Librarian's Choice
Librarian's Choice
Source/publisher:
Forum Asia
Date of publication:
2003-11-07
Description:
Delivered at the Regional Conference on the Protection for Refugees from Burma, Chiang Mai, 6 & 7 November 2003...
"Bangladesh hosted one of the largest numbers of refugees in Asia when 250,000 Rohingya fled en masse from Burma in 1978 and again in 1991/92. However, like most countries in the region, Bangladesh has not acceded to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, nor has it enacted any national refugee legislation. Refugees are dealt with on an ad-hoc basis. Bangladesh has allowed the UNHCR to assist and protect some Burmese refugees.
Burmese refugees currently in Bangladesh can be divided into three categories:
1) About 20,000 Rohingya refugees sheltering in two camps:
They remain from the mass exodus of 1991/92 and are recognised as "prima facie" refugees by the UNHCR (group recognition)...
2) Between 100,000 and 200,000[1] Rohingya refugees outside camps in South Bangladesh:
They are not recognised as refugees and are often labelled as economic migrants...
3) A caseload of about 70 mostly Rakhine urban refugees in Dhaka:
They have been granted "Person of Concern" status by the UNHCR (individual basis)...
This paper will first examine the root causes of the Burmese refugee exodus to Bangladesh and then address the specific situation and protection issues of each category of refugees..."
Chris Lewa
Date of entry/update:
2003-12-13
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burmese refugees in Bangladesh
Language:
English
Format :
htm
Size:
95.88 KB
Local URL:
CMP2003-11-07.htm
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Source/publisher:
The Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N.)
Date of publication:
2003-12-00
Description:
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
"This investigative report exposes as a charade the Burmese military regime?s "War on Drugs" in Shan State. It provides evidence that the drug industry is integral to the regime?s political strategy to pacify and control Shan State, and concludes that only political reform can solve Burma?s drug problems.
In order to maintain control of Shan State without reaching a political settlement with the ethnic peoples, the regime is allowing numerous local ethnic militia and ceasefire organisations to produce drugs in exchange for cooperation with the state. At the same time, it condones involvement of its own personnel in the drug business as a means of subsidizing its army costs at the field level, as well as providing personal financial incentives.
These policies have rendered meaningless the junta?s recent "anti-drug" campaign, staged mainly in Northern Shan State since 2001. The junta deliberately avoided targeting areas under the control of its main ceasefire and militia allies. The people most affected have been poor opium farmers in "unprotected" areas, who have suffered mass arrest and extrajudicial killing. The anti-drug campaign was not waged at all in Southern Shan State, and in only a few token areas of Eastern Shan State.
Opium is continuing to be grown in almost every township of Shan State, with Burmese military personnel involved at all levels of opium production and trafficking, from providing loans to farmers to grow opium, taxation of opium, providing security for refineries, to storage and transportation of heroin. The diversification of drug syndicates into methamphetamine production since the mid-90s has also been with the collusion of Burmese military units.
S.H.A.N. has documented the existence of at least 93 heroin and/or methamphetamine refineries in existence this year, run by the regime?s military allies, with the complicity of local Burmese military units. Raids on refineries carried out during the regime?s "war on drugs" have targeted only smaller players and served to consolidate control of the refineries into the hands of the major drug operators such as the United Wa State Army.
High-profile drug-traffickers continue to operate with impunity, many using legal businesses as a front. None have been prosecuted under the new anti-money laundering legislation introduced in 2002.
While colluding in and profiting from the drug business, the regime has taken no serious measures to deal with its social impacts. It has failed to implement public health campaigns against drug abuse, leading to growing addiction problems, particularly with methamphetamines, which Shan villagers are now routinely taking as "energy" pills. The lack of state drug treatment centres has led many communities to set up their own.
The junta?s token attempts at crop substitution, often with international assistance, have also failed miserably, due to poor planning, coercive implementation and complete disregard for the welfare of local populations. Under the so-called "New Destiny" project launched in April 2002, farmers in many townships have been forced to plant a new strain of rice from China, which has failed in each locality.
The report also questions the latest figures for opium cultivation given by UNODC in its 2003 Burma opium survey, which show a decrease of 24% since the previous year, and an overall decrease of 62% since 1996. Data collected by S.H.A.N. in Mong Yawng, show that the actual amount of land under opium cultivation in the township during the 2002-2003 growing season was at least four times higher than that listed in the UNODC survey. The UNODC field teams surveyed only along the main roads, collecting data from villagers who were too intimidated to reveal the truth about the extent of poppy growing in the area.
Given the regime?s use of the drug trade within its political strategy to control Shan State, it is clear that no amount of international aid will succeed in solving the drug problem unless there is political reform. As Shan analysts have reiterated for decades, this can only be achieved through the restoration of genuine peace, democracy and the rule of law in Burma."
Date of entry/update:
2003-12-12
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
United Nations
Date of publication:
2003-11-24
Description:
58th United Nations General Assembly
Date of entry/update:
2003-12-06
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
htm
Size:
48.02 KB
Local URL:
Tint Swe.htm
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Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol 11, No. 8
Date of publication:
2003-10-00
Description:
"After almost 55 years of resistance, the Karen National Union (KNU) is Southeast Asia?s oldest insurgent group. The Irrawaddy spoke to deputy chairman of the KNU, Gen Saw Bo Mya, 76, about Rangoon?s latest political gestures and the future of the Karen struggle..."
Date of entry/update:
2003-12-06
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Karen National Union (KNU)
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy"
Date of publication:
2003-12-04
Description:
December 04, 2003— "The National Convention is once again the talk of the town in Burmese political circles. When Burma?s new Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt announced the junta?s seven-point homegrown recipe for democracy, the first step was the resumption of National Convention that adjourned in early 1996.
...
The regime has now succeeded in persuading almost all the ethnic groups—ceasefire and non-ceasefire—to climb on the road map bandwagon. With the legitimacy they will add to the National Convention, the junta can undermine Aung San Suu Kyi?s election-winning National League for Democracy (NLD) party, since the opposition also depends on an alliance with ethnic groups..."
Min Zin
Date of entry/update:
2003-12-04
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
The 7-Step Roadmap, 7-Step Roadmap (Step 1): Reconvening of the National Convention that has been adjourned since 1996. (commentary)
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
United Nations (A.RES/58/247, A/C.3/58/L.68/Rev.1)
Date of publication:
2003-12-01
Description:
Adopted by consensus...The date given is that of the adoption by the plenary. The date of A.RES/58/247 is that of its publication, 11 March 2004.
Date of entry/update:
2003-12-01
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
htm htm
Size:
21.35 KB 76.31 KB
Local URL:
GA2003-res-text.htm, GA2003-res.htm
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Source/publisher:
Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-Burma)
Date of publication:
2003-11-20
Description:
1 FOREWORD BY ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU;
INTRODUCTION:-
3 FLAWED IMPLEMENTATION;
3 MOVING AHEAD;
4 RESISTANCE;
4 BROKEN PROMISES;
5 NO DELAY;
6 SMART SANCTIONS...
PART 2: THE STORY SO FAR:-
7 CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS;
9 ROADMAPS LEADING NOWHERE:
* Thai �road map' _ Much Ado About Nothing;
* The SPDC Roadmap_ the Perfect Stalling Tactic;
* National Convention background;
* What's missing from the �road map';
* What the convention does offer;
* NLD & ethnic nationality participation not required;
12 INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS;
14 BROADER INDIRECT IMPACT OF SANCTIONS;
17 LIMITATIONS OF SANCTIONS:
* �Carroty Sticks';
18 SANCTIONS & THE ECONOMY...
PART 3: CURRENT SANCTIONS:-
21 CANADA'S SANCTIONS ON BURMA;
22 EUROPEAN UNION SANCTIONS ON BURMA;
23 JAPAN'S POLICY ON BURMA;
24 UNITED STATES SANCTIONS ON BURMA;
25 SANCTIONS & ACTIONS: AN ASSESSMENT;
25 IMPORT BAN:
* Direct Impacts;
* Room For Improvement;
26 BAN ON REMITTANCES TO BURMA:
* Direct Impacts;
* Room For Improvement;
28 FOREIGN INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS:
* Direct Impacts;
* Room For Improvement;
30 ARMS EMBARGO / NON-PROVISION OF ARTICLES/SERVICES
THAT COULD BE USED FOR REPRESSION
* Direct Impacts:
* Room For Improvement;
33 ASSETS FREEZE:
* Direct Impacts & Room For Improvement;
34 TRAVEL/VISA BAN:
* Direct Impacts;
* Room For Improvement;
35 BAN ON DIRECT FOREIGN ASSISTANCE:
* Direct Impacts & Room For Improvement;
* Japan Suspends Aid to Burma;
* Drug Eradication Assistance;
* Direct Impacts & Room For Improvement;
37 SUSPENSION OF MDB & IFI ASSISTANCE:
* Direct Impacts & Room For Improvement;
38 TRADE PREFERENCE SUSPENSIONS:
* Direct Impacts;
* Room For Improvement;
40 DIPLOMATIC DOWNGRADES;
40 INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION (ILO):
* A Model For Sanctions;
43 UNITED NATIONS:
* SPDC Thumbing Their Nose At The UN;
* UN Interventions;
* Extreme Violations;
* Broad Based Support;
46 WHAT ABOUT THE UNSC?
47 UN SECRETARY GENERAL'S SPECIAL ENVOY TO BURMA:
* Turning of the Tide;
* A New Strategy;
* UN Special Envoy's Mandate;
49 THE UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR'S OBLIGATION:
* A Different Tune;
50 UNDERMINING ITSELF;
PART 4: RECOMMENDED ACTIONS & SANCTIONS:-
51 �RECIPE FOR RECONCILIATION';
51 PRINCIPLED ENGAGEMENT:
* Nominations for the Burma Diplomatic Squad;
* Components of the Recipe;
* Reconstruction of Burma;
54 NO MORE TOYS FOR THE BAD BOYS;
54 WIDEN BAN ON REMITTANCES TO BURMA;
55 IMPORT BAN ON GOODS FROM BURMA:
* 10% of Exports Profits Directly Fund the Regime;
58 BAN ON CONFLICT RESOURCES:
* SPDC Involvement;
* Examples of SPDC �unofficial' involvement in logging;
* Local Communities â? Logging often hurts more than it helps;
* Gems;
* Environmental Destruction;
* Employment;
* Forced Labor;
* Ethnic Nationalities â? Between A Rock & A Hard Place;
* Drugs, HIV/AIDS & Money Laundering;
* Resource Diplomacy;
* Who's Operating?
* Some of the Big Boys...
70 BAN ON NATURAL GAS IMPORTS FROM BURMA;
71 RESTRICTION ON FUEL SALES TO BURMA;
72 BAN ON OIL & GAS FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT (FDI):
* Oil & Gas;
* New Pipeline Proposal;
* Yadana Partners Strike Again;
* Greater Mekong Subregion Project;
74 FULL INVESTMENT BAN:
* Major FDI Players;
* FDI 2001-2002;
* Trade Fairs;
* FDI Exposure to Money Laundering;
* What About the Workers?
79 SPECIAL FOCUS: TENTACLES 'S HOLD ON THE
FORMAL ECONOMY:
* The BIG Tentacles â? A Snapshot!
* Ministry of Defense;
* DDP: Directorate of Defense Procurement;
* DDI: Directorate of Defense Industries;
* MEC: Myanmar Economic Corporation;
* UMEH (UMEHL): Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings;
* MOGE/MPE/MPPE;
* Ministry of Industry I;
* Ministry of Industry II;
* Myanmar Agricultural Produce Trading (MAPT);
* Myanmar Timber Enterprise (MTE);
* Myanmar Export-Import Services (MEIS);
* Ministry of Post and Telegraphs (MPT);
* Ministry of Hotels & Tourism;
* Myanmar Electric Power Enterprise (MEPE);
* Directorate of Ordnance;
* State-Owned/Controlled Banks;
86 A CLOSER LOOK: UNION OF MYANMAR ECONOMIC
HOLDINGS LTD (UMEH/UMEHL/UMEHI):
* Gems;
* Jade;
* UMEH Business Ventures;
* Keeping It In The Family: Industrial Estates;
* It Gets Worse;
* Six Degrees Of Separation;
* Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA);
* Na Sa Ka: Making Human Rights Violations Profitable...
95 WIDEN THE ASSETS FREEZE;
95 IMPLEMENT FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (FATF)
RECOMMENDATIONS;
98 WITHHOLD ASSISTANCE FROM IFI/MDBS:
* Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS);
* East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC);
* Power Trade Operating Agreement (PTOA);
* Technical Assistance;
* Withhold GMS Funding For Projects In Burma...
102 SUSPEND JAPAN'S OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
(ODA) TO BURMA:
* Options;
105 PRESSURE ON JAPAN;
105 BOYCOTT AND DIVESTMENT CAMPAIGNS;
108 DELAY TOURISM:
* Benefiting Whom?
109 ASEAN TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY:
* The Reality;
* Credibility on the Line;
111 INCREASE PRESSURE ON THE REGIME'S KEY PARTNERS;
112 SPORTS EMBARGO;
113 OFFICIAL RECOGNITION FOR THE CRPP;
113 INCREASE CAPACITY OF THE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT;
114 PUT SPDC ON PROBATION;
114 TAKE BURMA TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
(UNSC):
* Rampant Military Growth;
* Known weapons procurement during 2001-July 2003;
* Civilian Military Porters;
* Child Soldiers;
* Drugs;
* Civil War;
* Displacement of People;
* Systematic human rights abuses;
* Failure to recognize democratic elections;
* Regional Implications...
PART 5: MYTHS & REALITIES:-
132 MYTH 1: Sanctions on Burma have not worked.;
133 MYTH 2: The effectiveness of sanctions is too limited to beconstructive;
134 MYTH 3: The SPDC is not influenced by international
pressure;
135 MYTH 4: Sanctions can be used as a scapegoat by the SPDC
for internal policy failures;
136 MYTH 5: Sanctions will alienate the �moderates' in the regime;
137 MYTH 6: Sanctions take away incentives for the regime to
make progress;
138 MYTH 7: Constructive engagement would be successful in
bringing reforms in Burma;
139 MYTH 8: Sanctions and principled engagement cannot work
as complementary approaches;
141 MYTH 9: Western nations' economic stake in Burma is not
large enough for sanctions to be effective;
142 MYTH 10: Sanctions will not impact the regime but will mostly
hurt civilians:
* Formal and Informal Economy;
* Reality Check;
* Jobs Lost?
146 MYTH 11: Sanctions are starving the population:
* Very Low Nutrition and Life Expectancy Rates;
* More Displacement in Ethnic and Central Areas;
* Logging and Increased Poverty;
* Military Forces and Arms Procurement Have Increased;
* More Oppression;
* Four-Cuts Program;
* Mawchi Township: Impoverished by the SPDC;
151 MYTH 12: Investment and trade has brought better working
conditions;
153 MYTH 13: Sanctions destroyed Burma's investment climate:
* Mandalay Brewery: A Cautionary Tale;
156 MYTH 14: Sanctions created Burma's current financial crisis;
* Foreign Exchange Certificates (FECs);
158 MYTH 15: Burmese people do not want sanctions;
159 MYTH 16: International pressure & sanctions will isolate the
regime, push it closer to China;
PART 6: IRREVERSIBLE STEPS FORWARD:-
162 LESSONS FROM AFGHANISTAN:
* A Few Steps Behind;
* Engagement & Reward â? A Dangerous Game;
* Transformation;
164 SANCTIONS FOR CHANGE:
* Clear Recipe;
* Period of Leverage & Enforcement Actions;
* Timing & Strength;
* Committee oversight;
* Communication;
* Moderates?;
* Lose-Lose Situation;
* Premature Action;
172 EU'S NEW STRATEGY APRIL 2003 â?
WHY IT DIDN'T MEASURE UP;
174 LESSONS FROM HAITI, NIGERIA, AND SOUTH AFRICA:
* Haiti;
* Nigeria;
* South Africa;
179 RECIPE FOR SUCCESS:
* A Non-Zero Sum View of the Conflict;
* Sticks as Well as Carrots;
* Asymmetry of Motivation Favoring the State Employing Coercive Diplomacy;
* Opponent's Fear of Unacceptable Punishment for
Noncompliance;
* No Significant Misperception
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-21
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Sanctions, Formal Sanctions, Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings (UMEH), Gems, ALTSEAN-Burma archive
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-Burma)
Description:
Has the more recent ALTSEAN Bulletins and thematic reports
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-21
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Category:
ALTSEAN-Burma archive, Burma Action Groups, Expatriate Groups, Round Tables etc., News - Commentary/analysis about Burma/Myanmar
Language:
English. Sometimes Burmese and Thai
more
Source/publisher:
Forced Migration Online (FMO)
Date of publication:
2003-08-00
Description:
"Historically underdeveloped and divided, Burma today is politically isolated, increasingly militarised, economically mismanaged by its own authorities, and socially and culturally divided along ethnic, religious, and language lines. Following independence from Britain in 1948, parties representing the ethnic minority population have been struggling for greater autonomy from the central Burmese regime. Following nationwide pro-democracy demonstrations in 1988, the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) staged a coup to take over the governing of Burma, reinstating martial law and imposing restrictions on opposition to the government. Thousands of people were killed during this uprising. Elections held in 1990 whereby the National League for Democracy (NLD), headed by the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, won a landslide victory have never been honoured.
The contemporary military regime does not allow access to the country for research purposes, and therefore research on displacement is largely carried out by interviewing people fleeing the country. However, consistent accounts of human rights violations are available over a number of years. Displacement in Burma results mostly from systematic patterns of human rights abuses associated with militarisation and conflict in ethnic minority areas. Human rights violations, carried out with impunity, include numerous acts of arbitrary executions, killings, torture, rape, forced labour, forced relocation, use of child soldiers, and violations of religious freedoms. These have been documented over the years and have increased in intensity since 1988. Muslims and Christians are often persecuted directly because of their minority status.
Recent development efforts to encourage tourism have led to forced labour and further displacement. It has been reported that the islands off the coast of Burma being developed for tourism have had their populations relocated under conditions of extreme brutality, including killings. There are refugees from Burma in Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, and China. It is also thought that the Lao PDR has refugees from Burma, but nothing is known about this population.
Contemporary Burma is a highly mine-affected country and in 2002 was the world's largest producer of illicit opium..."
Patricia Hynes
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-20
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
United Nations (A/58/325/Add.1)
Date of publication:
2003-11-06
Description:
Update to incorporate the Special Envoy?s visit to Burma, 30 September to 2 October 2003
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-19
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English), International and Regional Involvement
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
38.98 KB
Local URL:
SGreport-add.1.pdf
SGreport-add.1.pdf more
Source/publisher:
Oficina Internacional del Trabajo
Date of publication:
2003-11-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-18
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
Espanol, Spanish
more
Source/publisher:
International Labour Office (GB288 /5/1)
Date of publication:
2003-11-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-18
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Karen Human Rights Group ( KHRG #2003-01)
Date of publication:
2003-08-22
Description:
"This report presents the direct translations of 783 order documents and letters, selected from a total of 1,007 such documents. The orders dictate demands for forced labour, money, food and materials, place restrictions on movements and activities of villagers, and make threats to arrest village elders or destroy villages of those who fail to obey. Over 650 of those selected were sent by military units and local authorities of Burma?s ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) junta to village elders in Toungoo, Papun, Nyaunglebin, Thaton, Pa?an and Dooplaya Districts, which together cover most of Karen State and part of eastern Pegu Division and Mon State (see Map 1 showing Burma or Map 2 showing Karen State). The remainder were sent by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) or the Karen Peace Army (KPA), groups allied with the SPDC. All but a few of the orders were issued between January 2002 and February 2003..."
Papun, Pa?an, Thaton, Nyaunglebin, Toungoo, & Dooplaya Districts
General Forced Labour (Orders #1-150);
Forced Labour Supplying Materials (#150-191);
Set to a Village I: Village A, Papun District (#192-200);
Set to a Village II: Village B, Papun District (#201-226);
Set to a Village III: Village C, Thaton District (#227-241);
Set to a Village IV: Village D, Dooplaya District (#242-251);
Extortion of Money, Food, and Materials (#252-335);
Crop Quotas (#336-346);
Restrictions on Movement and Activity (#347-354);
Demands for Intelligence (#355-426);
Education, Health (#427-442);
Education (#427-439);
Health (#440-442);
Summons to Meetings? (#443-652);
DKBA & KPA Letters (#653-783);
DKBA Recruitment (#653);
DKBA General Forced Labour (#654-685);
DKBA Demands for Materials and Money (#686-719);
DKBA Restrictions (#720-727);
DKBA Meetings (#728-771);
KPA Letters (#772-783);
Appendix A: The Village Act and the Towns Act;
Appendix B: SPDC Orders Banning? Forced Labour.
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-17
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Various rights: reports of violations against several ethnic groups, Armed conflict in Burma - Impact on village life, including health and education, Non-ILO Reports on forced labour, including forced portering, in Burma and the region
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
United Nations
Date of publication:
2003-11-12
Description:
Statement by Mr. Paolo Sergio Pinheiro,
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar...
58th Session of the General Assembly.
Third Committee, Item 117 (c)...The main URL contains the longer version of the Special Rapporteur's statement which was distributed to the 3rd Committee. What was actually read out was shorter, due to time constraints. This short version, with the following interactive debate, including the statement of the Myanmar Ambassador, is accessible online on video at the URL given below. The Press Release contains a summary of the statement and the debate.
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-13
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Reports to the GA by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English)
Language:
English
Format :
htm htm
Size:
37.52 KB 20.85 KB
Local URL:
GA2003-SRM-oral.htm, PP-oral-PR.htm
GA2003-SRM-oral.htm, PP-oral-PR.htm more
Source/publisher:
Human Rights Documentation Unit of the NCGUB
Date of publication:
2003-11-00
Description:
1. Forced Labor;
2. Extra-judicial Killing, Summary or Arbitrary Execution;
3. Arbitrary Detention and Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances;
4. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment;
5. Deprivation of Livelihood;
6. Rights of the Child;
7. Rights of Women;
8. Rights of Ethnic Minorities;
9. Rights to Education and Health;
10. The Freedom of Belief and Religion;
11. Freedom of Opinion, Expression, and the Press;
12. The Freedom of Movement, Assembly and Association;
13. Internally Displaced People and Forced Relocation;
14. The Situation of Refugees;
15. The Situation of Migrant Workers;
16. Landmines in Burma.
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-10
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
3.25 MB (542 Pages) - Original version
Local URL:
YB2002-23.pdf
YB2002-23.pdf more
Source/publisher:
Burmese Border Consortium
Date of publication:
2003-10-00
Description:
TABLE OF CONTENTS:-
1. Food Security from a Rights-based Perspective;
2. Local Observations from the States and Divisions
of Eastern Burma:-
2.1 Tenasserim Division
(Committee for Internally Displaced Karen Persons);
2.2 Mon State (Mon Relief and Development Committee);
2.3 Karen State (Karen Human Rights Group)
2.4 Eastern Pegu Division (Karen Office of Relief and Development);
2.5 Karenni State (Karenni Social Welfare Committee);
2.6 Shan State (Shan Human Rights Foundation)...
3. Local Observations of Issues Related to Food Security:-
3.1 Crop Destruction as a Weapon of War (Committee for Internally Displaced Karen Persons);
3.2 Border Areas Development (Karen Environmental & Social Action Network);
3.3 Agricultural Management(Burma Issues);
3.4 Land Management (Independent Mon News Agency)
3.5 Nutritional Impact of Internal Displacement (Backpack Health Workers Team);
3.6 Gender-based Perspectives (Karen Women?s Organisation)...
4. Field Surveys on Internal Displacement and Food Security...
Appendix 1 : Burma?s International Obligations
and Commitments...
Appendix 2 : Burma?s National Legal Framework...
Appendix 3 : Acronyms, Measurements and Currencies....
"...Linkages between militarisation and food scarcity in Burma were
established by civilian testimonies from ten out of the fourteen states and
divisions to a People?s Tribunal in the late 1990s. Since then the scale of
internal displacement has dramatically increased, with the population in
eastern Burma during 2002 having been estimated at 633,000 people, of
whom approximately 268,000 were in hiding and the rest were interned
in relocation sites. This report attempts to complement these earlier
assessments by appraising the current relationship between food security
and internal displacement in eastern Burma. It is hoped that these
contributions will, amongst other impacts, assist the Asian Human Rights
Commission?s Permanent People?s Tribunal to promote the right to food
and rule of law in Burma...
Personal observations and field surveys by community-based organisations
in eastern Burma suggest that a vicious cycle linking the deprivation of
food security with internal displacement has intensified. Compulsory paddy
procurement, land confiscation, the Border Areas Development program
and spiraling inflation have induced displacement of the rural poor away
from state-controlled areas. In war zones, however, the state continues to
destroy and confiscate food supplies in order to force displaced villagers
back into state-controlled areas. An image emerges of a highly vulnerable
and frequently displaced rural population, who remain extremely resilient
in order to survive based on their local knowledge and social networks.
Findings from the observations and field surveys include the following:..."
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-07
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Right to food: reports of violations in Burma, Burma: Internal displacement/forced migration of several ethnic groups., Armed conflict in Burma - Impact on village life, including health and education, Rice, TBC/TBBC documents on internal displacement, Food Security and displacement in Burma
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
821.38 KB
Local URL:
BBC-Reclaiming_the_Right_to_Rice.pdf
BBC-Reclaiming_the_Right_to_Rice.pdf more
Source/publisher:
EarthRights International (ERI), Karen Environnmental & Social Action Network (KESAN)
Date of publication:
2003-10-00
Description:
"?Capitalizing on Conflict? presents information illustrating how trade in timber, gems,
and gold is financing violent conflict, including widespread and gross human rights
abuses, in Burma. Although trade in these ?conflict goods? accounts for a small
percentage of the total global trade, it severely compromises human security and
undermines socio-economic development, not only in Burma, but throughout the
region.
Ironically, cease-fire agreements signed between the late 1980s and early 1990s
have dramatically expanded the area where businesses operate. While many
observers have have drawn attention to the political ramifications of these ceasefires,
little attention has been focused on the economic ramifications. These ceasefires,
used strategically by the military regime to end fighting in some areas and
foment intra-ethnic conflict in others and weaken the unity of opposition groups,
have had a net effect of increasing violence in some areas.
Capitalizing on Conflict focuses on two zones where logging and mining are both
widespread and the damage from these activities is severe... Both case
studies highlight the dilemmas cease-fire arrangements often pose for the local
communities, which frequently find themselves caught between powerful and
conflicting military and business interests. The information provides insights into the
conditions that compel local communities to participate in the unsustainable
exploitation of their own local resources, even though they know they are destroying
the very ecosystems they depend upon to maintain their way of life. The other
alternative — to stand aside and let outsiders do it and then be left with nothing — is
equally unpalatable..."
Table of Contents:
Map of Burma;
Map of Logging and Mining Areas;
Executive Summary;
Recommendations;
Part I: Context;
General Background on Cease-fires;
Conflict Trade and Burma;
Part II: Logging Case Study;
Background on the Conflict;
Shwe Gin Township (Pegu Division);
Papun Districut (Karen State);
Reported Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts;
Part III: Mining Case Study;
Background on the Conflict;
Mogok (Mandalay Division);
Shwe Gin Township (Pegu Division);
Reported Socio-Economic and Environmental Impacts;
Conclusion.
Ken MacLean
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-07
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Gems, Minerals and Mining - Burma (general articles and analyses), Gems - mining and trade, Deforestation
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
939.97 KB
Local URL:
ERI-capitalizing.pdf
ERI-capitalizing.pdf more
Date of publication:
2003-10-08
Description:
"Transition in Burma may come abruptly - perhaps as a result of a 1988-style peoples? uprising - or more gradually, and with less bloodshed. The latter scenario may involve a power-sharing arrangement between the SPDC and the opposition, or a gradual process of regime reform?, with little direct in-put from the wider society or opposition forces.
Although opposition tactics will vary according to the circumstances, a number of strategic considerations remain the same. However and whenever change occurs, members of Burma?s diverse social groups must be ready to act.
In general, opposition strategies have focused on elite-level politics, rather than grass-roots democratisation. However, both approaches are necessary - while neither is sufficient in itself. Change at the national level is urgently needed, but sustained democratic transition can only be achieved if accompanied by local participation and development from below?.
Among the three parties to any tripartite negotiations in Burma, the ethnic nationalities in particular could benefit from a combination of elite-level, blueprint-type solutions and a grass-roots, participatory approach, aimed at strengthening civil society. Although overseas-based activists and Burma-watchers have sometimes assumed that there is no civil society in the country, this far from true. The re-emergence of local networks within and between ethnic nationality communities over the past decade has been one of the most significant - but under-reported - aspects of the social and political situation in Burma. Efforts to build local democracy are already underway - in government-controlled areas, in some ethnic nationality-populated ceasefire and war zones, and in neighbouring countries. However, these 'bottom-up' initiatives will not bring about substantial change, without accompanying 'top-down', national-level reforms..."
This text formed the basis of Ashley South's presentation to the Burma Day 2003: Political and humanitarian options for the international community? conference, Brussels, Wednesday 8 October 2003. A slightly abridged version appeared in two parts, in the Irrawaddy Online, October 16-17.
Ashley South
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-04
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
htm
Size:
59.14 KB
Local URL:
Ashley-South_Political_Transition.htm
Ashley-South_Political_Transition.htm more
Source/publisher:
International Labour Office (GB.288/5)
Date of publication:
2003-11-00
Description:
Discussion in the Committee on the Application of Standards; Subsequent action by the Liaison Officer; General evaluation concerning current realities; Appendix: Response by the Myanmar Department of Labour regarding a number of allegations.
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-04
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Women?s League of Burma
Description:
Well-designed site containing several substantial reports, links, profiles of member organisations, etc. Members:
Kachin Women?s Association - Thailand (KWAT);
Karen Women?s Organization (KWO);
Kuki Women?s Human Rights Organization (KWHRO);
Lahu Women?s Organization (LWO);
Palaung Women?s Organization (PWO);
Pa-O Women?s Union (PWU);
Rakhaing Women?s Union (RWU);
Shan Women?s Action Network (SWAN);
Tavoy Women?s Union (TWU);
Women?s Rights & Welfare Association of Burma (WRWAB)...
"The Women?s League of Burma (WLB) is an umbrella organization comprising 11 already-existing women?s organizations of different ethnic backgrounds from Burma. WLB was founded on December 9,1999. Its mission is to work for women?s empowerment and advancement of the status of women, and to work for the increased participation of women in all spheres of society in the democracy movement, and in peace and national reconciliation processes through capacity building, advocacy, research and documentation...
Aims:
*
To work for the empowerment and development of women.
*
To encourage women?s participation in decision-making in all spheres of life.
* To enable women to participate effectively in the movement for peace, democracy and national reconciliation.
By working together, and encouraging cooperation between the different groups, the Women?s League of Burma hopes to build trust, solidarity and mutual understanding among women of all nationalities in Burma.".... The site also contains statements made by WLB representatives at various regional and international meetings including the Commission on Human Rights and the World Conference Against Racism.
Date of entry/update:
2003-10-28
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Category:
Discrimination/violence against women: reports of violations in Burma, Burmese women's organisations, Public briefings and oral statements to the CHR by non-governmental organisations, Women and armed conflict - Burma/Myanmar
Language:
English, (links in Burmese, Thai)
more
Source/publisher:
US Dept. of State: Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Date of publication:
2003-10-27
Description:
"Efforts to foster peaceful democratic change in Burma, already encumbered by an increasingly confrontational military regime, were dealt a severe blow on May 30 when government-affiliated thugs carried out a premeditated ambush on democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her convoy of National League for Democracy (NLD) party members and supporters. Since the May 30 attack, Burma?s military junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), has held Aung San Suu Kyi and all members of the NLD?s Central Executive Committee in indefinite "protective custody," arrested dozens of NLD members, and shuttered the party?s headquarters and all of its regional offices. The violent attack and its aftermath dominate the political scene in Burma. Despite significant pressure from the United States, the European Union, Japan, and, to a lesser degree, ASEAN, the Burmese junta has not taken any constructive steps to resolve the crisis or to begin a real dialogue with the NLD and other political parties, including ethnic minority groups, on substantive political issues.
In July, President Bush signed the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 and the U.S. imposed significant additional economic sanctions on Burma. These new measures, which complement a ban on new investment in Burma and other existing sanctions, prohibit the import of any Burmese product into the United States, ban the provision of financial services to Burma, and freeze the assets of designated Burmese institutions, including the State Peace and Development Council. In addition, in June, the Department of State expanded the scope of an existing visa ban that targets Burmese officials and others who inhibit a transition to democracy to include all officials of the government-affiliated Union Solidarity and Development Association and the managers of state-owned enterprises and their immediate family members. On September 9, President Bush imposed further trafficking in persons-related sanctions on Burma, barring U.S. funding for Burmese government officials or employees in educational and cultural exchange programs.
Absent significant progress toward a political transition, the U.S. will coordinate with the European Union and others to maintain pressure on the Burmese junta to make such progress. The European Union has expanded the scope of its asset freeze and visa restrictions; Canada has also imposed visa restrictions. Japan has frozen new development assistance to the junta. Should the SPDC fail to release a significant number of political prisoners or improve its human rights record, and should it continue to inhibit a meaningful political dialogue with the democratic opposition, the U.S. will consider additional measures in conjunction with the international community..."
Date of entry/update:
2003-10-27
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Various wires and newspapers
Description:
Very useful archive with articles and wires from international and regional media...Searchable on OBL from 2000-2003
Compiler, Tin Kyi
Date of entry/update:
2003-10-25
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
English
Size:
4 KB
more
Source/publisher:
Burma UN Service Office, Burma Fund
Date of publication:
2003-09-05
Description:
Research Paper of the BURMA UN SERVICE OFFICE and the BURMA FUND...
Contents:
Executive Summary;
The Role of the Security Council Assigned by the United Nations Charter;
The determination of a threat to the peace, breach of the peace or act of aggression? under Article 39 of the Charter;
1. Internal conflicts as a threat to the peace;
2. Violations of human rights and humanitarian law, and humanitarian crises, as a threat to the peace;
3. Disruption to democracy as a threat to the peace;
Why the Security Council should determine that the situation in Burma constitutes a threat to the peace?;
Disruption to democracy:
Internal conflict and gross violations of human rights and humanitarian law;
Dire Humanitarian situation;
The United Nations Secretary-General?s power under Article 99 of the Charter;
Coercive Measures:
Existing Sanctions Against the Burmese Regime.
A Model Security Council Targeted Sanctions Regime for Burma...The pdf version on the ncgub site is tarted-up, with photos and layout, and a modified title: "Crisis in Burma: AN Agenda for the United Nations Security Council?"
Date of entry/update:
2003-10-24
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
International and Regional Involvement
Language:
English
Format :
htm doc
Size:
384.4 KB 223 KB
Local URL:
2003-09_UNSCpaper.htm, 
2003-09-SCpaper.doc
2003-09_UNSCpaper.htm, 2003-09-SCpaper.doc more
Source/publisher:
Union Interparliamentaire
Date of publication:
2003-10-03
Description:
Listes de: Parlementaires qui seraient toujours emprisonnés; Parlementaires qui auraient été détenus, assignés à résidence ou auraient disparu depuis le 30 mai 2003; Parlementaires décédés en détention; et Parlementaires assassinés. En plus, le texte de la resolution du Conseil Interparliamentaire qui contient notamment (para 10) un commentaire pointue sur la "feuille de route" offerte par le SPDC: "Le Conseil directeur de l'Union interparlementaire...exprime de sérieux doutes quant à la "feuille de route" récemment présentée, qui prévoit en premier lieu une nouvelle convocation de la Convention nationale; réaffirme sa conviction que la Convention nationale ne tend qu'à prolonger et à légitimer le régime militaire contre la volonté du peuple telle qu'elle s'est exprimée lors des élections de 1990 et qu'elle est donc en contradiction flagrante avec le principe consacré par la Déclaration universelle des droits de l'homme, selon lequel " la volonté du peuple est le fondement de l'autorité des pouvoirs publics..."
Date of entry/update:
2003-10-19
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
Francais, French
more
Source/publisher:
Inter-Parliamentary Union
Date of publication:
2003-10-03
Description:
Lists of: Parliamentarians reportedly still serving their sentence, Parliamentarians who have reportedly been detained, under house arrest or have disappeared since 30 May 2003, Parliamentarians who died in custody and Parliamentarians who were assassinated. Plus text of the resolution on Myanmar adopted unanimously by the IPU Council at its 173rd session (Geneva, 3 October 2003). Notably, this resolution contains (in para 10) a telling comment on the SPDC?s "road-map": "The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union...
Expresses serious doubts about the recently presented "road map", step one of which suggests that the National Convention to be reconvened; reaffirms its conviction that the National Convention is designed to prolong and legitimise military rule against the will of the people, as expressed in the 1990 elections, and thus stands in direct opposition to the principle enshrined the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that the "will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government..."
Date of entry/update:
2003-10-19
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
United Nations
Date of publication:
2003-09-29
Description:
at the fifty-eighth General Assembly of the United Nations, New York
Date of entry/update:
2003-10-02
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
United Nations (A/58/325)
Date of publication:
2003-08-25
Description:
"...The present report is based upon the good offices efforts undertaken by the
Secretary-General and his Special Envoy, Razali Ismail, in attempting to facilitate
national reconciliation and democratization in Myanmar, in accordance with General
Assembly resolution 57/231 of 18 December 2002. The discussions that the
Secretary-General and his Special Envoy have had separately with the Myanmar
authorities during this reporting period continued to focus on the issue of how the
United Nations can be of assistance in facilitating the national reconciliation process
in Myanmar. During this period, the optimism that followed the lifting of the
remaining restrictions on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 11 May 2002 dissipated.
Contrary to the expectations of the Myanmar people, who are overwhelmingly in
favour of change, and the United Nations, there was no substantive progress towards
national reconciliation and democratization in Myanmar. Following the events in
northern Myanmar of 30 May, which resulted in the detention of Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi and other leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD), Myanmar?s
embryonic and home-grown national reconciliation process, as understood by the
United Nations, was halted. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other NLD leaders still
remain detained and incommunicado at the time of this reporting. The Secretary-
General remains gravely concerned about the safety and well-being of these NLD
leaders and others detained after 30 May and reiterates his call for the Myanmar
authorities to remove, without delay, all the restrictions imposed on their freedom of
movement and political activities. He is also seriously concerned that the absence of 2
A/58/325
progress in the process of national reconciliation and democratization is to the
detriment of the Myanmar people, who voted for change in 1990 and deserve to
experience the same benefits of economic, civil, social and political development as
their counterparts in neighbouring countries. The Secretary-General reiterates his
determination to do his utmost to revive the national reconciliation process if all
parties are willing. He particularly appeals to the leaders of the State Peace and
Development Council to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and commence substantive
political dialogue with her immediately, so that national reconciliation and
democratization in Myanmar can be achieved at an early date, with the participation
of all the interested parties concerned, and in a way that brings immediate and
tangible benefits to the Myanmar people..."
Date of entry/update:
2003-10-01
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
The Secretary-General's reports on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English), International and Regional Involvement
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
46.55 KB
Local URL:
SGreportA-58-325.pdf
SGreportA-58-325.pdf more
Source/publisher:
Summer Institute of LInguistics
Description:
Linguistic Papers:
* Topicalization in Burmese Expository Text;
* Nominalization Template in Burmese;
* Abstract- Nominalization in Burmese;
Doctoral Dissertation ?
* The Structure of Nominalization in Burmese...
Overview PowerPoint Presentation of Key Points of Dissertation:
· Ontological Nominalization.
Paulette Hopple
Date of entry/update:
2003-09-30
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Category:
Burmese
Language:
English, Burmese
more
Source/publisher:
"Burma Issues", Altsean-Burma
Date of publication:
2003-08-00
Description:
Contents:
1. Executive Summary;
2. Introduction;
2a. Scope of report;
3. Background;
4. Definitions and Regulations;
4a. What is a political prisoner?;
4b. International and domestic regulations governing
treatment;
4c. Conflict zones;
4d. Cease-fire and "Pacified Areas";
4e. Support and perceived support for armed groups;
5. Politically Motivated Detentions in the Conflict Zones;
5a. Accusations;
5b. Places of detention;
5c. Were charges laid?;
6. Treatment of Detainees and Outcomes of Detention;
6a. Arbitrary detention;
6b. Torture;
6c. Extrajudicial killings;
6d. Disappearances;
7. Political Motivations Behind Detentions;
7a. Weakening/destruction of the People?s Movement;
7b. Power and absolute control;
7c. Eradication of armed forces;
7d. Other motivations;
7e. Secondary Effects;
8. Inclusion in Existing Reporting;
9. The Bigger Picture;
10. Conclusion;
11. Recommendations...
12. Appendixes:
a. Summary of cases;
b. Ethnic Armed and political groups;
c. Relevant international laws and regulations;
13. Glossary;
Map of Burma;
Map of Locations of Detention...
Executive Summary:
In Mr Paulo Sergio Pinheiro?s report to the 59th Commission on Human Rights
he stated,
"Political arrests since July 2002 have followed the pattern of un-rule of law,
including arbitrary arrest, prolonged incommunicado detention and interrogation by
military intelligence personnel, extraction of confessions of guilt or of information,
very often under duress or torture, followed by summary trials, sentencing and
imprisonment."
This report presents a sample of 46 cases that comply with the description
in Pinheiro?s statement but remain unrecognised as political arrests. They are
people mostly in Burma?s ethnic areas detained on accusations of supporting
non-Burman ethnic nationality opposition groups. The accusations range from
offering support through food and accommodation, to knowledge of
opposition group movements, to actually being a member of a non-Burman ethnic nationality opposition group..."
Date of entry/update:
2003-09-21
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Various rights: reports of violations against several ethnic groups, Armed conflict and peace-building in Burma - theoretical, strategic and general, Detentions by the military in conflict areas
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
798.54 KB
Local URL:
uncounted-red.pdf
uncounted-red.pdf more
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy"
Date of publication:
2003-09-18
Description:
"On August 30, Burmese Prime Minister Gen Khin Nyunt announced that Burma would reconvene the long-suspended National Convention, the first step in the "road map of Myanmar" he laid out in his inaugural address. A week later, a panel of high-ranking army officers was appointed to the National Convention Convening Committee.
Rangoon has tried for the past eight years to produce a junta-friendly constitution through the National Convention. Clearly, it has failed. But the new moves—the decision to resume the convention and the reorganization of the Convention Committee—may signal that the junta is more resolute about achieving the goals of the convention. Nevertheless, the Burmese generals will face the same hurdles experienced in the previous efforts to draft a constitution..."
Aung Naing Oo
Date of entry/update:
2003-09-20
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
The 1990 elections and the National Convention (commentaries, chronologies etc.), The 7-Step Roadmap, 7-Step Roadmap (Step 1): Reconvening of the National Convention that has been adjourned since 1996. (commentary)
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Kao Wao News Group
Description:
Very active site...Largely on the Mon...Contains opinion pieces and articles as well as links... News and other items by category: Articles...
Book Reviews...
Culture...
Environment...
Guest Book...
Human Rights...
Interviews...
Kaowao Audio
Migrant Watch...
Opinion...
Photo Gallery...
Politics...
Readers front...
Donation...
Statements...
Links.
Date of entry/update:
2003-09-18
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
United Nations (A/58/219)
Date of publication:
2003-08-05
Description:
This report contains very firm criticism of the SPDC for the crackdown on the NLD and in particular the 30 May attack on an NLD convoy when a number of NLD supporters were killed and others, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, were detained. He considers that these actions have set back the dialogue process, perhaps terminally. The report also contains a section entitled "Research on the human rights situation in ethnic areas of Myanmar" with paragraphs on: Forced relocations; Confiscation of land and property, Forced labour and portering, Torture, arbitrary detention and extrajudicial killings or executions; Rape; Arbitrary taxation and extortion; Use of landmines; and Violations by other armed groups.
Professor Paolo Sergio Pinheiro
Date of entry/update:
2003-09-12
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Reports to the GA by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar (English)
Language:
English
Format :
pdf htm
Size:
142.23 KB 91.39 KB
Local URL:
SRM2003rep.pdf, GA2003SRM-rep.htm
SRM2003rep.pdf, GA2003SRM-rep.htm more
Source/publisher:
Salween Watch
Date of publication:
2003-08-00
Description:
1. SALWEEN IS HOME TO NEW DAM ROW -
KULTIDA SAMABUDDHI -Bangkok Post, 9 April 2003;
2. DAM - A COVER-UP FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STRATEGIC ROAD BY BURMA TO CONTAIN SHAN MILITANTS -
Asian Tribune, 24 April 2003;
3. BURMA TO GET POWER STATION (summary)-
Bangkok Post, 11 August 2003;
4. THAILAND TO LOBBY MYANMAR FOR SALWEEN POWER PROJECT-
Dow Jones Newswires, 24 April 2003;
5. TROOPS SURVEY DAM IMPACTS (summary)-
Bangkok Post, 7 August 2003;
6. PM WANTS KAREN PEOPLE, STORED LOGS MOVED OUT-
Yuwadee Tunyasiri, Bangkok Post, 25 April 2003;
7. BURMESE REFUGEES TO SHIFT FROM SALWEEN (summary)-
Bangkok Post, 02 July 2003;
8. BURMESE TO BE SHIFTED FROM CAMP (summary)-
Bangkok Post, 3 August 2003;
9. KRAISAK URGES GOVT TO ABANDON PROJECT-
Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Bangkok Post, 25 April 2003;
10. HELP NEEDED IN SOCIAL AREA, SAYS SURAKIART (summary)-
Bhanravee Tansubhapol Achara Ashayagachat, Bangkok Post, 29 April 2003;
11. KRAISAK WARNS DAMS MAY BLUR BORDERLINE-
Wasant Techawongtham, Bangkok Post, 29 April 2003;
12. PAST ERRORS MAKE NO IMPRESSION ON EGAT-
Wasant Techawongtham, Bangkok Post, 2 May 2003;
13. MONEY SQUANDERED BY 'POOR PREPARATION" (summary)-
Preeyanat Phanayanggoor -Bangkok Post, 16 April 2003;
14. TOO MANY PROJECTS GONE BUST (summary)-
Kamol Hengkietisal -Bangkok Post, 20 April 2003;
15. INDIA SCOUTS FOR EXPLORATION PROJECTS IN MYANMAR (summary)-
Asian Tribune, 2 May 2003;
16. CABINET GIVES GREEN LIGHT FOR RATIFICATION OF POWER ACCORD-
Kultida Samabuddhi -Bangkok Post, 5 June 2003.
Date of entry/update:
2003-09-11
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Dams and rivers - Salween Watch
Language:
English
Format :
htm
Size:
186.94 KB
Local URL:
SW14.htm
SW14.htm more
Source/publisher:
International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL)
Date of publication:
2003-09-09
Description:
Key developments since May 2002: "Myanmar?s military has continued laying landmines. At least 15 rebel groups also used mines, two more than last year: the New Mon State Party and the Hongsawatoi Restoration Party. Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams and ICBL Coordinator Liz Bernstein visited the country in February 2003."..."Myanmar?s ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. Myanmar abstained from voting on the pro-Mine Ban Treaty UN General Assembly Resolution 57/74 in November 2002. SPDC delegates have not attended any of the annual meetings of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty or the intersessional Standing Committee meetings...Myanmar has been producing at least three types of antipersonnel mines: MM1, MM2, and Claymore-type mines...Myanmar?s military forces have used landmines extensively throughout the long running civil war...Nine out of fourteen states and divisions in Burma are mine-affected, with a heavy concentration in East Burma. Mines have been laid heavily in the Eastern Pegu Division in order to prevent insurgents from reaching central Burma. Mines have also been laid extensively to the east of the area between Swegin and Kyawgyi...No humanitarian demining activities have been implemented in Burma...SPDC military units operating in areas suspected of mine contamination have repeatedly been accused of forcing people, compelled to serve as porters, to walk in front of patrols in order to detonate mines..."
Date of entry/update:
2003-09-09
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Arms (Military Expenditure, Arms Transfers, Arms Production Etc), Reports and maps covering anti-personnel landmines and Burma/Myanmar
Language:
English, Burmese
more
Source/publisher:
"The New Light of Myanmar"
Date of publication:
2003-08-30
Description:
Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt clarifies future policies and programmes of State:
Adjourned National Convention to be reconvened
New Constitution will be drafted in accord with basic principles laid down by NC.
Constitution will be adopted through referendum...
Official transcript of Gen. Khin Nyunt's "roadmap" which includes the resurrection of the National Convention.
General Khin Nyunt
Date of entry/update:
2003-09-03
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
The National Convention (preparations, procedures, proceedings, legislation, statements etc.), The 7-Step Roadmap, 7-Step Roadmap - general articles and reports, 7-Step Roadmap (Step 1): Reconvening of the National Convention that has been adjourned since 1996 (texts).
Language:
English
Format :
htm
Size:
71.67 KB
Local URL:
Roadmap-KN.htm
Roadmap-KN.htm more
Source/publisher:
International League for Human Rights, Rights and Democracy (International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development)
Date of publication:
1996-04-02
Description:
This important 1996 analysis of Burma's National Convention , which has not convened in plenary since 1996, may be of interest to those who are concerned about the military regime's intention to resurrect it, in a renewed effort to bypass the results of the 1990 elections...
"Rather than moving Burma toward democracy, the National Convention is impeding the democratization process by failing to create structures of accountability and transparency and by obstructing processes for growth of independent political life...
The National Convention and the SLORC's repression of political freedoms and genuine political dialogue violate Burma's UN Charter obligations, illuminated by the Universal Declaration [of human rights] ..."...OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY;
I DEVELOPMENTS LEADING TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION;
II. THE NATIONAL CONVENTION:
A. Supplanting the Will of the People expressed by Electoral Mandate;
1. Permanent Minority Role for Elected Representatives;
2. Restrictions on Freedoms of Convention Delegates ...
B. Obstructing Genuine Dialogue...
C. Dismantling Political Structures and Suppressing Independent Activity:
1. Nullification of Elected Candidates' Status;
2. De-registration of Political Parties;
3. Political Restrictions on Parties and Activists...
D. Ensuring Permanent Military Control over Law and Politics:
1. Constitutional Principles that Entrench Military Control;
2. Development of a Nationwide Patronage System for Political Support...
II. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW:
1. Obstruction of Political and Associational Rights;
2. Violations of Economic and Social Rights...
III. RECOMMENDATIONS... ANNEXES:
I Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law, State Law and Order Restoration Council Law No. 14/89, 31 May 1989;
II Letter from Aung Shwe, Chairman of the National League for Democracy, to Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the
State Law and Order Restoration Council, dated 25 March 1996 (to arrange for convening of the first Pyithu Hluttaw (legislature)) (official translation);
III Law Amending the Pyithu Hluttaw Election Law, State Law and Order Restoration Council Law No. 10/91,10 July 1991;
IV Letter from Aung Shwe, Chairman of the National League for Democracy, to Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Law and Order
Restoration Council, dated 28 March 1996 (protest against lawless proceedings) (official translation).
Janelle M. Diller
Date of entry/update:
2003-09-03
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
The 1990 elections and the National Convention (commentaries, chronologies etc.), The 7-Step Roadmap, 7-Step Roadmap (Step 1): Reconvening of the National Convention that has been adjourned since 1996. (commentary)
Language:
English
Format :
html
Size:
257.93 KB
Local URL:
LHR-Diller3.html
LHR-Diller3.html more
Source/publisher:
Relations Internationales & Stratégiques No. 27, Automne 1997.
Date of publication:
1997-09-00
Description:
"...La plupart des signes d'alerte précoce d'une déstabilisation radicale sont présents en Birmanie. Ils comprennent le déclin de l'économie, des dépenses disproportionnées pour la défense, une armée surdimensionnée et peu disciplinée, des violations généralisées des droits de l'Homme, l'accroissement de la polarisation des revenus, la dégradation de l'environnement et la guerre civile. La décision des dirigeants de l'armée en 1988 de rechercher des solutions militaires aux problèmes politiques, d'abandonner la tentative de gouverner en équilibrant les forces intérieures du pays et de chercher à la place des soutiens militaires et financiers de l'extérieur pour imposer leur ordre au peuple birman, a mal tourné. Les rentrées financières attendues ne se sont pas matérialisées. Après avoir liquidé les actifs disponibles de façon immédiate et après avoir échoué dans ses projets économiques tels que les exportations de riz et l'Année du Tourisme, le Slorc est à nouveau proche de l'insolvabilité. Si le Slorc ne peut pas écarter l'option militaire prise en 1988 et s'engager dans d'authentiques négociations tripartites avec l'opposition politique et avec les organisations des groupes d'ethnie non-birmane et demander ensemble une assistance internationale, une nouvelle détérioration économique et une déstabilisation aggravée semblent probables. Un scénario pourrait être une désintégration générale du pays en une mosaïque de seigneurs de la guerre et de troupes ethniques rebelles, en étendant le système déjà pratiqué dans les territoires frontaliers. Les implications de ce scénario doivent être prises au sérieux par le Tatmadaw, qui prétend maintenir l'unité nationale, mais aussi par les voisins de la Birmanie et par la communauté internationale."
David Arnott
Date of entry/update:
2003-08-24
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
French, Francais
Format :
pdf
Size:
118.9 KB
Local URL:
RISarticle-fr.pdf
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Source/publisher:
Amnesty International
Description:
Many of the victims of human rights violations in Thailand are refugees and migrants from Burma
Date of entry/update:
2003-08-22
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Asian Human Rights Commission
Description:
This site has articles and reports in Thai and English about the human rights situation in Thailand. Many victims of these violations are refugees and migrants from Burma.
Date of entry/update:
2003-08-22
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
Thai, English
more
Source/publisher:
Kao Wao News Group
Date of publication:
2003-08-18
Description:
An electronic newsletter for social justice and freedom in Burma...
READERS' FRONT;
MON NOT WORRIED BY U.S. SANCTIONS ;
GIRL PORTER KILLED BY LAND MINE;
CEASE-FIRE GROUP UNDER A CLOSE EYE;
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES FORCED INTO MILITARY TRAINING;
NMSP VOICE SOFT ON RESISTANCE DAY;
RESISTANCE: A BITTER EXPERIENCE FOR THE MON PEOPLE;
REVOLUTION, CEASE-FIRE AND DEMOCRACY IN MONLAND;
OVERSEAS MON STUDENTS ELECT NEW BODY;
BUDDHIST MONKS: STAY AWAY FROM POLITICS;
WORLDWIDE PROTEST FOR 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF 8888;
FUNDS FOR MON TEMPLE IN CANADA.
Date of entry/update:
2003-08-19
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
"Kao Wao News" (from 2001)
Language:
English
Format :
htm
Size:
108.7 KB
Local URL:
KW50.htm
KW50.htm more