ALTSEAN-BURMA
Alternative Asean Network on Burma
campaigns, advocacy and capacity-building for human rights

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THEMATIC BRIEFERS
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BURMA/MYANMAR: COMPREHENSIVE ACTION NEEDED TO HALT ONGOING MILITARY RAMPAGE
April 2017 - Pdf, Word
27 March 2017 marked the first Armed Forces Day under the NLD-led government. Tatmadaw Commander-in-Chief Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing declared the military's firm commitment to "... the stability, unity and development of the country and monitoring to ensure that [the country] can walk firmly on the multi-party democracy path chosen by the people”. Despite such declarations, the Tatmadaw's behavior has consistently undermined the peace process, rule of law, and human rights, prompting UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Yanghee Lee to report “that the situation is now worse than at any point in the past few years.”
Burma/Myanmar: Significant Reforms Needed Before Human Rights Due Diligence Possible
April 2016 - Pdf, Word

Burma/Myanmar has a legacy of human rights violations linked to foreign investment and land acquisition for business activities, including large-scale development projects. A flawed and outdated legal framework, poor policy coherence, weak governance, rule of law deficiencies, and an exploitative and predatory approach to controlling natural resources have fuelled human rights violations and armed conflict. Despite a new government, ongoing military control and/or influence over key ministries remains a barrier to land reform. The legal framework for land acquisition violates international standards. Institutionalized impunity and discrimination, a lack of transparency, and corrupt and unregulated industries present a significant risk to local residents, as well as local and foreign investors. As foreign direct investment increases in Burma, it is crucial that the new National League for Democracy (NLD)-led government tackles land acquisition as a priority policy issue. The current legal and policy framework must be significantly reformed to ensure transparent investment practices and that human rights are respected by businesses operating in the country. Such measures should be conflict-sensitive, clearly address the impact of past abuses and provide concrete means to protect human rights. This short factsheet summarizes business and human rights concerns in Burma/Myanmar, and highlights the need for reforms before appropriate human rights due diligence can be conducted.

 
Post-Election Burma/Myanmar: Human Rights Developments
(Nov 15 - Jan 16)
February 2016 - Pdf, Word

This short factsheet summarizes human rights developments in Burma/Myanmar since the November 2015 elections, ahead of the 31st session of the UN Human Rights Council. It highlights the need for intensified pressure to ensure that the incoming National League for Democracy (NLD) government prioritizes reforms that will bring institutional behavior, policies and legislation into line with international human rights standards. Concerns include ongoing discrimination against the Rohingya population and the influence of extremist nationalist group Ma Ba Tha; the continued detention of political prisoners and the challenge facing an NLD government in ending this; civilian abuse in conflict including torture and rape by the Tatmadaw, which remains unaddressed in the exlusive peace process; and immunity secured for outgoing President Thein Sein as the transition continues.

 
Burma/Myanmar Post-Election Outlook: Trials for Triumph
November 2015 - Pdf, Word

Results announced on 13 November confirmed the overwhelming victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the 8 November elections, which decided 75% of seats in Burma/Myanmar’s National and Regional Parliaments. While the military will retain its allotted 25% of parliamentary seats, the NLD now holds an overall majority in the National Parliament, giving it the power to form Burma/Myanmar’s next government and select a President.
This briefer summarizes post-election issues, including; the presidential selection process; the military power preserved in the 2008 Constitution; Aung San Suu Kyi's call for "reconciliation talks" with President Thein Sein, Commander-in-Chief Sr Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Parliamentary Speaker Shwe Mann; and the final parliamentary session for sitting MPs. 

 
Burma/Myanmar Election Day: Free-est & Fairest is Not Free and Fair
November 2015 - Pdf, Word

On 8 November, Burma/Myanmar held what has been called its ‘free-est and fairest’ election in 25 years. An 80% turnout rate was reported for the 33.5 million Burmese eligible to vote in the election, which saw the first participation of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) in a general election since the (later annulled) 1990 elections.
After a half century of rule by authoritarian regimes, and 2010’s sham election which saw the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) win through widespread fraud, the landmark vote was heralded as the most credible in a generation, but was far from being ‘free and fair.’ The results will determine the composition of 75% of Burma’s National and Regional Parliaments, while 25% of seats remain reserved for the military.

 
Fear & Voting in Burma/Myanmar: 2015 Election
October 2015 - Pdf, Word

On 8 November, up to 32 million Burmese voters will elect representatives to fill 1,171 seats in the National and State/ Division Parliaments. Ninety one political parties will compete for 75% of seats in the legislature, while 25% remain reserved for the Tatmadaw. Despite official promises of a “free and fair” election, multiple flaws continue to undermine the credibility of the process.

This briefer summarizes obstacles to "free and fair" elections, including; widespread voter lists errors; disenfranchisement of Rohingya, overseas migrants and people in conflict areas; candidate disqualifications; Election Commission (EC) media restrictions; the extremist Organization for the Protection of Race and Religion (Ma Ba Tha)'s anti-Muslim rhetoric; and increased police surveillance.

 
UNGA 2015: Developments since the 2014 UNGA Resolution on Burma
October 2015 - Pdf, Word
The Burmese authorities have failed to implement most of the recommendations from Resolution 69/248 adopted in 2014. In 2015, authorities continued to either fail to address, or collude in serious human rights violations, and took steps to undermine the possibility of ‘free and fair’ elections on 8 November: 3.2 million people are excluded from voting in the 2015 elections; Naypyidaw passed discriminatory laws backed by extremists while tens of thousands of Rohingya fled persecution causing May's 'boatpeople crisis'; a new war erupted in Kokang Self-Administered Zone and the Tatmadaw continued civilian abuses; arrests and imprisonments of political activists and human rights defenders increased by 172%.
 
Regime Continues Anti-Rohingya Policies
March 2015 - Pdf, Word

The situation for Rohingya, often described as one of the world's most persecuted peoples, has severely deteriorated during President Thein Sein’s presidency, with a spike in hate crimes and the introduction of additional discriminatory draft laws and policies. Pre-existing discriminatory policies against Rohingya, including restrictions on marriage and birthrates, remain in full force. Stricter enforcement of the 1982 Citizenship Law ensures most Rohingya remain stateless. Read more...

 
Burma update since 2014 UNHRC Resolution
March 2015 - Pdf, Word

Since the 2014 UNHRC resolution, Burma’s transition has slid backwards, as the regime failed to implement many of the resolution’s recommendations. Among the critical issues the regime has failed to tackle are the ongoing Tatmadaw attacks in Kachin and Shan States and their dire impact on civilians, the repeated sentencing of human rights defenders, increasing media repression, and discrimination against Rohingya. This briefer provides updates on key elements raised in UNHRC Resolution L.21 (adopted on 28 March 2014), focusing on the period from September 2014 to February 2015. Read more...

 
Crackdowns on Peaceful Assembly and Association in the Context of Business Activities
January 2015 - Pdf, Word

A veneer of reform disguises the threats posed to freedom of assembly and association in Burma. Publicly expressed dissent has often been met with disproportionate force, particularly in relation to large-scale development projects or natural resource extraction. The regime also continues to ignore calls from CSOs to address human rights abuses, including land confiscation, associated with these projects.
Read more…

 
Developments After the 2013 UNGA Resolution
October 2014 - Pdf, Word

The Burmese authorities have failed to implement most of the recommendations from previous United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions, in particular Resolution 68/242, adopted in 2013. This briefer summarizes developments on the ground with direct reference to key paragraphs of the resolution. Read more...

 
New arrests and imprisonment of activists and human rights defenders in Burma
September 2014 - Pdf, Word
A total of 158 activists and human rights defenders were documented as arrested or prosecuted in the past nine months (i.e. since December 2013). Of this number, 85 were confirmed as sentenced to jail, while many others await trial or sentencing. Read more…
 
Burma: Sliding Backwards from Reform
September 2014 - Pdf, Word
This briefer, which covers developments from November 2013 to September 2014, includes: legislative reform; backsliding on media freedom; arbitrary arrests and imprisonments of journalists and activists; attacks in Kachin and Shan States; and discrimination and persecution against Rohingya. Read more...
 
Land Confiscation in Burma: A Threat to Local Communities & Responsible Investment
May 2014 - Pdf, Word
Land confiscation is one of the leading causes of protest and unrest in Burma, having led to the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of people in recent years. It also undermines Burma’s fragile peace processes. Read more...
 
Reforms in Burma: On the Downward Slope
April 2014 - Pdf, Word
This briefer, which covers developments from January 2014 to April 2014, includes: the Arakan State situation; ethnic affairs; displacement & aid; human rights; and democracy. Read more...
 
New arrests and imprisonment of activists and human rights defenders in Burma
October 2013 - Pdf, Word
A total of 63 activists and human rights defenders were documented as arrested or prosecuted in the past five months. Of this number, 33 were confirmed as sentenced to jail (between three months and two and a half years), while many others await trial or sentencing. Read more....
 
Burma update: Serious crimes continue
September 2013 - Pdf, Word
Over one year since sectarian violence broke out in Arakan State, 140,000 predominately Rohingya IDPs remain displaced. Rohingya face ongoing restrictions on freedom of movement and access to employment, health, and education. Read more....
 
Impunity still reigns In Burma: Rohingya persecuted, Muslims targeted, Kachin attacked
May 2013 - Pdf, Word
The Burmese regime’s refusal to implement reforms that will stop impunity has resulted in a surge of serious human rights violations that have displaced 250,000 people and killed hundreds since June 2011. Read more....
 
Anti-Muslim violence in Central Burma
April 2013 - Pdf, Word
A tense calm prevails after deadly religious violence hit Central Burma in March, with anti-Muslim attacks reported in four townships in Mandalay Division and eight townships in Pegu Division. According to official figures, the violence in Meikhtila, Mandalay Division, killed 44 people and displaced over 12,800. As of 9 April, over 8,400 people remain displaced. Read more....
 
Burma’s facade: An update on conflicts, displacement & human rights violations
March 2013 - Pdf, Word
This briefer, which covers developments from October 2012 to March 2013, includes: the Arakan State situation; ethnic affairs; displacement & aid; human rights; democracy; and economy. Read more....
 
Burma’s Parliament: Fundamental reforms still blocked
September 2012 - Pdf, Word
From 4 July to 7 September, Burma’s Parliament held its fourth session. Despite efforts by some opposition MPs, regime officials and USDP MPs continued to block fundamental legislative reforms, including the repeal of existing oppressive laws and the adoption of progressive legislation. Read more....
 
Unrest in Burma’s Arakan State: A chronology of events (Updated)
June 2012 - Pdf, Word
This briefer is an update of “Unrest in Burma’s Arakan State: A chronology of events.” Updates include: 62 people have died as a result of the unrest in Arakan State from 28 May to 21 June; Read more....
 
Unrest in Burma’s Arakan State: A chronology of events
June 2012 - Pdf, Word
The rape and murder of a 27-year-old Buddhist Rakhine woman and the murder of 10 Muslim pilgrims triggered deadly sectarian clashes between Buddhist and Muslims in Arakan State starting on 8 June. Read more....
 
The war in Kachin State: A year of more displacement and human rights abuses
June 2012 - Pdf, Word
In the past year, the Tatmadaw has deployed nearly 25% of its battalions to Kachin State, escalating its war with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and bringing further suffering to civilian populations in Kachin State and Northern Shan State. Read more....
 
Burma’s by-elections: Still short of international standards
March 2012 - Pdf, Word
On 1 April, more than six million Burmese are eligible to go to the polls to elect less than 7% of the total number of seats in the National Parliament. While the by-elections have limited political significance, they are important because they are being championed as an indicator of progress by the international community after the sham 2010 polls. Read more....
 
Burma’s Parliament - A tool for institutionalized oppression
November 2011 - Pdf, Word
Despite the regime’s claim that an elected legislature was a crucial step towards the emergence of its “discipline-flourishing democracy,” the Parliament is turning out to be the regime’s key tool for institutionalizing oppression. Read more....
 
Burma’s economy: Mismanagement as usual
November 2011 - Pdf, Word
Contrary to the regime’s rhetoric of substantial economic reform, the Burmese economy remains hostage to the same oppressive and misguided economic policies that have stunted its development for decades. Read more....
 
Burma’s regime does it again: Political prisoners remain in jail
October 2011 - Pdf, Word
On 12 October, Burma’s regime released 6,359 prisoners from jails across the country. However, only 220 political prisoners were among those released. Read more....
 
Serious international crimes continue in Burma under ‘new’ regime
October 2011 - Pdf, Word
Since Thein Sein took office as Burma’s President on 30 March, the regime has continued to perpetrate crimes against humanity and war crimes with total impunity. Women and children have been particularly vulnerable. Read more....
 
Post-election Burma: Impunity still reigns, women and children more vulnerable to crimes
July 2011 - Pdf, Word
Since the 7 November elections, Burma’s regime has continued to perpetrate crimes against humanity and war crimes with total impunity. Reports of serious international crimes have increased significantly in line with the escalation of the ongoing Tatmadaw offensives in Kachin, Shan, and Karen States. Read more....
 
Thein Sein’s first 100 days: Words not matched by actions
July 2011 - Pdf, Word
One hundred days after assuming the presidency in Burma, former General Thein Sein has failed to take any meaningful steps towards political, legal, and economic reforms. Thein Sein’s policies have been a continuation of the SPDC’s programs. Read more....
 
Ethnic areas update: Burma heads toward civil war
June 2011 - Pdf, Word
In hostilities that began in February, the Tatmadaw rebuked longstanding ceasefire agreements with the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and the Shan State Army - North (SSA-N). Read more....
 
100 days of Burma’s Parliament: Strengthening the status quo
May 2011 - Pdf, Word
The 11th of May marks one hundred days since the convening of Burma’s Parliament on 31 January. The laws governing the proceedings of the first parliamentary session in 22 years gagged MPs and restrict civilian access to the Parliament. Read more....
 
Burma 2011: Still a military dictatorship
March 2011 - Pdf, Word
Despite the convening of the newly elected Parliament, Burma’s ‘democratically-elected’ regime is nothing more than a disguised version of the military dictatorship that has ruled Burma for the past five decades. Read more....
 
Burma 2010 election recap
November 2010 - Pdf, Word
Widespread evidence of electoral fraud, irregularities, threats, harassment, and lack of independent monitoring characterized Election Day and the days leading up to it. The election process was met by widespread condemnation inside and outside Burma, with the significant exception of ASEAN and China. Read more....
 
Before and after the elections - The crimes continue
November 2010 - Pdf, Word
While the international community took a “wait-and-see” position with regard to the junta’s planned elections, in the two months prior to the 7 November election, the following crimes were documented: Read more....
 
Quotable Daw Suu
November 2010 - Pdf, Word
After her release from seven years under house arrest, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has spoken on a wide range of issues concerning the past, present, and future of Burma. Read more....
 
Burma’s 2010 elections: The story so far
October 2010 - Pdf, Word
This briefer shows that despite the SPDC’s repeated pledges for “free and fair” elections, indicators for election monitoring based on EU, UN, and OSCE guidelines point to the contrary. Read more....
 
The SPDC’s crimes continue: A UN Commission of Inquiry is still needed to protect Burma’s people
September 2010 - Pdf, Word
In March 2010, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma Tomás Ojea Quintana recommended that the UN consider establishing a Commission of Inquiry to investigate “gross and systematic” human rights abuses in Burma. In the six-month period after Ojea Quintana’s recommendation, the following SPDC crimes against humanity/war crimes have been documented: Read more....
 
SPDC election laws strangle democracy
July 2010 - Pdf, Word
Despite the SPDC’s repeated pledges for “free and fair” elections, the junta’s legal framework for the polls, including five laws issued in March and Directive 2/2010 issued in June, is repressive and undemocratic. Read more....
 
June 2010 ASEAN briefing packet
June 2010 - Pdf
The briefing packet contains the following briefers: Burma’s 2008 Constitution Perpetuates Root Causes of Instability; SPDC Election Laws: Repressive & Anti-Democratic; 2010 Elections Fuel Instability within the Army; SPDC Nuclear Program and Ties with N. Korea: A Threat to ASEAN and Beyond; Read more....
 
SPDC election laws set the stage for sham elections
April 2010 - Pdf
This briefer, written in conjunction with FIDH, gives an update on the electoral process in Burma in light of the release of the SPDC’s repressive election laws. Read more....
 
The SPDC's crimes continue in 2010: A UNSC Commission of Inquiry is needed to protect Burma’s people
April 2010 - Pdf, Word
In January to March 2010, the SPDC continued to perpetrate crimes against humanity and war crimes with total impunity, highlighting the urgent need for a UN Security Council-mandated Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma. Read more....
 
Eastern Burma: 118,800 displaced in 18 months
February 2010 - Pdf, Word
Between July 2008 and December 2009, SPDC military operations displaced at least 118, 800 people in Eastern Burma, including 43,800 refugees and 75,000 internally displaced persons. The number of displaced people by the SPDC is likely to grow even more as the SPDC prepares for its elections later this year. Read more....
 
New US policy: An alibi for regional complacency
November 2009 - Pdf, Word
In September, the US unveiled its new Burma policy which calls for high-level engagement with the SPDC while leaving existing sanctions in place. However, Burma’s neighbors have deliberately misread Washington’s new approach and used it to justify greater tolerance of the regime’s escalating crimes against humanity and war crimes. Read more....
 
2010 elections: A recipe for continued conflict
October 2009 - Pdf, Word
The SPDC’s proposed 2010 elections, the first step in activating the 2008 constitution, will have disastrous impacts on Burma and the region. Read more....
 
Will ASEAN fail to confront the SPDC, again?
October 2009 - Pdf, Word
With its new Charter, ASEAN now has the necessary tools to insist on democratic reform and national reconciliation in Burma. However, since the 14th ASEAN Summit in February 2009, the SPDC’s relations with ASEAN and the international community soured over the conviction of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Read more....
 
International crimes in Burma continue: UNSC Commission of Inquiry still urgently needed
October 2009 - Pdf, Word
In August and September 2009, the SPDC continued to perpetrate crimes against humanity and war crimes with total impunity, highlighting the urgent need for a UN Security Council-mandated Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma. Read more....
 
Guilty as planned
October 2009 - Pdf, Word
The SPDC’s sentence that extended Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest for another 18 months further demonstrates the military regime's ambitions to silence Burma’s greatest hope for peace and national reconciliation. Read more....
 
Burmese uprising redux
August 2009 - Pdf, Word
August 8 marks the anniversary of the 1988 nationwide popular uprising against Burma’s military regime. The 1988 uprising represents the Burmese people’s ongoing struggle against the regime’s protracted economic mismanagement and political oppression. Read more....
 
Action needed: Burmese junta threatens comprehensive regional security
July 2009 - Pdf, Word
ASEAN leaders’ promotion of the newly enacted ASEAN Charter as an instrument of change rang hollow at the 14th ASEAN Summit because of the organization’s failure to effectively deal with the problems created by the Burma’s military regime. The failure was glaring. Read more...
 
SPDC’s 2010 elections: Upheaval in the making
May 2009 - Pdf, Word
The SPDC preparations to ensure full control over the 2010 election is fueling instability, with consequences that will exacerbate cross-border economic and security issues already adversely affecting the region. Read more...
 
The 14th ASEAN Summit: Little change despite Charter
April 2009 - Pdf, Word
ASEAN leaders’ promotion of the newly enacted ASEAN Charter as an instrument of change rang hollow at the 14th ASEAN Summit because of the organization’s failure to effectively deal with the problems created by the Burma’s military regime. The failure was glaring. Read more...
 
Burma is still ASEAN’s shame
February 2009 - Pdf, Word
The Burmese military regime has not improved its behavior since the ASEAN Charter came into force on December 15, 2008. By intensifying repression in the past two months, the regime has directly attacked the integrity and credibility of ASEAN and its Charter. Read more...
 
Rohingya, asylum seekers & migrants from Burma: A human security priority for ASEAN
January 2009 - Pdf, Word
Since October 2006, about 10,000 Rohingya have boarded boats in Bangladesh and Burma and headed for Thailand and Malaysia. The thousands of Rohingya boat people are only the tip of the iceberg. Millions of Burmese have fled the country in the past decade, with two million in Thailand alone. Read more...
 
13 years is too long: Free Daw Suu now
October 2008 - Pdf, Word
On 24 October, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will mark her 13th year in detention. Yet, she remains committed to a peaceful, political solution that is needed now more than ever for the people of Burma. Read more…
 
Burma: Social and ecological justice at threat
October 2008 - Pdf, Word
This is a compilation of one-page, bilingual briefers on a range of topics prepared for the Asia Europe Peoples Forum 7, held on October 13-15, 2008 in Beijing. The briefers were produced by Altsean-Burma and several campaign groups in keeping with the theme of the conference and workshops. Read more…
 
Saffron Revolution a year later: It’s not over
September 2008 - Pdf, Word
On 26 September, one year will have passed since Burma’s military regime began its bloody crackdown on the Saffron Revolution. Read more…
 
Update: Burma’s political prisoners
August 2008 - Pdf, Word
On 6 June, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma Tomás Ojea Quintana said that the number of political prisoners stood at 1,900. This represented a 65.2% increase from July 2007 when there were 1,150 political prisoners in Burma. Read more…
 
August 8, 2008: What can the world do?
August 2008 - Pdf, Word
Twenty years after the 8888 national uprising, the international community must realize that unconditional engagement, discreet diplomacy, and ASEAN’s so-called constructive engagement has failed. Read more…
 
Burma 20 years on: Hungry as ever for democracy
August 2008 - Pdf, Word
Twenty years after brutally suppressing the inspiring 8888 uprising, Burma’s military regime, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has run the country’s infrastructure into the ground and squandered its natural resources. Instead of investing in the development of Burma, the regime has focused national resources almost entirely on the military, doubling the size of the army and undertaking a spending spree on weapons. Read more…
 
Update: SPDC turns cyclone survivors into hostages
June 2008 - Pdf, Word
As of 23 June, a total of US$241.3 million was committed to relief operations. Donors pledged a further US$66.4 million but expressed concern about restrictions and corruption. The UN and other agencies reached an estimated 1.3 million of the 2.4 million people affected by cyclone Nargis. Read more…
 
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi: needed now more than ever
June 2008 - Pdf, Word
19 June marks the 63rd birthday of Burma’s pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the 4,619th day of her detention. On 6 June, the SPDC indicated that Daw Suu could be detained up to 27 November 2009 under existing law. Read more…
 
SPDC turns disaster into catastrophe
May 2008 - Pdf, Word
“SPDC turns disaster into catastrophe” describes how Burma’s military regime inflicted more injury on its own people in the aftermath of cyclone Nargis. Burma’s people suffered needlessly as the SPDC obstructed aid and disaster relief teams from entering the country. Read more…
 
Disaster
May 2008 - Pdf, Word
On 3 May 2008, cyclone Nargis struck the Irrawaddy delta and wiped out entire villages as it left a path of destruction across five regions. Over seven million people were affected by the storm, with estimates of dead ranging from 25,000 to 100,000 and up to a million homeless. Read more…
 
The SPDC constitutional referendum: A dead end for democracy in Burma
May 2008 - Pdf, Word
On 10 May 2008, the people of Burma will vote in an SPDC-manipulated referendum on a draft constitution that is designed to entrench military rule. The likely consequences of a forced “Yes” vote or a majority “No” vote will have serious regional repercussions. Read more…
 
Burma at 60: Time for change!
December 2007 - Pdf, Word

The brief socio-economic overview of Burma’s past 60 years presents the grim realization that the past two years have witnessed a sharp decline in Burma on all fronts. Read more…

 
Time for ASEAN to bite the bullet
November 2007 - Pdf, Word
The briefer urges ASEAN and its dialogue partners to throw their weight behind a genuine reform process that is based on tripartite cooperation between the military regime, the National League for Democracy, and ethnic groups. Read more…
 
ASEAN should stop passing the buck on Burma
October 2007 - Pdf, Word
The briefer asserts that ASEAN countries must exercise their substantial influence on Burma’s military leaders to secure the delivery of genuine political and economic reforms, instead of using China as an excuse for inaction. Read more...
 
Saffron Revolution: Update
October 2007 - Pdf, Word
In the "Saffron Revolution," tens of thousands of Buddhist monks led massive anti-junta demonstrations. It was the largest show of peaceful protests against the military regime since 1988. Read more...
 
Face off in Burma: Monks vs SPDC
September 2007 - Pdf, Word
Between 18 and 24 September, tens of thousands of Buddhist monks led massive anti-junta demonstrations across most of Burma’s States and Divisions. In the largest show of peaceful protests against the military regime since 1988, thousands of Burmese civilians joined the rallies. Read more...
 
Fuel price hikes inflame Burmese people
September 2007 - Pdf, Word
On August 15, the SPDC increased fuel prices by up to 500% overnight, affecting the cost of essential commodities and transport. Burmese people from all walks of life participated in nationwide protests. Read more...
 
8888 Spirit Still Strong as Junta Weakens
August 2007 - Pdf, Word
Even 19 years after Burma’s national uprising, the spirit and goals of the 8888 movement remain relevant and alive through the peaceful resistance of diverse people. Read more....
 
National Convention: roadmap to instability
July 2007 - Pdf, Word
The National Convention remains a fundamentally flawed and inherently illegitimate process aimed at formalizing and prolonging military rule in Burma. The results will intensify the root causes of the ethnic-based conflicts perpetuated by Burma’s successive military regimes. Read more....
 
She must be free
June 2007 - Pdf, Word
On 27 May 2007, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s latest term of house arrest came up for review. The briefer documents Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s life, important quotes, and the numerous awards conferred on her. Read more....
 
The KNU 7th Brigade defection: SPDC’s propaganda over substance
November 2006 - Pdf, Word
Instead of pursuing genuine reconciliation with the recognized leaders of ethnic groups, the State Peace and Development Council continues to engineer splits and factions in opposition groups. Read more....
 
Forced labor in Burma: time for action
November 2006 - Pdf, Word
The forced labor situation in Burma has not improved in the six years since the ILO first addressed the issue in November 2000. While the regime has responded to ILO pressure with positive measures, any gains have been lost as soon as pressure is eased. Read more....
 
China gambles on Burma at its own peril
October 2006 - Pdf, Word
The briefer examines the negative impact on China’s society that is the result of China’s cozy economic and political ties with the SPDC. The serious implications of China’s economic and political ties with the SPDC include: Read more...
 
August 2006 - Pdf, Word
The briefer highlights the continuing persecution and discrimination of Rohingya and Muslim in Burma and the denial of basic protection and fundamental rights in neighboring countries. Read more...
 
The Spirit of 8888 lives on
August 2006 - Pdf, Word
The briefer honors the courageous non-violent actions of ordinary people and political leaders who have stood up for human rights and democracy in Burma. Read more...
 
ATS: a need for speed
July 2006 - Pdf, Word
The majority of ATS production and trafficking in the world occurs in Southeast Asia, and Burma is a primary source of ATS to the world market. The briefer examines the global and regional impact of amphetamine production and use. Read more...
 
National Convention - The SPDC Delusion Of Democratic Reform
February 2006 - Pdf, Word
The National Convention process continues to be illegitimate, unrepresentative, and an exercise in futility. The briefer examines the December 2005 – January 2006 convening of the ongoing SPDC National Convention. Read more...
 
Burma’s Withdrawal From The ASEAN Chair - Retreat Or Defeat?
September 2005 - Pdf, Word
On 26 July 2005, the SPDC withdrew its claim to the ASEAN chair, causing a massive loss of face for Snr Gen Than Shwe and his cronies. With the military regime in a weakened state, now is the time for ASEAN and the international community to push the junta towards genuine and comprehensive reforms for democratization in Burma. Read more....
 
Pressure Works - Burma Backs Off From ASEAN Chair
August 2005 - Pdf, Word
Unprecedented pressure from Asean has forced the Burmese regime to back off from claiming the coveted chair for 2006. Although billed as “Burma’s own decision”, the move – affecting the regime’s credibility and prestige – was a defeat for regime head Senior-General Than Shwe. Read more...
 
Waiting to explode?
July 2005 - Pdf, Word
Three bombs detonated in central Rangoon on 7 May 2005. The bombings have been commonly assumed to be an “inside job” to justify increased military actions against dissident groups, or as an expression of tensions between Vice-Sr Gen Maung Aye and “young guns” aligned with Sr Gen Than Shwe. Read more...
 
Call For FATF To Maintain Burma’s NCCT Status
May 2005 - Pdf, Word
Despite the regime’s recent showcase closing of two banks, the SPDC has not taken significant action against money laundering. The SPDC’s approach to money laundering remains sub-par and a threat to regional economies and global efforts to combat money laundering. Read more...
 
Burma's National Convention - Illegitimate Unrepresentative And Oppressive
February 2005 - Pdf, Word

On 17 February 2005, Burma’s ongoing National Convention was scheduled to reconvene. The briefer examines the National Convention including information on structure, process, reasons why it is illegitimate, democratic alternatives, and international responses. Read more...

 
Update: Tsunami impact on Burma
January 2005 - Pdf, Word

In December of 2004, an undersea earthquake near Indonesia triggered a tsunami that caused widespread destruction in Indonesia, Thailand, India and, most likely, Burma. Because of Burma’s secretive military regime, it has been had to assess the full extent of the tsunami’s damage to Burma. Read more....

 
Tsunami impact on Burma
January 2005 - Pdf, Word

In December of 2004, an undersea earthquake near Indonesia triggered a tsunami that caused widespread destruction in Indonesia, Thailand, India and, most likely, Burma. Because of Burma’s secretive military regime, it has been had to assess the full extent of the tsunami’s damage to Burma. Read more...

 
Briefing Note - It Is Time To Act On Burma
June 2004 - Pdf, Word
Now, more than ever, the people of Burma need the leverage provided by decisive actions such as sanctions that are working to deprive Burma’s military regime, the SPDC, of foreign exchange to fund its nationwide repression, and legitimacy. Read more...
 

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