whether renewing the sanctions on Burma should be encouraged or not – in fact this is a decision that can only be made by the relevant government," he said.
"We see sanctions as a way to push for changes. Some people are now saying the sanctions won't work but I think we should wait and see what the outcome will be."
Economist Khin Maung Nyo said that there had been little change in Burma so far as a result of the sanctions.
"It's all about politics – the real intention behind sanctions on a country is to push its government to change their habits,” Khin Maung Nyo said.
“But if you look at the situation, you can see the Burmese government has remained the same – without even any evidence to show that they were changing,” he said.
“But as for [the international community], these sanctions are what they usually do – they have no other choices and also this is the easiest action for them to take.”
Khin Maung Nyo was sceptical about how effective sanctions could be.
“They are only passing these sanctions to make themselves feel good, in a political way,” he said.
“It's easy to take this kind of action on a country like Burma but they couldn't do it to China."
The US Treasury announced on Wednesday it was designating a further ten companies controlled by the Burmese government and its officials, including those involved in the gem-mining industry.
President Bush also signed the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act on the same day extending sanctions against Burmese regime leaders, their families, and those providing financial or political support to the regime, including the gem industry.
Adam J. Szubin of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said the measures were intended to further clamp down on the junta’s revenues.
“We are tightening financial sanctions against Burma’s repressive junta and the companies that finance it,” Szubin said.
“The regime’s refusal to protect and allow relief to reach the Burmese people as Cyclone Nargis devastated their country is but another example of the regime’s heartless neglect of its people.”
National League for Democracy information officer U Nyan Win said the US government’s continued strengthening of sanctions demonstrated the lack of political development in Burma.
"Firstly, I can see this is just the US continuing its existing sanctions on Burma, and this means there has been no progress achieved in Burma's political situation," Nyan Win said.
"Secondly, I would like to make it clear the NLD is not going to say whether renewing the sanctions on Burma should be encouraged or not – in fact this is a decision that can only be made by the relevant government," he said.
"We see sanctions as a way to push for changes. Some people are now saying the sanctions won't work but I think we should wait and see what the outcome will be."
Economist Khin Maung Nyo said that there had been little change in Burma so far as a result of the sanctions.
"It's all about politics – the real intention behind sanctions on a country is to push its government to change their habits,” Khin Maung Nyo said.
“But if you look at the situation, you can see the Burmese government has remained the same – without even any evidence to show that they were changing,” he said.
“But as for [the international community], these sanctions are what they usually do – they have no other choices and also this is the easiest action for them to take.”
Khin Maung Nyo was sceptical about how effective sanctions could be.
“They are only passing these sanctions to make themselves feel good, in a political way,” he said.
“It's easy to take this kind of action on a country like Burma but they couldn't do it to China."
Thursday, 24 July 2008
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
HRW Urges Donors to Ensure Burma's Rulers Do Not Divert Cyclone Aid
Human Rights Watch is urging international donors to ensure that Burma's military rulers do not divert humanitarian aid intended for victims of Cyclone Nargis.
The U.S.-based rights group said Wednesday that aid efforts in Burma should be monitored by an independent body co-managed by donors and the United Nations. It says such a body would boost the transparency and accountability of the aid process.
The group says that since the cyclone struck in May, Burmese leaders have restricted travel by foreign aid workers and arrested some locals involved in relief efforts.
Human Rights Watch says international donors should pressure Burma to adhere to basic principles on the provision of aid.
World Health Organization official, Richard Garfield, who recently visited Burma has said that Burma's government is providing more help to cyclone victims than he previously thought.
Cyclone Nargis left almost 140,000 people dead or missing when it tore through Burma's Irrawaddy Delta region on May 3.
The United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations said Monday that Burma needs more than $1 billion in aid over the next three years to recover.
The U.S.-based rights group said Wednesday that aid efforts in Burma should be monitored by an independent body co-managed by donors and the United Nations. It says such a body would boost the transparency and accountability of the aid process.
The group says that since the cyclone struck in May, Burmese leaders have restricted travel by foreign aid workers and arrested some locals involved in relief efforts.
Human Rights Watch says international donors should pressure Burma to adhere to basic principles on the provision of aid.
World Health Organization official, Richard Garfield, who recently visited Burma has said that Burma's government is providing more help to cyclone victims than he previously thought.
Cyclone Nargis left almost 140,000 people dead or missing when it tore through Burma's Irrawaddy Delta region on May 3.
The United Nations and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations said Monday that Burma needs more than $1 billion in aid over the next three years to recover.
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Mandalay NLD member dies of heart attack
The National League for Democracy’s Mandalay division Organising Committee member U Aung Soe, 61, died of a heart attack on Tuesday morning.
U Aung Soe was a former political prisoner and used to provide security for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in her lakeside compound together with other NLD youth members.
U Myo Naing, another Organising Committee member told DVB that the death of U Aung Soe was not only a loss for the pro-democracy party but also for the democracy movement as a whole, and praised U Aung Soe’s loyalty to his party and bravery in carrying out his duties.
U Soe Naing had been constantly involved in politics since 1988. During the 1990 election in Burma, he led campaigns for his party in Mandalay.
In 1996, U Aung Soe was arrested and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for arranging a performance by the famous comedian Par Par Lay of the Moustache Brothers inside Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s compound. He was held in Myitkyinar prison in Kachin State from 1996 to 2001.
U Aung Soe was the driver for U Tin Oo, NLD’s vice chairperson, when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s entourage was attacked by junta-backed militias in Depayin township, Sagaing Division, in May 2003. He was arrested again in the incident.
U Aung Soe was detained for nine months following his second arrest and continued working for the Mandalay Organising Committee after his release until he passed away.
U Aung Soe was a former political prisoner and used to provide security for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in her lakeside compound together with other NLD youth members.
U Myo Naing, another Organising Committee member told DVB that the death of U Aung Soe was not only a loss for the pro-democracy party but also for the democracy movement as a whole, and praised U Aung Soe’s loyalty to his party and bravery in carrying out his duties.
U Soe Naing had been constantly involved in politics since 1988. During the 1990 election in Burma, he led campaigns for his party in Mandalay.
In 1996, U Aung Soe was arrested and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for arranging a performance by the famous comedian Par Par Lay of the Moustache Brothers inside Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s compound. He was held in Myitkyinar prison in Kachin State from 1996 to 2001.
U Aung Soe was the driver for U Tin Oo, NLD’s vice chairperson, when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s entourage was attacked by junta-backed militias in Depayin township, Sagaing Division, in May 2003. He was arrested again in the incident.
U Aung Soe was detained for nine months following his second arrest and continued working for the Mandalay Organising Committee after his release until he passed away.
Tuesday, 1 July 2008
Magazine editor fired over Depayin poem
Htay Aung, the poetry editor of the Rangoon-based Cherry monthly magazine, was fired for carrying a poem in the June issue which dissatisfied authorities.
Censors from the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division ordered Cherry to sack Htay Aung two weeks after the magazine was published.
“The censors were not pleased with one of the poems, so they wanted him out because he was responsible for Cherry’s poetry section,” an editor of the magazine told DVB.
Written by Kyi Maung Than, the poem that offended the authorities, ‘Depa Ringa’, is about the ancient town of Depayin in Sagaing Division where heroic warriors and figures in Burma’s history were born. It reveals that there were also traitors and the town experienced unforgettable incident in the past.
“The poem is about a town and what happened there, that’s all,” continued the editor.
“Well…as you know, readers can interpret the poem from whatever angle they want,” he said.
“The thing is that the problem came later, after it had been passed by the censors.”
Depayin was the scene of the 2003 attack on pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and a convoy of her supporters by regime-backed militias.
DVB was told that the writer of the offending poem had not been pressured and the magazine could continue to publish. However, Cherry had to submit a request letter to the censors to form a new editorial board.
In January this year, authorities arrested poet Saw Wai for criticizing junta leader senior general Than Shwe as ‘power crazy’ in a hidden message in his poem entitled ‘February the Fourteenth’ that appeared in the magazine Love Journal.
Censors from the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division ordered Cherry to sack Htay Aung two weeks after the magazine was published.
“The censors were not pleased with one of the poems, so they wanted him out because he was responsible for Cherry’s poetry section,” an editor of the magazine told DVB.
Written by Kyi Maung Than, the poem that offended the authorities, ‘Depa Ringa’, is about the ancient town of Depayin in Sagaing Division where heroic warriors and figures in Burma’s history were born. It reveals that there were also traitors and the town experienced unforgettable incident in the past.
“The poem is about a town and what happened there, that’s all,” continued the editor.
“Well…as you know, readers can interpret the poem from whatever angle they want,” he said.
“The thing is that the problem came later, after it had been passed by the censors.”
Depayin was the scene of the 2003 attack on pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and a convoy of her supporters by regime-backed militias.
DVB was told that the writer of the offending poem had not been pressured and the magazine could continue to publish. However, Cherry had to submit a request letter to the censors to form a new editorial board.
In January this year, authorities arrested poet Saw Wai for criticizing junta leader senior general Than Shwe as ‘power crazy’ in a hidden message in his poem entitled ‘February the Fourteenth’ that appeared in the magazine Love Journal.
Saturday, 28 June 2008
Kyauk Tan villagers forced to work for aid
Residents of Meepya village in Kyauk Tan township, Rangoon, have been forced to work on a reconstruction project in order to receive aid materials given by private donors.
The villagers were told they would not receive the supplies unless they contributed labour to rebuild a dam that was damaged in the cyclone.
About 500 households in Meepya village, which is located on an estuary, were damaged in the cyclone, leaving many people homeless.
The village received assistance from private donors, but village Peace and Development Council chairperson U Aye Kyaw Myint and other members of the council seized the items and forced villagers to work on the dam on 26 May in return for aid.
Villagers were angered by the demands, particularly as the PDC had already collected around 4.5 million kyat from local businesses and residents for the reconstruction of the dam but were not putting the funds to their designated use.
The villagers were told they would not receive the supplies unless they contributed labour to rebuild a dam that was damaged in the cyclone.
About 500 households in Meepya village, which is located on an estuary, were damaged in the cyclone, leaving many people homeless.
The village received assistance from private donors, but village Peace and Development Council chairperson U Aye Kyaw Myint and other members of the council seized the items and forced villagers to work on the dam on 26 May in return for aid.
Villagers were angered by the demands, particularly as the PDC had already collected around 4.5 million kyat from local businesses and residents for the reconstruction of the dam but were not putting the funds to their designated use.
Labourers forced to work on seized cyclone lands
Jun 24, 2008 (DVB)–Government authorities have forced unemployed people across Burma to work for low pay cultivating farmlands seized from cyclone victims in the Irrawaddy delta, according to locals.
A resident of Bogalay told DVB daily paid labourers from Mandalay had been brought to the township in military trucks in recent days by people wearing Union Solidarity and Development Association clothing to work on farmlands seized by the authorities after their owners were killed during the cyclone in May.
"Apparently the labourers were told they were to give assistance to farmers in devastated areas," said the Bogalay resident.
"The people are from Mandalay – the authorities demanded one person from each household in their neighbourhood."
He said government authorities had claimed ownership of farmlands left without owners after the cyclone but they have also been seizing land belonging to farmers who survived the cyclone.
"They were also seizing plots owned by farmers who are still alive, which are located in between the ownerless lands," he said.
He added that more labourers had been brought into the area from Rangoon's Hlaing Tharyar township with a promise of 10,000 kyat for a day's work, but they were only given 1000 kyat a day after starting work on the Bogalay farms.
"Between 400 and 500 labourers were seen this morning at the port area – they said they had to sign agreement letters with the authorities and they couldn’t leave until they finished all the work," he said.
"They want to go back to their homes now but they have no money to travel and they don't get proper meals either – some even had their ID cards taken away by the officials."
A resident of Hlaing Tharyar township said the local USDA had been persuading people in the township to go and work in the Irrawaddy delta.
"A female USDA member in ward 14 told people here the labourers would be paid 10,000 kyat a day for cleaning out shrimp breeding tanks in the Irrawaddy delta," the resident said.
"Of the first group of about 100 people who went to work there, 90 people have already come back here as they couldn't stand the rotting smell and the presence of the spirits of lost souls."
A resident of Bogalay told DVB daily paid labourers from Mandalay had been brought to the township in military trucks in recent days by people wearing Union Solidarity and Development Association clothing to work on farmlands seized by the authorities after their owners were killed during the cyclone in May.
"Apparently the labourers were told they were to give assistance to farmers in devastated areas," said the Bogalay resident.
"The people are from Mandalay – the authorities demanded one person from each household in their neighbourhood."
He said government authorities had claimed ownership of farmlands left without owners after the cyclone but they have also been seizing land belonging to farmers who survived the cyclone.
"They were also seizing plots owned by farmers who are still alive, which are located in between the ownerless lands," he said.
He added that more labourers had been brought into the area from Rangoon's Hlaing Tharyar township with a promise of 10,000 kyat for a day's work, but they were only given 1000 kyat a day after starting work on the Bogalay farms.
"Between 400 and 500 labourers were seen this morning at the port area – they said they had to sign agreement letters with the authorities and they couldn’t leave until they finished all the work," he said.
"They want to go back to their homes now but they have no money to travel and they don't get proper meals either – some even had their ID cards taken away by the officials."
A resident of Hlaing Tharyar township said the local USDA had been persuading people in the township to go and work in the Irrawaddy delta.
"A female USDA member in ward 14 told people here the labourers would be paid 10,000 kyat a day for cleaning out shrimp breeding tanks in the Irrawaddy delta," the resident said.
"Of the first group of about 100 people who went to work there, 90 people have already come back here as they couldn't stand the rotting smell and the presence of the spirits of lost souls."
Saturday, 21 June 2008
Statement of Senator Barack Obama on the 63rd Birthday of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the 63rd birthday of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma:
"The 63rd birthday today of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma offers an opportunity to remind the world community of the continuing tragedy in her country and the responsibility we have to press for change there.
"This year marks the 20th anniversary of Burma's 1988 democracy movement and of Daw Suu's emergence as its inspirational leader. She has sacrificed family and ultimately her freedom to remain true to her people and the cause of liberty. And she has done so using the tools of nonviolent resistance in the great tradition of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King, earning the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize.
"Since her last birthday, the world has watched in horror as Burma's ruling junta first crushed the "Saffron Revolution," gunning down and rounding up Buddhist monks and other Burmese citizens peacefully demonstrating for political reform and social justice, and then, last month, resisted and impeded international provision of critical assistance to millions of Burma's people in the aftermath of cyclone Nargis. Tens of thousands died from the immediate impact of the cyclone itself, and at least 2.4 million people, 40 percent of them children, remain homeless and in desperate need of assistance.
"For decades, the junta has overseen the continued deterioration of living standards, basic human rights, and general well-being of the Burmese people. Two million refugees, thousands of political prisoners in Burma's jails, and the retreat of the junta's leaders themselves to an Orwellian capital cut off from its people are further testament to the alienation and devastation that Burma's current leaders have brought upon their nation.
"This situation offends the conscience of the American people, as it does for millions of others around the world. 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.
"Aung San Suu Kyi will spend her birthday the way she has spent 13 of the past 19 birthdays, under house arrest. Nonetheless, she continues to serve as a consistent manifestation of hope even as hope has been on the retreat in Burma. As we honor Daw Suu today, we must do so the way she would want it done: by honoring the people of Burma, and keeping faith with them in their struggle for freedom, justice, and democracy."
"The 63rd birthday today of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma offers an opportunity to remind the world community of the continuing tragedy in her country and the responsibility we have to press for change there.
"This year marks the 20th anniversary of Burma's 1988 democracy movement and of Daw Suu's emergence as its inspirational leader. She has sacrificed family and ultimately her freedom to remain true to her people and the cause of liberty. And she has done so using the tools of nonviolent resistance in the great tradition of Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and Martin Luther King, earning the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize.
"Since her last birthday, the world has watched in horror as Burma's ruling junta first crushed the "Saffron Revolution," gunning down and rounding up Buddhist monks and other Burmese citizens peacefully demonstrating for political reform and social justice, and then, last month, resisted and impeded international provision of critical assistance to millions of Burma's people in the aftermath of cyclone Nargis. Tens of thousands died from the immediate impact of the cyclone itself, and at least 2.4 million people, 40 percent of them children, remain homeless and in desperate need of assistance.
"For decades, the junta has overseen the continued deterioration of living standards, basic human rights, and general well-being of the Burmese people. Two million refugees, thousands of political prisoners in Burma's jails, and the retreat of the junta's leaders themselves to an Orwellian capital cut off from its people are further testament to the alienation and devastation that Burma's current leaders have brought upon their nation.
"This situation offends the conscience of the American people, as it does for millions of others around the world. 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.
"Aung San Suu Kyi will spend her birthday the way she has spent 13 of the past 19 birthdays, under house arrest. Nonetheless, she continues to serve as a consistent manifestation of hope even as hope has been on the retreat in Burma. As we honor Daw Suu today, we must do so the way she would want it done: by honoring the people of Burma, and keeping faith with them in their struggle for freedom, justice, and democracy."
Brown, Sarkozy Call for Immediate Release of Suu Kyi
Britain and France demanded Thursday that Burma's regime release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, as she marked her 63rd birthday under house arrest.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that her release is essential.
Suu Kyi has spent more than 12 of the last 18 years under detention, since her party swept national elections in 1990. Military rulers refused to honor the results.
"You have sacrificed your freedom for the freedom of others. You have shown exceptional courage and dedication to your people. Your release from house arrest and your freedom to participate in Burma's political future remain essential," the leaders said in a joint letter to Suu Kyi.
Brown and Sarkozy met in Paris on Thursday, before a European Union summit in Brussels, Belgium.
In their letter, Brown and Sarkozy also deplored Burma's response to the May 2-3 Cyclone, Nargis, which Burma's ruling junta says killed more than 78,000 people and left another 56,000 people missing.
The men said it was regrettable that Burmese people "already deprived of basic human freedoms and economic opportunities, have fallen victim to such a major natural disaster."
Their letter rebuked the military regime in Burma for failing to take up sufficient offers of aid.
Sarkozy and Brown criticized the junta's decision to hold a referendum on a new constitution in the aftermath of the cyclone.
The constitution, which gives the military broad powers, was overwhelmingly approved in the national referendum held on May 10, about a week after the cyclone.
"We believe the recent referendum lacks credibility as a genuine reflection of the people's will and the new constitution cannot provide a sound basis for Burma's future political development," the European leaders said.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that her release is essential.
Suu Kyi has spent more than 12 of the last 18 years under detention, since her party swept national elections in 1990. Military rulers refused to honor the results.
"You have sacrificed your freedom for the freedom of others. You have shown exceptional courage and dedication to your people. Your release from house arrest and your freedom to participate in Burma's political future remain essential," the leaders said in a joint letter to Suu Kyi.
Brown and Sarkozy met in Paris on Thursday, before a European Union summit in Brussels, Belgium.
In their letter, Brown and Sarkozy also deplored Burma's response to the May 2-3 Cyclone, Nargis, which Burma's ruling junta says killed more than 78,000 people and left another 56,000 people missing.
The men said it was regrettable that Burmese people "already deprived of basic human freedoms and economic opportunities, have fallen victim to such a major natural disaster."
Their letter rebuked the military regime in Burma for failing to take up sufficient offers of aid.
Sarkozy and Brown criticized the junta's decision to hold a referendum on a new constitution in the aftermath of the cyclone.
The constitution, which gives the military broad powers, was overwhelmingly approved in the national referendum held on May 10, about a week after the cyclone.
"We believe the recent referendum lacks credibility as a genuine reflection of the people's will and the new constitution cannot provide a sound basis for Burma's future political development," the European leaders said.
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
Diesel fuel needed to restart farming
A senior United Nations official has said that Burma needs one million gallons of diesel fuel to restart rice production in the cyclone-affected Irrawaddy delta.
Noeleen Heyzer, executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, called on the international community to donate one million gallons of diesel fuel that the regime says is needed to operate mechanical tillers donated by other countries.
“The window of opportunity is very short, and the need is of the utmost urgency,” Heyzer said.
“The planting season in the Delta is June to July after which it will be too late, with disastrous consequences for food security in Myanmar and the region.”
U Min Swe, the 1990 elected people's parliament representative in Phyar Pon township, said local farmers are suffering shortages of diesel fuel and farming vehicles.
"So far I haven't heard anything about the solution from the government about fuel – but a number of tractors have arrived into the region," said Min Swe.
"But we are hearing complaints about the authorities asking from 200,000 to 500,000 kyat from the farmers for each tractor."
"They are only providing one tractor for every 10 farmers – this is not going to work."
A private donor who recently went to the Irrawaddy delta said farmers from Sein Yati, Htaw Pai, Thabyay Chaung and Taung Yar Chaung villages some distance from Bogalay were facing difficulties restarting production after losing all their equipment and cattle in the cyclone.
"Farmers in Seint Kyun, Kat Tha Yaung and Kat Tha Myin villages have also appealed for donations of farming equipment as well as crop seeds," the donor said.
"They were asking sympathetic people to donate rice grain, but that is now priced at 700,000 kyat for 100 tin which is a lot for donors to afford."
Noeleen Heyzer, executive secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, called on the international community to donate one million gallons of diesel fuel that the regime says is needed to operate mechanical tillers donated by other countries.
“The window of opportunity is very short, and the need is of the utmost urgency,” Heyzer said.
“The planting season in the Delta is June to July after which it will be too late, with disastrous consequences for food security in Myanmar and the region.”
U Min Swe, the 1990 elected people's parliament representative in Phyar Pon township, said local farmers are suffering shortages of diesel fuel and farming vehicles.
"So far I haven't heard anything about the solution from the government about fuel – but a number of tractors have arrived into the region," said Min Swe.
"But we are hearing complaints about the authorities asking from 200,000 to 500,000 kyat from the farmers for each tractor."
"They are only providing one tractor for every 10 farmers – this is not going to work."
A private donor who recently went to the Irrawaddy delta said farmers from Sein Yati, Htaw Pai, Thabyay Chaung and Taung Yar Chaung villages some distance from Bogalay were facing difficulties restarting production after losing all their equipment and cattle in the cyclone.
"Farmers in Seint Kyun, Kat Tha Yaung and Kat Tha Myin villages have also appealed for donations of farming equipment as well as crop seeds," the donor said.
"They were asking sympathetic people to donate rice grain, but that is now priced at 700,000 kyat for 100 tin which is a lot for donors to afford."
Phyar Pon cyclone victims fear food shortage
Cyclone survivors in Phyar Pon township in the Irrawaddy Delta will run out of food in a month if they don’t receive sufficient supplies from the authorities, according to a National League for Democracy member.
NLD MP-elect U Min Swe, who has been working on relief efforts, came back from the area on Friday.
“Their food situation will be desperate in a month, especially for those who live in remote villages, if the state doesn’t provide them with enough food because the amount of private donations has noticeably decreased these days,” said U Min Swe.
The MP-elect told DVB that dried food for victims was stockpiled at local military units but soldiers did not distribute it among refugees in time and eventually the food was thrown away because it had gone rotten.
“It was sad to learn that donated onions and potatoes stored at Pakhan monastery, where the local military unit was based, were dumped into a stream as they had rotted,” the MP said.
“I was informed that the soldiers didn’t distribute food to refugees because they were not given orders to do so.”
DVB has learned that cyclone victims in Phyar Pon have so far survived on aid distributions from other townships and from private donors.
“The authorities haven’t provided people there with enough food supplies,” U Min Swe said.
“They are more or less dependent on private donors. Now there are getting to be fewer donors every day, which means those in desperate needs are getting less food.”
NLD MP-elect U Min Swe, who has been working on relief efforts, came back from the area on Friday.
“Their food situation will be desperate in a month, especially for those who live in remote villages, if the state doesn’t provide them with enough food because the amount of private donations has noticeably decreased these days,” said U Min Swe.
The MP-elect told DVB that dried food for victims was stockpiled at local military units but soldiers did not distribute it among refugees in time and eventually the food was thrown away because it had gone rotten.
“It was sad to learn that donated onions and potatoes stored at Pakhan monastery, where the local military unit was based, were dumped into a stream as they had rotted,” the MP said.
“I was informed that the soldiers didn’t distribute food to refugees because they were not given orders to do so.”
DVB has learned that cyclone victims in Phyar Pon have so far survived on aid distributions from other townships and from private donors.
“The authorities haven’t provided people there with enough food supplies,” U Min Swe said.
“They are more or less dependent on private donors. Now there are getting to be fewer donors every day, which means those in desperate needs are getting less food.”
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Monday, 9 June 2008
Group slams environmental impact of dam projects
The Burma Rivers Network has urged foreign companies to reconsider their investments in dam and gas projects in Burma due to the devastating impact on the local environment.
In a statement released to mark World Environment Day yesterday, the group called on companies involved in dam building and extraction of natural gas in Burma to withdraw their investments.
The secretary of the Burma Rivers Network, U Aung Nge, said steps needed to be taken to protect against deforestation and air pollution in Burma.
“There are about 25 massive dams in Burma built by Chinese and Thai state companies and there has been large-scale deforestation around the dam sites,” Aung Nge said.
“Eighteen percent of Burma’s forests have been wiped out, and that’s higher than anywhere in the world.”
Aung Nge said that companies investing the dam building and natural gas projects in Burma needed to be aware of their impact on the local population.
“It is the Burmese people who are going to have to suffer the detrimental social and environmental consequences of these investments,” he said.
“So we urge the Thai and Chinese governments and Thai companies who are involved in these investments to think hard about these consequences and reconsider their investments.”
The group also pointed out how the loss of mangrove to deforestation exacerbated the impact of Cyclone Nargis, and warned that such disasters could become more frequent or more devastating in future if the problem is not addressed.
Aung Nge said the Burma Rivers Network would continue to advocate for environmental issues.
“Climate change and global warming issues are major concerns for people all over the world,” Aung Nge said.
“We are going to keep releasing statements for as long as there are countries and individuals who don’t protect the environment,” he said.
“And we will work with those who have influence over them to convince them to change their ways.”
In a statement released to mark World Environment Day yesterday, the group called on companies involved in dam building and extraction of natural gas in Burma to withdraw their investments.
The secretary of the Burma Rivers Network, U Aung Nge, said steps needed to be taken to protect against deforestation and air pollution in Burma.
“There are about 25 massive dams in Burma built by Chinese and Thai state companies and there has been large-scale deforestation around the dam sites,” Aung Nge said.
“Eighteen percent of Burma’s forests have been wiped out, and that’s higher than anywhere in the world.”
Aung Nge said that companies investing the dam building and natural gas projects in Burma needed to be aware of their impact on the local population.
“It is the Burmese people who are going to have to suffer the detrimental social and environmental consequences of these investments,” he said.
“So we urge the Thai and Chinese governments and Thai companies who are involved in these investments to think hard about these consequences and reconsider their investments.”
The group also pointed out how the loss of mangrove to deforestation exacerbated the impact of Cyclone Nargis, and warned that such disasters could become more frequent or more devastating in future if the problem is not addressed.
Aung Nge said the Burma Rivers Network would continue to advocate for environmental issues.
“Climate change and global warming issues are major concerns for people all over the world,” Aung Nge said.
“We are going to keep releasing statements for as long as there are countries and individuals who don’t protect the environment,” he said.
“And we will work with those who have influence over them to convince them to change their ways.”
Prisoners suffer illness after being fed rotten rice
Inmates of Insein prison have become ill after being given rotten rice to eat by prison authorities, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
Rice stores were damaged when Cyclone Nargis hit the prison on 2 May, the AAPP said in a statement.
“The roof of the food warehouse was completely blown away so bags of rice were soaked and destroyed by heavy rain,” the statement said.
“The rice bags became moldy, foul and inedible so [the International Committee of the Red Cross] replaced them with new bags of rice as soon as they found out about the situation.”
The prison authorities fed the prisoners with the new rice from 19 to 21 May, but then switched to using the damaged rice.
The AAPP said that prisoners had developed various illnesses as a result of eating the rice.
“Prisoners are mainly suffering from diarrhea, dysentery, vomiting and dizziness, skin allergies (having bumps on the whole body), swollen stomach and typhoid,” the group said.
We have come to know that female prisoners in the women’s compound of Insein prison have been suffering even more severely than others,” it went on.
“Furthermore, it has been reported that prison authorities haven’t provided any adequate medical care for those who suffer.”
AAPP secretary Tate Naing said the prisoners’ conditions would deteriorate if the authorities did not act quickly.
“The health situation of prisoners will worsen and become critical if they are fed that bad and inedible food any longer,” he said.
“Contagious diseases will spread very quickly in a crowded place like prison if authorities do not take appropriate actions promptly.
Tate Naing told DVB that urgent action was needed to address the situation.
"The government should investigate this case as an urgent matter, find out who is really responsible for it, and take immediate action," he said.
"We have also sent a letter to the ICRC informing them about this case. They provided new rice for the prison inmates after the cyclone but it is no longer reaching them, so we pointed out that they need to take action on this."
Rice stores were damaged when Cyclone Nargis hit the prison on 2 May, the AAPP said in a statement.
“The roof of the food warehouse was completely blown away so bags of rice were soaked and destroyed by heavy rain,” the statement said.
“The rice bags became moldy, foul and inedible so [the International Committee of the Red Cross] replaced them with new bags of rice as soon as they found out about the situation.”
The prison authorities fed the prisoners with the new rice from 19 to 21 May, but then switched to using the damaged rice.
The AAPP said that prisoners had developed various illnesses as a result of eating the rice.
“Prisoners are mainly suffering from diarrhea, dysentery, vomiting and dizziness, skin allergies (having bumps on the whole body), swollen stomach and typhoid,” the group said.
We have come to know that female prisoners in the women’s compound of Insein prison have been suffering even more severely than others,” it went on.
“Furthermore, it has been reported that prison authorities haven’t provided any adequate medical care for those who suffer.”
AAPP secretary Tate Naing said the prisoners’ conditions would deteriorate if the authorities did not act quickly.
“The health situation of prisoners will worsen and become critical if they are fed that bad and inedible food any longer,” he said.
“Contagious diseases will spread very quickly in a crowded place like prison if authorities do not take appropriate actions promptly.
Tate Naing told DVB that urgent action was needed to address the situation.
"The government should investigate this case as an urgent matter, find out who is really responsible for it, and take immediate action," he said.
"We have also sent a letter to the ICRC informing them about this case. They provided new rice for the prison inmates after the cyclone but it is no longer reaching them, so we pointed out that they need to take action on this."
Friday, 6 June 2008
Military Dictators Against Innocent Civilians
VOA Evening Program: Radio Broadcast in Burmese (25 May 2008)
VOA Evening Program: Radio Broadcast in Burmese (25 May 2008)
VOA: Burma stands out among the very few countries still ruled by dictatorial regimes in the world because of the ruthlessness of its dictatorial military leaders. One example of the vicious offenses committed by the Burmese regime was exposed only recently by Major Aung Lin Htut, one of the former diplomats in charge of the Burmese Embassy in the United States .
Major Aung Lin Htut was serving in the Burmese Defense Services Intelligence before he was transferred on special duty to the Foreign Affairs Department. He sought political asylum in the United States in 2005 and had previously avoided speaking to the media.
But, since Cyclone Nargis, he became very disturbed with the way the Burmese military junta had inconsiderately been treating the people and decided to give this interview.
In his interview, he recounted his personal experience about the order Senior General Than Shwe had given to the Burmese military to massacre 81 innocent people -- 59 villagers and 22 Thai fishery workers -- on Christie Island {geographical location 0937N 9759E} -- a small island in the Burmese territorial waters off Tenasserim Division.
Aung Lin Htut: In May 1998, I was stationed at the naval base on Zadetkyi Island {0958N 9813E} in Kawthaung {0959N 9833E} Township, Tenasserim Division. Christie Island , our tactical frontline base, was near our maritime boundary with Thailand . On that island then were also Commander in Chief of Navy Admiral Kyi Min, who, as far as I know, is now the vice chairman of the War Veterans Organization, Major General Myint Swe, who later became the commander in chief of Air Force but has now retired after he was dismissed in connection with the case of U Ne Win's grandsons, and Major General Thura Myint Aung who is now the Adjutant General.
Senior General Than Shwe had designated the three leading officials to represent the Army, Navy, and Air Force in the joint operations to be conducted off Zadetkyi base. The commander in charge of that naval base then was Naval Captain Maung Maung Thit.
The commander based in Kawthaung was Colonel Zaw Min who is now the Miniser for Electric Power No 1 and joint general secretary of the Union Solidarity and Development Association. He was also the designated Tactical Operations Commander in charge of Christie Island . The regimental commander under Colonel Zaw Min's charge was Lieutenant Colonel Soe Tint who was the commander of the 262d Infantry Regiment based in Kawthaung. As far as I know, he is now a director with the Ministry of Industry-1. Another regimental commander was Lieutenant Colonel Win Swe, who was in charge of either the 403d or the 404th Infantry Regiment based in Bokpyin.
When Tactical Operations units headed by Colonel Zaw Min entered Christie Island to find strategic positions, they found 59 people who were earning their living by chopping and collecting bamboo and wood. Among these people were a three-year-old girl and a woman who had had recently given birth to a child. They were ordinary civilians who had been earning a livelihood in the region. As far as I can remember, they were arrested under Section 144 of the decree that Regional Commander Thiha Thura Sit Maung had issued, which stipulated that no civilians were allowed to be on that island.
What I had believed and thought was that these civilians would be sent to Kawthaung for legal action or charged under the security act and later released. These people, as far as I can recall, were arrested around April. But, some time in May, an order was surprisingly received at night. I learned about it because the then Brigadier General Staff, Major General Myint Swe {another Myint Swe at Army headquarters} , said he wanted to speak to Admiral Kyi Min on the communications set. When Admiral Kyi Min came back, he summoned everyone, including me, and told us that he had received an order that 59 people being detained must be eliminated. Major General Myint Swe had given that order.
VOA: Why do you think that was ordered?
Aung Lin Htut: It is difficult to say why. They were unarmed people, including children and women, and it was really very depressing to receive the order to kill them. It should not have happened at all. That was my experience. Admiral Kyi Min gathered everyone around him and I, as a duty officer of the office, was there also. When Admiral Kyi Min gave us news about the order, the first person to respond was the present Adjutant General, Major General Thura Myint Aung, who said it was an order from the superiors and it must be obeyed. Major General Myint Swe said he was a religious person, that the matter should be handled delicately, and that he wanted to confirm the order again because the time the order was received was around 1430, a time when General Maung Aye usually got drunk, and that the order might have been given while he was drunk.
After listening to the two, Admiral Kyi Min decided not to pass the order on to Colonel Zaw Min yet and to call the General Staff Brigadier again in the morning. Around 0900 in the morning, Admiral Kyi Min spoke to Major General Myint Swe and came to us. He said Major General Myint Swe had told him that the order was not from "Aba Aye" {Father Aye} but from "Aba Gyi" {Great Father}. Senior General Than Shwe is whom we referred to as "Aba Gyi" in the military.
VOA: Was that order ever rescinded?
Aung Lin Htut: No, the order was never rescinded. The main issue was that the person in charge of the region then was Major General Thura Myint Aung who was the commander of the 33d Light Infantry Division and Colonel Zaw Min was the tactical operations commander under him. To explain it more clearly, the former had given the order and it was carried out by his subordinates. I found out that all the civilians were shot on the beach and buried there the same day. Their remains can still be dug up today.
VOA: If I heard you correctly, the tactical operations unit under Colonel Zaw Min carried out the order. Is that true?
Aung Lin Htut: Yes, Colonel Zaw Min and the two regimental commanders. I was given to understand that Colonel Zaw Min gave the order and it was carried out by the regimental commanders. There were photographs of the incident; of course, they were in the cabinet in my office. We had the pictures because the commander of No 19 Intelligence Unit, Major Myint Oo, who is now being imprisoned, was there together with Colonel Zaw Min. The photographs were taken without the latter's knowledge. When we returned to our headquarters in Rangoon , we showed the pictures to Brigadier General Kyaw Thein and Brigadier General San Pwint, the latter was our G-1 then. I placed them in my cabinet for safekeeping. I do not know what has happened to them now.
VOA: Was there ever any discussion among the military leaders about the incident or were there any comments about what is right and wrong concerning the issue?
Aung Lin Htut: Ko Than Lwin Tun {name of interviewer} , that is just a trivial matter for them. You probably heard about a quarterly operation launched around 1997 when an order was officially given to "eliminate all, do not even leave behind 'A Seik Tha'". The order was carried out by Major General Maung Bo and he is still in service now {commander of Bureau of Special Operations}. You must know about the number of villagers he had killed as a regional commander.
VOA: What does "Do no even leave behind 'A Seik Tha'" means?
Aung Lin Htut: It means to kill everyone, including fetuses in the womb or pregnant women. We, in the military, refer to fetuses in the womb as "A Seik Tha". That was an official order and it was a verbal order given to us at a conference on military operations. Orders like that would not be put down in writing.
VOA: Which are the regions you are referring to?
Aung Lin Htut: All of them. The main targets were the areas we designated as "Brown Areas" which were in Shan State , Mon State , Karen State , and Tenasserim division. The main reason for the order then was because we were trying to relocate villages and bring them together. Of course, villagers who had their homes and farms did not want to destroy their property or relocate. But, they were made to by force. Many people were killed because they did not want to. Officers who were in charge of the regions know best what they had done.
VOA: So, you personally were a witness to the killing of 59 civilians on Christie Island , in the southern part of Burma ?
Aung Lin Htut: It was not just the 59 civilians they killed. About a day or two after the incident, a Thai fishing boat, officially registered in Arakan State for fishing rights and carrying fish for delivery to { Thai Port } Ranong, sailed close to Christie Island . It was captured by our naval boat, either No 304 or No 305 and I cannot remember which, but it was I believe commanded by Naval Lieutenant Aung Gyi. Since the top naval commander then was Admiral Kyi Min, the news of the capture was reported to him. The admiral, as usual, had to report about the incident to the Army Command and he was given an order to "eliminate" the problem.
After the order was received, the navy took charge of killing all the 22 people on the Thai fishing boat on Christie Island . They were also buried there. After that, they made holes in the hull and burned the boat until it sank into the sea. Even then, it took about seven days for the boat to sink completely.
I was a witness to the two incidents which happened consecutively in which a total of about 81 people were killed. All of them were unarmed civilians.
VOA: Was there any problems with neighboring Thailand over the issue?
Aung Lin Htut: No, because no one knew about it. There was a standing, official order then to not take anyone alive and to clear that area. So, all boats were seized whether they were poaching vessels or not, and were destroyed. People on board were killed. Previously, we tended to seize boats and property only. But later, around 1996 and 1997, things got worse and boats as well as crews were eliminated.
VOA Evening Program: Radio Broadcast in Burmese (25 May 2008)
VOA: Burma stands out among the very few countries still ruled by dictatorial regimes in the world because of the ruthlessness of its dictatorial military leaders. One example of the vicious offenses committed by the Burmese regime was exposed only recently by Major Aung Lin Htut, one of the former diplomats in charge of the Burmese Embassy in the United States .
Major Aung Lin Htut was serving in the Burmese Defense Services Intelligence before he was transferred on special duty to the Foreign Affairs Department. He sought political asylum in the United States in 2005 and had previously avoided speaking to the media.
But, since Cyclone Nargis, he became very disturbed with the way the Burmese military junta had inconsiderately been treating the people and decided to give this interview.
In his interview, he recounted his personal experience about the order Senior General Than Shwe had given to the Burmese military to massacre 81 innocent people -- 59 villagers and 22 Thai fishery workers -- on Christie Island {geographical location 0937N 9759E} -- a small island in the Burmese territorial waters off Tenasserim Division.
Aung Lin Htut: In May 1998, I was stationed at the naval base on Zadetkyi Island {0958N 9813E} in Kawthaung {0959N 9833E} Township, Tenasserim Division. Christie Island , our tactical frontline base, was near our maritime boundary with Thailand . On that island then were also Commander in Chief of Navy Admiral Kyi Min, who, as far as I know, is now the vice chairman of the War Veterans Organization, Major General Myint Swe, who later became the commander in chief of Air Force but has now retired after he was dismissed in connection with the case of U Ne Win's grandsons, and Major General Thura Myint Aung who is now the Adjutant General.
Senior General Than Shwe had designated the three leading officials to represent the Army, Navy, and Air Force in the joint operations to be conducted off Zadetkyi base. The commander in charge of that naval base then was Naval Captain Maung Maung Thit.
The commander based in Kawthaung was Colonel Zaw Min who is now the Miniser for Electric Power No 1 and joint general secretary of the Union Solidarity and Development Association. He was also the designated Tactical Operations Commander in charge of Christie Island . The regimental commander under Colonel Zaw Min's charge was Lieutenant Colonel Soe Tint who was the commander of the 262d Infantry Regiment based in Kawthaung. As far as I know, he is now a director with the Ministry of Industry-1. Another regimental commander was Lieutenant Colonel Win Swe, who was in charge of either the 403d or the 404th Infantry Regiment based in Bokpyin.
When Tactical Operations units headed by Colonel Zaw Min entered Christie Island to find strategic positions, they found 59 people who were earning their living by chopping and collecting bamboo and wood. Among these people were a three-year-old girl and a woman who had had recently given birth to a child. They were ordinary civilians who had been earning a livelihood in the region. As far as I can remember, they were arrested under Section 144 of the decree that Regional Commander Thiha Thura Sit Maung had issued, which stipulated that no civilians were allowed to be on that island.
What I had believed and thought was that these civilians would be sent to Kawthaung for legal action or charged under the security act and later released. These people, as far as I can recall, were arrested around April. But, some time in May, an order was surprisingly received at night. I learned about it because the then Brigadier General Staff, Major General Myint Swe {another Myint Swe at Army headquarters} , said he wanted to speak to Admiral Kyi Min on the communications set. When Admiral Kyi Min came back, he summoned everyone, including me, and told us that he had received an order that 59 people being detained must be eliminated. Major General Myint Swe had given that order.
VOA: Why do you think that was ordered?
Aung Lin Htut: It is difficult to say why. They were unarmed people, including children and women, and it was really very depressing to receive the order to kill them. It should not have happened at all. That was my experience. Admiral Kyi Min gathered everyone around him and I, as a duty officer of the office, was there also. When Admiral Kyi Min gave us news about the order, the first person to respond was the present Adjutant General, Major General Thura Myint Aung, who said it was an order from the superiors and it must be obeyed. Major General Myint Swe said he was a religious person, that the matter should be handled delicately, and that he wanted to confirm the order again because the time the order was received was around 1430, a time when General Maung Aye usually got drunk, and that the order might have been given while he was drunk.
After listening to the two, Admiral Kyi Min decided not to pass the order on to Colonel Zaw Min yet and to call the General Staff Brigadier again in the morning. Around 0900 in the morning, Admiral Kyi Min spoke to Major General Myint Swe and came to us. He said Major General Myint Swe had told him that the order was not from "Aba Aye" {Father Aye} but from "Aba Gyi" {Great Father}. Senior General Than Shwe is whom we referred to as "Aba Gyi" in the military.
VOA: Was that order ever rescinded?
Aung Lin Htut: No, the order was never rescinded. The main issue was that the person in charge of the region then was Major General Thura Myint Aung who was the commander of the 33d Light Infantry Division and Colonel Zaw Min was the tactical operations commander under him. To explain it more clearly, the former had given the order and it was carried out by his subordinates. I found out that all the civilians were shot on the beach and buried there the same day. Their remains can still be dug up today.
VOA: If I heard you correctly, the tactical operations unit under Colonel Zaw Min carried out the order. Is that true?
Aung Lin Htut: Yes, Colonel Zaw Min and the two regimental commanders. I was given to understand that Colonel Zaw Min gave the order and it was carried out by the regimental commanders. There were photographs of the incident; of course, they were in the cabinet in my office. We had the pictures because the commander of No 19 Intelligence Unit, Major Myint Oo, who is now being imprisoned, was there together with Colonel Zaw Min. The photographs were taken without the latter's knowledge. When we returned to our headquarters in Rangoon , we showed the pictures to Brigadier General Kyaw Thein and Brigadier General San Pwint, the latter was our G-1 then. I placed them in my cabinet for safekeeping. I do not know what has happened to them now.
VOA: Was there ever any discussion among the military leaders about the incident or were there any comments about what is right and wrong concerning the issue?
Aung Lin Htut: Ko Than Lwin Tun {name of interviewer} , that is just a trivial matter for them. You probably heard about a quarterly operation launched around 1997 when an order was officially given to "eliminate all, do not even leave behind 'A Seik Tha'". The order was carried out by Major General Maung Bo and he is still in service now {commander of Bureau of Special Operations}. You must know about the number of villagers he had killed as a regional commander.
VOA: What does "Do no even leave behind 'A Seik Tha'" means?
Aung Lin Htut: It means to kill everyone, including fetuses in the womb or pregnant women. We, in the military, refer to fetuses in the womb as "A Seik Tha". That was an official order and it was a verbal order given to us at a conference on military operations. Orders like that would not be put down in writing.
VOA: Which are the regions you are referring to?
Aung Lin Htut: All of them. The main targets were the areas we designated as "Brown Areas" which were in Shan State , Mon State , Karen State , and Tenasserim division. The main reason for the order then was because we were trying to relocate villages and bring them together. Of course, villagers who had their homes and farms did not want to destroy their property or relocate. But, they were made to by force. Many people were killed because they did not want to. Officers who were in charge of the regions know best what they had done.
VOA: So, you personally were a witness to the killing of 59 civilians on Christie Island , in the southern part of Burma ?
Aung Lin Htut: It was not just the 59 civilians they killed. About a day or two after the incident, a Thai fishing boat, officially registered in Arakan State for fishing rights and carrying fish for delivery to { Thai Port } Ranong, sailed close to Christie Island . It was captured by our naval boat, either No 304 or No 305 and I cannot remember which, but it was I believe commanded by Naval Lieutenant Aung Gyi. Since the top naval commander then was Admiral Kyi Min, the news of the capture was reported to him. The admiral, as usual, had to report about the incident to the Army Command and he was given an order to "eliminate" the problem.
After the order was received, the navy took charge of killing all the 22 people on the Thai fishing boat on Christie Island . They were also buried there. After that, they made holes in the hull and burned the boat until it sank into the sea. Even then, it took about seven days for the boat to sink completely.
I was a witness to the two incidents which happened consecutively in which a total of about 81 people were killed. All of them were unarmed civilians.
VOA: Was there any problems with neighboring Thailand over the issue?
Aung Lin Htut: No, because no one knew about it. There was a standing, official order then to not take anyone alive and to clear that area. So, all boats were seized whether they were poaching vessels or not, and were destroyed. People on board were killed. Previously, we tended to seize boats and property only. But later, around 1996 and 1997, things got worse and boats as well as crews were eliminated.
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
Modern art group holds cyclone memorial
Around 500 people attended a commemoration service organised by the New Zero modern art group in Rangoon yesterday to pray for those killed in Cyclone Nargis on 2 May.
Cyclone survivors from Labutta township in the Irrawaddy delta were among those who took part in the ceremony and helped light 6000 candles during the three-minute silent prayer session which was held in the group's exhibition hall.
Modern artist Aye Ko said the group had organised the event to express their condolences for those who died and to pray for their souls.
"We organised the service for the survivors to show their sadness for those who were killed by the cyclone," said Aye Ko.
"We can only pray for their reincarnation into a good life."
Aye Ko said the group planned to hold art exhibitions in Rangoon and Mandalay to raise funds for the cyclone victims.
"Artist Htun Win Nyein is organizing the show in Rangoon at the Yuzuna hotel on 14 June – all the contributing artists will donate a percentage of the money they make," he said.
The New Zero modern art group was formed by 32 artists in 2001. A self-titled exhibition organised by the group in December 2007 was banned by the authorities without explanation.
Cyclone survivors from Labutta township in the Irrawaddy delta were among those who took part in the ceremony and helped light 6000 candles during the three-minute silent prayer session which was held in the group's exhibition hall.
Modern artist Aye Ko said the group had organised the event to express their condolences for those who died and to pray for their souls.
"We organised the service for the survivors to show their sadness for those who were killed by the cyclone," said Aye Ko.
"We can only pray for their reincarnation into a good life."
Aye Ko said the group planned to hold art exhibitions in Rangoon and Mandalay to raise funds for the cyclone victims.
"Artist Htun Win Nyein is organizing the show in Rangoon at the Yuzuna hotel on 14 June – all the contributing artists will donate a percentage of the money they make," he said.
The New Zero modern art group was formed by 32 artists in 2001. A self-titled exhibition organised by the group in December 2007 was banned by the authorities without explanation.
Ethnic organisations appeal for border aid
Shan, Karen and Karenni groups have appealed to the international community to urgently grant much-needed funding for food provision to over 140,000 refugees living along the Burma-Thailand border.
The organisations said that the refugees, who have been living on the border for up to 20 years, would face difficulties due to cuts in assistance from the Thailand Burma Border Consortium, due to take effect in August.
The annual budget for food provision in camps along the border has been cut to US$ 6.8 million because of the decrease in the value of the US dollar, and the hike in world food prices will exacerbate the shortfall.
The groups said the TBBC funding crisis has sparked new fears and uncertainty among the refugees.
“Refugees are not allowed to go in and out of the camps freely to work outside so they are reliant on food assistance to survive, such as the rice, cooking oil, salt and chili given by TBBC,” said Aung Nge, a spokesperson from a Karenni refugee camp.
“It will be very concerning for our refugees if the existing donors stop or reduce their funding to TBBC.”
The TBBC has previously received financial assistance from the Netherlands, Ireland, Poland, the USA, the UK, Canada and Spain.
According to the consortium, so far this year it has received funding from the Netherlands, Ireland and Poland.
Aung Nge told DVB that refugees would continue to need outside support as it is impossible for them to return home while the civil war continues and the military regime remains in power.
“It would be best if we could go back to our homes and carry on with our lives as we are not officially recognised as refugees by the Thai government – we are only considered to be temporarily displaced persons,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we can’t go home because our lives are not secure under military rule.”
The organisations said that the refugees, who have been living on the border for up to 20 years, would face difficulties due to cuts in assistance from the Thailand Burma Border Consortium, due to take effect in August.
The annual budget for food provision in camps along the border has been cut to US$ 6.8 million because of the decrease in the value of the US dollar, and the hike in world food prices will exacerbate the shortfall.
The groups said the TBBC funding crisis has sparked new fears and uncertainty among the refugees.
“Refugees are not allowed to go in and out of the camps freely to work outside so they are reliant on food assistance to survive, such as the rice, cooking oil, salt and chili given by TBBC,” said Aung Nge, a spokesperson from a Karenni refugee camp.
“It will be very concerning for our refugees if the existing donors stop or reduce their funding to TBBC.”
The TBBC has previously received financial assistance from the Netherlands, Ireland, Poland, the USA, the UK, Canada and Spain.
According to the consortium, so far this year it has received funding from the Netherlands, Ireland and Poland.
Aung Nge told DVB that refugees would continue to need outside support as it is impossible for them to return home while the civil war continues and the military regime remains in power.
“It would be best if we could go back to our homes and carry on with our lives as we are not officially recognised as refugees by the Thai government – we are only considered to be temporarily displaced persons,” he said.
“Unfortunately, we can’t go home because our lives are not secure under military rule.”
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Wednesday, 21 May 2008
Sunday, 18 May 2008
UN Boss Ban Ki-Moon To Visit Burma
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will visit Burma this week to discuss what can be done to speed up the troubled aid operation for victims of Cyclone Nargis.
Ban Ki-Moon expected in Burma this weekThe UN boss is expected to visit the country on Wednesday or Thursday.
He has so far been unable to contact the leader of the country's military junta, Than Shwe.
State television showed Than Shwe making his first visit to relief camps on the outskirts of Yangon on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the UN's top disaster relief chief has landed in Burma to urge the country to opens its doors to foreign aid.
UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes was received at the airport by Deputy Foreign Minister Kyaw Thu.
It is unclear whether he will meet leading members of the junta.
His spokeswoman Amanda Pitt told Sky News Mr Holmes would "help the government understand what's available to them" in the wake of the cyclone .
"The response to a disaster of this magnitude is beyond any one country," she said.
Mr Holmes will also meet other agencies working in Burma to review and coordinate the relief operation.
Still waiting: thousands need helpThe country's military government has severely restricted distribution of aid supplies, leaving many of the disaster's estimated 2.5 million survivors in dire need of food, water and shelter.
UK charity Save the Children warns that thousands of children could die in coming weeks unless more aid is let in.
The charity also warned that time was running out to start planting for the coming rice harvest.
An estimated 30,000 children under the age of five in the affected region were already acutely malnourished prior to the disaster, according to research by the charity.
A Sky News reporter in the Irrawaddy Delta said there was little evidence of government aid being distributed.
Gordon Brown has accused the regime of "inhuman" treatment of survivors.
The Prime Minister said the natural disaster was becoming a "man-made catastrophe" because of the ruling junta's failings.
Burmese authorities put the death toll from the cyclone at 78,000 with a further 56,000 people missing.
Ban Ki-Moon expected in Burma this weekThe UN boss is expected to visit the country on Wednesday or Thursday.
He has so far been unable to contact the leader of the country's military junta, Than Shwe.
State television showed Than Shwe making his first visit to relief camps on the outskirts of Yangon on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the UN's top disaster relief chief has landed in Burma to urge the country to opens its doors to foreign aid.
UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes was received at the airport by Deputy Foreign Minister Kyaw Thu.
It is unclear whether he will meet leading members of the junta.
His spokeswoman Amanda Pitt told Sky News Mr Holmes would "help the government understand what's available to them" in the wake of the cyclone .
"The response to a disaster of this magnitude is beyond any one country," she said.
Mr Holmes will also meet other agencies working in Burma to review and coordinate the relief operation.
Still waiting: thousands need helpThe country's military government has severely restricted distribution of aid supplies, leaving many of the disaster's estimated 2.5 million survivors in dire need of food, water and shelter.
UK charity Save the Children warns that thousands of children could die in coming weeks unless more aid is let in.
The charity also warned that time was running out to start planting for the coming rice harvest.
An estimated 30,000 children under the age of five in the affected region were already acutely malnourished prior to the disaster, according to research by the charity.
A Sky News reporter in the Irrawaddy Delta said there was little evidence of government aid being distributed.
Gordon Brown has accused the regime of "inhuman" treatment of survivors.
The Prime Minister said the natural disaster was becoming a "man-made catastrophe" because of the ruling junta's failings.
Burmese authorities put the death toll from the cyclone at 78,000 with a further 56,000 people missing.
UN Boss Ban Ki-Moon To Visit Burma
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will visit Burma this week to discuss what can be done to speed up the troubled aid operation for victims of Cyclone Nargis.
Ban Ki-Moon expected in Burma this weekThe UN boss is expected to visit the country on Wednesday or Thursday.
He has so far been unable to contact the leader of the country's military junta, Than Shwe.
State television showed Than Shwe making his first visit to relief camps on the outskirts of Yangon on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the UN's top disaster relief chief has landed in Burma to urge the country to opens its doors to foreign aid.
UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes was received at the airport by Deputy Foreign Minister Kyaw Thu.
It is unclear whether he will meet leading members of the junta.
His spokeswoman Amanda Pitt told Sky News Mr Holmes would "help the government understand what's available to them" in the wake of the cyclone .
"The response to a disaster of this magnitude is beyond any one country," she said.
Mr Holmes will also meet other agencies working in Burma to review and coordinate the relief operation.
Still waiting: thousands need helpThe country's military government has severely restricted distribution of aid supplies, leaving many of the disaster's estimated 2.5 million survivors in dire need of food, water and shelter.
UK charity Save the Children warns that thousands of children could die in coming weeks unless more aid is let in.
The charity also warned that time was running out to start planting for the coming rice harvest.
An estimated 30,000 children under the age of five in the affected region were already acutely malnourished prior to the disaster, according to research by the charity.
A Sky News reporter in the Irrawaddy Delta said there was little evidence of government aid being distributed.
Gordon Brown has accused the regime of "inhuman" treatment of survivors.
The Prime Minister said the natural disaster was becoming a "man-made catastrophe" because of the ruling junta's failings.
Burmese authorities put the death toll from the cyclone at 78,000 with a further 56,000 people missing.
Ban Ki-Moon expected in Burma this weekThe UN boss is expected to visit the country on Wednesday or Thursday.
He has so far been unable to contact the leader of the country's military junta, Than Shwe.
State television showed Than Shwe making his first visit to relief camps on the outskirts of Yangon on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the UN's top disaster relief chief has landed in Burma to urge the country to opens its doors to foreign aid.
UN Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes was received at the airport by Deputy Foreign Minister Kyaw Thu.
It is unclear whether he will meet leading members of the junta.
His spokeswoman Amanda Pitt told Sky News Mr Holmes would "help the government understand what's available to them" in the wake of the cyclone .
"The response to a disaster of this magnitude is beyond any one country," she said.
Mr Holmes will also meet other agencies working in Burma to review and coordinate the relief operation.
Still waiting: thousands need helpThe country's military government has severely restricted distribution of aid supplies, leaving many of the disaster's estimated 2.5 million survivors in dire need of food, water and shelter.
UK charity Save the Children warns that thousands of children could die in coming weeks unless more aid is let in.
The charity also warned that time was running out to start planting for the coming rice harvest.
An estimated 30,000 children under the age of five in the affected region were already acutely malnourished prior to the disaster, according to research by the charity.
A Sky News reporter in the Irrawaddy Delta said there was little evidence of government aid being distributed.
Gordon Brown has accused the regime of "inhuman" treatment of survivors.
The Prime Minister said the natural disaster was becoming a "man-made catastrophe" because of the ruling junta's failings.
Burmese authorities put the death toll from the cyclone at 78,000 with a further 56,000 people missing.
Friday, 16 May 2008
Burma death toll jumps to 78,000
he official death toll for Burma's cyclone disaster has jumped to almost 78,000 people, with nearly 56,000 missing, according to state TV.
Previously, Burma was giving a toll of 43,000 dead and 28,000 missing while the Red Cross and United Nations had estimated a death toll above 100,000.
Aid agencies are frustrated at the slow progress of aid to areas worst hit.
Cyclone Nargis battered southern regions of Burma, including the Irrawaddy Delta, on 2-3 May.
A BBC reporter in the delta this week saw little sign of official help and foreign aid workers have been barred from the area.
Heavy rain has been lashing the region, compounding the misery of survivors.
The UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator, John Holmes, is due to visit Rangoon, Burma's main city, on Sunday in a bid to persuade the military government to grant more access to UN relief workers and expand its aid effort.
Earlier, the EU's top aid official, Louis Michel, was denied permission to visit the delta region. He said he was given no explanation why disaster emergency experts were being refused visas.
However, Burma - also known as Myanmar - has promised to take foreign diplomats on a tour of the region this weekend.
Previously, Burma was giving a toll of 43,000 dead and 28,000 missing while the Red Cross and United Nations had estimated a death toll above 100,000.
Aid agencies are frustrated at the slow progress of aid to areas worst hit.
Cyclone Nargis battered southern regions of Burma, including the Irrawaddy Delta, on 2-3 May.
A BBC reporter in the delta this week saw little sign of official help and foreign aid workers have been barred from the area.
Heavy rain has been lashing the region, compounding the misery of survivors.
The UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator, John Holmes, is due to visit Rangoon, Burma's main city, on Sunday in a bid to persuade the military government to grant more access to UN relief workers and expand its aid effort.
Earlier, the EU's top aid official, Louis Michel, was denied permission to visit the delta region. He said he was given no explanation why disaster emergency experts were being refused visas.
However, Burma - also known as Myanmar - has promised to take foreign diplomats on a tour of the region this weekend.
Thursday, 15 May 2008
Sunday, 11 May 2008
Cyclone Survivors Face Another Disaster
Updated:21:12, Sunday May 11, 2008
Humanitarian agencies are warning up to 1.5 million people could die if aid does not get through soon and disease takes hold in cyclone-ravaged Burma.
Cyclone survivors arrive at relief centreOxfam has warned of the real risk of a catastrophe, calling it "a perfect storm".
"It's really crucial that people get access to clean water sources and sanitation to avoid unnecessary deaths and suffering," said Oxfam regional chief Sarah Ireland in Bangkok, in neighbouring Thailand.
"There are all the factors for a public health catastrophe which could multiply that death toll by up to 15 times," she said.
Thailand's foreign minister Noppadon Pattama has told Sky News he is to meet his Burmese counterpart in Rangoon on Tuesday to discuss ways of getting aid into the country.
Speaking to Sky's Stuart Ramsay he said he believed that critical comments about the Burmese military regime from President Bush and other western leaders in the aftermath of the cyclone has held up the international rescue effort.
Mr Pattama said: "We have to talk to (the Burmese authorities) and see if they can change their position.
Updated:21:12, Sunday May 11, 2008
Humanitarian agencies are warning up to 1.5 million people could die if aid does not get through soon and disease takes hold in cyclone-ravaged Burma.
Cyclone survivors arrive at relief centreOxfam has warned of the real risk of a catastrophe, calling it "a perfect storm".
"It's really crucial that people get access to clean water sources and sanitation to avoid unnecessary deaths and suffering," said Oxfam regional chief Sarah Ireland in Bangkok, in neighbouring Thailand.
"There are all the factors for a public health catastrophe which could multiply that death toll by up to 15 times," she said.
Thailand's foreign minister Noppadon Pattama has told Sky News he is to meet his Burmese counterpart in Rangoon on Tuesday to discuss ways of getting aid into the country.
Speaking to Sky's Stuart Ramsay he said he believed that critical comments about the Burmese military regime from President Bush and other western leaders in the aftermath of the cyclone has held up the international rescue effort.
Mr Pattama said: "We have to talk to (the Burmese authorities) and see if they can change their position.
Customs delays hold up aid distribution
Aid agencies have been able to deliver assistance to 276,000 people so far, but are facing difficulties getting customs clearance for supplies, according to a United Nations official.
Richard Horsey, spokesperson for the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said today that much more needed to be done to help those affected by Cyclone Nargis.
“The United Nations and its partners, the international NGOs, have delivered assistance to 276,000 people,” Horsey said.
“But there are 1.5 million affected. So we did reach a lot of people, but not quickly enough; we need to increase the scale of the operation.”
The aid operation has faced logistical problems, due to a lack of boats and helicopters and the destruction of transport and communications infrastructure in the cyclone.
But these problems have been exacerbated by the Burmese military regime’s unwillingness to waive visa and customs restrictions for relief workers.
“Some United Nations aid officials are getting into the country, but many are still waiting for visa clearances,” Horsey said.
At least 40 visa applications are waiting to be processed in and around Bangkok, the UN has said.
The World Food Programme has also had difficulties distributing supplies that have already been flown into the country.
“My understanding is that they are having problems getting the aid cleared through customs,” Horsey said.
“It’s not the planes that are the problem, it’s the aid that is on the planes, and they’re having difficulties getting the customs clearance.”
Horsey stressed the importance of allowing essential staff, relief supplies and logistical equipment in to the country to avoid a “second disaster”.
In a press conference yesterday, John Holmes, the UN’s under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and UN emergency relief coordinator, said the humanitarian response was being hampered by lack of access and urged the junta to redress the situation.
“We are simply trying to help the Government of Myanmar to carry out their responsibilities to aid these people in increasingly desperate need,” Holmes said.
“There are no other political motives in this and, therefore, I appeal very strongly indeed to the Government of Myanmar both to step up their own relief efforts to help people on the ground, and to change their attitude completely to the efforts that we are making to get these relief supplies in.”
UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon was also hoping to speak to junta leader senior general Than Shwe to press him to facilitate access.
Holmes said that some progress had been made, and that the Burmese authorities had agreed that customs charges and clearances should be waived for relief supplies, but this did not so far seem to have been applied on the ground.
Aid agencies have been able to deliver assistance to 276,000 people so far, but are facing difficulties getting customs clearance for supplies, according to a United Nations official.
Richard Horsey, spokesperson for the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said today that much more needed to be done to help those affected by Cyclone Nargis.
“The United Nations and its partners, the international NGOs, have delivered assistance to 276,000 people,” Horsey said.
“But there are 1.5 million affected. So we did reach a lot of people, but not quickly enough; we need to increase the scale of the operation.”
The aid operation has faced logistical problems, due to a lack of boats and helicopters and the destruction of transport and communications infrastructure in the cyclone.
But these problems have been exacerbated by the Burmese military regime’s unwillingness to waive visa and customs restrictions for relief workers.
“Some United Nations aid officials are getting into the country, but many are still waiting for visa clearances,” Horsey said.
At least 40 visa applications are waiting to be processed in and around Bangkok, the UN has said.
The World Food Programme has also had difficulties distributing supplies that have already been flown into the country.
“My understanding is that they are having problems getting the aid cleared through customs,” Horsey said.
“It’s not the planes that are the problem, it’s the aid that is on the planes, and they’re having difficulties getting the customs clearance.”
Horsey stressed the importance of allowing essential staff, relief supplies and logistical equipment in to the country to avoid a “second disaster”.
In a press conference yesterday, John Holmes, the UN’s under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and UN emergency relief coordinator, said the humanitarian response was being hampered by lack of access and urged the junta to redress the situation.
“We are simply trying to help the Government of Myanmar to carry out their responsibilities to aid these people in increasingly desperate need,” Holmes said.
“There are no other political motives in this and, therefore, I appeal very strongly indeed to the Government of Myanmar both to step up their own relief efforts to help people on the ground, and to change their attitude completely to the efforts that we are making to get these relief supplies in.”
UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon was also hoping to speak to junta leader senior general Than Shwe to press him to facilitate access.
Holmes said that some progress had been made, and that the Burmese authorities had agreed that customs charges and clearances should be waived for relief supplies, but this did not so far seem to have been applied on the ground.
Polling station guard shot dead in Mon State
A Burmese police officer guarding a polling station in Taguntaing village in Mudon township, Mon State, was shot dead by an unknown gunman today at around 10am local time.
“The person who died is called Aung Soe,” a local resident told DVB. “He was a sergeant in charge of the polling station’s security. It happened while people were voting - the gunman entered the polling station and carried out the shooting.”
The victim was in charge of security in the nearby Three Pagodas Pass five months ago.
A Burmese police officer guarding a polling station in Taguntaing village in Mudon township, Mon State, was shot dead by an unknown gunman today at around 10am local time.
“The person who died is called Aung Soe,” a local resident told DVB. “He was a sergeant in charge of the polling station’s security. It happened while people were voting - the gunman entered the polling station and carried out the shooting.”
The victim was in charge of security in the nearby Three Pagodas Pass five months ago.
Thursday, 8 May 2008
UN Aid Flights Touch Down In Burma
United Nations emergency flights carrying relief supplies to survivors of Cyclone Nargis have been allowed to touch down in Burma.The ruling junta had been refusing to allow aid from the West into the country in the wake of the devastating storm, which is feared to have killed 100,000 people and left a million more homeless.
The cyclone slammed into coastal towns and villages in the rice-growing Irrawaddy Delta six days ago, bringing winds up to 120mph and a giant tidal wave.
UN officials said two of four aeroplanes had arrived in Rangoon while two others would follow, loaded with high-energy biscuits, medicine, and other supplies.
The biscuits are vital because many survivors lost their homes and possessions and have no way of cooking anything.
The planes had waited for two days while the world body negotiated with the military regime to allow the material in.
Eric John, the US ambassador to Thailand, said earlier that Burma's rulers had granted permission to land C-130 transport planes.
But Burmese officials later made it clear this was not the case.
Mr John said it was not clear if they had reversed an earlier decision or if there was a misunderstanding.
Alex Crawford, Sky News Asia correspondent, said that international pressure was growing for more aid to be allowed in.
She said countries around the world were waiting to be granted access to help bring in vital supplies and manpower.
All around the world they're lining up to help, but at the moment only the friendly nations surrounding Burma have been allowed in and that's only a tiny fraction of what's needed in the country," she said.
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said the UK had made an immediate donation of £5m in relief aid.
"This is a very grave crisis on a scale not seen since the tsunami of 2004," he said.
The UN has also donated £5m.
A local military official has told reporters around 80,000 people have died in the remote district of Labutta alone.
State media have reported almost 23,000 have been killed across the country as a whole by the fierce winds, with a further 42,119 missing.
Seventeen Britons in Burma have failed to make contact since the cyclone, the British Foreign Office said.
BURMESE CYCLONE APPEAL
Assalamualaikum,
Dear Brothers and sisters,
As you know thousands of people killed and many more missing which caused by cyclone. This is the time to ask for your help to assist our brothers and sisters in the country who lost their properties.
Now we are receiving donation for cyclone victims.
If you want to donate you can transfer money to account of Burmese Muslim Association detail is as below.
Account Name ......Burmese Muslim Association
Account Number....92090422
sort code...............40-06-30
HSBC Bank.
You can also send your cheque to
Burmese Muslim Association
15 Orange Grove
London, E11 4LL
You can also contact Hamzah Bhai (Ko Kyaw Zwa) 07828890224, 02085562340,07956365426.
If you know anyone who needs urgent assist please let us know.
Thank you for your support.
Hamzah Kyaw Zwa
Dear Brothers and sisters,
As you know thousands of people killed and many more missing which caused by cyclone. This is the time to ask for your help to assist our brothers and sisters in the country who lost their properties.
Now we are receiving donation for cyclone victims.
If you want to donate you can transfer money to account of Burmese Muslim Association detail is as below.
Account Name ......Burmese Muslim Association
Account Number....92090422
sort code...............40-06-30
HSBC Bank.
You can also send your cheque to
Burmese Muslim Association
15 Orange Grove
London, E11 4LL
You can also contact Hamzah Bhai (Ko Kyaw Zwa) 07828890224, 02085562340,07956365426.
If you know anyone who needs urgent assist please let us know.
Thank you for your support.
Hamzah Kyaw Zwa
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Myanmar deaths may top 100,000
The death toll from the cyclone that ravaged the Irrawaddy delta in Myanmar may exceed 100,000, the senior U.S. diplomat in the military-ruled country said Wednesday.
Workers pour rice into bags to be loaded on to a truck for distribution in Yangon on May 7.
3 of 3more photos » "The information we are receiving indicates over 100,000 deaths," said the U.S. charge d'affaires in Yangon, Shari Villarosa.
The U.S. figure is almost five times the 22,000 the Myanmar government has estimated.
The U.S. estimate is based on data from an international non-governmental organization, Villarosa said without naming the group. She called the situation in Myanmar "more and more horrendous."
"I think most of the damage was caused by these 12-foot storm surges," she said.
Villarosa also said that about 95 percent of the buildings in the delta region were destroyed when Cyclone Nargis battered the area late Friday into Saturday.
Based on the same data, 70,000 people are missing in the Irrawaddy Delta, which has a population of nearly 6 million people, Villarosa said. The official Myanmar government figure for the missing is 41,000.
Villarosa said, "I can only assume that the longer the delay, the more victims that are created."
Little aid has reached the area since Nargis hit, and on Wednesday, crowds of hungry survivors stormed reopened shops in the devastated Irrawaddy delta.
The United Nations urged the military junta to grant visas to international relief workers amid estimates of 1 million homeless.
Workers pour rice into bags to be loaded on to a truck for distribution in Yangon on May 7.
3 of 3more photos » "The information we are receiving indicates over 100,000 deaths," said the U.S. charge d'affaires in Yangon, Shari Villarosa.
The U.S. figure is almost five times the 22,000 the Myanmar government has estimated.
The U.S. estimate is based on data from an international non-governmental organization, Villarosa said without naming the group. She called the situation in Myanmar "more and more horrendous."
"I think most of the damage was caused by these 12-foot storm surges," she said.
Villarosa also said that about 95 percent of the buildings in the delta region were destroyed when Cyclone Nargis battered the area late Friday into Saturday.
Based on the same data, 70,000 people are missing in the Irrawaddy Delta, which has a population of nearly 6 million people, Villarosa said. The official Myanmar government figure for the missing is 41,000.
Villarosa said, "I can only assume that the longer the delay, the more victims that are created."
Little aid has reached the area since Nargis hit, and on Wednesday, crowds of hungry survivors stormed reopened shops in the devastated Irrawaddy delta.
The United Nations urged the military junta to grant visas to international relief workers amid estimates of 1 million homeless.
Monday, 5 May 2008
36 Insein inmates killed in prison crackdown
Thirty-six inmates of Insein prison were killed on Saturday when soldiers opened fire on prisoners congregating in a prison hall, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.
Strong winds caused by tropical cyclone Nargis, which hit Burma on Friday, tore off many of the zinc roofs of the prison, forcing around 1000 prisoners into the main prison hall no. 1, AAPP said in a statement.
“No one was allowed to seek safety, and they were locked inside the hall,” the statement said.
“The prisoners were wet and cold and some of them started a fire to try and keep warm. Unfortunately, the fire began to give off thick smoke, and prisoners panicked,” it said.
“As they were locked inside the hall, they couldn’t flee to safety. The situation escalated and chaos ensued.”
Soldiers and riot police brought in to control the situation opened fire on the prisoners, killing 36 and injuring 70.
AAPP secretary Ko Tate Naing said they had learned of the incident from family members of Insein prison inmates who had visited them recently.
"Insein prison authorities have the responsibility to give humanitarian assistance to the prisoners who are being detained there,” he said.
“But instead of doing that, they beat up and opened fire on the inmates who needed their help after the devastation caused by a natural disaster, and that is a serious violation of human rights."
The group said that no political prisoners were known to have been among those killed.
Strong winds caused by tropical cyclone Nargis, which hit Burma on Friday, tore off many of the zinc roofs of the prison, forcing around 1000 prisoners into the main prison hall no. 1, AAPP said in a statement.
“No one was allowed to seek safety, and they were locked inside the hall,” the statement said.
“The prisoners were wet and cold and some of them started a fire to try and keep warm. Unfortunately, the fire began to give off thick smoke, and prisoners panicked,” it said.
“As they were locked inside the hall, they couldn’t flee to safety. The situation escalated and chaos ensued.”
Soldiers and riot police brought in to control the situation opened fire on the prisoners, killing 36 and injuring 70.
AAPP secretary Ko Tate Naing said they had learned of the incident from family members of Insein prison inmates who had visited them recently.
"Insein prison authorities have the responsibility to give humanitarian assistance to the prisoners who are being detained there,” he said.
“But instead of doing that, they beat up and opened fire on the inmates who needed their help after the devastation caused by a natural disaster, and that is a serious violation of human rights."
The group said that no political prisoners were known to have been among those killed.
Myanmar: Death toll more than 10,000
The death toll from the Myanmar cyclone is more than 10,000 people, Myanmar's Foreign Ministry said Monday. People in Yangon queue for drinking water. 1 of 3more photos » Survivors were facing their third night without electricity in the aftermath of the historic cyclone that also clogged roads with thousands of downed trees. Diplomats were summoned to a government briefing Monday as the reclusive southeast Asian country's ruling military junta issued a rare appeal for international assistance in the face of an escalating humanitarian crisis. A state of emergency was declared across much of the country following the 10-hour storm that left swathes of destruction in its wake. The staggering death toll would make the cyclone the deadliest natural disaster to hit Myanmar in recent history, according to figures compiled by a United Nations-funded disaster database. The government of neighboring Thailand said Myanmar's leaders had already requested food, medical supplies and construction equipment, AP reported. The first plane-load of supplies was due to arrive Tuesday, a Thai spokesman said. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement he was "deeply saddened by the loss of life and the destruction suffered by the people of Myanmar" and pledged to mobilize international aid and assistance as needed. A United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team is on stand-by to assist the government in responding to humanitarian needs if required, the statement said. Scenes of the destruction showed extensive flooding, boats on their sides in Yangon harbor, roofs ripped off buildings, uprooted trees and downed power lines after cyclone Nargis battered the Irrawaddy delta with 150 mile (241 km) an hour winds throughout Friday night and Saturday morning, dumping 20 inches of rain. Watch how the cyclone crippled Yangon » Residents of Yangon trudged through knee-deep swirling brown waters Monday as the delta city remained mostly without electricity and phone connections. The U.S. Embassy in Myanmar has issued a "disaster declaration" in the country and authorized the release of $250,000 for cyclone relief efforts, Deputy State Department spokesman Tom Casey said Monday. A disaster relief team is standing by, Casey said, but the Myanmar government had not given permission for the team to enter the country. U.S. first lady Laura Bush blasted the military government, saying the lack of warning before the deadly cyclone hit was the latest example of "the junta's failure to meet its people's basic needs." Hakan Tongkul, with the United Nation's World Food Programme, said residents in Yangon needed urgent assistance. "This has pushed people to the edge. All that they have has been blown away." Watch the cyclone hammer Yangon » Michael Annear, regional disaster manger for the Red Cross, said the group was helping provide safe drinking water. Relief agencies met at the United Nations' Bangkok headquarters Monday to coordinate their response to the disaster. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it had released 200,000 Swiss Francs (about $190,000) to help with the aftermath. A state of emergency was declared Sunday across five regions: the city of Yangon, Irrawaddy, Pegu and the states of Karen and Mon. All flights to Yangon, the former capital, were canceled. "Most Burmese with whom we've been in touch report they lost their roofs, although so far everyone we have been able to contact reports that they and their families are safe," said a Yangon-based diplomat who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. See photos of the destruction » Most telephone and cell phone service was down in Yangon, a city of about 6.5 million people, according to Dan Rivers, a CNN correspondent in the country. In some places, the price of fuel had quadrupled to $10 a gallon. Even with that price lines for gas stretched around the block and some sought to buy gas on the black market. The main water supply has been cut in many areas and power lines are down, Rivers reported. Earlier Monday, an editor for an independent Myanmar newspaper based in Thailand told CNN that people in the Southeast Asian nation were angry over the response to the disaster by the ruling military junta. "People are very angry with the slow response coming from the military government," said Aung Zaw of Irrawaddy news magazine. Listen to Irrawaddy journalist discuss the situation in Myanmar » Khin Maung Win, a spokesman for the Democratic Voice of Burma -- a broadcast media group run by opposition expatriates -- said the whole of the delta region had been affected and entire villages had disappeared. Pictures from inside the country showed a cyclone-ravaged region with tin huts crushed under trees. Bicyclists navigated around large branches that littered the deserted roads. A man with his pant legs rolled up waded through knee-deep water and strained to clear massive limbs that were blocking the entrance to a house.
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