News and info about Burma. Follow the political climate of Burma and share your thoughts and opinions about what's going on for families in Burma during these times.
Burma's opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, may soon be released so she can play a role in next year's election, a senior Burmese diplomat has said. "There is a plan to release her soon ... so she can organise her party," Min Lwin, a director-general in the foreign ministry, to ld the Associated Press. He gave no details and it was unclear whether Aung San Suu Kyi would be allowed to campaign or stand for election. Despite the conciliatory remarks, the country's constitution includes... Read Full Story
Than Shwe Song and Dance Routine It would appear that the only beneficiary to all these meetings in Burma will be the caterers. With Daw Aung San Suu Kyi still under house arrest, political prisoners continue to be tortured and increased secret arrests of monks and opposition go unreported. Not much has changed in fact things only got worse according to insiders. On the bright side Than Shwe succeeded in buying critically needed time and fostered pseudo legitimacy for his bogus 2010... Read Full Story
YANGON (Reuters) - Myanmar authorities have arrested up to 50 people including journalists, political activists and students in a security crackdown this month in its biggest city, a Thailand-based human rights group said on Friday. The arrests include 10 journalists along with a number of opponents to Myanmar's ruling military junta, said Bo Kyi, co-founder of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a group of former detainees who track those behind bars. "It's not clear why... Read Full Story
Myanmar's Buddhist monks face continuing intimidation, repression and severe jail sentences two years after the junta's crackdown on anti-government protests, a rights group said Tuesday. A report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) said around 240 monks were serving tough prison terms, while thousands have been disrobed or live under "constant surveillance" following their leading role in the 2007 demonstrations. The protests began as small rallies against the rising cost of living but escalated... Read Full Story
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. government has restricted travel to the United States by Guinea's military junta, which has been accused of planning a bloody crackdown on opposition protesters who killed more than 150 people. "On October 23, 2009, the United States imposed restrictions on travel to the United States by certain members of the military junta and the government, as well as other individuals who support policies or actions that undermine the restoration of democracy and the rule... Read Full Story
Myanmar's junta Friday freed two journalists who helped victims of Cyclone Nargis and released several opposition activists as part of an amnesty for more than 7,000 prisoners, witnesses said. One of the freed journalists was Eint Khaing Oo, 28, who was arrested in 2008. This year she became the first recipient of an award set up in memory of a Japanese video reporter who was killed in monk-led protests in 2007. "I am happy that I am free. I will continue working as a journalist," Eint... Read Full Story
Myanmar's junta Friday freed two journalists who helped victims of Cyclone Nargis and released several opposition activists as part of an amnesty for more than 7,000 prisoners, witnesses said. One of the freed journalists was Eint Khaing Oo, 28, who was arrested in 2008. This year she became the first recipient of an award set up in memory of a Japanese video reporter who was killed in monk-led protests in 2007. "I am happy that I am free. I will continue working as a journalist," Eint... Read Full Story
When Senator Jim Webb flew to Burma and bartered for the release of John William Yettaw he condoned torture, rape and genocide. Also, Webb offered a hint of legitimization to the criminal regime of Than Shwe. Though well intended his efforts added insult to injury to an already suffering nation and I have to ask, how far beyond stupid are you? Not only did Sen. Webb pour salt in the wound of a suffering people he facilitated the release of a criminal. The criminal succeeded in keeping Daw... Read Full Story
Seven small bombs exploded in the suburbs of Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon but did not cause any casualties, police in the military-ruled nation said Thursday. The blasts late Wednesday and early Thursday were the latest in a series to hit the former capital in recent months, with previous attacks blamed on armed exile groups or ethnic rebels. Police said that the bombs were planted in the Hlaint Thayar, Shwe Paukkan and Mingalardon areas on the outskirts of the city and that the culprits... Read Full Story
The United States on Monday urged Myanmar to cease attacks on ethnic groups as refugees who fled into China after deadly clashes between junta forces and ethnic rebels nervously headed home. Washington stepped in, piling pressure on Myanmar, after thousands of people poured into China fleeing fighting in the country's remote north west in recent weeks and Beijing complained of attacks on Chinese-owned businesses. "We urge the Burmese authorities to cease their military campaign and to... Read Full Story
