Burma

A group of ethnic journalists inside Burma is to launch a weekly journal called “The Union” in the last week of November which will mainly focus on cultural, literacy and issues that affect the daily lives of ethnic nationalities. Following the government’s claims that it is serious about creating media freedom environment, ethnic based media outlets are starting to emerge…

The Brotherhood Forum, a group of five ethnic political parties from Burma urged the government to release all political prisoners from the country’s jails. A statement released by the Brotherhood Forum on October 15 demanded four things from the government – immediately release the Shan politician, U Khun Htun Oo and all other ethnic politicians, immediately release Ko Min Ko…

The Burmese youth activist group, Generation Wave, on October 9, 2011 celebrated its fourth anniversary of the founding of the organization in Rangoon, Burma. Ko Zaya Thaw, a founding leader of the organization, who is also a singer and a politician, said the simple celebration with a reception was held at Thirimingala Yan Aung Temple in San Chaung Township of…

The Women League of Burma has called for an end to the civil war and atrocities with other six points of recommendation to the Burma government in their statement released on 21st September to mark the United Nation’s International Day of Peace. The WLB’s statement agrees and respects calls made by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in her open letter…

The US special envoy and policy coordinator for Burma, Mr Derek Mitchell, urged the recently elected government to investigate human rights abuses reported in ethnic area as a first step for national reconciliation. After concluding his first trip to Burma, Mr Mitchell read out a press statement that stated he “affirmed the government on the importance of establishing a legitimate…

The United States Special Envoy and Policy Coordinator for Burma, Derek Mitchell sees the current Burma political situation as a work-in-progress, according to the National League for Democracy. NLD spokesman U Ohn Kyaing said that Mr. Mitchell made that statement after meeting with members of NLD central executive committee and the Committee Representing People’s Parliament at Aung San Suu Kyi’s…

A Mon human rights group accused a cement company of confiscating land belonging to villagers without paying the owners adequate compensation for their land. Burma’s state run Kyaymon, newspaper reported last week that two more cement companies will be built near Kaw Pa Naw village in Kyaikmayaw Township, Mon State. The two private companies; John Company and PAC Link Trading…

Burmese and Thai researchers speaking at a conference last week in Bangkok fear that the Dawei Special Industrial Zone planned for southern Burma will have severe negative impacts on thousands of local people as well as the environmental. The 4th International Conference on Human Rights and Human Development held on the 19th of August at Chulalongkorn University featured papers on…

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in a press statement released yesterday said he was encouraged by a meeting on 19 August between President Thein Sein and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the banned national League for Democracy. The meeting between the Ms Suu Kyi and President Thein Sein was the second in recent weeks. It came about…

Rumors are circulating that the trade crossing between Mae Sot on the Thai side and Myawaddy on the Burma side is about to officially open after 13 months of closure. Myawaddy residents are convinced the Friendship Bridge linking the two countries will reopen in a matter of days. A Myawaddy resident told Karen News that there has been discussion between…