July 2009 AAPP Monthly Chronology
Summary of Current Situation
There are a total of 2,190 political prisoners in Burma.
Since the protests in August 2007 leading to last September’s Saffron Revolution, a total of 1118 activists have been arrested and are still in detention.
Monthly trend analysis
During the month of July 2009, at least 31 activists were arrested, 1 was sentenced and 6 were released. At least 137 political prisoners are in poor health due to the harsh prison conditions, transfers to remote prisons where there are no doctors, and the denial of proper medical care.
This month’s news has been dominated by the trial of Burma’s opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Charged with breaching the terms of her house arrest after the intrusion into her home of US citizen John Yettaw, she has been under trial for over two months. A large part of the defence’s legal arguments revolved around the expired status of the 1974 constitution under which Saw Aung San Suu Kyi was charged, a constitution which was abolished by the ruling junta in 1988 and was therefore legally no longer in force. The verdict, expected for July 31st, was postponed to August 11th, in a move seen by many as an attempt to deflect international attention from the trial. Others have also pointed to the fact that the verdict will now come out after the anniversary of the 8 August 1988 popular uprising. Meanwhile, AAPP learnt that the regime arrested at least 30 National League for Democracy (NLD) members in the early hours of the day the verdict was originally due. Six of those arrested were later released. The reason for their arrest is not clear.
Burma’s ruling junta invited UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to visit the country in early July, and although Ban was initially wary of the visit being used as propaganda by the junta he finally accepted. The three main points covered during his two-day visit were the release of all political prisoners, the resumption of dialogue between the government and the opposition for national reconciliation, and setting the stage for credible elections in 2010. Following this visit, Burma’s ambassador to the UN Than Swe said that his country will consider an amnesty for prisoners, to allow them to participate in next year’s elections. Previous amnesties have included very few political prisoners. “The government has said many times that there are no political prisoners in Myanmar. They are, indeed, the ones who are serving their terms in accordance with the law for their harming stability and peace of the State, and committing other crimes. Daw Suu Kyi, like them, is not a political prisoner, but the person who is on trial for breaching an existing law,” wrote Lu Thit in an editorial titled “Wipe out anti-public desire elements” in the junta’s mouthpiece The New Light of Myanmar.
This month has also seen the creation of the ASEAN Human Rights Body (AHRB), the region’s first ever human rights watchdog. According to many critics the rights body will lack powers to punish violators and will at best require its 10 member nations to provide reports on their internal human rights situations. In July US Secretary of State made an important diplomatic visit to the region, by attending the ASEAN summit in Phuket, Thailand, to reaffirm US interest in the region and demand the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. Further, Burma’s generals this month faced an extension of US sanctions.
Treatment of prisoners and their families
The number of political prisoners in poor health has been steadily increasing over the past few months, as the impact of prison transfers and denial of proper medical care takes its toll. More than 230 political prisoners have been transferred to remote jails away from their families since November last year. Due to inadequate healthcare provision in Burma’s prisons, political prisoners rely on their family members to bring them medicines and other essential items. This is much more difficult for the families when their loved ones are transferred to remote prisons.
In the month of July, Radio Free Asia reported that four more political prisoners had been transferred to remote prisons during the month of June. U Ba Myint, chairman of the NLD in
2 Please Note: All information contained in this report is correct to the best of AAPP’s knowledge at the time of going to press.
The situation inside Burma is changing very rapidly, and this should be considered a ‘live’ document. If you reproduce this report or sections of it, please retain all original links and attribute it to AAPP. Thanks.
Alone township in Rangoon and three more people were transferred to Bamaw prison in Kachin State on the 4th of June because they they tried to demonstrate against the detention of Aung San Su Kyi in Insein prison.
Since June, 88 Generation Student leader Mya Aye has been denied family visits, apparently as a punishment for comments his daughter made from England to the exiled media. Htay Kywe’s family were unable to visit him in Buthidaung prison, Arakan State, after the plane they were travelling on was unable to land due to bad weather. In the same remote prison, the health of two more political prisoners, Moe Naing Soe and Ni Ni May Myint, has been deteriorating by the day due to lack of proper medical treatment. Further, AAPP has learnt that political prisoner Kyi Than, who has for a long time been suffering from skin cancer, has recently been allowed to get a blood transfusion in Rangoon Hospital.
The health of two prominent leaders – Khun Htun Oo and U Gambira – has also been reported to be deteriorating. The Shan leader Khun Htun Oo has recently been suffering from the swelling of his legs. Already in April Khun Htun Oo was reported to have been suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure, but he was refused to get medical attention outside prison. U Gambira, one of the leaders of the All Burma Monks’ Alliance (ABMA), has been reported to have difficulty talking, following torture he had previously experienced whilst in detention. U Gambira was transferred to Kale prison in Sagaing division last month.
Finally, the situation inside Hkamti prison has reportedly been deteriorating recently. On July 2nd, the father of political prisoner Myo Min Wai gave an interview given to Radio Free Asia after having visited his son, and he explained that a majority of prisoners inside this remote prison are now suffering from malaria, and that the overall conditions in the facility are aggravating the situation.
Prisoners Released
The six prisoners released this month were arrested and released on the same day.
National League for Democracy
At least 497 NLD members are currently detained. This month saw a renewed crackdown by the junta on members of the NLD. At least 30 members of the NLD were arrested in the early hours of the day the verdict of Aung San Suu kyi’s trial was initially due. Sources have also reported this month that the health of Win Tin, prominent veteran journalist and leader of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), is further deteriorating.
31 July 2009
At least 30 NLD members arrested
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has learnt that the regime arrested at least 30 NLD members in the early hours of this morning, between midnight and 1 am. Six of those arrested were later released. The reason for their arrest is not clear.
The arrested from Magwe Division are: (Ko) Myint Lwin, (Ko) Tint Lwin, (Ko) Than Aung, and Unknown, all from Yenangyaung Township; (U) Aye Myint and (U) Min Maung, from Aunglan Township; (Ko) Soe, Ko Par Lay and (Ko) Kyaw Naing, from Taungdwingyi Township; (U) Tha Aung (MP) (later released), (Ma) Zin Ma Ma Tun, and (Ko) Than Soe Myint, from Myothit Township; (U) Pike Ko, (U) Kyaw Nyunt, and (U) Tin Myint Aung, from Pakokku Township; (U) Thaung Soe (Chairparson of Minbu Township, Magwe Division); (Ko) Nay Myo Kyaw from Saku Township; (Ko) Aung Win, and Unknown from Pwintbyu Township; (Ko) Htay Win, from Kamma Township. The arrested from Rangoon Division are: (Ko) Htein Win, and (Daw) Khin Win Kyi, from Dagon Myothit Township; (Ma) Khin Myat Thu from Mingaladon Township; (Ko) Nay Lin Kyaw from Dawbon Township; (Ko) Nay Lin Soe from Tharkayta Township; (Ko) Sai Kyaw Kyaw, from Tamwe Township; (Ko) Tin Min Naing from North Okkalapa Township.
At the end of the day, a total of 6 NLD members who had been arrested were released. Three are confirmed by AAPP and they are: (Daw) Naw Ohn Hla from North Okkalapa Township, and (U) Nyunt Hlaing (MP-Aunglan) from Sanchaung Township and (Ko) Myint Aung. Three others, confirmed by different sources, are: (Daw) Khin Win Kyi (Myothit Township), (Daw) Khin Myat Thu (Mingaladon Township), Htein Win (South Dagon Township) (31 July 2009 AAPP, 31 July other AAPP source)
21 July 2009
Burmese opposition leaders reject FM’s comments
Opposition and ethnic leaders in Rangoon on Tuesday rejected suggestions that the Burmese regime might be open to calls for change after Foreign Minister Nyan Win, attending a regional ministerial meeting in Thailand, said that the junta was still considering a number of proposals from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Nyan Win’s comments, apparently intended to deflect international criticism of the regime’s imprisonment of Suu Kyi on charges of violating the terms of her house arrest, were rejected out of hand by leading members of Burma’s political opposition. Thawng Kho Thang, a senior member of the Rangoon-based United Nationalities League for Democracy, said he did not expect the Burmese regime to respond constructively to the Ban’s proposals. Khin Maung Swe, the main spokesperson for the central information committee of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, said that genuine national reconciliation talks would be possible only if the regime released Suu Kyi and dropped the charges against her. (21 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
20 July 2009
NLD’s Win Tin unwell
Win Tin, a Burmese prominent veteran journalist and leader of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), is not well. He is resting under medication. Win Tin, who is 79, has not been at his office after suffering from an abnormal heartbeat since Thursday last week. Win Tin spent 19 years in prison without proper meals and medical treatment. He was released from the infamous Insein Prison in September 2008. He has suffered from poor health several times since he was released from prison, including asthma, low blood pressure and heart disease and prostate problems. Prison authorities regularly refused to provide him with proper medical care. (20 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
19 July 2009
Junta arrests at least 20 people on Martyrs Day
Fifty pro-democracy activists were arrested on Sunday while marching in Rangoon to pay respect to Burma’s independence heroes on Martyr’s Day. Rangoon sources said Burmese authorities had tight security around the monument and the Shwedagon Pagoda near the mausoleum. The NLD held a Martyr Day ceremony at its headquarter in Rangoon which was monitored by authorities. An estimated 1,000 soldiers, riot police and officers in civilian clothes were stationed near the NLD office. NLD spokesperson Nyan Win said that “about 30 to 40 people who went to the Martyrs’ Hill this morning were nabbed in a truck but all were released after about 30 minutes,” he said. (19 July 2009 Irrawaddy, 20 July 2009 DVB)
15 July 2009
Ban should now tackle Burma’s constitution, says opposition
Opposition parties in Burma say UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon didn’t go far enough in urging the military regime to ensure that the 2010 general election is “credible, inclusive and legitimate.” The UN chief should also have addressed demands to rewrite the constitution drawn up by the regime and enacted in 2008, they say. Nyan Win, spokesman of the National League for Democracy (NLD), said that even if the 2010 election were to be “free and fair”—as the regime had promised—“the 2008 constitution is undemocratic.” (15 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
14 July 2009
87-year-old opposition member imprisoned
An elderly member of Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy party who is said to be in declining health was yesterday sentenced to two years in prison under defamation charges. 87-year-old chairman of the National League for Democracy’s (NLD) Taungok township branch in Arakan state, Kyaw Khaing, was denied medical care throughout the trial, during which he was “slipping in and out of consciousness”. “He has been suffering from dysentery for the last three to four days and he had to be supported [on the way] to the court,” said Tin Thein Aung. “Deputy police chief Tin Maung San would not allow him to be hospitalized”. The verdict arrived on the same day that Burma’s ambassador to the United Nations, Than Swe, announced that the government “is processing to grant amnesty to prisoners on humanitarian grounds and with a view to enabling them to participate in the 2010 general elections.” (14 July 2009 DVB)
Suu Kyi’s party skeptical on Myanmar amnesty claim
Myanmar’s opposition party Tuesday said it was skeptical the military junta would release political prisoners including its leader Aung San Suu Kyi, despite new assurances given to the U.N. The possible amnesty was announced by Myanmar’s U.N. ambassador Than Swe to diplomats in New York after U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon demanded the release of key political detainees ahead of national polls planned for next year. But Myanmar’s state media is yet to confirm the prisoner release and in the most recent amnesty in February, only a handful of political detainees were among the 6,300 prisoners let go. “We would welcome it if they released political prisoners in an amnesty but very few political prisoners have been included in previous amnesties,” said National League for Democracy spokesman Nyan Win. (14 July 2009 AFP)
8 July 2009
Four political prisoners who tried to demonstrate were transferred
Radio Free Asia this month reported that four political prisoners were transferred to Bamaw prison in Kachin state on the 4th of June because they tried to demonstrate against the detention of Aung San Su Kyi in Insein prison. One of them is U Ba Myint, chairman of the NLD (National League for Democracy) in Alone township in Rangoon, but the names of the other three are still unknown. (8 July 2009 RFA)
3 July 2009
Two NLD members questioned by the authorities
NLD members reported that Insein township authorities briefly detained two NLD members for questioning, after they tried to deliver roses to ask for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. They were questioned for about 2 hours and then they were released. They are Ma Tin Tin Win from Sanchaung Township and Daw San San Nwe from Tharkayta Township, both members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in Rangoon. (3 July 2009 DVB)
2 July 2009
Health of political prisoners deteriorating in Buthidaung
The health of two political prisoners being held in Buthidaung prison in Arakan State has been deteriorating by the day due to lack of proper medical treatment, said one former prisoner who did not want to disclose his name. “The health of Ko Moe Naing Soe and Ma Ni Ni May Myint were not very well before I was released from prison. Ko Moe Naing Soe is suffering from paralysis while Ma Ni Ni May Myint is suffering from weakness,” he said. According to him, they are not receiving proper medical treatment in the prison. Ko Moe Naing Soe was severely tortured by prison authorities soon after he arrived at the prison from his hometown because he refused to follow some restrictions imposed by the prison authority. (2 July 2009 Narinjara)
1 July 2009
Burmese wary of UN chief’s visit
Burmese politicians have expressed fear that Ban Ki-moon’s visit to Burma will achieve little without concerted attempts to meet National League for Democracy members, including Aung San Suu Kyi. The UN Secretary General is due to arrive in Burma on Friday on a two-day visit. Senior members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), as well as a number of human rights groups, have said however that the trip will be meaningless unless a meeting with NLD members, and even Suu Kyi, is secured. Bo Kyi, joint secretary of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP), said that the trip may be too brief to achieve the UN’s goals of ensuring the release of all of Burma’s 2,100 political prisoners. (1 July 2009 DVB )
88 Generation Students
There are currently at least 46 members of the 8 Generation Students currently under detention. During the month of July, 88 Generation Students joined voices with monks to call on Ban Ki- moon to get support from the UN Security Council on Burma. Further, 88 Generation Student leader Mya Aye is being denied family visits.
24 July 2009
Political prisoner Kyi Than’s health critical
Kyi Than has been suffering from skin cancer. He has recently been in Rangoon Hospital for five days, where he was given a blood transfusion. He is in being held in Insein prison in relation to his involvement with the 88 Generation Students. (24 July 2009 AAPP)
13 July 2009
Burmese monks and students call Ban Ki-moon to get support from the UN Security Council on Burma
“Without unanimous support from the Security Council, your mandate is not strong enough to make the ruling generals in Burma agree to your request. Your recent visit to Burma proved this point, as you were not allowed to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and your requests to Senior General Than Shwe for the release of all political prisoners, and establishment of a meaningful political dialogue, were ignored. After nearly 20 years of UN diplomacy and engagement with Burma’s senior generals, it is prudent for current UN officials, including yourself, to stop expecting that Than Shwe would respond positively to your requests. If you continue to believe the empty assertions of Burma’s generals, you will be fulfilling the desire of Than Shwe and his generals, who want to buy time to finish their plan of legitimizing military rule in Burma through a sham election, scheduled for 2010. Without releasing all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and without revising this sham constitution through a tripartite dialogue, this upcoming election will be nothing more than a show. You have done nothing wrong by visiting our country and trying to convince Than Shwe to positively address the concerns of the people of Burma, as supported by the international community. However, it would be wrong for you to mislead the international community by saying that the military regime will consider your proposals seriously.” (13 July 2009 Burma Digest, 13 July 2009 DVB)
88 Generation Student leader Mya Aye not allowed family visits
Mya Aye, 88 Generation Student leader, is being denied family visits, apparently as a punishment for comments his daughter made from England to the exiled media. His wife, on occasion of a recent visit, wasn’t allowed to meet with Mya Aye, and could only leave a parcel for her husband. Mya Aye has been denied family visits since June. (13 July 2009 Mizzima)
10 July 2009
Htay Kywe unable to meet family members
Htay Kywe, an 88 Generation Student leader, was not able to meet with his relatives who had planned on visiting him in the remote Buthidaung Prison in Arakan State. This was due to the plane they were travelling on not being able to land in Sittwe town because of weather problems. Htay Kywe is reported to be still suffering from the severe stomach aches that followed from surgery he underwent while in detention in Tharrawaddy prison in Pegu division. (10 July 2009 New Era)
Ethnic Nationalities
There are 197 people belonging to ethnic nationalities currently in detention. This month AAPP has learnt that three environmentalists from Arakan state were arrested and sentenced in May during their workshop on Shwe Gas – protesting against building a gas pipe line. Further, the leader of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), Khun Htun Oo, 66, has been suffering from the swelling of his legs due to being denied regular exercise and proper medical care.
27 July 2009
Three army defectors missing after arrest in Bangladesh
Three soldiers who defected from the army have been missing since they were arrested by Bangladesh Rifles in the border area of southern Chittagong Hill Tract on 20 February, 2009, said a relative of one. The three were identified as Maung Maung Than, Soe Thwe, and Than
Htay Haing, from Light Infantry Battalion 538 based in Rathidaung, 20 miles north of Sittwe. The relative said that he came to Bangladesh last week to inquire about them but received information that they were sent back to Burma in April 2009 by Bangladesh authorities along with other Burmese prisoners. The three soldiers are Arakanese nationals from Shwe Lon Din Village in Rathidaung Township. The Burmese army has no procedure for relatives to inquire about soldiers if they defect from the Burmese army. (27 July 2009 Narinjara News)
13 July 2009
Three arrested in Arakan State
Three environmentalists from Arakan state were arrested and sentenced in May during their workshop on Shwe Gas – protesting against building a gas pipe line. Aung Kyaw Soe, who lives in Manaung Township, was given 6 months imprisonment; Tin Aung Soe, who lives in Mrauk-U Township, was given 5 years imprisonment; and Paw Pauk Chay, who lives in Sittwe Township, was given 3 years imprisonment. (13 July 2009 AAPP)
10 July 2009
Detained ethnic party leader suffering from leg swelling
The leader of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), Burma’s second largest winning party in the 1990 elections, Khun Htun Oo, 66, has been suffering from the swelling of his legs due to lack adequate exercise and regular medical treatment, according to Sai Lake, the SNLD spokesperson. In April, Khun Htun Oo was reported to have been suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure. Specialists, on consultation by his family, said it was also due to inadequate sunlight and ventilation. However, he was refused to get medical checkup outside. He was only allowed to receive oral treatment. His family is allowed to visit him once a month. Khun Htun Oo was sentenced to 93 year prison in Putao on 3 November 2005 along with 8 other Shan leaders for defamation of the state, association with illegal parties and conspiracy against the state. (10 July 2009 SHAN)
Monks
There are currently at least 219 monks in detention. U Gambira, one of the leaders of the All Burma Monks’ Alliance (ABMA), has been reported to have difficulty talking, following torture he experienced whilst in detention in Hkamti Prison. Also this month, Burmese Monks and 88 Generation Students have called on Ban Ki-moon to get support from the UN Security Council on Burma.
22 July 2009
Monks harassed by authorities
Monks living in a Rangoon monastery were harassed by authorities last week after accepting food donations from opposition party members given to mark Martyrs’ Day in Burma. Around 20 officials from Thingangyun township authority in Rangoon arrived at the monastery in Laydauntkan ward where monks had received meals from National League for Democracy (NLD) members, a traditional way to celebrate Martyrs’ Day each year on 19 June. According to NLD member Naw Ohn Hla, the officials “said intimidating words” to the monks and told them to report future donations to township authorities. (22 July 2009 DVB)
9 July 2009
U Gambira has difficulty talking
U Gambira, one of the leaders of the All Burma Monks’ Alliance (ABMA), has been reported to have difficulty talking, following torture he experienced whilst in detention in Khandi Prison. U Gambira was transferred to Kale prison in Sagaing division last month, and is still struggling with the health consequences of his earlier mistreatment. (09 July 2009 RFA)
13 July 2009
Burmese monks and students call on Ban Ki-moon to get support from the UN Security Council on Burma – extracts
Without unanimous support from the Security Council, your mandate is not strong enough to make the ruling generals in Burma agree to your request. Your recent visit to Burma proved this point, as you were not allowed to meet Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and your requests to Senior General Than Shwe for the release of all political prisoners, and establishment of a meaningful political dialogue, were ignored. After nearly 20 years of UN diplomacy and engagement with Burma’s senior generals, it is prudent for current UN officials, including yourself, to stop expecting that Than Shwe would respond positively to your requests. Without releasing all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and without revising this sham constitution through a tripartite dialogue, this upcoming 2010 election will be nothing more than a show. You have done nothing wrong by visiting our country and trying to convince Than Shwe, but it would be wrong for you to mislead the international community by saying that the military regime will consider your proposals seriously. (13 July 2009 Burma Digest, 13 July 2009 DVB)
Cyclone Nargis Volunteers
There are currently 21 cyclone Nargis volunteers in detention.
Journalists, Bloggers and Writers
There are currently at least 51 media activists detained.
Women
There are currently at least 193 women in detention.
Students
There are at least 283 students currently in detention.
Lawyers
There are at least 12 lawyers in detention.
Human Rights Defenders and Promoters
There are currently at least 43 HRDP members in detention.
Individual Activists
There is no news this month.
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Charged with breaching the terms of her house arrest after the intrusion into her home of US citizen John Yettaw, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been under trial for over two months. The verdict, expected for July 31st, was postponed to August 11th, in a move seen by many as an attempt to deflect international attention from the trial. As of this month, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi also faces a civil court case to fight for ownership of her house. Further, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Veejjajiva’s scheduled visit to Burma was postponed at the request of the Burmese junta, apparently because it would have clashed with the announcement of the Aung San Suu Kyi verdict.
31 July 2009
Philippines backs US condemnation of Burma
Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday said her country backed the United States in its condemnation of the Burmese junta, prior to today’s would-be verdict on the Aung San Suu Kyi trial. Arroyo was at the White House yesterday to discuss with US president Barack Obama the political crisis in Burma as well as fears over North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. “We stand … behind the United States on the position that it has taken with regard to Burma and with regard to North Korea’s nuclear adventurism,” she told Reuters. (31 July 2009 DVB)
Myanmar court delays Suu Kyi verdict until Aug. 11
A government official says the Myanmar court expected to deliver a verdict in opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial has announced it will give its ruling Aug. 11. The verdict was scheduled to be delivered Friday. “The court said they have to consider legal problems, that’s why they said they will give the verdict on August 11,” Nyan Win, who is also the spokesman for her National League for Democracy, told AFP. The verdict will come in three days after the anniversary of the 8888 uprising (which took place on August 8th 1988) is marked, although any public commemorations in Burma are banned. (31 July 2009 AP, 31 July 2009 AFP)
Myanmar: Ban reiterates call for authorities to release opposition figure
Myanmar must ensure the immediate release of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is in detention and currently facing trial, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has told an official of the Asian country. Mr. Ban met yesterday at United Nations Headquarters with U Than Swe, Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the UN, and they discussed the situation concerning Ms. Suu Kyi. The Secretary-General reiterated his expectation and that of the international community that the Government “will give careful consideration to the implications of any verdict in the trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and exercise its responsibility to ensure her immediate release,” his spokesperson Farhan Haq told journalists today. (31 July 2009 UN News Service)
30 July 2009
Suu Kyi braces for the worst ahead of verdict
Myanmar’s detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was bracing for the worst ahead of Friday’s verdict in her high-profile trial, gathering medicine and books to prepare for a feared prison term, her lawyer said. The frail 64-year-old Nobel Peace Prize winner was “physically and mentally fine, and very alert,” Nyan Win, one of her lawyers, said Thursday. “She is getting ready for any result,” he said. “She is preparing for the worst.” Ahead of the verdict, Suu Kyi provided her lawyers with a list of requested items, which they were able to bring her, Nyan Win said. “She is collecting some medicine and many books in English, French and Burmese,” he said. (30 July 2009 AP)
Myanmar warns no protests
Military-ruled Myanmar’s state media on Thursday warned citizens against inciting protests as the country awaited a verdict in the trial of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The official New Light of Myanmar newspaper said in a comment piece that cautioned against anti- government factions that ‘we have to ward off subversive elements and disruptions’. ‘Look out if some arouse the people to take to the streets to come to power. In reality they are anti- democracy elements, not pro-democracy activists,’ the English-language article said. (30 July 2009 Straits Times)
Weeping Suu Kyi supporters brace for the worst
Supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi have stood resolute through two decades of resistance to Myanmar’s junta — but fears of a guilty verdict in the trial of their icon are proving too much for some. Many female members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) wept at the party’s headquarters after a court announced Tuesday that it would pass judgement on Suu Kyi at the end of the week, party sources and witnesses said. “We cried as we really sorry for her in our
heart. But we will remember her words that we should ‘hope for the best and prepare for the worst’,” Aye Aye Mar, a senior NLD party member, told AFP. (30 July 2009 AFP)
29 July 2009
Thai PM postpones Burma visit
Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s scheduled visit to Burma this Friday has been postponed at the request of the Burmese junta because it will clash with the announcement of the Aung San Suu Kyi verdict. Although the visit is ostensibly to discuss bilateral relations between the two countries, it is thought the timing was not prudent, and Vejjajiva yesterday accepted the request to delay the trip. (29 July 2009 DVB)
Security increased for Suu Kyi verdict
Security was strengthened around Insein Prison in Rangoon on Wednesday morning, and shopkeepers nearby have been ordered to close on Friday, the day the verdict is scheduled in the trial of detained Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Two police battalions have joined security forces stationed around the prison in preparation for a possible crackdown on protests, according to the sources in Rangoon, who said the authorities were worried about possible protests. Dozens of Suu Kyi’s supporters have regularly gathered outside Insein Prison on each day of the trial. Prominent opposition leader Win Tin, an executive of the opposition National League for Democracy, has also joined the gatherings. (29 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
Myanmar warns against predicting Suu Kyi verdict
A day after democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi murmured in court that the verdict in her trial was already “painfully obvious,” Myanmar’s state-run media warned Wednesday that any predictions of the outcome would amount to contempt of court. On Tuesday, lawyers gave their closing arguments in the high-profile proceedings against Suu Kyi, who is accused of violating the terms of her house arrest by harboring an American who swam uninvited to her lakeside home and stayed for two days. The 64-year-old Nobel Peace laureate faces a jail term of five years. She is widely expected to be convicted, although there has been speculation she may serve her sentence under house arrest rather than in jail. (29 July 2009 AP)
Aung San Suu Kyi fears trial verict will be painfully obvious
Ms Suu Kyi’s lawyers had not been expecting a ruling until next month, and it was not immediately clear why the court moved the date for the verdict forward. Nyan Win, a lawyer for Ms Suu Kyi, said he preferred not to speculate on the outcome, but that he had “never seen any defendant in a political case (in Myanmar) being set free.” Ms Suu Kyi who has been in detention for 14 of the past 20 years thanked the diplomats during the hearing “for trying to promote a just outcome,” but said she was not optimistic. “I’m afraid the verdict will be painfully obvious,” she said, according to several diplomats who heard her comments in court. (29 July 2009 Telegraph)
28 July 2009
Suu Kyi insists her trial will test rule of law in Burma
Aung San Suu Kyi insisted after Tuesday’s final session of her trial before Friday’s scheduled verdict that the proceedings would show “whether or not the rule of law exists in the country,” according to her lawyer Nyan Win. Suu Kyi made the comment to Nyan Win after the court announced a verdict would be announced on Friday. Nyan Win, who is also a spokesman of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, told The Irrawaddy that his legal team had tried its best in accordance with the law. (28 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
Suu Kyi verdict set for Friday in Myanmar
A court in military-ruled Myanmar will deliver its verdict in the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday, on charges that could see the democracy leader jailed for up to five years, her lawyer said. We are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst,” defence lawyer Nyan Win told AFP Tuesday after the trial wrapped up with a final reply by Suu Kyi’s legal team. “We have a good chance according to the law, but we cannot know what the court will decide because this is a political case,” said Nyan Win, who is also the spokesman for her National League for Democracy. (28 July 2009 AFP)
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi faces a civil court case to fight for ownership of her house
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, currently on trial for breaking the terms of her house detention, now faces a civil court case in which she must fight for ownership of her house, her lawyer said Tuesday. Suu Kyi’s cousin, retired army officer Lieutenant Colonel Khin Maung Aye, on July 24 posted a public notice in the Mirror newspaper, claiming that he owned a portion of Suu Kyi’s compound in Yangon and had already sold it. A quarrel over ownership of the property has been an issue for years. Khin Maung Aye has claimed Khin Kyi gave him a portion of the compound before she died. Suu Kyi’s lawyers deny the claim. “The whole compound is legally possessed by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,” said Nyan Win. Asked whether the civil case may have been raised for political reasons, Nyan Win said, “Of course, they want her to be busier.” (28 July 2009 Mangalorean News, 28 July 2009 Thaindian)
27 July 2009
Aung San Suu Kyi wins top Amnesty honour
Myanmar’s long-detained democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, is receiving Amnesty International’s highest honour, U2’s Bono publicly announced before 80,000 cheering fans. The human rights watchdog earlier on Monday said it hoped the Ambassador of Conscience Award would help protect her as she faces a potential prison sentence. “Her crime is that, if she was free to participate in elections, she would win. This week the brutal force that has her incarcerated will decide if she spends the next five years in prison,” Bono said. He added his wish that Suu Kyi’s latest international honour “will help keep her safe.” (27 July 2009 AP)
Myanmar court hears final arguments in Suu Kyi case
A court in army-ruled Myanmar heard final arguments on Monday in a case involving opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who faces five years in prison if found guilty of breaching a draconian security law. Lawyers read closing arguments for the other defendants, two of Suu Kyi’s housemaids and John Yettaw, an American intruder whose two-night stay at Suu Kyi’s home in May could land all four defendants in jail. The prosecution may wrap up its case against Suu Kyi later on Monday, court officials said. However, Suu Kyi’s lawyer, Nyan Win, told Reuters he did not believe a verdict was imminent. (27 July 2009 Washington Post, 27 July 2009 AFP)
Suu Kyi warns junta on 2010 elections
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has again warned the ruling junta in Burma that without national reconciliation prior to next year, the 2010 elections would be futile. The government has penciled in March next year for the first general elections since Suu Kyi’s opposition National League for Democracy party won a landslide victory in 1990 that was never honoured. The opposition leader was speaking to her lawyer Nyan Win on Friday during what should have been the final day of her trial. “Daw Suu said the upcoming elections in 2010 would not be credited as legitimate unless national reconciliation has been carried out before that,” said Nyan Win, adding that she had urged the United Nations to warn the junta about the necessity of reconciliation. (27 July 2009 DVB)
25 July 2009
Suu Kyi unsatisfied with trial delay: lawyer
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi is unhappy with the repeated delays in the current trial against her, according one of her lawyers. Nyan Win, a member of Suu Kyi’s legal team, told The Irrawaddy on Friday that she complained about the court’s decision to adjourn her trial until Monday because it gave the prosecution extra time to prepare its final arguments. Suu Kyi’s defense team made its closing arguments on Friday. (25 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
24 July 2009
Myanmar rejects criticism at end of Suu Kyi trial
Myanmar’s state media denounced criticism of its planned elections and ongoing detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi Friday as she faced her final trial hearing in prison. The Nobel peace laureate is due to appear at an afternoon court session at Insein prison where final arguments will be presented at her trial on charges of breaching the conditions of her house arrest. Foreign ministers attending Asia’s biggest security conference in Thailand this week urged Myanmar’s military junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi, with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton dangling the carrot of future business ties. But state mouthpiece the New Light of Myanmar rejected the comments as “interference”. “Demanding release of Daw Suu Kyi means showing reckless disregard for the law,” said the editorial in the English-language newspaper. (24 July 2009 AFP)
Aung San Suu Kyi’s lawyer presents arguments in court
Kyi Win, personal lawyer and member of the defence team of Aung San Suu Kyi, on Friday presented his argument at the special court in Insein prison but the court postponed the prosecution argument till Monday. Nyan Win, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s legal team and spokesperson for her party, said “the session started at 2 p.m. and U Kyi Win submitted his argument. His submission alone lasted about two hours.” During the session, Kyi Win argued that the 1974 constitution has been technically dissolved and Aung San Suu Kyi cannot be charged under the statutes of a defunct constitution. But if, according to the prosecution, the 1974 constitution is still valid, it cannot be partially implemented and Aung San Suu Kyi should get her freedom and enjoy her rights as stated in the constitution before being charged for anything. (24 July 2009 Mizzima)
Burma trial reaches final stages
The trial of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is reaching its final stage, with the court hearing closing statements from lawyers. The trial, which had been expected to wrap up in days when it started, has now dragged on for more than two months. In its final summing up in court, the prosecution is expected to restate its argument that she must be held responsible for the midnight swim to her home by an American well-wisher in early May. (24 July 2009 BBC)
Trial of Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi to resume
Lawyers for Myanmar’s jailed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi are scheduled to present final arguments Friday in their efforts to save her from a five-year prison term. Diplomats from Britain, France, Germany and Italy who had earlier requested access will be allowed into the courtroom for Friday’s session, a diplomat said on condition of anonymity citing protocol. It will be the third time during the mostly closed-door trial that such access has been granted.
The resumption of the trial came as U.S., European and Asian officials — including the top diplomat from Myanmar — wound up a conference Thursday in neighboring Thailand that put Myanmar’s human rights record in the spotlight. (24 July 2009 AP)
Suu Kyi to make final court appearance
Lawyers of Aung San Suu Kyi were yesterday granted permission to meet with her and discuss their statement prior to today’s final appearance in court. A request to see Suu Kyi on Wednesday had been denied by the courtroom, and yesterday’s meeting only came about following an appeal letter sent by her lawyers to the judges. Permission was granted at late notice and only three of the four lawyers managed to visit their client inside her prison unit yesterday, said lawyer Nyan Win. (24 July 2009 DVB)
Demand for Suu Kyi’s release – ‘nonsense and unreasonable’: State-run newspaper
The demand to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and political prisoners is “nonsense and unreasonable,” said Burma’s state-run newspaper the ‘New Light of Myanmar’ in its issues published today and yesterday. The regime’s stance published in the newspaper is in opposition to the views of the ‘National League for Democracy’ (NLD), the UN Secretary General, the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) and the US. The government has said many times that there are no political prisoners in Myanmar, the writer ‘Lu Thit’ said in his article. The ‘Association for Assistance to Political Prisoners –Burma’ (AAPPB) said that there are over 2,100 political prisoners who are languishing in Burmese prisons for their political beliefs. (24 July 2009 Mizzima)
22 July 2009
U.S. offers Burma possible benefits
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton made an explicit appeal to Burma on Wednesday to release jailed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, offering the prospect of direct U.S. investment in the repressive Southeast Asian nation. The release of Suu Kyi is “critical” to easing the strained relations between Burma and the United States, Clinton said. “If she were released, that would open up opportunities at least for my country to expand our relationship with Burma, including investments in Burma,” she told reporters while attending a regional security forum. (22 July 2009 Washington Post)
Suu Kyi denied final meeting with lawyers
Lawyers of Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi have been denied a request to meet with her one last time before Friday’s final court hearing and will not be able to discuss a final statement. The lawyers were due to meet with Suu Kyi to finalise her court statement prior to the hearing on Friday but, according to lawyer Nyan Win, authorities phoned and said the court would not allow it. “Now we are planning to just make a presentation based on our previous discussions with [Suu Kyi] and our legal point of view,” he said. “This decision was not drawn together with Daw Suu but we’ll just have to go with it.” (22 July 2009 DVB)
21 July 2009
Suu Kyi’s cousin handed Gandhi prize
The Mahatma Gandhi prize has been awarded to a representative of Burma’s jailed pro- democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The Durban-based committee behind the International Award for Peace and Reconciliation handed over the prize to Ms Suu Kyi’s cousin and the head of Burma’s self-proclaimed government-in-exile, Sein Win. (21 July 2009 ABC News)
15 July 2009
Aung San Suu Kyi to meet legal team again
To tie up the loose ends and sew up the final argument on the trial of Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, her defence counsels will be meeting her on Friday July 17, in Rangoon’s notorious Insein prison, where she is being detained. Nyan Win, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s legal team and spokesperson for her political party National League for Democracy told Mizzima that they are negotiating with the authorities to allow more meetings with their party leader. The special court in Insein prison has fixed July 24 for the hearing of the final arguments from both lawyers. The court is expected to come up with a verdict after hearing the final argument. Nyan Win said, the defence team has prepared a 20-page final argument and will seek the approval of the accused, Aung San Suu Kyi. (15 July 2009 Mizzima)
14 July 2009
Junta fear UN chief’s influence on judiciary
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was denied a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi during his visit to Burma because of fears that he could influence the courtroom, said Burmese state-run media today. Ban Ki-moon was twice snubbed over a meeting with Suu Kyi when he visited the country earlier this month, with the ruling generals claiming that the Burmese judicial system didn’t permit a meeting with someone currently on trial. An article in the government mouthpiece New Light of Myanmar newspaper today however expressed “fear that his strong influence would have an adverse effect on the judicial system”. (14 July 2009 DVB)
Ban says ‘credible’ election depends on Suu Kyi’s freedom
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says he told Burma’s junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe that Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners should be released if the regime wants the 2010 election to be “credible.” “I urged Snr-Gen Than Shwe that this election should be fair and free, but also legitimate, inclusive and credible. To be credible and legitimate, Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners should be released,” Ban told reporters at UN headquarters in New York on Monday after briefing the UN Security Council on his talks with the Burmese junta in Naypyidaw earlier this month. (14 July 2009 Irrawaddy, 14 July 2009 Times of India)
Myanmar ‘to free some prisoners’
Myanmar’s military government is to free some political prisoners under an amnesty and allow them to participate in next year’s elections, the country’s ambassador to the UN has said. Speaking at the UN Security Council in New York on Monday, Than Swe did not say how many political prisoners would be released or when, or whether opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi would be among those freed. But he did say that Myanmar’s ruling military would also agree to UN demands that they hold talks with the opposition and allow credible elections next year. (14 July 2009 Al Jazeera, 14 July 2009 BBC, 14 July 2009 Bangkok Post)
Suu Kyi’s party skeptical on Myanmar amnesty claim
Myanmar’s opposition party Tuesday said it was skeptical the military junta would release political prisoners including its leader Aung San Suu Kyi, despite new assurances given to the U.N. The possible amnesty was announced by Myanmar’s U.N. ambassador Than Swe to diplomats in New York after U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon demanded the release of key political detainees ahead of national polls planned for next year. But Myanmar’s state media is yet to confirm the prisoner release and in the most recent amnesty in February, only a handful of political detainees were among the 6,300 prisoners let go. (14 July 2009 AFP)
11 July 2009
G8 urges release of Aung San Suu Kyi
The world’s major industrial countries, known as the G8, has called for the immediate release of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi saying her continued detention would undermine the credibility of the junta’s proposed general elections in 2010. Members of the G8 – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and United States – in a joint statement from its summit in Italy said they welcomed the UN Secretary General’s visit to Burma. But the group in a statement reiterated their “call on the Government of Myanmar [Burma] to release all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, whose continued detention would undermine the credibility of elections planned for 2010.” (11 July 2009 Mizzima)
10 July 2009
Suu Kyi instructs witness to ‘answer straight’
The courtroom trying Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi today resumed the trial and heard from one of two witnesses testifying in Suu Kyi’s defense in a six-hour long session. Only two of the four witnesses put forward, Khin Moe Moe and Kyi Win, have been admitted to stand. During the session today the courtroom heard a testimony from witness Khin Moe Moe. “Before the trial, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told me to answer only straight questions in accordance with the law,” Khin Moe Moe told DVB. The next hearing has been set for 24 July. (10 July 2009 DVB)
Yettaw admitted to prison hospital
John William Yettaw, the American accused of unlawfully seeking refuge in Aung San Suu Kyi’s home, has been admitted to hospital in Rangoon’s Insein Prison after declining food for 49 days, according to his lawyer, Khin Maung Oo. The lawyer told The Irrawaddy on Thursday that Yettaw is being fed intravenously. He said the 53-year-old American, a Mormon, had existed for seven weeks on only water for religious reasons. Khin Maung Oo said Yettaw told him the Bible had instructed him to travel to Rangoon to protect Suu Kyi from assassination. He had had a vision of Suu Kyi’s home, the lawyer said. (10 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
Security tightened as Suu Kyi trial resumes
Security was tightened around Rangoon’s Insein Prison on Friday as crowds gathered for the resumption of the trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Barbed wire road blocks were set up, and armed riot police took up positions. Despite the tightened security, about 100 Suu Kyi supporters gathered near the prison. They included Win Tin, a prominent leader of Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD). (10 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
Burma trial hears defence witness
One of only two defence witnesses allowed in the trial of Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has testified in court. The witness, lawyer Khin Moe Moe, argued that the charges against the defendant were illegal. The court will reconvene in two weeks’ time to hear final arguments. Khin Moe Moe argued that Ms Suu Kyi was being tried under the 1974 constitution, which was axed in 1988. (10 July 2009 BBC)
Suu Kyi’s long Friday
The Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi spent over six hours in court during her trial on, according to Suu Kyi’s lawyer. Nyan Win said most of the trial on Friday was spent by prosecutors and defense lawyers arguing over whether Law Section 22 charging Suu Kyi was still in effect. Section 22 was enacted under the 1974 constitution, but the constitution was abolished by the current regime after the coup in September 1988. Section 22 of the law safeguards the state against the dangers of those desiring to cause subversive acts. Suu Kyi has been charged under this section by Burmese authorities for allowing the American intruder John W.Yettaw to stay at her house while she was under house arrest. According Nyan Win, the court has set July 24 for hearing final arguments in the case. If she is found guilty, Suu Kyi could face up to five years imprisonment. (10 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
9 July 2009
Suu Kyi denied access to news
Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is denied access to a radio during her time in Rangoon’s Insein Prison, according to her lawyer, Nyan Win. Suu Kyi was able to keep in touch with world events by listening to the radio during her house detention, but that possibility has been denied her since she was removed to Insein Prison, where she is on trial for transgressing the terms of her house arrest. Nyan Win said Suu Kyi was allowed to read the state-controlled press, but was denied the possibility of receiving “uncensored information via foreign broadcasting.” (9 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
7 July 2009
Honorary degree for Suu Kyi
Burma’s imprisoned opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was yesterday awarded an honourary doctorate by a British university for her services to human rights. While Suu Kyi remains on trial over charges of breaching her house arrest conditions, Northern Ireland’s University of Ulster paid tribute to the National League for Democracy leader, who has been in detention for 13 of the last 19 years. (7 July 2009 DVB)
Ban warns junta of costly isolation
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned Burma of “costly isolation” if it sticks with its current policy and ignores the concerns of the international community. Briefing reporters on Ban’s trip to Burma last week, his spokeswoman, Michele Montas, said on Monday that the Secretary General was deeply disappointed that Senior General Than Shwe had refused his request to see Aung San Suu Kyi. “Allowing a visit, he said, would have been an important symbol of the Government’s willingness to embark on the kind of meaningful engagement that will be essential if the elections in 2010 are to be seen as credible,” Montas said. (7 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
3 July 2009
UN chief denied Suu Kyi visit
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday that Burma’s junta chief Snr-Gen Than Shwe rejected his request to meet jailed opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a rocky start to what he has called “a very tough mission” to win her freedom. “I told him that I wanted to meet her, but he told me that she is [on] trial,” Ban told reporters afterward. Ban emerged from a two-hour meeting with Than Shwe, saying he still hoped to meet the 64-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate before he leaves the country on Saturday. (3 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
Suu Kyi trial postponed as UN chief arrives in Burma
Judges at the trial of Aung San Suu Kyi have adjourned the next hearing until 10 July on the day UN Secretary General arrives in Burma for high-profile talks with government leaders. The trial was due to resume today, and would have coincided with the first day of a two-day visit to the country by Ban Ki-moon, during which he will meet with Senior General Than Shwe and members of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD) party. ( 3 July 2009 DVB )
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi supports Ban’s agenda: lawyer
Detained Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is in complete agreement with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s three main points to resolve Burma’s political imbroglio during his two-day visit to Burma on Friday. Aung San Suu Kyi’s comment came because the UN Secretary General, during his stay in Burma, plans to resolve the issues of political prisoners, bring up the issue of resumption of dialogue between the government and the opposition, persuade the junta to initiate national reconciliation, and set the stage for credible elections slated for 2010. ( 3 July 2009 Mizzima )
1 July 2009
UN chief to urge reform in Burma
The UN Secretary General arrives in Burma tomorrow for what many see as a make or break visit, with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi due to resume her court trial the same day.
Ban has said he will urge the release of all political prisoners in Burma and press the junta to make elections next year free and fair, points that he will raise “in the strongest possible terms.” Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), have argued that the trip could be used for propaganda by the regime. (1 July 2009 DVB )
Key International Developments
In July, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon visited Burma, to discuss the release of all political prisoners, the resumption of dialogue between the government and the opposition for national reconciliation, and setting the stage for credible elections in 2010. Following this visit, Burma’s ambassador to the UN Than Swe said that his country will consider an amnesty for prisoners, to allow them to participate in next year’s elections. But most critics remain highly sceptical of such remarks, as the junta has never in the first place admitted that there any political prisoners in Burma at all. This month has also seen the creation of the ASEAN Human Rights Body (AHRB), the region’s first ever human rights watchdog. According to many critics the rights body will lack powers to punish violators and will at best require its 10 member nations to provide reports on their internal human rights situations.
29 July 2009
US extends Myanmar sanctions
US President Barack Obama extended sanctions against Myanmar, including a ban on gem imports, as the military regime prepares a verdict for democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The White House in a brief statement said Obama signed into law a bill overwhelmingly approved by Congress that would prolong sanctions on all imports from Myanmar for three years. The sanctions were due to expire this week. The measure also confirms a ban on US sales of Myanmar’s gems, which had until last year still entered the US market due to a now-plugged loophole. (29 July 2009 AFP, 29 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
28 July 2009
PM’s Burma visit postponed
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s official visit to Burma, earlier scheduled for Friday, July 31, has been postponed for two or three week at Burma’s request, said PM’s deputy secretary-general Panithan Watthanayakorn on Tuesday. The request was made by the Burmese ambassador to Thailand, citing weather and internal politics as the reasons, he said. Mr Panithan said the postponement has nothing to do with the fact that the Burma issue was raised for discussion at the recent Asean meetings in Phuket. (28 July 2009 Bangkok Post, 28 July 2009 Mizzima)
26 July 2009
Myanmar criticizes Clinton following ASEAN meeting
A Myanmar state-run newspaper on Sunday accused U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton of interfering in the affairs of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations after she urged its members to press for more democratic reforms in the country. Clinton, who attended the ASEAN Regional Forum last week in Thailand, also called on Myanmar to unconditionally release pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is on trial for allegedly violating the terms of her house arrest and faces a possible five-year prison term. “It amounts to interfering in the affairs of the ASEAN,” according to a commentary in the state-run Myanma Ahlin daily. “If ASEAN complies with the instruction of U.S. Secretary of State, ASEAN will become the follower of United States.” (26 July 2009 AP, 27 July 2009 DVB)
23 July 2009
UN tackles forced labor in Myanmar
On July 23rd, the ILO and the government of Germany signed an agreement to monitor the country formerly known as Burma for violations pertaining to forced underage military recruitment. Already in 2003, Myanmar agreed to have a UN liaison in the country’s capital of Yangon to mediate labour disputes, and this was followed by the implementation of a legal process in 2007 (extended to 2010) that allows victims of forced labour to seek reparations via the UN intermediary. But despite the agreement, the ILO says Myanmar hasn’t done enough, and recommends that Myanmar ban forced labour through legislation; ban the constitutional provision that allows forced labour; hold civil and military perpetrators of forced labour accountable; stop harassment towards victims of forced labour; and increase publicity to ban obligatory work. Moreover, the severe sentences of Su Su Nway and U Thet Way, two prominent labor activists, are also a source of tension. Su Su Nway, known for successfully suing local Myanmar officials for forced labor violations, was sentenced to 8 years and 6 months, and U Thet Way was sentenced to two years of forced labor in 20081. (29 July 2009 In These Times)
Asean rejects US call to expel Burma
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) will not consider expelling Burma over the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi because it was unlikely it would solve the problem, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thursday. His statement came after US Secretary of State Hillary
1 The original source claimed Su Su Nwe was sentenced to 12 years detention. AAPP has edited this information as Su Su Nwe was in the end sentenced to a total of 8 years and 6 months.
Clinton called on the regional bloc to consider expelling Burma if it does not free the Nobel laureate. Although Asean and Western countries share the same goals regarding democracy, the suggestion could not be taken up for a number of reasons said Mr Abhisit, the current Asean chairman. “There are not enough grounds to do that,” he said. “We have already done what we can under the Asean mechanism. If Burma is expelled it will further isolate the regime, and would that solve the problem?” Mr Abhisit said he hoped Washington and the European Union would both understand Asean’s position. (23 July 2009 Bangkok Post)
US piles pressure on Burma regime
US officials have had a rare meeting with representatives of Burma’s regime. Unnamed officials told reporters that efforts to improve ties depended partly on the outcome of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial. The US also pressed Burma to enforce a United Nations resolution imposing an arms embargo on North Korea. Mrs Clinton called for the release of Ms Suu Kyi from many years of detention. “If she were released, that would open up opportunities… for my country to expand our relationship with Burma, including investments in Burma,” Mrs Clinton said. This point was reinforced in the face-to-face meeting between US and Burmese officials on Wednesday night, US officials said. (23 July 2009 BBC, 23 July 2009 AFP)
22 July 2009
US House approves extension of ban on imports from Burma
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a one year renewal of a ban on imports from Burma. Burma was also the topic of remarks on the floor of the U.S. Senate where a Republican senator discussed remarks by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about military cooperation between Burma and North Korea. In extending the import ban, lawmakers cited oppression by the ruling military government, and what the U.S. and other countries have called a sham trial of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. (22 July 2009 VOA)
Indian lawmakers call for Suu Kyi’s release
A forum of Indian lawmakers has urged Myanmar’s military junta to release incarcerated pro- democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Gathering under the banner of the Indian Parliamentarians’ Forum For Democracy In Burma (IPFDB), the lawmakers said Suu Kyi’s release is essential for the restoration of democracy in Myanmar. (22 July 2009 Thaindian News)
‘Asean, expel Myanmar’
The Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) should consider expelling Myanmar if it does not release imprisoned Aung San Suu Kyi, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday. Asked on Thai television whether Asean should kick out the military-ruled member state if it does not free the pro-democracy leader, Mrs Clinton replied: ‘It would be an appropriate policy change to consider.’ Myanmar – Asean’s problem child since it joined the bloc in 1997 – recently sparked outrage by putting the Nobel Laureate on trial over an incident in which an American man swam to her lakeside house. (22 July 2009 Straits Times)
Burma-N Korea ties ‘of concern’
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said Washington is “very seriously” concerned about the transfer of nuclear technology from North Korea to Burma. Arriving in Thailand ahead of a forum on regional security, she said the relationship was a threat to stability. She also condemned Burma’s treatment of jailed pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Speaking on the issue of Burma, Mrs Clinton the US expected “fair treatment” of Aung San Suu Kyi. “We have condemned the way that she has been treated by the regime in Burma, which we consider to be baseless and totally unacceptable.” (22 July 2009 BBC)
21 July 2009
Senior Thai official says junta reaction ‘positive’
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) views the Burmese military junta’s cooperation with the organization as “positive”, according to a senior official at Thailand’s Asean office. “The first time I saw Myanmar’s [Burma] reaction, I thought it was a very positive…they fully understand and appreciate the offers of help by Asean colleagues,” said Vitavas Srivihok, the director-general of Asean – Thailand Office, at a press briefing on Tuesday. “The foreign minister of Myanmar is going to report back to Naypyidaw [on the meeting], and we will wait for their leader’s response. Then we will have further discussions with Myanmar’s foreign minister on the reaction,” he said. (21 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
Indonesia criticizes military-ruled Myanmar
While still espousing its core doctrine of non-interference in the affairs of its members, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, has voiced sharp criticism of Myanmar and acknowledged that it remains a burden and roadblock to its progress. “We should see whether from now until 2010 they develop a credible process leading to truly democratic elections acceptable to the international community,” Wirayuda said. He said the “big test” will be whether the regime’s promised elections next year are truly “multiparty, meaning inclusive in nature, but also whether the process is a democratic one.” (21 July 2009 Jakarta Post)
Asean calls for inclusive election; release of all political prisoners
Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) called for the immediate release of Burma’s political prisoners including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi as well as free, fair and inclusive elections in 2010, at the conclusion of the two-day Asean Ministerial Meeting on Monday in Phuket, Thailand. “We encouraged the Myanmar [Burma] Government to hold free, fair and inclusive elections in 2010, thereby laying down a good foundation for future social and economic development,” said the joint communiqué of the 42nd AMM. In the Asean foreign ministers’ joint-statement, titled “Acting Together to Cope with Global Challenges,” said the release of political prisoners was a way to pave the way for meaningful dialogue with all stakeholders in Burmese politics. (21 July 2009 Irrawaddy 21 July 2009 DVB)
Thai FM:Burma key to fate of Asean
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations cannot move forward until changes occur in Burma, Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya says. The Burmese issue was the focus of talks among Southeast Asian foreign ministers here yesterday. Other Asean ministers reiterated a call for the Burmese government to immediately release political prisoners, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, to pave the way for national reconciliation and their participation in “inclusive” general elections next year. “Recognising the fact that the Myanmar [Burmese] government has been trying to address many complex challenges, we remained constructively engaged with Myanmar as part of the Asean Community building process,” they said in a statement released yesterday. Burma maintained its position that “pressure from the outside and economic sanctions were hampering” its plan to restore democracy and development efforts, the statement said. (21 July 2009 Bangkok Post)
20 July 2009
Burmese FM: Ban’s Proposals Not Off the Table
Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win told his counterparts from Southeast Asian nations on Sunday that issues including the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners recommended by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon have not necessarily been ruled out. Surin Pitsuwan, the secretary-general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), told reporters: “We have been briefed [by Nyan Win] about the visit of the [UN] Secretary-General, and we have been told some issues recommended by the secretary-general should not be taken as [having] not been accepted because [they have] not been responded to. It will take time.” Some analysts said the remark could also be a way for the ruling generals to buy time, in light of the strong international criticism they have received over the ongoing trial of Suu Kyi. (20 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
Abhisit rejects possible Burma sanctions
Sanctions will not solve problems in Burma and should not be applied, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says. In his capacity as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Mr Abhisit yesterday said some Western dialogue partners might want sanctions to be applied against Burma, so all Asean countries should help express Asean’s stance against such measures.
Mr Abhisit said even though Asean had protested against Burma’s treatment of Mrs Suu Kyi, it would not do anything to meddle in its internal affairs. Asean wanted Burma to know how the international community felt about human rights there. “The junta should use this occasion to improve Asean’s understanding of the situation in the country,” he said. (20 July 2009 Bangkok Post)
SE Asian nations face anger over new rights body
Southeast Asian foreign ministers were set to endorse the region’s first ever human rights body Monday, despite criticisms that it will be toothless to tackle rogue members like Myanmar. The main focus for officials meeting in the Thai resort island of Phuket will be on the landmark watchdog proposed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), for which ministers will agree final terms before its official launch by leaders of the bloc in October. According to a draft seen by AFP, the rights body will lack powers to punish violators such as military-ruled Myanmar, and can at best require its 10 member nations to provide reports on their internal rights situations. The rights body in its current form “may not only disappoint all peoples in ASEAN, but also risks compromising the international standing of ASEAN,” said the letter signed by Forum-Asia and Solidarity for Asian People’s Advocacy, two leading regional advocacy groups. (20 July 2009 AFP)
19 July 2009
Human rights questions arise at Asean meeting
Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are expected to approve the Asean Human Rights Body (AHRB) ’s Terms of Reference (ToR) during their meeting, which began on Sunday and ends Tuesday, prior to a meeting of the full Asean grouping. However, the process has already illustrated the difficulty the regional body will face while trying to foster human rights protection in Asia. “If the Asean rights body could not deter human rights violations in Burma, how could it be a real human rights body?” she asked. The formation of the Asean rights body faced a huge challenge from Burma in May when the Burmese junta arrested and put on trial pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi for violating the terms of her house arrest, causing a firestorm of international protests and calls for her release. (19 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
18 July 2009
Burmese FM to Face Suu Kyi and North Korea Questions at ARF
Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win arrives in Thailand on Saturday to attend the Asean Ministerial Meeting (AMM) and Asean Regional Forum (ARF), according to official sources. He is expected to face questions from the international community over the charges against pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and Burma’s relations with North Korea. These high-profile meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) come as Suu Kyi is set to face final arguments in her trial for allegedly violating the terms of her house arrest. In a rare move, Asean member countries have criticized the Burmese junta for the trial against Suu Kyi, who is accused of allowing an American intruder to stay overnight in her home. (18 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
17 July 2009
ASEAN summit to tackle Burma stalemate
The intransigence of the Burmese government and the ongoing political crisis in the country will likely feature high on the agenda of the 42nd ASEAN summit beginning today in Thailand. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has arrived on the island of Phuket, which will play host to the week-long annual summit. The US ambassador to ASEAN, Scot Marciel, told reporters on Wednesday that he “expects” Burma to feature in talks this week. (17 July 2009 DVB)
16 July 2009
Political prisoners’ rights group issues challenge to Burmese junta
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP) today cautioned UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and members of the UN Security Council not to fall for yet another hollow promise by the ruling military regime in Burma. The call follows the recent announcement by Burma’s UN ambassador U Than Swe that the Myanmar authorities will “grant amnesty to prisoners on humanitarian grounds with a view to enabling them to participate in the 2010 elections.” “The regime does not even acknowledge the existence of political prisoners,” said Bo Kyi, Joint-Secretary of AAPP. “If they truly want to show the world that they are serious about democratic reform, the first step is to officially recognize political prisoners, and the fact that they have been arrested on political grounds. But words are not enough. We need to see practical implementation of a concrete time-frame for the rapid release of all of Burma’s political prisoners.” (16 July 2009 AAPP)
Clinton to Discuss Burma at Asean Meeting
Burma will come up as a major issue of discussion when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets her Asean counterparts in Thailand on Friday, according to a state department official. While Clinton will meet with several of her Asean member counterparts, there is no planned meeting with the Burmese foreign minister, said the spokesperson. “They will probably…they could be in the same meeting when she meets with her Asean foreign minister counterparts. But there’s no bilateral meeting scheduled,” he said. The 42th Asean Ministerial Meeting, Post Ministerial Conferences (PMC) and 16th Asean Regional Forum will be held in the southern province of Phuket from Friday to Wednesday. (16 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
US to push for change in Myanmar
Senior U.S. official on Wednesday defended the United States’ ability to push for democratic change in Myanmar, saying an unfinished Obama administration review of Myanmar policy has not hindered U.S. diplomacy with the military-run country. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Scot Marciel told reporters that Myanmar’s trial of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has slowed the policy review that began in February. The Myanmar charges could carry up to a five-year prison term for Suu Kyi.
15 July 2009
Families of Prisoners Don’t Believe Talk of Amnesty
Families of political prisoners in Burma have little hope that their family members will be released even after Burma told the United Nations that political prisoners would be released before the 2010 election. According to human rights groups, the junta has more than 2,100 political prisoners behind bars and many are serving long sentences. The number of political prisoners has doubled since the crackdown on the monk-led demonstrations in late 2007.
A commentary article in Burma’s state-run media recently claimed that Burma has no political prisoners. “There are only prisoners who breach law from threatened peace [sic] and create instable security in the country,” the commentary said. The article also said that Burma will conduct the election without freeing Aung San Suu Kyi. (15 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
Junta Is ‘Playing a Game’: PM in Exile
Noting that the Burmese military junta is “playing a game” with the international community as well as the United Nations, “a frustrated and disappointed” Dr Sein Win, the prime minister of the Burmese government in exile, urged world leaders to send a “strong message” to the authoritarian Burmese rulers on Wednesday. He said the junta is trying to mislead the international community by giving assurances that they are going to reform and hold a free and fair election. In reality, “they are doing nothing,” Sein Win said. “The UN and other major countries must send a strong signal about this.” Deeply disappointed with the recent turn of events, especially with the visit by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon earlier this month, Sein Win said nothing has changed for the people of Burma. (15 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
14 July 2009
China opposes putting Myanmar question on UN Security Council agenda: diplomat
China is opposed to putting the Myanmar question on the UN Security Council agenda and is against isolating and sanctioning against the country, a senior Chinese diplomat said here on Monday, stressing the events that happened inside Myanmar were its internal affairs. “We believe that the events happened inside Myanmar are the internal affairs of Myanmar itself, which should be handled by its own government and people in consultation,” Liu Zhenmin, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, said at an open Security Council meeting on Myanmar. “China has explicitly opposed the inclusion of the Myanmar question on the Security Council agenda. And we are against the policy of isolating and sanctioning against Myanmar,” he told the 15-member Council. (14 July 2009 Xinhua)
Ban Says ‘Credible’ Election Depends on Suu Kyi’s Freedom
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says he told Burma’s junta leader Snr-Gen Than Shwe that Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners should be released if the regime wants the 2010 election to be “credible.” “I urged Snr-Gen Than Shwe that this election should be fair and free, but also legitimate, inclusive and credible. To be credible and legitimate, Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners should be released,” Ban told reporters at UN headquarters in New York on Monday after briefing the UN Security Council on his talks with the Burmese junta in Naypyidaw earlier this month. (14 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
Myanmar ‘to free some prisoners’
Myanmar’s military government is to free some political prisoners under an amnesty and allow them to participate in next year’s elections, the country’s ambassador to the UN has said. Speaking at the UN Security Council in New York on Monday, Than Swe did not say how many political prisoners would be released or when, or whether opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi would be among those freed. But he did say that Myanmar’s ruling military would also agree to UN demands that they hold talks with the opposition and allow credible elections next year. (14 July 2009 Al Jazeera, 14 July 2009 BBC, 14 July 2009 Bangkok Post)
13 July 2009
Remarks by Ambassador Rosemary A. DiCarlo, U.S. Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs, during a Security Council Briefing on Burma by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in the Security Council Chamber, July 13, 2009
Mr. Secretary-General, we note that you were able to meet with Senior General Than Shwe, several members of the National League for Democracy’s Central Executive Committee, and representatives of other registered political parties. But we are very disappointed that Burmese authorities refused your request to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. By turning down this simple, straightforward request, the Burmese government missed a critical opportunity to, in your words, “show its commitment to a new era of political openness.” We await the regime’s response to the important challenges that you, Mr. Secretary-General, presented to it during your visit. If the authorities fail to credibly address these challenges, they will miss yet another chance to make meaningful progress on concerns repeatedly uttered by this Council. The path the authorities are pursuing leads to neither democracy nor stability. And it is the Burmese people who will suffer further, if this opportunity to change course is not met.
Extracts from the Secretary-General’s briefing to the Security Council on Myanmar
“The refusal of the senior leadership to allow me to meet with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was not only a deep disappointment, but also a major lost opportunity for Myanmar. While this should not define our efforts, allowing such a meeting would have sent a constructive and conciliatory signal, both inside and outside Myanmar. However, the United Nations’ engagement with Myanmar is broad and complex as it encompasses a range of fundamental issues of concern for the future of the country, which I was able to address during this visit.
While Myanmar has a unique and complex history, the challenges it faces as a country in transition are neither exceptional nor insurmountable. Second, none of the challenges facing Myanmar today – political, humanitarian, development – can be addressed on its own, and failure to address them with equal attention could undermine the prospects for durable peace, democracy and prosperity. The choice for Myanmar’s leaders in the coming days and weeks will be between meeting that responsibility in the interest of all concerned, or failing their own people and each one of you. The world is now watching closely whether they will choose to act in the best interest of their country or ignore our concerns and expectations and the needs of their people.” (13 July 2009 Security Council )
10 July 2009
G8 leaders respond to Burma intransigence
Leaders of the world’s major industrialised nations have expressed concern about Burma’s unwillingness to respond to UN chief Ban Ki-moon’s diplomatic efforts during his recent visit to Burma. The issue was brought up between Ban Ki-moon and British prime minister Gordon Brown on the sidelines of the annual Group of Eight (G8) summit. In a statement the G8 leaders “welcomed” Ban Ki-moon’s visit last week. The statement spoke of shared concerns about the intransigence of the Burmese government, and said that G8 nations “will closely consult on our collective and individual response”. (10 July 2009 DVB)
9 July 2009
Thai PM proposes visit to Burma
Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Veejjajiva proposes to visit neighbouring military-ruled Burma later this month, sources in the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The PM, according to a ministry official, has sounded out the Burmese junta on his visit as the current rotating Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), of which Burma is also a member.
“It will be at a convenient date for both sides [Thailand and Burma]. It is tentatively planned but so far there is no response from the Burmese government,” the official told Mizzima on Thursday. (9 July 2009 Mizzima)
8 July 2009
US Expresses concern over Burma
“I think our concerns with the state of democracy are very well known. We, of course, have called for the release of the 2,100 political prisoners in Burma,” the State Department spokesman, Ian C Kelly, told reporters at his daily press briefing. Kelly said the Obama Administration has called very specifically for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, who has spent 13 of the last 19 years under house arrest. The spokesman said the Obama Administration is currently reviewing its Burma policy. “We have a new Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Kurt Campbell. So I would suspect that we will have more to say when we will begin to wrap up this policy review and have more to say at that time,” he said. (8 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
7 July 2009
Ban Warns Junta of costly isolation
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned Burma of “costly isolation” if it sticks with its current policy and ignores the concerns of the international community. Briefing reporters on Ban’s trip to Burma last week, his spokeswoman, Michele Montas, said on Monday that the Secretary General was deeply disappointed that Senior General Than Shwe had refused his request to see Aung San Suu Kyi. “Allowing a visit, he said, would have been an important symbol of the Government’s willingness to embark on the kind of meaningful engagement that will be essential if the elections in 2010 are to be seen as credible,” Montas said. (7 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
Thai investment grows in the face of ‘useless’ Burma sanctions
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Veejjajiva has said that the international boycott of Burma would not impact on the country’s ruling generals as Thailand looks to explore further investment opportunities in Burma. The comments came during talks with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who made a brief stopover in Thailand after leaving Burma on Saturday. Thailand currently holds the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and has repeatedly expressed its desire to see Suu Kyi freed, much to the chagrin of the Burmese generals. Yet like China, it remains unmoved in its refusal to join with Western countries, including the United States and European Union, in implementing sanctions on the regime. While Thailand defends this policy in the face of sanctions that are “not useful”, as Vejjajiva told the meeting on Saturday, some observers say Thailand is acting to satisfy self interests. (7 July 2009 DVB)
Die Hard’ spirit of 7-July; Burmese activists vow to march ahead
Burmese activists and Indian supporters reiterated their call to the Indian government to stop supporting Burma’s military regime. Marching along Parliament Street in New Delhi, India’s capital, scores of people held protest rallies on Tuesday marking the 47th anniversary of 7-July, on which day in 1962 Burma’s military rulers’ cracked down on student protesters in Rangoon University. The protests, however, were met with brute force by the Burmese Army, which opened fire, killing scores of students. The new regime, threatened by the protests, on July 8, secretly ordered the Student Union building to be blown up. (7 July 2009 Mizzima)
6 July 2009
Myanmar gamble backfires for U.N. chief
Ban defended himself after leaving Myanmar, saying Saturday that being allowed to see Aung San Suu Kyi should not be seen as a “benchmark” of success and saying that Than Shwe had not rejected any of his other proposals. He apparently gambled on hoping to repeat his success of May 2008, when he was able to persuade Than Shwe to allow international aid into Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis hit the country in 2008, killing 138,000 people. But analysts said that his faith in his ability to win over the ruling generals was outweighed by their own determination to maintain their iron grip over the country and avoid all outside interference. (6 July 2009 Taiwan News)
5 July 2009
Burmese lament UN chief’s failure
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visits the village of Kyondah in Burma to inspect reconstruction projects from last year’s devastating cyclone which killed over 130,000 people. Burma’s opposition party said Ban’s failure to meet its imprisoned leader Aung San Suu Kyi was a “great loss” as the UN chief left the military-ruled nation empty-handed. “They (Burma’s ruling generals) brought Ban Ki-moon for public relations purposes,” said Zarni, a Burma analyst at the London School of Economics.
4 July 2009
Extracts from Ban Ki-moon’s Speech
“The challenges are many. But they are not insurmountable. We know from experience that securing Myanmar’s peaceful, democratic and prosperous future is a complex process. None of Myanmar’s challenges can be solved on their own. Peace, development and human rights are closely inter-related. Failure to address them with equal attention will risk undermining the prospects for democracy, durable peace and prosperity. “The upcoming election –the first in twenty years – must be inclusive, participatory and transparent if it is to be credible. Myanmar’s way forward must be rooted in respect for human rights. This is why I say that all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, should be released without delay.” (4 July 2009 Irrawaddy)
1 July 2009
UN chief to urge reform in Burma
The UN Secretary General arrives in Burma tomorrow for what many see as a make or break visit, with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi due to resume her court trial the same day. Ban has said he will urge the release of all political prisoners in Burma and press the junta to make elections next year free and fair, points that he will raise “in the strongest possible terms.” Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), have argued that the trip could be used for propaganda by the regime. (1 July 2009 DVB )
Burmese wary of UN chief’s visit
Burmese politicians have expressed fear that Ban Ki-moon’s visit to Burma will achieve little without concerted attempts to meet National League for Democracy members, including Aung San Suu Kyi. The UN Secretary General is due to arrive in Burma on Friday on a two-day visit.
Senior members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), as well as a number of human rights groups, have said however that the trip will be meaningless unless a meeting with NLD members, and even Suu Kyi, is secured. Bo Kyi, joint secretary of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP), said that the trip may be too brief to achieve the UN’s goals of ensuring the release of all of Burma’s 2,100 political prisoners. (1 July 2009 DVB )
UN chief heads for Burma with high hopes and little else
Mr Ban says he will be conveying the international community’s concerns during his mission to Burma. “The three most important issues [for Burma] at this juncture is the release of all political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi, the immediate resumption of dialogue between the Government and opposition leaders, and creating an atmosphere conducive to holding credible elections,” the UN chief told journalists in Tokyo before he headed for Burma. (1 July 2009 Mizzima)
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7-Monthly Chronology of Burma Political Prisoners for July 2009
