by Myint Maung
Friday, 30 October 2009 22:35
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The case relating to the Burmese born American, Nyi Nyi Aung (alias) Kyaw Zaw Lwin, has been transferred to Rangoon’s Southern district court by the special court in Rangoon’s Insein prison on Friday.
Defence lawyers said, the Mingalardon Township judge, who presided over the court inside the notorious prison, on Friday announced that the trial will now be held in the Southern district court. The next hearing is on November 16.
“The judge did not give any reasons for the transfer...
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Burmese artists shortlisted for international art prize
by Mungpi
Friday, 30 October 2009 21:55
New Delhi (Mizzima) - A Burmese refugee women’s group, Kumjing Storytellers, and a renowned detained poet, Saw Wei, have been named among the shortlisted finalists for the 2009 Freedom to Create Prize, organizers said.
The London-based Freedom to Create, an initiative that seeks to improve lives by addressing society’s ability to support and sustain creativity, since last year has begun awarding artists around the world with three categories of Prizes – Main, Youth and Imprisoned Artistes Prizes.
Alice...
Negotiations on with Somali pirates
by Kyaw Kha
Friday, 30 October 2009 21:48
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Negotiations are underway for the release of the Singapore company owned merchant vessel with a Burmese marine engineer on board being held captive by Somali pirates, sources among Burmese sailors said.
There are 21 sailors on board the ‘Pacific International Line’ (PIL) owned MV Kota Wajar. The resident representative of Burma and the Singapore Government are negotiating with intermediaries of Somali pirates in Singapore, it is learnt.
"There is no need to worry about them....
Eastern Burma: another Darfur?
by Mungpi
Friday, 30 October 2009 20:43
New Delhi (Mizzima) –At least 75,000 people became refugees and more than half a million were internally displaced in eastern Burma in the past year, following increased militarisation, which strongly indicates crime against humanity comparable to the situation in Darfur, said a consortium of humanitarian assistance groups.
Thailand Burma Border Consortium (TBBC), an alliance of 12 aid organizations, in a new report titled "Protracted Displacement and Militarisation in Eastern Burma" released on Thursday...
Chinese energy delegation in town
by Moe Thu
Friday, 30 October 2009 11:56
Rangoon (Mizzima) - A Chinese delegation arrived in Rangoon yesterday to discuss the gas pipeline project, which is to link western Burma’s coastal area to China’s Yunnan province and the recent spate of protests against it, said a source in the energy sector.
The China National Petroleum Corporation’s delegation arrived former capital to talk about technical issues with Burmese authorities over the controversial project, which began in mid-September amid criticism by right groups, the source said.
The...
Nationality verification of Burmese migrants: A meaningful debate
by Andy Hall
Friday, 30 October 2009 14:54
The Thai Government recently reiterated its policy to formalise the status of around two million migrants from Burma working here - nationality verification (NV).
NV is apparently required because these migrants left Burma without permission and then entered Thailand “illegally.” What with an abundance of brokers assisting them, and the fact wide swathes of the Thai economy remains reliant on them, it’s easy to get in at a cost. Once registered to work “legally” in the most dangerous jobs Thailand...
Friday, October 30, 2009
Municipality files case against free funeral service association
by Mizzima News
Friday, 30 October 2009 13:02
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The Rangoon Division, North Dagon Township City Development Committee (Municipal) has filed a case against the Free Funeral Service Association yesterday for using a building not yet authorized by the civic body.
The municipality indicted the Association for using the unauthorized building after it did not abide by the instruction to arrange for drainage in front of the building.
“They did not give permission to use the building for our refusal to dig a 5’x5’ drain in front...
Suu Kyi monitors US-junta direct engagement: NLD
by Mungpi
Thursday, 29 October 2009 20:04
New Delhi (Mizzima) – Even as detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi continues with her fact-finding mission on the consequences of western sanctions, she is also observing the process of engagement between the junta and the United States, her party spokesperson said on Thursday.
“While continuing with fact-finding Daw Suu said she is being provided with necessary documents and inputs by diplomats of the US, European Union and Australia,” Nyan Win, who met her on Thursday said.
Responding...
Nobel Laureates call for action on Burma
by Mizzima News
Thursday, 29 October 2009 18:44
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Two Nobel Peace Laureates, Jody Williams and Mairead Maguire, on Thursday reiterated their call for the immediate release of fellow Burmese Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, saying without her release there cannot be genuine change in Burma and the ruling junta’s promises of reform would be only “sweet words of democracy”.
Jody Williams, who won the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in banning landmines, during a press conference on Thursday in New Delhi, urged...
ASEAN leaders allow Burma to get off scot-free
by Larry Jagan
Thursday, 29 October 2009 17:34
Mizzima – A smug Burmese delegation, led by Prime Minister and General Thein Sein, are back home after attending the 15th annual ASEAN summit in Thailand, where they successfully accomplished their main mission – to deflect international criticism and pressure, reveal nothing about the forthcoming elections and keep a very low-profile.
For the first time in years, the issue of Burma did not dominate the proceedings of the regional summit. In fact, the presidential statement on Burma was the mildest...
NLD re-circulates disciplinary regulation
by Mizzima News
Thursday, 29 October 2009 12:45
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The ‘National League for Democracy’ (NLD) has reissued party disciplinary regulations, circulated six years ago, since activities of some party members have not been in keeping with the regulation.
NLD Central Information Department member Ohn Kyaing said that they had to reissue the disciplinary regulation because of some violations, including dissent on the party’s stand and policy matters. This regulation was first issued on 13 May 2003.
The regulation states that party...
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Campaigners exhort China to halt pipeline project
by Mizzima News
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 22:27
New Delhi (Mizzima) – Severe human rights violations and internal instability stares military-ruled Burma in the face, as the regime prepares to construct a dual gas and petroleum pipeline across the country with help from Chinese firms, campaigners said.
As the state-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and the Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE) embark on the construction of the pipeline that will connect Kyauk Phyu town in Arakan state with China’s Yunnan province, local people...
Nargis volunteers, including reporter arrested
by Mizzima News
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 20:49
New Delhi (Mizzima) – A number of members of a Cyclone Nargis volunteer group, ‘Lin Let Kye’, including freelance journalist Pai Soe Oo were arrested from Dagon Seikkan, Rangoon Division yesterday evening.
Pai Soe Oo (23), an active member of Lin Let Kye, means Shining Star, was arrested by local township authorities from his Yuzana Housing Apartment in Dagon Seikkan Township at 9 p.m. for questioning.
“Three persons wearing USDA badges and three local officials came and said that he would...
Youth conference condemns junta, urges Suu Kyi’s release
by Salai Pi Pi
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 18:23
New Delhi (Mizzima) - A conference of the All India Youth Federation held from October 26 to 28 in New Delhi discussed threadbare Burma’s deteriorating human rights situation and called for the immediate release of detained Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
The AIYF conference marked the 50th anniversary of the organization and the resolution adopted denounced the Burmese junta’s anti-democratic attitude and appealed to the international community to press the regime to release Aung San...
UN honors former Secretary General U Thant
by Mizzima News
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 16:45
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The United Nations on Tuesday premiered a photographic exhibition dedicated to the honor of the late UN Secretary General U Thant at the Stamford campus of the University of Connecticut in the United States.
Kiyo Akasaka, the Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information, during the opening ceremony said the exhibition was dedicated to U Thant, the third leader of the world body, whose vision of the UN was for it to meet the needs and hopes of people...
Burmese way of filibuster
by Ngun Cung Lian
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 13:31
(Commentary) On May 10, 2008 the military junta ruling Burma held a constitutional referendum to approve a new constitution. Perhaps the results of the referendum were fixed, making the result a foregone conclusion, but that fails to excuse the junta from holding the referendum in the wake of Cyclone Nargis which had carved a swath of destruction across the nation, leaving about 140,000 dead or missing and millions of lives otherwise ruined. The referendum passed the constitution as the supposed...
Concern over forced relocation of 60 Kachin villages
by Usa Pichai
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 12:48
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Over 60 villages are in the process of forced relocation from two dam sites in Burma’s northern Kachin State, said the latest report released on Tuesday by a Kachin Environmental group.
The Kachin Development Networking Group, (KDNG) a network of civil society groups and development organizations in Kachin State, Burma released a report “Resisting the Flood” on Tuesday. It has monitored developments and the likely impact of the 2,000-megawatt Chibwe Dam on the N’Mai River,...
Politicians call for media freedom before 2010 polls
by Nem Davies
Wednesday, 28 October 2009 12:13
New Delhi (Mizzima) – Politicians preparing to contest the 2010 general elections have called for freedom of the media before Burma goes to the polls.
“We are not permitted to publicize our activities in the domestic media even as the 2010 election is drawing close. Now it’s too late to present our views to the people,” Democratic Party Chairman Thu Wei told Mizzima.
Similarly the United Democratic Front Chairman Shwe Ohn said that the role of the media was badly needed as the parties’ stand...
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Over 300 Australian women express support for Suu Kyi
by Salai Pi Pi
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 21:55
New Delhi (Mizzima) - Over 300 Australian women, including the wife of the country’s Prime Minister and those of Opposition leaders, assembled outside the Opera House in Sydney on Tuesday to express their support for Burma’s democracy movement led by Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
With support from Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Federal Member of Page, Janelle Anne Saffin organized the show of solidarity under the banner of ‘Gather for Democracy, Stand for Freedom’, which brought...
Thai security forces raid KNU leaders’ homes in Mae Sot
by Salai Pi Pi
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 21:11
New Delhi (Mizzima) – Surprise raids were carried out by Thai security forces on Tuesday on the homes of several top ranking leaders of the Karen National Union (KNU), an ethnic armed rebel group, in Thailand’s Mae Sot, opposite Burma’s Myawaddy town.
At around 6 a.m. on Tuesday, members of the Thai police and the army raided the residence of KNU leaders including Chairman Saw Tamala Baw and Vice-chairman David Thackerbaw in Mae Sot.
Nan Phaw Gay, editor of the Mae Sot-based Karen Information...
Twelve bombs explode in Kokang capital in weekend
by Myo Gyi
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 20:28
Ruili (Mizzima) – Two months after clashes between the Kokang ceasefire group and the Burmese Army, 12 bombs exploded on October 24 evening in the Kokang capital Laogai, which was captured by junta’s forces.
The explosions occurred near the Chinese architectural style seven-tiered spire roof building and gold shop owned by the new Kokang leader and MNDAA Chairman Pai Song Chein. The entire area is under the control of junta’s forces after it reconstituted the MNDAA with new leaders of its choice.
“The...
Junta supremo to visit Sri Lanka
by Mizzima News
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 11:02
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Burmese junta supremo Senior General Than Shwe will visit Sri Lanka next month as part of an exercise to boost bilateral ties between the two countries, said official sources.
Than Shwe, with an entourage of several ministers is likely to leave Burma on November 11 in the newly bought Myanmar Airways International A-320 aircraft and will return to Naypyitaw on November 16.
His visit is reciprocal in nature following that of Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa to...
Optimism from all corners but Burma is going nowhere
by Tint Swe
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 12:14
(Commentary) When it comes to Burma, there are four strategically important nations and blocs - China, the ASEAN, India and America and the EU. News coming from all four corners seems enjoyable and hopeful. It is something like the days when Aung San Suu Kyi was first freed from house arrest in 1995. But it is wise to observe what happened in 14 years between after her release and today. Generals at the top, prisoners in jails and Aung San Suu Kyi in her home and no changes took place by any means.
The...
No signs of UWSA compromising: Observers
by Mungpi
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 20:16
New Delhi (Mizzima) - A Sino-Burmese border-based observer has rejected rumors that one of Burma’s strongest non-state armed groups – United Wa State Army (UWSA) – has agreed to transform its Army into a Border Guard Force (BGF), as proposed by the ruling junta.
Previous rumors circulating among Burmese observers suggested that the UWSA, which fields a strong Army of 25,000 troops, had agreed to the scheme after the junta persistently pressured the group into compliance.
“I heard that the Wa recently...
Religious freedom yet to be won in Burma: new report
by Mizzima News
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 17:41
New Delhi (Mizzima) – The United States State Department has once again produced a report critical of the right to religious freedom inside military ruled Burma.
Monday’s release of the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor’s 2009 International Religious Freedom Report accuses Burma’s government of both propagating and favoring the views of state-sponsored Buddhism, while systematically obstructing the practice of politically engaged Buddhism and other religions.
“The regime commonly employed...
Thai politics taints relationship with neighbours
by Usa Pichai
Tuesday, 27 October 2009 13:05
Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Thailand’s internal political strife has tainted and complicated bilateral relationship with its neighbouring countries, particularly Cambodia and Burma.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday that former Thai Prime Minister Chavalit Yongjaiyuth, who has close ties with ousted Prime Minister Taksin Shinawatra plans to visit neighbouring countries including Burma. It would be good if it is for the sake of the country, he added.
“Gen Chavalit is within his rights...
Constitution must be revised before election: opposition leaders
by Salai Pi Pi
Monday, 26 October 2009 21:23
New Delhi (Mizzima) – Prominent Burmese opposition leaders say the junta’s planned 2010 elections cannot be inclusive and broad-based unless the 2008 Constitution is first revised.
Win Tin, a veteran politician and senior member of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party, said in order to make the 2010 election inclusive the 2008 Constitution must be amended, as the document, which he asserts enshrines military-rule, will essentially bar all dissidents including Aung San Suu...
US diplomat meets junta minister
by Mungpi
Monday, 26 October 2009 19:26
New Delhi (Mizzima) – Keen to strike a balance between the government and the opposition, the Charge d’Affairs of the US embassy in Rangoon Larry M. Dinger last week met Burmese junta’s Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation Maj Gen Htay Oo.
The meeting with the junta’s minister came days after the US representative met leaders of the country’s opposition party the National League for Democracy.
Burma’s state-run media, the New Light of Myanmar said on Monday, Htay Oo, who is also the General...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Chinese energy firm to expand exploration
by Moe Thu
Saturday, 24 October 2009 22:23
Rangoon (Mizzima) – The China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) will expand its operations in Burma, christening three new drilling wells off the gulf of Martaban, according to an informed source within the energy sector.
The corporation, China’s third largest national oil company, will undertake exploration from November 1st to December 31st, investing more than US$40 million in the process, the source added.
The operation is located at an offshore block named M-10, bordering to the south...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe to email feed
