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.
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