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Following the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the announcement of Burma's fraudulent election results, vastly differing viewpoints on the risks and opportunities facing the country continue to be put forward. Stark contrasts continue be found, firstly regarding the approach needed from the international community and Burmese civil society towards politics and secondly in regard to the question of who the potential game changers really are at this time.
Burma's Armed Forces, the Tatmadaw, plans to attack northern Karen State and eastern Pegu Division in line with a new strategy involving assassinations followed by the herding of insurgents into kill zones using combat helicopters and finalised with the total destruction of them with massed artillery and ground troops.
Christmas is a time when families reunite, to share meals together and enjoy their holiday. But in Burma, many families have lost their homes and livelihoods in cyclone Giri. Cyclone Giri survivors are urgently in need of clean water, food and shelter. Please give generously!
A photo essay from Burma Matters Now, depicting the effect that the Burma Army's indiscriminate counter-insurgency strategy has on hundreds of thousands of men women and children every year. Where troops are unable to gain territory they will simply destroy settlements before moving out again to keep communities in chaos and the local people too poor, hurt and terrified to rise up against their military rulers.
A joint statement by the Shan Nationalities Democratic Party, the Rakhine Nationalities Development Party, the Chin National Party, the All Mon Regions Democracy Party, and the Phalon Sawaw Democratic Party was released on January 15th to “make an earnest request to the tatmadaw, USDP, the present government and to the international community”. Here is a full translation of the statement in English.
The most notable request was for Western nations to drop all sanctions, “as they have led to problems in trade, investment and acquisition of modern technology which are important for the development of the ethnic regions which have been underdeveloped throughout history.”
Following this they requested that:
Following the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and the announcement of Burma’s fraudulent election results, vastly differing viewpoints on the risks and opportunities facing the country continue to be put forward. As in the lead-up to the elections, analysts across the board agree that the military is as eager as ever to hold onto power, and most likely will for the forseeable future. However, stark contrasts continue be found, firstly regarding the approach needed from the international community and Burmese civil society towards politics and secondly in regard to the question of who the potential game changers really are at this time.Some, seeing the extent of corruption that riddled election day in November as confirmation that hopes held by pro-democracy candidates were naive and misfounded, remain deeply pessimistic about the coming opportunities for reform. Others, dedicated to making the most of any space they can find within the new framework insist that pro-democrats mustn’t dismiss the possibility that progress can be made and continue the uphill struggle.
Particularly far from optimistic is Burma-focused author Bertil Lintner, who wrote a detailed editorial piece for Global Asia this month, entitled “Could Burma Finally Be Poised for Reform?” Starkly aware of the archaic and belligerent nature of Burma’s military leaders, Lintner remains an avid realist putting forward that “there is precious little Suu Kyi can do in today’s Burma, where the grip on the nation by a powerful and well-equipped military is stronger than ever,” and that “history has shown that authoritarian governments do not negotiate their own demise through some kind of “dialogue” or “engagement.” Using this rationale he provides scathing criticsm of “Western pundits” attempting to constructively engage with the regime predicting they “are likely to be laughed at by the generals, who consider such outside interference as patronizing and colonial.”
He then concludes, somewhat ominoulsy that, “change will come when someone within the ruling elite turns against the top leadership. But for now, there are no signs of such discontent within Burma’s military establishment. Still, the country’s only hope for the future is that some officers, young or old, will some day change their minds. The bitter reality is that until and unless that happens, nothing is likely to change.”
At the other end of the spectrum is Burma Centrum Nederland, which released a detailed paper this month which though statting that, ”evolution is not inevitable”, concluded that ”The international community should support the range of actors in Burma in their efforts to promote political change.” The paper, entitled “A Changing Ethnic Landscape: Analysis of Burma’s 2010 Polls”,does little to disprove the pessimistic viewpoints that many hold of the current political landscape, but resolves to offer pragmatic input nonetheless. Essentially, “The elections held in Burma on 7 November 2010 were not free and fair”, but “Burma is at a critical juncture in its history. The transition to a form of civilian government and constitutional rule is underway, however imperfect it may be.”
Debate is ongoing among various pro-democratic forces, and looks set to continue. It will likely be where ideas converge where opportunities for progress will be developed, however small the continue to look at this time.
NORWAY COMPLICIT IN HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES THROUGH MULTIBILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENTS IN OIL & GAS COMPANIES IN BURMA (MYANMAR)
Norwegian Government Violating Own Ethical Guidelines with USD $4.7 Billion Invested in 15 Companies Connected to Killings, Forced Labor, Land Confiscation
Oslo, Norway – The Norwegian Government is complicit in land confiscation, forced labor, killings, and upholding a repressive military regime in Burma (Myanmar), according to a new report released today by the Thailand and Washington D.C.‐based human rights and environmental organization EarthRights International. New evidence and firsthand testimonies from inside Burma link companies in the Norwegian Government’s investment portfolio tongoing human rights abuses by the Burmese Army on behalf of the companies and their iolation of its own Ethical Guidelines for responsible investment. oprojects, putting Norway in violation of its own guidelines of Ethical Guidelines for responsible investment.
The 40-page publication, entitled Broken Ethics: The Norwegian Government’s Investments in Oil and Gas Companies Operating in Burma (Myanmar), documents how the Norwegian Pension Fund-Global (Fund) has USD $4.7 billion invested in 15 oil and gas companies from eight countries operating in Burma. The report finds these companies complicit in abuses such as forced labor, killings, and land confiscation in Burma, putting Norway in violation of its own Ethical Guidelines for responsible investment. The Norwegian Fund is the world’s second largest sovereign wealth fund and the repository of the Norwegian peoples’ excess oil and natural gas wealth.”
To read the rest of the press release in full, click here
To read the report in full, click here
In a video report released today by exile Chinese news service, NTD Television, The Shan State Army-South’s leading General, Yawd Serk stated that “If the new Burmese government doesn’t want to open up for the ethnic minority groups to take part in solving problems, but uses its armed forces to oppress these groups, then the fighting will spread out to broader areas than where it is now.”
The video also includes remarkable footage from the battle between DKBA and SPDC in early November.
To view the piece on NTD Television’s website, click here
David Mathieson (Image from DVB)
In an interview published on DVB today, Human Rights Watch’s David Mathieson says “All the signs from the past six weeks show that fighting’s either going to continue the way it has, which is sporadic outbreaks in more areas for a couple of hundred kilometres south of Mae Sot, or it will intensify:, referring to the ongoing conlict in Dooplaya and Pa’an Districts.
David Mathieson: ‘War crimes are happening’
DVB – 9th November 2010
Refugees continue to move back and forth across Burma’s border with Thailand as fighting in Karen state shows no sign of abating. Thai authorities have been criticised for treating those who fled like ‘ping pong balls’, refusing them sanctuary and forcing their return. But although it’s a complex situation, says Burma researcher at Human Rights Watch, David Mathieson, the refugees must be given a safe haven.
To read the interview in full, click here
According to Arakanese news service, Narinjara, construction has begun on a new port in Site-tway (Sittwe) as part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. The project, which is India’s answer to the isolation of its landlocked North East region, has caused great concern among Arakanese community groups and activists which form the Arakan Rivers Network anticipating that the project will lead to human rights abuse, loss of livelihoods and sever environmental degradation in the name of profits for the military government.
Construction of Sittwe Port for Kaladan Multiple River Project Starts
Narinjara 12/1/1o
Sittwe: Construction of the Sittwe Seaport, a major component of the Kaladan Multiple River Project between Burma and India, has been underway for a week, report witnesses and townspeople.
A businessman in Sittwe said, “The construction of the Sittwe Seaport began last week. Now along the bank of the strand road in Sittwe sand has been piled up for construction of the port.”
Earlier reports included speculation that many important buildings, like the general hospital, central markets, and post offices would have to be relocated if the port were to be built in Sittwe.
To read the article in full, click here
To read more about the damaging implications of the project on the ARN website, click here
From Girirelief.net
Christmas is a time when families reunite, to share meals together and enjoy their holiday.
But in Burma, many families have lost their homes and livelihoods in cyclone Giri. On October 22, 2010, cyclone Giri hit Arakan (Rakhine) state in Western Burma (Myanmar). More than 20,000 homes were completely destroyed, affecting over 260,000 people.
Cyclone Giri survivors are urgently in need of clean water, food and shelter. The UN has estimated that almost US$53 million of aid is needed. So far, only US$18 million has been pledged by international donors.
The Giri Relief Committee is a group of organizations and individuals based in Arakan State and the Thai-Burma border. We came together after the cyclone to support the efforts of local people who are delivering aid to the affected families.
In this season of giving, we urge you to remember those families in Burma who have lost everything. Help us to help them rebuild their lives.
Please give generously!
“In an article for PBS Media Shift today, Thailand-based Simon Roghneen reports “an estimated 30 to 40 managed to sneak in on tourist visas, seven were deported after being detained by the police. Fourteen media workers are currently behind bars, some serving sentences of up to 35 years. There are a total of around 2,200 political prisoners who remain locked up, despite the release of Suu Kyi.”
till, high-profile reporters such as BBC’s John Simpson managed to interview Suu Kyi after her release, with no apparent retaliation or punitive measures by the ruling junta. One reporter in Rangoon, who asked to remain anonymous due to the restrictions on foreign journalists operating in Burma, told me the apparent indifference to the journalists-posing-as-tourists was more due to ineptitude on the part of the police, rather than newfound tolerance.”
A solid overview of media access during the election period. To read the article in full on the author’s website, click here
Aung San Suu Kyi (Taken from Washington Post)
According to the Washington Times, Aung San Suu Kyi is considering working to have Western sanctions on Burma lifted. In one of the most detailed interviews on that paticular subject since here release, the Lady reportedly said:
“If we find that the sanctions are only hurting the people and that there is no positive outcome as a result of the sanctions, then certainly we would consider calling on those who have imposed sanctions to think whether it is not time to stop them,”
[...]
“But it is not as simple as all that,” she said. “There are many, many aspects of sanctions undertaken by our supporters because they wanted to help us achieve the democratic process. So it is not as easy as saying, ‘Well, we think that it’s time for sanctions to be lifted.’ “”
To read the article in full, click here
In a video report released today by exile Chinese news service, NTD Television, The Shan State Army-South’s leading General, Yawd Serk stated that “If the new Burmese government doesn’t want to open up for the ethnic minority groups to take part in solving problems, but uses its armed forces to oppress these groups, then the fighting will spread out to broader areas than where it is now.”
The video also includes remarkable footage from the battle between DKBA and SPDC in early November.
To view the piece on NTD Television’s website, click here
[/caption]
In an interview published on DVB today, Human Rights Watch’s David Mathieson says “All the signs from the past six weeks show that fighting’s either going to continue the way it has, which is sporadic outbreaks in more areas for a couple of hundred kilometres south of Mae Sot, or it will intensify:, referring to the ongoing conlict in Dooplaya and Pa’an Districts.
David Mathieson: ‘War crimes are happening’
DVB – 9th November 2010
Refugees continue to move back and forth across Burma’s border with Thailand as fighting in Karen state shows no sign of abating. Thai authorities have been criticised for treating those who fled like ‘ping pong balls’, refusing them sanctuary and forcing their return. But although it’s a complex situation, says Burma researcher at Human Rights Watch, David Mathieson, the refugees must be given a safe haven.
To read the interview in full, click here
According to Arakanese news service, Narinjara, construction has begun on a new port in Site-tway (Sittwe) as part of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. The project, which is India’s answer to the isolation of its landlocked North East region, has caused great concern among Arakanese community groups and activists which form the Arakan Rivers Network anticipating that the project will lead to human rights abuse, loss of livelihoods and sever environmental degradation in the name of profits for the military government.
Construction of Sittwe Port for Kaladan Multiple River Project Starts
Narinjara 12/1/1o
Sittwe: Construction of the Sittwe Seaport, a major component of the Kaladan Multiple River Project between Burma and India, has been underway for a week, report witnesses and townspeople.
A businessman in Sittwe said, “The construction of the Sittwe Seaport began last week. Now along the bank of the strand road in Sittwe sand has been piled up for construction of the port.”
Earlier reports included speculation that many important buildings, like the general hospital, central markets, and post offices would have to be relocated if the port were to be built in Sittwe.
To read the article in full, click here
To read more about the damaging implications of the project on the ARN website, click here
“In an article for PBS Media Shift today, Thailand-based Simon Roghneen reports “an estimated 30 to 40 managed to sneak in on tourist visas, seven were deported after being detained by the police. Fourteen media workers are currently behind bars, some serving sentences of up to 35 years. There are a total of around 2,200 political prisoners who remain locked up, despite the release of Suu Kyi.”
till, high-profile reporters such as BBC’s John Simpson managed to interview Suu Kyi after her release, with no apparent retaliation or punitive measures by the ruling junta. One reporter in Rangoon, who asked to remain anonymous due to the restrictions on foreign journalists operating in Burma, told me the apparent indifference to the journalists-posing-as-tourists was more due to ineptitude on the part of the police, rather than newfound tolerance.”
A solid overview of media access during the election period. To read the article in full on the author’s website, click here