Basil Fernando Feb 12, 2008 (DVB), Last week, the Asian Human Rights Commission issued three appeals on cases of concern from Burma which illustrate the "un-rule of law" that pervades in the country. The first described how Paing Hpyo Aung, a boy of less than 14, was recruited into the armed forces. He was 15 …
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Leading monk flees Burma for Thailand
Feb 12, 2008 (DVB), U Pyinya Zawta, a monk from Rangoon's Maggin monastery and a leader of the All-Burmese Monks Alliance, arrived at the Thai-Burma border recently after more than four months in hiding. U Pyinya Zawta, who is 48 years old, said that he stayed constantly on the move to evade government authorities seeking …
Travellers face delays and extortion at checkpoints
Jan 25, 2008 (DVB), People travelling on Burmese highways have been stopped and searched or forced to pay money to officials at checkpoints being operated as part of increased security measures. Armed government troops have been deployed to checkpoints on the highway linking Rangoon and Bassein, Irrawaddy division, and are carrying out identity checks and …
UK, US and France urge support for Burma
Jan 25, 2008 (DVB), The UK, US and French foreign ministers issued a joint statement yesterday calling for urgent progress towards democracy in Burma and improved human rights. The UK's David Miliband, US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice and Bernard Kouchner of France signed the statement on Burma, which was released at the annual meeting …
US says more pressure needed on Burma
Jan 22, 2008 (AP), A senior US official urged the international community Monday to put more pressure on Burma’s military rulers, saying the junta has made no progress in opening a dialogue with the pro-democracy opposition. Last week, the UN Security Council said its envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, should return to Burma to help push for …
Japan offers aid and rights reminder to Mekong nations
Jan 17, 2008 (AFP), Japan on Wednesday offered fresh aid to Mekong River nations while issuing a gentle reminder on human rights as it sought to counter China’s growing influence in the region. The foreign minister of Burma, which faced heavy international criticism for its crackdown on pro-democracy protests last year, joined his counterparts from …