World focus on Burma (24 September 2008)

News about U Win Tin’s release from prison after 19 years is indeed one of the top news of the world. As the number of news items about him is large, please read them in the next post under the title of (Collective news) U Win Tin.

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Burma: Sources of Political Change
MorungExpress, India -
The reluctance of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to accept exile and her symbolic importance for these activists and the people of Burma cannot be underestimated. …

MOST E-MAILED
RTT News, NY -
(RTTNews) – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed the release of the seven political prisoners by the Burmese military regime on Tuesday, …

“Reading Burma” in Pictures
mediabistro.com, NY -

The “Reading Burma: A Benefit for Cyclone Relief and Freedom of Expression in Burma/Myanmar” line-up included authors Kiran Desai, Siri Hustvedt, …

Myanmar author beats censors after decade-long battle
Reuters UK, UK -
Nu Nu Yi, the first author living in army-ruled Myanmar to have a book published outside the country, battled censors for more than a decade to get her …

Little succor for Burma’s refugees
Christian Science Monitor, MA -
By Anand Gopal | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor Mae La, Thailand – Myo Zaw thought freedom would begin the day he left Burma (Myanmar). …

UN chief hails Burma prisoner release
NEWS.com.au, Australia -
“The secretary-general welcomes the release yesterday by the Myanmar (Burmese) government of several political prisoners as part of an amnesty procedure, …

A Year After Protests, Burma’s Military Remains Firmly in Control
Voice of America -

“Of course I don’t think the average conscript inside the Myanmar military would be happy at how the monks were treated, to see the monks defrocked, …

A spirit no bars could conquer
Mizzima.com, India -
Now Win Tin has been freed and he is thinking not only of Burma’s future but of those prisoners still held inside Insein Jail. “I am free but I would like …

Freed Myanmar dissident calls for more releases
AFP -
See, I’m now 79 and that’s rather old for a Burmese. So I try to be healthy, I try to be normal. “I tried to survive by keeping some political convictions. …

UN chief lauds release of Myanmar prisoners
GMA news.tv, Philippines -
UNITED NATIONS – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday welcomed the release of Myanmar’s longest-held political prisoner and several others and called …

High-profile amnesty in Myanmar
New Zealand Herald, New Zealand -
YANGON – Myanmar’s longest-serving political prisoner was freed yesterday after 19 years behind bars, along with more than 9000 other prisoners across the …

Where did the ‘Asian century’ vanish to
Nation Multimedia, Thailand -
Asean’s dealings with Burma, whether in diplomacy or humanitarian crises, are a case in point. Asian countries often talk about how a united Asia, …

Fun and friendship a world away

Aucklander, New Zealand -

These women are some of the three million people forced to leave Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. Joy Min came to New Zealand two years ago, …

UN rights expert hopes more Burmese political prisoners will be …

Mizzima.com, India -

… including veteran journalist and longest serving political prisoner Win Tin, is “a positive sign of cooperation from the Government of Myanmar [Burma]. …

Ban urges release of all political prisoners in Myanmar

Monsters and Critics.com -

New York – The government of Myanmar should release all political prisoners after deciding to set free several of them this week, UN Secretary General Ban …

Prominent authors, journalists, rights experts honour Burmese writers
Mizzima.com, India -
With the military ruling in Burma since 1962, human rights violations and repressions have been wide spread. Despite standing up against the junta, …

Freed political prisoner tells of prison abuses
Democratic Voice of Burma, Norway -
Sep 24, 2008 (DVB)–National League for Democracy member U Aye Thein, who was released at noon yesterday from Kalaymyo prison, has spoken out about the …

Iran’s leader disdains Bush speech
The Plain Dealer – cleveland.com, OH -
Bush’s 22-minute address in the packed, 2000-seat hall was mostly a restatement of his previous condemnations of terror, calls to advance democracy and …

Junta lambasted by Shans over ‘sham amnesty to prisoners’
Mizzima.com, India -
… in prisons across Burma. The group also demanded that the junta release all political prisoners. The regime’s mouth piece ‘New Light of Myanmar’ on …

SECRETARY-GENERAL, FORMER TOP SPECIAL ADVISER JOIN HIGH-LEVEL …
7thSpace Interactive (press release), NY -
… former Secretary-General Annan’s initiative in Kenya and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) humanitarian role in Burma. …

Few political prisoners benefit from amnesty
Democratic Voice of Burma, Norway -
Sep 24, 2008 (DVB)–Burmese pro-democracy groups have welcomed the release of some political prisoners yesterday as part of a government amnesty, …

Freedom short lived for released political prisoner
Mizzima.com, India -
Captain Win Htein, a member of Burma’s opposition party – National League for Democracy – who was among those prisoners freed on Tuesday from Katha Prison …

US Department of State: Daily Press Briefing, 23 September 2008
ISRIA (subscription), DC -
So we continue to call on the Burmese regime to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi and to move the country down the path toward …

Bush shows new respect for UN
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia -
But he said “a stronger effort” was needed to help the people of Burma shrug off repression, and decisive action was needed to ensure the Government of …

Response to Etzioni and Ish-Shalom
TPM, NY -
War against Japan produced anti-Western puppet governments in the Philippines, Indonesia, Indochina, and Burma, elements of which in some cases survived to …

Calvary Christian Schools principal documents missionary trip to …
MLive.com, MI -
… team comprised of doctors, nurses, ministry and lay people from Muskegon make the trip to this area that runs along Burma and the borders of Myanmar. …

Multicultural library to honor slain student
LocalNews8.com, ID -
Authorities found her slain body the next day in the home of 21-year-old Esar Met, another refugee from Myanmar, the former Burma. Met has been charged with …

World Must Stand Against Terrorism, Bush Says
NewsBlaze, CA -
… for a review of the UN Human Rights Council and stronger Security Council efforts on behalf of the people of Burma as well as Sudan’s Darfur region. …

Bush points finger at obstructionist countries in UN

Mizzima.com, India -

… permanent United Nations Security Council members, vetoed a resolution calling on the Burmese junta to cease in the persecution of opposition groups, …

Burmese Monks, Dissidents Targeted by Junta

The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand -

… for the release of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners. “We will not be silent while Burma suffers … …

Freed Political Prisoners Call for Others’ Release

The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand -

Dr Than Nyein, Dr May Win Myint and Aung Soe Myint were released along with four other political prisoners: Win Tin, Khin Maung Swe, Aye Thein and Than …

First Lady Laura Bush urges regional assistance on Burma

Mizzima.com, India -

… Mrs. Bush reiterated the long-held United States call for the Burmese junta to initiate a meaningful tripartite dialogue process incorporating …

India’s Support for Burmese Junta Pays Off

The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand -

“The Chindwin holds huge hydropower potential and we intend to further strengthen this relationship by going in for other such projects in Myanmar,” Jairam …

Activists released, opposition calls for Suu Kyi house arrest to end

Radio France Internationale, France -

Win Tin, who was one of the NLD’s founders, was given several jail sentences in 1989 for distributing political propaganda, sheltering a woman who had had …

US president George W Bush and first lady Laura Bush hosted a …

PunjabNewsline.com, India -

… of human rights, and the dignity of all people. Democracy activists from around the world, including Russia, Lithuania, Sierra Leone, Belarus, Burma, …

Shan groups in exile condemn regimes’ mass prisoner release

Shan Herald Agency for News, Thailand -

By Hseng Khio Fah Although a handful of political prisoners, including U Win Tin, a founder of the National League for Democracy (NLD), have been released, …

HIV infection rates rising among self-injecting drug users

News-Medical.net, Australia -

The research revealed HIV infections among these kind of users was over 40% in nine countries – Estonia, Ukraine, Myanmar (Burma), Indonesia, Thailand, …

Brad and Angelina donate $1m

Charities Aid Foundation, UK -

The couple’s non-profit organisation the Jolie-Pitt Foundation has given the money to the Human Rights Watch’s work in Burma and Zimbabwe, according to …

HIV on rise among self-injecting drug users -study

Reuters -

… among these kind of users topped 40 percent in nine nations: Estonia, Ukraine, Myanmar (Burma), Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Argentina, Brazil and Kenya. …

Myanmar releases seven dissidents

CNN International -

An unidentified relative hugs Win Tin, after his release in Yangon, Myanmar, on Tuesday. U Win Tin, 78, a journalist and senior official in the opposition …

Bush speech to UN: “terror” 32, “climate” 0

Reuters UK, UK -

Yet while he spoke a lot about terrorism in his speech on Tuesday, he did also refer to other problems such as human rights in Burma, violence in Darfur, …

Secretary-Gneral calls for ‘global leadership’ to tackle world ...

ReliefWeb (press release), Switzerland -

Indeed, the United Nations was a champion of the most vulnerable, and had been involved in nations including Haiti and Myanmar. However, he also had called …

’Corruption nourishes poverty’

Human Rights Tribune, Switzerland -

Bringing up the rear is Somalia at 1.0, slightly trailing Iraq and Burma at 1.3 and Haiti at 1.4. Asked what the wealthy nations could do to help low-income …

Bush exits with challenge to UN
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA -
Bush urged the United Nations to reform its Human Rights Council, which he complained has frequently protected violators. He called for a more determined …

Myanmar opposition vows to continue fight for Aung San Suu Kyi

AFP -
… freed and that Win Tin will be able to resume his peaceful struggle for press freedom and democracy in Burma,” they added, using Myanmar’s former name. …

Voice of the Martyrs Alert
Crosswalk.com, VA -
… “particularly severe violations of religious freedom,” the report highlights: Myanmar (formerly Burma), China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, …

Push for Political Change in Burma
The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand -
The Group of Friends of the Secretary-General on Myanmar, which had its first meeting on December 19 last year, met several times at the ambassadorial level …

Myanmar author beats censors after decade-long battle
Reuters UK, UK -
A: When I was at Oxford in 1998, I saw Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s “Letters from Burma” at Blackwell’s bookstore. It was the only book from Myanmar — on the …

Long after the tear gas clears, these questions should linger
Pioneer Press, MN -
Pre-emptive arrest is standard practice in police states like North Korea and Burma. Is that the standard Minnesota aspires to? …

BOOK REVIEW | The Burma Chronicles
Charleston City Paper, SC -

… in which he revealed the near-incomprehensible government corruption that plagues the country of Burma (or Myanmar, as it’s called by the United Nations …

The New Asia Crisis
Forbes, NY -
Meanwhile the government of Myanmar (formerly Burma), which stubbornly stood by while nature wiped out parts of its population, keeps its democratically …

General Assembly required
Boston Globe, United States -
Similarly, his lament for the “failure” of the UN’s Human Rights Council gave voice not only to what he called the disappointment of the American people, …

Bush Focuses On Terror At UN
Tampa Tribune, FL -
Bush urged the United Nations to reform its Human Rights Council, which he complained has frequently protected violators. He called for a more determined …

Myanmar frees at least seven political prisoners: NLD
AFP -

YANGON (AFP) — Myanmar’s junta has released at least seven political prisoners as part of an amnesty for more than 9000 inmates, officials from detained …

Burma frees dissident detained for 19 years
Financial Times, UK -
The Myanmar Ahlin newspaper wrote: “The government is trying to transform these convicted prisoners into citizens who can contribute to the building of a …

October 7 is World Day for Decent Work
Straight Goods, Canada -
Already on the site are videos on Export Processing Zones in Haiti and in Honduras, repression of trade union and other human rights in Burma and Guinea, …

Bush at UN: ‘We Must Stand United’
New York Sun, United States -
… a lunch for political dissidents where they discussed how to advance the freedom agenda, the protection of human rights, and the dignity of all people. …

Rudd: ‘Let’s have a go’ At the UN
The Epoch Times, NY -
The ECFR report analysed 10 years of voting at the UN and found that European influence in terms of human rights and a rules based world, had declined …

First Lady Laura Bush Wants More Pressure on Burma
Muncie Free Press, IN -
Mrs. Bush urged Burma’s military government to open talks with Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy party and all of the country’s ethnic groups …

Bushes Visit Governor Island
NY1, NY - (Video included)
The president and first lady made a special appeal to the ruling party in Burma, urging leaders there to open a dialogue with opposition leaders and end the …

Laura Bush Tells China, India to Press Myanmar Over Democracy
Bloomberg -
… in front of the Statue of Liberty in New York flanked by U Kovita, a monk and dissident who fled Myanmar, previously known as Burma, after the protests. …

CARE continues recovery efforts in Myanmar
ReliefWeb (press release), Switzerland -
In early May 2008, Cyclone Nargis swept across the Ayeyarwady Delta and Yangon regions of Myanmar (Burma), devastating entire towns and villages and leaving …

Bush Assures Economic Stability at Last UN Speech
The Epoch Times, NY -

“There should be an immediate review of the Human Rights Council, which has routinely protected violators of human rights,” said Bush. …

HIV on rise among self-injecting drug users: study
Reuters -
… among these kind of users topped 40 percent in nine nations: Estonia, Ukraine, Myanmar (Burma), Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Argentina, Brazil and Kenya. …

Philippines bans milk products from China
Inquirer.net, Philippines -
China has recalled milk it exported to Bangladesh, Burundi, Gabon, Yemen and Burma (Myanmar), but it was not clear if the products sent there were …

The Jolie-Pitts Donate More Ca$h — Is Adoption Next?
Star Magazine, NY -
… Brad gave $100000 to fight the gay marriage ban in Calif, the couple have gifted $1 million to fund Human Rights Watch’s work in Burma and Zimbabwe. …

President and Mrs. Bush Meet with Dissidents
Whitehouse.gov (press release), DC -

We all know the Burmese government has kept Aung San Suu Kyi in prison or house arrest for almost all of the last 18 years. I want to urge all the neighbors …

Laura Bush presses Myanmar’s neighbors over rights
Reuters -
Myanmar, previously known as Burma, has been high on the first lady’s agenda over the past two years and last month she visited a refugee camp in Thailand a …

Laura Bush: India, China must help on Myanmar
AFP -
NEW YORK (AFP) — Against the backdrop of the sun-washed Statue of Liberty, US First Lady Laura Bush on Tuesday implored China and India to help push for …

After Saffron Revolution, all is black in Myanmar
The National, United Arab Emirates -
Twelve months have passed since the last protests, and those in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, face an even bleaker future. The junta’s hold on power has …

US welcomes Myanmar’s amnesty of prisoners
Xinhua, China -
“We continue to call on the Burmese regime to release all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi and to move the country down the path towards …

Majority of Americans say US on wrong track: poll
Gulf Times, Qatar -
… Washington to take a new tack in foreign policy by talking to enemies like the leaders of Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Myanmar (Burma), Hamas and Hezbollah. …

Level of corruption rises says watchdog
New Vision, Uganda - 5 hours ago
… where dozens of aid workers, journalists and boat crew members have been kidnapped for ransom in the past year, followed by Myanmar (Burma) and Iraq….

Scare on toxic milk from China spreads
Inquirer.net, Philippines -
A senior health official in Burma (Myanmar) said plans were afoot to seize and destroy all imported Chinese baby formula as a precaution. …

Court makes historic award for dead crew
Bangkok Post, Thailand -
… the 38 migrant workers, who were mostly Burmese. It is the first time migrant crewmen will receive compensation as a result of human rights violations. …

Bush has strong words at UN
Lancaster Eagle Gazette, OH -
Bush faulted the UN for not helping the citizens of Burma and Sudan overcome tyrannical governments, and for allowing its Human Rights Council to protect …

Daily Press Briefing
US Department of State, DC -
So we continue to call on the Burmese regime to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi and to move the country down the path toward …

US calls on Myanmar to release all political prisoners
Monsters and Critics.com -
Leading democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest for years, should also be freed, Wood said. ‘We continue to call on the Burmese …

State Department blasts China on religious freedom.
ChristianityToday.com, IL -
The eight countries of particular concern are: Myanmar (formerly Burma), China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Uzbekistan. …

Saffron revolution: A year on, no change
Nation Multimedia, Thailand -
The regime has completely ignored the international community’s appeal for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and nearly 2000 political prisoners. …

In UN Speech, Bush Highlights Fight Against Violence, Terrorism
Wall Street Journal Blogs, NY -
They agreed on a historic pledge: “to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, and unite their strength to maintain international peace and security. …

Brown’s comeback
New Statesman, UK -
Progress has long campaigned for greater UK commitment to expose and act on the human rights abuses in Burma, Zimbabwe and Darfur, so Gordon’s reiterated …

Thai, Chinese Scientists Agree to Joint Monsoon Study
RedOrbit, TX -
Scientists from Thailand and China will jointly study the monsoon and cyclone pattern in the Andaman sea in the hope of better forecasting weather in the …

World focus on Burma (8 August 2008)

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Human rights message as Games begin

The Press Association -

Demonstrators from Tibet, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Burma joined forces to protest against human rights violations and China’s hosting of the Olympics. …

Tears and pride as Games opening is watched in UK

BBC News, UK -

Protesters from Tibet, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Burma joined forces to voice their anger about human rights violations. Back in Trafalgar Square, …

20 Years Since Thousands of Pro-Democracy Activists Killed in Burma

Vatican Radio, The Vatican -

In Myanmar, also known as Burma, the military junta arrested 48 activists for a protest to mark the anniversary. Mark Farmaner is Director of the Burma …

Marking a Solemn Anniversary in Myanmar

New York Times Blogs, NY -

“China, more than any other country, has enabled the survival of the brutal Burmese regime,” said Elaine Pearson, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch …

Anti-China activists face federal criminal charges

KUTV, UT -

A protestor wearing a photograph of Burma’s pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi shouts as he stands outside the Chinese Embassy on August 8, …

Christian Rights Group Wants UN to Intervene in Burma Crisis

Christian Post -

The UK-based human rights organization is pressing for key members of the military junta to be brought before the International Criminal Court for crimes …

Authorities arrest rights activist and ABFSU members

Democratic Voice of Burma, Norway -

Aug 8, 2008 (DVB)–Three All Burma Federation of Student Union members and a member of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters network have been arrested by …

Burma comic on cyclone charges

The Australian, Australia -

Cyclone Nargis left 138000 people dead or missing in early May. After the storm, Burma’s military regime was criticised for blocking foreign relief supplies …

Burma Quietly Remembers Anniversary of 1988 Uprising

Voice of America -

The protests pushed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi into the political limelight and helped her found the NLD to challenge army rule. Burma’s ruling …

RP drops anti-Myanmar stance for ASEAN charter

Inquirer.net, Philippines -

… said Congress would find “extreme difficulty in ratifying the charter” until military-ruled Myanmar (Burma) freed Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. …

Tough words from Mrs Bush for Burmese junta

Sydney Morning Herald, Australia -

… of the military crackdown that crushed Burma’s nascent democracy and left the leader of the democratic forces, Aung San Suu Kyi, under house arrest. …

No moving backwards for Myanmar

Amnesty International -

Three months ago, the government wilfully neglected its people when Cyclone Nargis struck Myanmar. Relief workers, diplomats, journalists, and Burmese …

Bin Laden Driver Given Lenient Sentence

Democracy Now, NY -

Internationally, we wish they use their veto power at the UN Security Council and stop supporting brutality in Tibet, Myanmar and Darfur. …

Burma’s bitter remembrance of ’8/8/88′

guardian.co.uk, UK -

Burma’s democracy leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) overwhelmingly won the 1990 elections, remains under …

Remembering 88: Fighting for what is ours

Democratic Voice of Burma, Norway -

In September 2007, the people of Burma yet again made an attempt to gain the rights that they deserve and the military government responded to it in the …

Breakfast of Champions 8/8: Burmese Democracy
Minneapolis City Pages, MN -
… of the Olympics in Beijing — another event that affects Burma. I wonder if they ever think about calling off August in the nation now known as Myanmar. ..

200 anti-Olympic protestors gather at Chinese embassy in London

Monsters and Critics.com -

Demonstrators from Tibet, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Burma joined forces to protest against human rights violations and China’s hosting of the Olympics. …

David Cook: Olympics, Day One

The Chattanoogan, TN -

So, as it hosts the Olympic Games, China also works to shut down democracy in Burma, where human rights violations are commonplace, and Aung San Suu Kyi, …

Thailand urges US to adjust ‘priority’ ranking

Thai News Agency MCOT, Thailand -

Also, Thailand had expressed concerns to the US on its trade sanctions against Myanmar, Mrs. Nongnut said. The sanctions affected not only the Myanmar …

Security crackdown in Burma on eve of uprising anniversary

The military rulers fear a repeat of the 1988 demonstrations Photo:

AFP/Getty Images

Telegraph.co.uk, United Kingdom -

Police and militia have staged a show of force in Burma on the eve of the 20th anniversary of a major uprising which left 3000 civilians dead. …

Crackdown on Burmese aid workers

The Age, Australia -

BURMA’S most famous comedian has been charged in a secret court, along with a sports writer and two activists, apparently for their role in delivering aid …

White House Fact Sheet: The United States and Asia: Enduring …

ISRIA (subscription), DC -

President Bush will meet with Burmese human rights activists and restate the call on Burma’s military junta rulers to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other …

Human rights message as Games begin

The Press Association -

Demonstrators from Tibet, Zimbabwe, Sudan and Burma joined forces to protest against human rights violations and China’s hosting of the Olympics. …

Security tight for 20th anniversary of Burma protests

CBC.ca, Canada -

About 100 gathered outside the Burma Embassy in Bangkok, chanting “Free Burma, Free Aung San Suu Kyi,” and throwing three red airplanes over the wall that …

Bush criticizes China before Beijing visit

Ocala, FL -

The president planned to quickly pivot from his speech to a full day of outreach toward the people of Myanmar, also known as Burma, who live under military …

Bush Committed to Burma Issue, Say Activists

The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand -

Thaung Htun, a representative for UN Affairs of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, the government in exile, said, “Since the Burmese …

US First Lady Laura Bush yesterday visited IOM’s refugee …

ReliefWeb (press release), Switzerland -

The First Lady, who was accompanied by her daughter Barbara, saw IOM cultural orientation trainers preparing refugees for resettlement in the US and saw off …

Business Round-up (August 8, 2008)

The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand -

“[The fact] that each dollar of aid must be converted with Myanmar’s [Burma] military government for a foreign exchange certificate with, now, 80 percent of …

world briefs

Bryan College Station Eagle, United States -

Mrs. Bush, who is traveling in Asia with President Bush, flew to the Thai border with Myanmar, also known as Burma, to visit the Mae La refugee camp and a …

Apprehensive of protests, junta tightens security in Rangoon

Mizzima.com, India -

New Delhi – Security in Burma’s former capital of Rangoon has been stepped up several notches with rumours of impending protests swirling around the city, …

Those who talk, those who walk

United Press International, Asia, Hong Kong -

That is, Burma will remain immune from Thai and most ASEAN pressure to reform, and Thailand itself will continue to see US military sales to the country …

US President Bush visits Bangkok, Thailand

ISRIA (subscription), DC -

America reiterates our call on Burma’s military junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. We’ll continue working until the people of …

Laura Bush’s Myanmar crusade

Asia Times Online, Hong Kong -

In 2003, Congress passed the Freedom and Democracy Act after an attack on pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s motorcade by government-organized thugs …

‘Intl community should push for political reforms in Myanmar’

Economic Times, India -

“As the world celebrates the opening of the Beijing Olympics, people should pause to remember the atrocities in Burma 20 years ago,” said Elaine Pearson, …

Burma In The Shadow Of The Olympics

Sin Chew Jit Poh, Malaysia -

All this is so very applicable in the Myanmar of today. Members of the Burmese junta could not have acted out of love when they used naked force to smash …

CSW wants UN to intervene in Burma crisis

ChristianToday, UK -

by Anne Thomas Christian Solidarity Worldwide is calling for “urgent, specific and meaningful action” from the UN to address Burma’s ongoing political and …

Searching for Democracy Twenty Years On

The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand -

Paradoxically, the regime led by Snr-Gen Than Shwe thought it could save the country from “disintegration” and “anarchy.” The most disturbing thing is the …

Arakanese Community Stages Protest in Dhaka against 2010 Election

Narinjara News, Bangladesh -

… Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo, because their detention is unjust and unfair, and is furthermore against the current laws of Burma,” said Ko Kyaw Myint. …

Myanmar’s bloody “8-8-88″ uprising remembered

Myanmar nationals living in Thailand and members of human rights groups chant anti-junta slogans and wave placards calling for the release of democracy icon and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi during a demonstration outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok August 8, 2008.

Reuters -

… burnt Myanmar flags and waved placards calling for the release of democracy icon and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest in …

Burma quiet on rally anniversary

Chinese embassies were the target of some of Friday’s protests

BBC News, UK -
Until the 8/8/88 protests, Aung San Suu Kyi was only known as the daughter of liberation hero Aung San, but her speech to the assembled protesters during …

Bush Calls On Myanmar, China To Respect Rights

Journal of Turkish Weekly, Turkey -

“America reiterates our call on Burma’s military junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners,” he said. “We will continue working until …

William Holston Jr.: Rally tonight in Dallas to support Burmese …

Dallas Morning News, TX -

Within two years, one of the young activists, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, received the Nobel Peace Prize. She was unable to attend the ceremony, however…

Myanmar activists mark 20th anniversary of crushed democracy

Monsters and Critics.com -

… which he promised to ‘seek an end to tyranny in Burma,’ and reiterated the call for Myanmar’s regime to release opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi who …

US president’s trip to China starts off on a frosty note

Press and Journal, UK -

Mr Bush has said he wants to enjoy the 2008 Summer Olympics, but also will talk to President Hu Jintao about human rights and a host of other bilateral …

Activists rally in Philippines for democracy in Myanmar

Monsters and Critics.com -

‘Sports, according to the Olympics charter, should promote human rights and social justice,’ said Egoy Bans, spokesman for the Free Burma …

Myanmar’s bloody “8-8-88″ uprising remembered

guardian.co.uk, UK -

… laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is under house arrest in Yangon. In the Philippine capital Manila, activists from the Free Burma Coalition and Amnesty …

Security tight on anniversary of Myanmar uprising

The Associated Press -

He later joined about 100 others outside the Myanmar Embassy. They chanted “Free Burma, Free Aung San Suu Kyi” and threw red paper airplanes with the …

Dublin event to mark anniversary of Burma uprising

Belfast Telegraph, United Kingdom -

An event is due to be held on Dublin’s O’Connell Street this afternoon to mark the 20th anniversary of the pro-democracy uprising in Burma. …

China rebuffs Bush speech

Denver Post, CO -

By Steven Lee Myers First lady Laura Bush sits with students during a visit to a refugee camp on the Thai-Myanmar border Thursday. …

For peace in Nagaland, dialogue among Nagas must succeed (Commentary)

SINDH TODAY, Pakistan -

But Muivah and Swu stood firm along with Khaplang, their comrade in western Burma (Myanmar), and forced a split in the NNC, one which gave birth to the NSCN …

Stuck between the summit and the roundtable

Business Day, South Africa -

Help to Cuba and the Palestinians, blocking UN managerial reform, and manoeuvring around tougher action on Burma and Iran. None of this does one bit for …

Shame on China — and the IOC

MiamiHerald.com, FL -

When IOC Vice President Kim Un-Yong was jailed a few years ago, charged with embezzling millions and receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in kickbacks …

Myanmar revolt crackdown remembered

Aljazeera.net, Qatar -

However, Bush also heard criticism of Washington’s stance towards Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, for forcing the generals into isolation. …

EWEN’S COMPLETES HIS MISSION FOR BURMA

Guide and Gazette, UK -

In June, Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy published a joint statement, in an open letter to Burma’s democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi: “We wish to use this …

China tells Bush to stay out of its affairs

Dispatch Online, South Africa -

Burma – called Myanmar by the regime – marks the 20th anniversary of a brutal crackdown on pro-democracy activists today. Laura Bush flew for the day to …

The Games They Play in Burma

Scoop.co.nz, New Zealand -

by J. Sri Raman, On August 8, a small team of six athletes from Burma is scheduled to participate in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing. …

Olympic Expectations

Bangor Daily News, ME -

… for human rights, harsh treatment of Tibet, its omnipresent censorship and its financial dealings with morally corrupt regimes in Sudan, Burma and Iran. …

Conditions in Myanmar much starker than previously assessed, AP finds

Kansas City Star, MO -

… assistance to enable them to rebuild their lives,” said Andrew Kirkwood, who heads the aid agency Save the Children in Myanmar, also known as Burma. …

Crazy eights: Chinese, wedding parties and birthday celebrators …
Naples Daily News, FL -
The sole exception would be in Burma, officially known as Myanmar, where such a protest would likely be considered suicide. On August 8, 1988, which has one ..

Rights groups cry for freedom of ‘prisoners of conscience’

Cebu Daily News, Philippines -

At that time in Myanmar, Burmese students gathered and staged demonstrations calling for democracy. These quickly spread in different parts of Myanmar until …

Myanmar’s bloody “8-8-88″ uprising remembered

guardian.co.uk, UK -

After last year’s large-scale fuel-price rallies, the generals in charge of the former Burma are taking no chances, with extra police and pro-government …

Myanmar Still A Disaster

The Moderate Voice -

It is sad to say that there will probably be very little done to help the suffering people of Burma/Myanmar. (1) The Moderate Voice’s comments are hosted by …

Chinese FM conveys congratulations on 41st anniversary of ASEAN …

Xinhua, China -

8, 1967 for boosting regional integration, ASEAN later absorbed Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia as its members. …

Burmese recall uprising

Radio Australia, Australia -

LAMEY: It speaks volumes about Burma that the country of 47 million can muster only 6 athletes to compete in Beijing. And for many in that country, …

Bush Criticizes China In Bangkok Speech

WMUR, NH -

BEIJING — President George W. Bush arrived in China Thursday on a trip that his aides hope will keep a positive focus on the Olympic spirit while showing …

Bush annoys Chinese with human rights speech

Birmingham Star, AL -

… watching Hu’s color on his face, doing nothing to give a hand to help Burma’s Aung San Suu Kyi to get released from house-arrest; now visiting China, …

UN rights envoy ends Burma visit

The Standard, Hong Kong -

A United Nations human rights envoy held “constructive” talks with junta leaders in Burma and was allowed to meet with detained pro-democracy activists …

The Sarcasm Revolution

Contra Costa Times, CA -

Political satire remains a dangerous pastime in Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. But Maung Yit and two other local Myanmar exiles use their comfortable …

The two sides of 8888

InTheNews.co.uk, UK -

But the number eight holds a further significance today, for it is exactly 20 years since the 8888 uprising in Burma. What started out as a student-led …

Ending the junta

InTheNews.co.uk, UK -

Today the generals of Burma – officially the State Peace and Development Council – mark an unofficial 20th birthday of sorts. Twenty years ago to the day …

China key to Burma’s ‘survival’

InTheNews.co.uk, UK -

Attempts by the United Nations security council to place limits on the junta have been stymied by China and Russia, who have blocked sanctions and arms …

Philippines: Myanmar Exile Calls For More Pressure On Generals

Khun Myint Tun, right, Member of Parliament Union of Burma who won a seat during the national elections in 1990 but not allowed to assume power, is joined by Filipino supporters during a press conference. (Photo courtesy: AP Photo/Pat Roque)

Sin Chew Jit Poh, Malaysia -

Khun Myint Tun, right, Member of Parliament Union of Burma who won a seat during the national elections in 1990 but not allowed to assume power, …

Myanmar: Dissident Myanmar Comic Charged By Court

Sin Chew Jit Poh, Malaysia -

The UN estimated Myanmar to have more than 1100 political prisoners. Quintana said he has asked the government to let him return to Myanmar in March 2009 …

Asia after Bush

Bangkok Post, Thailand -

The cause of Burma’s freedom, democracy and human rights was poignantly served but whether Mr Bush and his wife’s gestures will make any difference on the …

Secret court may jail Burma comic Maung Thura for helping Cyclone …

Times Online, UK -

Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma, left Rangoon last night after a four-day visit during which he went to Insein jail …

Myanmar: Dissident Myanmar Comic Charged By Court

Sin Chew Jit Poh, Malaysia -

Before he was detained, Zarganar said he and more than 400 entertainers in Myanmar volunteered to help victims of the cyclone, making several trips to …

Bush arrives in Beijing

International Herald Tribune, France -

… his Thursday speech represented criticisms of China, though he also criticized the authoritarian leaders of North Korea and Myanmar, the former Burma. …

PRESS DIGEST – Thai newspapers – Aug 8

Reuters -

US President George W. Bush said the United States sought an end to tyranny in Myanmar as he and first Lady Laura Bush spent much of their time in Thailand …

US to keep pressure on Burma

Bangkok Post, Thailand -

THANIDA TANSUBHAPOL and AP United States President George Bush yesterday vowed to continue exerting pressure on Burma’s military regime. …

Why US president met the Burmese at envoy’s house

Bangkok Post, Thailand -

The process was secretly and carefully arranged, given the sensitivity of the issue, which could have affected Thailand’s relations with Burma. …

The First Lady Visits Refugees From Myanmar

New York Times, United States -

Than Shwe, the head of the military junta, that “the time for a free Burma is now.” Another image from Laura Bush’s camp visit. …

No moving backwards, despite the junta

Bangkok Post, Thailand -

If the future is to be better, the United Nations’ Security Council and Burma’s Asian neighbours must cease turning a blind eye to human rights violations …

20th Anniversary of the 8888 Uprising

Scoop.co.nz (press release), New Zealand -

Today (8 08 2008) marks the 20th anniversary of Burma’s largest national democratic uprising when millions of Burmese citizens bravely marched through the …

What if you gave a dinner party and the Axis of Evil came?

USA Today -

Q: Speaking of Burma, what are your thoughts on the ethics of making tourist visits to countries with long, dark records of human-rights abuses? …

Stop the dream, I want to get off

Ha’aretz, Israel -

And the presidents of Zimbabwe, Myanmar (Burma), Sudan and North Korea will also be there – all of them criminals against humanity and bosom buddies of the …

A round-up of today’s world news

Irish Times, Ireland -

RANGOON – The new United Nations human rights envoy to Burma, Argentine lawyer Tomas Ojea Quintana, met five prominent political prisoners on his first trip …

Bush In Bangkok Blasts Burma & China

Scoop.co.nz, New Zealand -

On Thursday (August 6), President Bush visits the Mercy Center, a slum-based group of schools, AIDS hospices, orphanages, and medical clinics in Bangkok run …

Time to unite for real cause

The Canberra Times, Australia -

Dr Thaung Htun is the Representative for United Nations Affairs of the Burma UN Service Office, National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, …

Olympics Demonstration in London

Zimbabwejournalists.com, UK -

Representatives of Burma, Sudan, Tibet and Zimbabwe will lay flowers in mourning for the deaths of millions of victims of dictators supported by China. …

Jolie plans to build an AIDS clinic in Ethiopia

Birmingham Star, AL -

“The next trip for our foundation will most likely to be Asia to follow up on the situation in Burma and our work in Cambodia, Jolie said.

Regret, anger for Burma’s ’88 uprising exiles

ABC Online, Australia -

On the day now stamped in his memory as 8.8.88, Nyo Ohn Myint was certain that change was finally within reach in his military-ruled homeland of Burma. …

Cyclone Nargis Underscores Challenges in Delivering Aid to Burma

Voice of America -

Burma’s government also sat on visa applications from the United Nations and humanitarian agencies. It took pressure from the UN and the Association of …

Behind the story: it’s like arresting Rowan Atkinson or Ricky Gervais

Times Online, UK -

But the work to which they committed themselves — raising and distributing aid to the victims of the cyclone — was inescapably political. …

The Hypocrisy of The Democrats

ProLife Blogs -

Excerpts from it show how hypocritical he is: Will we stand for the human rights of the dissident in Burma, the blogger in Iran, or the voter in Zimbabwe? …

Bush says US firmly opposed to China’s repression

Amador Ledger-Dispatch, CA -

The president plans to quickly pivot from his speech to a full day of outreach toward the people of Myanmar, also known as Burma, who live under military …

President and Mrs. Bush Visit USAID Programs in Thailand

MarketWatch -

The Bushes also were briefed on USAID’s ongoing work in Burma to ensure that the survivors of May’s Cyclone Nargis have access to food and the ability to …

UN Envoy Receives ‘Good Signs’ From Burma

Tomas Ojea Quintana, the UN Human Rights Council investigator for Burma, plays with Burmese schoolchildren as he inspects cyclone-davasted Irrawaddy river delta at Kyaukalat village, 05 Aug 2008

Voice of America -

By VOA News The United Nations human rights envoy for Burma says he received “good signs” that the ruling junta accepted his need to investigate allegations …

Bush calls for freedom in China

The Canberra Times, Australia -

The President planned to quickly pivot from his speech to a full day of outreach toward the people of Burma, who live under military rule across the border. …

In Cyclone’s Wake, Burmese Military Government Appears Strengthened

Voice of America -

By Pros Laput Some Burmese had expressed hope that Cyclone Nargis would lead to the collapse of the military government. The cyclone, which hit Burma three …

The real challenge for China: what does it do after the Games?

The National, United Arab Emirates -

… nuclear concerns, but is increasingly criticised for its silence on Burma and Darfur, treatment of the Tibetan crisis and its own human rights record. …

UN Burma envoy concludes first visit

Radio Australia, Australia -

The new UN human rights envoy for Burma has wound up a five-day visit to the country saying he’s received positive signs the military government accepts his …

Burma: No Rights Reform 20 Years After Massacre

Human Rights Watch (press release) -

China’s actions, such as blocking UN Security Council action on Burma, have frustrated efforts by the Burmese people to enlist other countries and the …

US President Leaves Thailand for China

RedOrbit, TX -

… are different from the US’s interest on Burma,” said Win Min, one of nine Thailand-based Myanmar dissidents who lunched with Bush Thursday in Bangkok.

Bush Goes Looking for Relevance, A Legacy in Asia

Huffington Post, NY -

While in Bangkok, Bush plans to meet Burmese activists, while first lady, Laura — a bit of Burma activist herself — trips up to Mae La, the largest of the …

UN rights envoy meets Myanmar political prisoners

Reuters -

The former Burma’s military rulers are generally impervious to outside pressure, but have allowed in UN representatives since they crushed pro-democracy …

‘India must review its policy on Burma’

Howrah News Service, India -

He felt India’s ties with the junta has not been good for the people of Burma. “There is no trickle-down effect on the people,” he said, alluding to huge …

Conditions in Myanmar starker than portrayed

The Associated Press -

… assistance to enable them to rebuild their lives,” said Andrew Kirkwood, who heads the aid agency Save the Children in Myanmar, also known as Burma. …

Bush slams China over rights record

Inquirer.net, Philippines -

Another focus of Bush’s visit to Thailand is neighboring Burma (Myanmar), which is under heavy US sanctions to try to bring an end to 46 years of unbroken …

McCain’s “League of Democracies” Proposal, Rejected by Allies …

AlterNet, CA -

India, the world’s largest democracy, has also been reluctant to enlist in various campaigns, such as isolating Burma or Iran, which Washington and its …

Beijing holds key to change in Burma

Financial Times, UK -

He had given interviews to foreign media criticising the regime’s slow response to cyclone Nargis, which left 133000 people dead or missing in May this year …

US president affirms commitment to Burma

Democratic Voice of Burma, Norway -

The US president spoke of his frustration with the delays in relief supplies getting to Burma after the cyclone, but said he felt it was the right decision …

New UN rights envoy starts mission in Myanmar

Mr Quintana wants to meet representatives of several groups

Reuters -

Tomas Ojea Quintana, whose own parents were political prisoners under a military regime in Argentina, arrived in the former Burma late on Sunday and is due …

Envoy expected to meet Myanmar democracy activists International Herald Tribune, France -

New UN rights envoy starts mission in Myanmar EcoDiario.es, Spain -

New UN rights envoy visits Burma BBC News, UK -

UN envoy meets Myanmar monks: official AFP

UN Human Rights Expert Arrives In Myanmar AHN -

UN Rights Envoy Meets Burmese Buddhist Monks The Irrawaddy News Magazine, Thailand -

New UN rights envoy starts mission in Myanmar U.S. Daily, ca -

First mission of the Special Rapporteur on Myanmar UNPO, Netherlands -

UN: Myanmar prison shootings should be probed

By FRANK JORDANS –

GENEVA (AP) — Myanmar should investigate reports that inmates were shot to death in a Yangon prison as Cyclone Nargis ravaged the country last month, a U.N. human rights expert said Friday.

Tomas Ojea Quintana, the U.N. Human Rights Council’s new investigator for Myanmar, said security forces apparently opened fire after prisoners at Insein prison panicked when zinc roofs were blown off during the May 2-3 cyclone.

“The authorities should conduct a thorough and transparent investigation to clarify the facts and identify the perpetrators of these arbitrary killings,” he said in a 16-page report to the rights council.

Tate Naing of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) put the death toll at 40, based on several reports the group received about the shooting.

The Thailand-based organization for Myanmar exiles said more than 1,500 prisoners were forced to congregate inside a prison hall and were locked inside until the morning of May 3.

Angry prisoners set fire to the hall and a riot ensued. Guards attempting to contain the situation opened fire and soldiers and riot police were called in, the group said.

However, Myanmar’s government rejected the claim that inmates had been shot in the incident.

“No one was killed or injured during the event,” said Wunna Maung Lwin, Myanmar’s ambassador to the U.N. office in Geneva. “The prison security, as well as the police and the military, had not in any circumstances used arms against the prisoners.”

Questioning Quintana’s impartiality, Lwin added that “human rights issues must be addressed with respect for national sovereignty.”

Quintana, who took up his post May 1, has yet to visit the country himself.

In his report, he touched on aid delays related to the cyclone, but stopped short of blaming the junta for causing additional suffering to the 2.4 million people affected by the storm. Many could not be reached by international relief agencies because of government-imposed restrictions.

Beyond the cyclone, Quintana said he was greatly concerned the country’s rulers had made no improvement on important issues such as the treatment of political prisoners, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.

“The situation of human rights in Myanmar … has not changed for the better,” said Quintana, a rights expert from Argentina.

“The reported number of political prisoners and detention conditions continue to be appalling,” Quintana said, adding he had been informed that some 1,900 people are imprisoned on political grounds.

He called on the government to release the country’s most prominent political prisoner, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been held under house arrest for 12 of the last 18 years.

The Southeast Asian country faced international condemnation last September after security forces violently suppressed pro-democracy protests, killing dozens.

Last month’s referendum on a new constitution meanwhile lacked transparency because international observers were blocked from attending, he said. The vote was held May 10, about a week after the May 2-3 cyclone.

Critics say the constitution is designed to perpetuate the military’s decades-old grip on power and have questioned the fairness of the referendum.

The government reported that 98.12 percent of the 27.3 million eligible voters cast ballots and that 92.48 percent of them approved the charter.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5id4uVdD2eWaFKyxsq6RQ2ydxb_eAD914N3D01

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