Activists’ appeals facing roadblocks

Authorities in Burma are hampering efforts by lawyers representing activists to lodge appeals on behalf of their clients says a lawyer quoted by the Democratic Voice of Burma.
Pho Phyo a defense lawyer representing several detained activists said the authorities were using delaying tactics to damage his client’s chances of a successful appeal.
New regulations mean lawyers [...]

Zarganar given additional 14 years

Popular Burmese comedian Zarganar has been sentenced to an additional 14 years on top of the 45 year prison sentence he received last week (see: Comedian Sentenced to 45 years).
According to The Irrawaddy, he was sentenced for offences under four sections of the criminal code—17/2, 32 (b), 295 (a) and 505 (b). Following Cyclone Nargis [...]

Shane’s Tweets for 2008-11-26

Stay away from Bangkok: http://tinyurl.com/6ntrjj #
got a craving for Parmesan cheese. #

Junta’s business crony gets 15 years on drugs charge

A Burmese businessman with close connections to the ruling military junta has been sentenced to 15 years for drug trafficking reports the Irrawaddy.
Maung Weik, a founding member of the Maung Weik & Family business group has allegedly been importing Ecstasy and Ketamine into Burma. His clients are reported to include wealthy young socialites and sons [...]

Shane’s Tweets for 2008-11-25

trying to decide what to do for breakfast. Hhmmmm, so many options. Not! #
Stay away from Bangkok: http://tinyurl.com/6ntrjj #

Thousands of HIV sufferers in Burma facing critical situation warns MSF

Thousands of people in Burma are facing a critical situation due to a severe lack of antiretroviral treatment (ART), used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS warns Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
MSF provides ART to more than 11,000 people, but in a report issued today, they reveal they have had to restrict the number of new patients [...]

World Food Program to launch food for work scheme

The World Food Program (WFP) is to put villagers in the Irrawaddy Delta to work repairing damage done by Cyclone Nargis in May in return for rations for their family reports The Irrawaddy.
The project is expected to involve about 40,000 people and Chris Kaye, WFP’s country director says most of the projects will be implemented [...]

Comedian sentenced to 45 years

In the latest round of hefty prison sentences handed out to critics of Burma’s military regime, popular comedian Zarganar was given a 45-year term on Friday.
According to The Irrawaddy, 35 people were sentenced on Friday, including Ashin Gambira, a prominent monk, who helped lead the popular anti-government protests last year. He was sentenced to a [...]

Nay Phone Latt transferred to remote prison

Blogger Nay Phone Latt has been transferred to a Pa-an prison in Karen State, about 135 miles from Yangon, making it harder for his relatives to visit him.
The transfer is one of several involving activists sentenced to lengthy prison terms in recent days. Many have been transferred to remote prisons in all parts of Burma.
The [...]

Shane’s Tweets for 2008-11-19

leading review of the Purpose Driven Life week 2 tonight. #

UN human rights experts call for fair retrials for Burmese activists

Five leading UN experts on human rights are demanding that dozens of Burmese recently sentenced to lengthy prison terms be given fair and open retrials.
Tomas Ojea Quintana the Special Rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar; Leandro Despouy, Special Rapporteur for the independence of judges and lawyers; Frank La Rue, Special Rapporteur for freedom of opinion [...]