New parallel government to include armed ethnic groups
Burma’s government in exile could soon be merging with several armed ethnic groups to form a new parallel government.
The Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) reports the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB) is drafting a new constitution that will integrate ethnic leaders. The Washington based NCGUB is made up of politicians elected [...]
Ethnic leader assassinated
The general secretary of the National Democratic Alliance Army- Eastern Shan State (NDAA-ESS) was killed this morning after being shot by an unidentified gunman reports the Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN).
Details of the shooting were vague. However, according to SHAN, the Network Media Group is reporting that Min Ein also known as Lin Hongshen [...]
Refugees in Thailand under pressure
Some 3,000 Karen refugees a few hours from Mae Sot are coming under pressure from Thai authorities to return to Burma.
The refugees are currently housed in temporary camps after they fled from Burma following a joint offensive by the Burmese Army and their allies the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army in June (see: Villagers flee offensive [...]
USDA appealing to Muslim voters in Kachin State
The Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), the civil organisation controlled by Burma’s ruling military junta, is campaigning among Kachin State’s Muslim population, ahead of elections scheduled for later this year.
The Mizzima News Agency reports a USDA delegation has been visiting mosques in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin State. The delegation is led by Khin [...]
New Army base forces Karen villagers to flee their homes
At least 1,000 Karen villagers have fled their homes in the last week after the Burmese Army set up a camp nearby. The Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) confirms the villagers from Kheh Der village tract, Kyauk Kyi Township, Nyaunglebin District in Karen State fled after soldiers from Light Infantry Battalion 367 arrived in the [...]
Burmese media warns against homosexuality
A popular Burmese publication is warning that homosexuality can cause mental illness and encourage sexual crimes.
The Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) reports the bi-weekly Eleven Journal carried a front-page article today in which it quotes a former psychology professor, Khin Aye Win. She says children should be taught “not to engage in abnormal sexual activities [...]
Burmese humanitarian workers in Tak warned against political activities
Burmese humanitarian workers have been warned they risk deportation if they become involved in Burmese political affairs. The Irrawaddy reports Gov. Samart Loyfa the governor of Tak Province said, “There are humanitarian workers involved in politics and formed organizations illegally. We need to investigate. If we find any violations of law, we have to kick [...]
Burma orders publications to print pro-junta articles
Domestic journals in Burma have been forced to print two pro-junta articles by the country’s censorship board reports the New Delhi based Mizzima News Agency.
They quote editors in Rangoon as saying the censors ordered them to print one article about the Burmese ambassador to Israel intervening to resolve a dispute involving Burmese workers at a [...]
Migrant workers facing deportation
Almost 60,000 Burmese migrant workers in Thailand face deportation this week when their migrant registration cards expire on January 20.
The Irrawaddy reports worker’s rights groups are calling on the Thai Government to extend the worker’s registration cards for one more year. It quotes Andy Hall from the Migrant Justice Programme in Bangkok as saying, “Even [...]
Kachin signature campaign launched against Irrawaddy dam
Overseas Kachin are being asked to sign a letter to Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, calling for the stopping of construction of the Myitsone dam in northern Burma’s Kachin State.
The construction project is being led by a Chinese state-owned company and is expected to affect millions of people downstream from the dam.
The letter will be sent [...]
DKBA using villagers to reconstruct base in 7 Brigade area
The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army has ordered villagers in the area under the Karen National Liberation Army’s Brigade 7 to work on the reconstruction of an army camp and is demanding they provide supplies for the work.
According to the Karen Information Center villagers in Pa-an, Hlaing Bwe and Pai Kyone township areas have been ordered [...]
DVB video reporter given 20-year sentence
A freelance video reporter, who contributed material to the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), has been sentence to 20 years by a court in Burma.
Hla Hla Win, who worked as a teacher has been detained since September and was already given a seven-year sentence for possessing an illegally imported motorcycle in October.
However, after authorities learned [...]
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