Librarian's Choice
အဓိကအကြောင်းအရာ
Description/subject:
OVERVIEW:
"Myanmar will shortly hold its first elections in twenty
years. Given the restrictive provisions of the 2010 Political
Parties Registration Law that bar anyone serving a
prison term from membership in a political party, many
imprisoned dissidents will be excluded from the process,
unless they are released in the near future. Aung San Suu
Kyi ? whose suspended sentence and house arrest possibly
exclude her also ? has condemned the legislation, and
her National League for Democracy (NLD) has decided
not to participate and has, therefore, lost its status as a
legally-registered party. There has rightly been much
international criticism of the new constitution and of the
fact that the elections will not be inclusive, but the political
and generational shift that they will bring about may
represent the best opportunity in a generation to influence
the future direction of the country.
The balloting will take place in the framework of the new
constitution, adopted under highly questionable circumstances
in 2008. That document, which will come into
force following the elections, will entrench the military?s
power. It gives the institution significant autonomy, as
well as considerable political influence, by reserving a
quarter of the seats in national and regional legislatures
for it and creating a powerful new national defence and
security council controlled by the commander-in-chief,
who also receives control of key security ministries and
other extraordinary powers.
It seems very likely that the vote will go ahead without
any moves by the regime to address concerns. At the
same time, the problematic nature of the process should
not lead observers to underestimate its significance. The
elections and the constitution they will bring into force
will define the political landscape for years to come and
will influence what opportunities there are to push for
long-overdue social, economic and political reforms in
Myanmar. An understanding of the political dynamics
they will create is, therefore, vital.
It is clear that the top leaders, Generals Than Shwe and
Maung Aye, will step aside after the elections, making way
for a younger generation of military officers. Although
the old guard may continue to wield significant influence
behind the scenes, the reins of power will be in new hands,
and the new political structures make it unlikely that any
single individual will be able to dominate decision-making
in the way that Than Shwe has in recent years. Myanmar
has been under military rule for half a century. The attempts
by the regime to introduce a more civilian and plural
character to governance, however tentative and flawed
they may be, should be critiqued but not dismissed.
These were the messages of Crisis Group?s August 2009
report, Myanmar: Towards the Elections, and they continue
to be valid. This briefing updates recent developments,
including an analysis of the electoral legislation
issued in March. It provides a timeline for the implementation
of the new constitutional structures after election
day, including the formation and initial functioning of the
new legislatures. It also examines the critical question of
the impact on the ethnic conflict and concludes that renewed
fighting in areas where ceasefires currently hold
should be of concern but remains on balance unlikely. A
brief assessment of the recent mass sell-off of public
assets, which was driven in part by the uncertainty of
post-election rent-seeking opportunities, suggests that this
could have greater impact on the political economy than
the elections themselves, by providing significant off-budget
resources that will help the army take advantage of the
considerable autonomy and political influence written
into the constitution for it.
The electoral legislation is in most respects almost identical
to the laws governing the 1990 poll, including provisions
that led to a broadly fair count. The most significant
departures are highly restrictive provisions in the Political
Parties Registration Law. This suggests strongly that,
as in 1990, the elections will be characterised by a campaigning
period that is highly controlled and far from
free, but that the voting on election day may well be relatively
fair. Such a scenario presents important challenges,
as well as opportunities, to domestic stakeholders and to
the international community."
Source/publisher:
International Crisis Group (Asia Briefing N°105)
Date of publication:
2010-05-27
Date of entry/update:
2010-05-27
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
976.61 KB
Local URL:
ICG-The_Myanmar_Elections.pdf
ICG-The_Myanmar_Elections.pdf more
Description/subject:
"The Burman: His Life and Notions (1882) is a book about the peoples and customs of Burma (now Myanmar). First published under the pseudonym Shway Yoe, the book was written by the Scottish journalist and British Colonial administrator James George Scott. The book caused a sensation when it was first published because it was considered impossible that a Burman could write so well in English - Shway Yoe?s unbiased tone and positive curiosity is also one reason that the author was presumed Burmese by the British.
The book is most note worthy in the fact that the author made an extremely detailed and unparallelled description of the Burmese people and their culture, from their pagoda festivals to their lacquer, traditions, religion, dressing, food, and almost any category related." (Wikipedia)
Source/publisher:
Shway Yoe (James George Scott)
Date of publication:
1881-11-30
Date of entry/update:
2010-05-27
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf pdf
Size:
2.67 MB 37.71 MB
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Description/subject:
"The Burmese military junta will not impose its border guard force (BGF) plan on ethnic cease-fire groups until after the general election, sources close to the War Office in Naypyidaw have told The Irrawaddy..."
WAI MOE
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy"
Date of publication:
2010-05-24
Date of entry/update:
2010-05-27
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Border Guard Forces (all states)
Language:
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
* Crucial developments are taking place in Burma / Myanmar?s political landscape.
Generation change, the change of the nominal political system, and the recovery
from a major natural disaster can lead to many directions. Some of these changes
can possibly pave the way for violent societal disruptions.
* As an external actor the international community may further add to political
tensions through their intervening policies. For this reason it is very important that
the international community assesses its impact on the agents and structure of
conflict in Burma / Myanmar.
* This study aims at mapping the opportunities and risks that various types of
international aid interventions may have in the country.
* The study utilizes and further develops the peace and conflict impact assessment
methodology of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.
Timo Kivimaki & Paul Pasch
Source/publisher:
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (PCIA - Country Conflict-Analysis Study)
Date of publication:
2009-09-30
Date of entry/update:
2010-05-24
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Dialogue/reform/transition in Burma/Myanmar - analyses and statements, International and Regional Involvement, The discussion on humanitarian assistance to Burma, EU economic development assistance
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.28 MB
Local URL:
Dynamics_of_Conflict_in_Myanmar.pdf
Dynamics_of_Conflict_in_Myanmar.pdf more
Description/subject:
Initiated by the Ten Alliances of Burma?s democracy and ethnic rights movement:
National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB);
Democratic Alliance of Burma;
National Democratic Front (NDF);
National League for Democracy ? Liberated Area (NLD-LA);
Members of Parliament Union ? Burma (MPU);
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB);
Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB);
Women?s League of Burma (WLB);
Student and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB);
Nationalities Youth Forum (NY Forum)..."The Global Campaign Against Burma?s 2010
Military Elections is led by the Ten Alliances
of Burma?s democracy and ethnic rights movement, and endorsed by over 160 organizations worldwide. The campaign calls
on the international community to stand with the people of Burma, denounce the military's sham elections and call for real democratic change..."
Source/publisher:
Burma Partnership et al
Date of entry/update:
2010-05-22
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
English
Local URL:
more
Description/subject:
Our Vision:
Burma Partnership envisions a free and democratic Burma that upholds the principles of human rights, equality and justice. We believe in collaboration and a participatory approach to advocacy as a key element in bringing about democratic change in Burma...
Our Mission:
Burma Partnership is a network of organizations throughout the Asia-Pacific region, advocating for and mobilizing a movement for democracy and human rights in Burma. We draw our strength from the diversity of our partners, from the multi-ethnic leadership of political and civil society organizations both inside Burma and in exile, to our partners and broad-based solidarity organizations throughout the region...
What We Do:
* Promote collaboration between Burma?s movement for democracy and rights for ethnic nationalities and solidarity organizations in the Asia-Pacific region;
* Facilitate coordination amongst Burma groups and solidarity organizations for more participatory and effective advocacy;
* Assist border-based groups in their media outreach and advocacy efforts; and
* Produce and disseminate comprehensive and timely information and resources that are reflective of the positions, priorities and efforts of the movement...
Who We Are:
Burma Partnership is comprised of the following Working Group members:
Burmese Alliance Organizations:
Forum for Democracy in Burma (FDB);
Nationalities Youth Forum (NYF);
Students and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB);
Regional Solidarity Networks:
Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (Altsean-Burma);
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia);
Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC)...includes a blog
Source/publisher:
Burma Partnership
Date of entry/update:
2010-05-22
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
English
Local URL:
more
Description/subject:
"...This report sets out the vitally important role of Burma's political
prisoners in a process of national reconciliation, leading to democratic
transition. A genuine, inclusive process of national reconciliation is
urgently needed to resolve the current conflicts and make progress
towards peace and democracy.
A crucial first step in a national reconciliation process is official
recognition of ALL Burma's 2,100 plus political prisoners, accompanied
by their unconditional release. This is an essential part of trust-building
between the military rulers, democratic forces, and wider society. In
order for progress towards genuine national reconciliation and
democratic transition to be sustainable, ordinary people across Burma
must believe in the process. As long as activists remain in prison or
continue to be arrested for voicing their political dissent, the people of
Burma will have no trust in any political process proposed by the SPDC..."
Source/publisher:
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP)
Date of publication:
2010-02-28
Date of entry/update:
2010-05-21
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Dialogue/reform/transition in Burma/Myanmar - analyses and statements
Language:
English (full text); Shan, Kachin, Burmese (executive summary)
Format :
pdf pdf pdf pdf
Size:
4.75 MB 135.27 KB 140.93 KB 56.15 KB
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Description/subject:
Cyclone Nargis struck southern Burma on May 2-3, 2008, killing at least 140,000 people and
bringing devastation to an estimated 2.4 million people in the Irrawaddy Delta and the
former capital, Rangoon. The Burmese military government?s initial reaction to the cyclone
shocked the world: instead of immediately allowing international humanitarian assistance
to be delivered to survivors, as did countries affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the
ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) prevented both foreign disaster relief
workers and urgently needed relief supplies from entering the delta during the crucial first
weeks after the cyclone.
The military government blocked large-scale international relief efforts by delaying the
issuance of visas to aid workers, prohibiting foreign helicopters and boats from making
deliveries to support the relief operation, obstructing travel by aid agencies to affected areas,
and preventing local and international media from freely reporting from the disaster area.
Rather than prioritizing the lives and well-being of the affected population, the military
government?s actions were dictated by hostility to the international community, participation
in the diversion of aid, and an obsession with holding a manipulated referendum on a longdelayed
constitution.
?I Want to Help My Own People? 8
In the face of the government?s callous response, Burmese civil society groups and
individuals raised money, collected supplies and traveled to the badly affected parts of the
Irrawaddy Delta and around Rangoon to help survivors in shattered villages. Many efforts
were spontaneous, but as the relief and recovery efforts gained pace, dozens of communitybased
organizations and civil society groups organized themselves and gained
unprecedented experience in providing humanitarian relief and initiating projects.
Access for United Nations agencies and international humanitarian organizations improved
starting in late May 2008 after UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited the delta, and the
UN and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) brokered a deal with the
Burmese government. They established the Tripartite Core Group (TCG), which became the
central vehicle for coordinating aid, improving access for humanitarian organizations to the
delta, and carrying out the ensuing recovery efforts.
The two years since Cyclone Nargis have seen an unprecedented influx of humanitarian
assistance to the delta, with a visible presence of local and international aid workers and
improved access to provide humanitarian relief. While this opening has been rightly
welcomed, it has not been the unmitigated success that many Burma analysts have
portrayed it to be.
Humanitarian access to the delta improved significantly by Burma standards following the
establishment of the TCG mechanism, but it has remained far short of international
standards. And partly because of the access restrictions imposed by the SPDC, humanitarian
funding has not been sufficient to meet the needs of people in the cyclone-affected zones.
As a result, two years after the cyclone, the recovery of many communities in the delta
remains limited, particularly communities far from the towns where most relief efforts were
organized. Such communities face continuing hardships and difficulties obtaining clean
water and adequate sanitation, health resources, needed agricultural support, and recovery
of livelihoods. Had the SPDC not continued to place unnecessary restrictions on the
humanitarian relief effort in the delta, the cyclone-affected population would be much
farther down the road to recovery.
The Burmese government has failed to adequately support reconstruction efforts that benefit
the population, contributing only paltry levels of aid despite having vast sums at its disposal
from lucrative natural gas sales. Although the government has not announced total figures
dedicated for cyclone relief and reconstruction, it allocated a mere 5 million kyat
(US$50,000) for an emergency fund immediately after the storm. It is clear that its
subsequent spending has also not been commensurate with available resources. Burma?s
government is estimated to have more than US$5 billion in foreign reserves and receives an
9 Human Rights Watch │April 2010
estimated US$150 million in monthly gas export revenues. The Burmese government
channels the limited assistance it does provide through its surrogates and contracts
awarded to politically connected companies, in an effort to maintain social control. In
addition, the government?s distribution of aid has been marred by serious allegations of
favoritism.
In most areas of Burma outside of the cyclone-affected areas, international humanitarian
access is much more limited than in the delta, despite significant levels of preventable
disease, malnutrition, and inadequate water and sanitation, particularly in the central dry
zone and the ethnic minority areas of the border states. All of the UN staff, Burmese aid
providers, and international humanitarian organization representatives Human Rights Watch
spoke with in Burma in early 2010 praised the humanitarian opening in the delta, but then
added that humanitarian space in the rest of Burma remains a major challenge. As one
senior aid official told us: ?We were all hoping that the Nargis experience would be the
wedge to open a lot of things, but this hasn?t happened.?
The statistics speak for themselves: approximately one-third of Burmese citizens live below
the poverty line. Most live on one to three US dollars a day, and suffer from inadequate food
security. Maternal mortality is the worst in the Asian region after Afghanistan. While the
economies of many of its neighbors rapidly develop, the people of Burma continue to suffer.
The SPDC fails to invest its own available resources to address urgent social and economic
needs and blocks the humanitarian community from doing all it can to help meet those
needs in other parts of the country.
A number of humanitarian aid experts we spoke with were hopeful that after national
elections scheduled for the end of 2010 are completed, they will then be able to build on
what was achieved in cyclone-affected areas, and expand the delivery of humanitarian aid to
other areas in Burma where it is desperately needed. While the record of the Burmese
government to date suggests this will be an uphill battle at best, the UN, ASEAN, and other
influential international actors in Burma should make it a priority to continue to press for
such expanded access.
Natural disasters can sometimes work as a catalyst for peace-building and reform in conflict
wracked societies, as occurred in Aceh, Indonesia, following the 2004 tsunami. In Burma,
the military government is stronger and more confident two years after the cyclone, but it is
no more accountable or respectful of basic rights...Finally, this reports details an under-appreciated positive legacy of the cyclone response:
the development of a group of new, truly independent and experienced civil society
organizations in Burma, which now seek to use their skills to address other humanitarian
and development challenges in the country..."
Source/publisher:
Human Rights Watch
Date of publication:
2010-04-29
Date of entry/update:
2010-05-01
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
The discussion on humanitarian assistance to Burma, Cyclone Nargis: Individual documents, Civil Society
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.73 MB
Local URL:
I_want_to_help_my_own_people.pdf
I_want_to_help_my_own_people.pdf more
Description/subject:
"The following
paper gives a concrete update since the last report ALTSEAN published on the electoral
process in Burma [See ALTSEAN - Burma report on 2010 Elections : a recipe for
continued conflict on: www.altsean.org/Reports/2010Electionsbis.
php. ] It also explains how the regime is preparing itself for the day after the
elections which are organized with only one aim: to ensure that the country will remain
still hostage of the military for many more years to come....
Highlights:
• The State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) issues five repressive election laws that
will ensure that the polls held in Burma later this year will be neither free nor fair.
• Some of the repressive provisions include:
? Giving the Election Commission the authority to deny or delay elections in ethnic nationality
areas for ?security reasons”.
? Excluding those who convicted of a crime and serving a jail term from being a member
of a political party.
? Forbidding those associated with armed opposition groups - and potentially including
those associated with ceasefire groups that reject the SPDC?s Border Guard Force (BGR)
ultimatum - from taking part in the elections.
• The SPDC continues to place severe restrictions on freedom and expression and assembly.
• In response to the unfair and undemocratic election laws, the National League for Democracy
(NLD) announces that it will boycott the SPDC?s elections.
• In the meantime, the SPDC prepares to transfer its authority to junta-backed political parties
and sell state assets to its loyal cronies.
• On the border, ethnic tensions escalate as ceasefire groups refuse to accept the SPDC?s
ultimatum that their militaries become BGFs.
• In early 2010, SPDC military offensives in Eastern Burma displace more than 4,100 villagers.
• UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma recommends the UN consider establishing a
Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the SPDC.
4 /
• Regardless of how the elections are conducted, the SPDC?s constitution will perpetuate
military rule, because it stipulates that:
? The military occupies 25% of the seats in Parliament and controls 3 key Ministries;
? The military has effective veto power over constitutional amendments;
? The National Defense and Security Council further entrenches the military;
? Basic human rights are still threatened..."
Source/publisher:
ALTSEAN-Burma, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
Date of publication:
2010-04-26
Date of entry/update:
2010-05-01
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
ALTSEAN-Burma archive, 7-Step Roadmap (Step 5): Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution (news and commentary)
Language:
English
Local URL:
more
Description/subject:
"...For the past fifty years, military dictators have ruled Burma destroying
the economy, abolishing the rule of law, and perpetuating thousands of human
rights violations against its own population. The military regime known as the
State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) regularly enlists child soldiers,
uses sexual violence against the civilian population, has forcibly displaced and
destroyed over 3,000 ethnic villages, and carries out executions with impunity.1
The state currently holds over 2,000 political prisoners, including Nobel Peace
Prize Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and has refused repeated calls for
release or trials. The international community?s efforts to both isolate and engage
the military junta have failed to produce results. The regime has announced that
elections will assuredly be held in 2010 to implement its military-dominated
Constitution, which was forcefully approved in May 2008.
The Burma Lawyers? Council (BLC) has created a comprehensive
analysis of the forthcoming 2010 election, scrutinizing the political will of the
regime, the history of elections in Burma, international election standards, the
flaws of the 2008 Constitution, and the relevance of international laws. The
BLC?s paper also proposes concrete steps for peaceful democratization of Burma
on the rule of law and human rights. The following is excerpts from the longer
BLC analysis paper, which will be published soon..."...This summary is taken from "LawKa PaLa - Legal Journal on Burma" - No. 34 (December 2009) published by BLC (see the Alternate URL)
Source/publisher:
Burma Lawyers' Council (BLC)
Date of publication:
2009-11-30
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-29
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf pdf
Size:
116.05 KB 873.95 KB
Local URL:
Elections-LIOB34.pdf, LIOB_34.pdf
Elections-LIOB34.pdf, LIOB_34.pdf more
Source/publisher:
Burma Lawyers
Date of publication:
2009-11-30
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-29
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
Burmese (ျမန္မာဘာသာ)
Format :
pdf
Size:
626.16 KB
Local URL:
LawKaPala35(bu).pdf
LawKaPala35(bu).pdf more
Description/subject:
Part A: Special Feature:
(A.1) Summary of "Analysis of the forthcoming 2010 election in
Burma from the perspective of human rights" by Burma
Lawyers' Council;
(A.2) Constructive Engagement: A Critical Evaluation...
Part B: In Review:
(B.1) Burma: Many Crises, No Response;
(B.2) Position of UN Special Repporteur on Human Rights in
Burma and 2008 Constitution and 2010 Election;
(B.3) ASEAN Snubs Civil Society Groups, Dashes Hopes for
Effective Human Rights Mechanism, by Andrea Gittleman...
Part C: Ethnic Issue:
(C.1) Burma and National Reconciliation: Ethnic Conflict and
State-Society Dysfunction, by Chao-Tzang Yawnghwe...
Part D: The Rule of Law:
(D.1) Appeal to Take Action on the SPDC Military Regime in
Burma in Regard to its Recent Oppression of Reporters and
Journalists who Exercise Freedom of Expression;
(D.2) GJC/BLC Letter to Chief Justices in Asia on Chief Justice
U Aung Toe of Burma;
(D.3) Landmark Trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, by B.K. Sen;
(D.4) BLC/GJC letter to International Crisis Group;
(D.5) The Security Council should address the situation in Burma
and protection of civilians in armed conflict...
Part E: BLC Activities:
(E.1) Interface Burma: To promote awareness on International
Criminal Court;
(E.2) BLC's Participation in Assembly of State Parties to ICC.
Source/publisher:
Burma Lawyers' Council
Date of publication:
2009-11-30
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-29
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
873.95 KB
Local URL:
LIOB_34.pdf
LIOB_34.pdf more
Description/subject:
Contents:
Part A. Seeking Criminal Accountability in Burma:
1. Seeking Criminal Accountability, the Rule of Law and Democratic
Transition for Burma;
2. Seminar on Advancing Human Rights and Ending Impunity in Burma;
3. End Burma?s System of Impunity;
4. A Summary of the IHRC Report on "Crimes in Burma";
5. BLC and GJC's open letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon;
6. WLB open letter to UN Secretay General Ban Ki-moon
7. 13th Conference of Forum on Burmese in Europe (FBE) and Open letter to
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon;
8. ICC Prosecutor's Comment on "Impunity No More";
9. The New ASEAN Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights.....
Part B: Fair Trial and Judicial Issue:
1. Trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by B.K Sen;
2. Putting Burma's Junta on Trial;
3. BLC Appeal on ICC and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Case;
4. BLC Statement on Depayin Massacre.....
Part C: Labor Issue:
1. An Analysis of Article 2(d) of the ILO Convention on Forced Labour, 1930;
2. Current Situation of Burmese Migrant Workers and their Children in
Thailand.....
Part D: BLC Activities:
1. The activities of Peace Law Academy on February to May 2009;
2. BLC Chairperson's speech in POLA: Economic Development and the Rule
of Law in Burma.
Source/publisher:
Burma Lawyers' Council (BLC)
Date of publication:
2009-07-31
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-28
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.63 MB
Local URL:
LIOB_33.pdf
LIOB_33.pdf more
Description/subject:
Burma section plus full report (see Alternate link)
http://en.rsf.org/spip.php?page=article&id_article=19603
Source/publisher:
Reporters Sans Frontieres - Reporters Without Borders
Date of publication:
2010-03-12
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-27
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Freedom of opinion and expression: - the situation in Burma/Myanmar - reports, analyses, recommendations, Media - control of media in Burma
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
62 KB
Local URL:
Internet_enemiesRSF2010-Burma.pdf
Internet_enemiesRSF2010-Burma.pdf more
Description/subject:
Now in Karen as well as English
Source/publisher:
Karen Refugee Committee
Date of publication:
2010-02-28
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-23
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English, Karen
Format :
pdf
Size:
176.05 KB
Local URL:
KRCMR-2010-03(en+ka).pdf
KRCMR-2010-03(en+ka).pdf more
Description/subject:
As usual around the Water Festival/Burmese New Year, NLM was not published online (probably not in hard copy either)
Source/publisher:
OBL
Date of publication:
2010-04-21
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-22
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
"The New Light of Myanmar" 2010
Language:
English
Local URL:
more
Source/publisher:
Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM)
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-21
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
English
Local URL:
more
Description/subject:
"...The Union of Myanmar UNGASS 2010 Report has been posted on HIV Information for Myanmar http://him.civiblog.org/blog/_archives/2010/4/6/4498792.html and was posted in [him] 1166. The [him] moderator has not heard that a shadow report will be produced. Who would risk writing one?
In the absence of a shadow report the [him] moderator would like to offer these observations on the only official report on HIV that will come from the Government of Myanmar this year. The following comments are not meant to be a criticism of those who did all the hard work in producing the report. But publication of the report offers an opportunity for us all to get closer to truth..."
HIV Information for Myanmar [him] moderator.
Source/publisher:
HIV Information for Myanmar [him]
Date of publication:
2010-04-21
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-21
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
HIV/AIDS - Burma/Myanmar
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
59.22 KB
Local URL:
HIM_analysis_of_UNGASS-2010-Myanmar.pdf
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Description/subject:
"The HIV epidemic in Myanmar is concentrated, with HIV transmission primarily occurring
in high risk sexual contacts between sex workers and their clients, men who have sex
with men and the sexual partners of these sub-populations. In addition, there is a high
level of HIV transmission among injecting drug users through use of contaminated
injecting equipment, with transmission to sexual partners. Latest modelling estimated the
HIV prevalence in the adult population (aged 15-49) at 0.61% in 2009. For key
populations most-at-risk, surveillance data from 2008 showed HIV prevalence in the
sentinel groups at 18.1% in female sex workers, 28.8% in men who have sex with men,
and 36.3% in male injecting drug users.
It is estimated that around 238,000 people are living with HIV in Myanmar in 2009, of
whom 74,000 are in need of antiretroviral therapy. In the same year, an estimated
17,000 people died of AIDS-related illness. Incidence is estimated at well above 10,000
new infections per year, confirming the continuing need for effective prevention efforts,
with increased emphasis on reaching long term female sexual partners of male most at
risk populations..."
Source/publisher:
National AIDS Programme
Date of publication:
2010-03-31
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-21
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
HIV/AIDS - Burma/Myanmar
Language:
English
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
"History of Burma. This was the first comprehensive history of Burma, and has become regarded as a classic reference. The author draws upon Burmese written records and the narratives of European travellers and residents before him. The book is accompanied by several maps and two Appendices which provide comprehensive lists of the ?Kings of Burma? and the ?Kings who Reigned in Pegu?."
Phayre, Arthur Purves, Sir, 1812-1885
Source/publisher:
Truebner & Co. (London)
Date of publication:
1882-11-30
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-15
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Multiple periods of Burmese history
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
7.89 MB
Local URL:
Phayre-History_of_Burma.pdf
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Lian H. Sakhong
Source/publisher:
Chiang Mai: Wadina Press
Date of publication:
2007-11-30
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-15
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
Burmese
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.3 MB
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Description/subject:
A Study in Religion, Politics and Ethnic Identity in Burma..."Chinram was once an independent land ruled by
local chieftains and following traditional Chin
religion. This world was abruptly transformed in
the early twentieth century, however, by British
annexation and the arrival of Christian missionaries.
As the Chin became increasingly related to
Burmese independence movements, they began to
articulate their own Christian traditions of democracy
and assert a burgeoning self-awareness of
their own national identity. In short, Christianity
provided the Chin people with a means of
preserving their national identity in the midst of
multi-racial and multi-religious environments.
Written by an exiled Secretary General
of the Chin National League for Democracy, this is
the first in-depth study on Chin nationalism and
Christianity. Not only does it provide a clear
analysis of the close relationship between religion,
ethnicity and nationalism but also the volume
contains valuable data on the Chin and their role
in the history of Burma."
Lian H. Sakhong
Source/publisher:
Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS)
Date of publication:
2002-11-30
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-15
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
2.91 MB
Local URL:
In_Search_of_Chin_Identity.pdf
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Description/subject:
Official English translation
Source/publisher:
SPDC via Network Myanmar
Date of publication:
2010-03-08
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-12
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
7-Step Roadmap (Step 5): Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution (texts), Laws, decrees and regulations relating to the 2010 Elections (texts), Decentralisation (Decentralization) in Burma/Myanmar
Language:
English
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
Official English translation
Source/publisher:
SPDC via Network Myanmar
Date of publication:
2010-03-08
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-12
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
7-Step Roadmap (Step 5): Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution (texts), Laws, decrees and regulations relating to the 2010 Elections (texts)
Language:
English
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
Official English translation
Source/publisher:
SPDC via Network Myanmar
Date of publication:
2010-03-08
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-12
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
7-Step Roadmap (Step 5): Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution (texts), Laws, decrees and regulations relating to the 2010 Elections (texts)
Language:
English
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
Official English translation
Source/publisher:
SPDC via Network Myanmar
Date of publication:
2010-03-08
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-12
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
Official English translation
Source/publisher:
SPDC via Network Myanmar
Date of publication:
2010-03-08
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-12
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
7-Step Roadmap (Step 5): Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution (texts), Laws, decrees and regulations relating to the 2010 Elections (texts)
Language:
English
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
Preface:
"On 17 January 2010, Burma Army Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) number
367 initiated a fresh round of attacks on several villages in Karen State?s
Nyaunglebin District in eastern Burma, killing three villagers, burning down
houses, and committing atrocities against civilians. Over a two-day period, the
attacks forcibly displaced over 1,000 villagers, including hundreds of children.
These children are now living in uncertain conditions, hiding from further
military attacks with little more than the clothes on their backs. They are at
extreme risk of continued human rights violations, malnourishment, and
serious health problems.
Such attacks are common in military-ruled Burma. A generation of
the country?s children have been scarred by death, destruction, loss, and
neglect at the hands of Burma?s military. For over four decades, Burma?s
military government has forced children from their homes and villages,
subjected them to extreme human rights violations, and largely left them
to fend for their survival in displacement settings without access to basic
provisions or humanitarian services. Since 2002, Free Burma Rangers (FBR) has
independently documented over 180 incidents of displacement, and for the
last 14 years both Partners and FBR have provided lifesaving humanitarian
service to thousands more. From 2002 to the end of 2009, more than 580,000
civilians, including over 190,000 children, have been forcibly displaced from
their homes in Eastern Burma alone. An estimated one to three million people
live as internally displaced persons (IDPs) throughout Burma. As many as
330,000 to 990,000 of the displaced are children..."
Source/publisher:
Free Burma Rangers. Partners Relief & Development
Date of publication:
2010-03-31
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-08
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
"This briefing paper is intended to give a concise overview of the main provisions of the
electoral laws and bylaws issued by the Myanmar authorities in March 2010, and to
discuss some of the implications of the most important provisions. These laws establish
the detailed framework for the first elections in Myanmar for 20 years, which will take
place later this year on a date yet to be announced. These elections, while they will not
be free and fair, nevertheless represent the most important political shift in a
generation. A new political space will be created ? however constrained it may be ?
along with a set of new State institutions. The ageing military leadership will also hand
over the reins of power to a new generation. It is therefore vital to have a clear
understanding of this legislation and its likely consequences; however, much of the
debate so far has been based on a hasty and often erroneous reading of the laws..."
Richard Horsey
Source/publisher:
Conflict Prevention and Peace Forum
Date of publication:
2010-03-31
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-03
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
National and State constitutions, draft constitutions and amendments (commentary), 7-Step Roadmap (Step 5): Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution (news and commentary)
Language:
English
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
Special Statement No 4/03/10
(Unofficial Translation)...
It is to announce that the Central Committee meeting of the National League for Democracy
Party, held on March 29, 2010, made the following decisions.
?Decisions”
(1) According to discussion by members of the Central Committee, the electoral laws issued by
the State Peace and Development Council are unjust and therefore the Committee decided not to
re-register the party unanimously without objection.
Source/publisher:
National League for Democracy (NLD)
Date of publication:
2010-03-30
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-02
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English, Burmese
Format :
PDF
Size:
3.72 MB
Local URL:
NLDStatement2010-03-31.PDF
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Title: BLOOD MONEY: A Grounded Theory of Corporate Citizenship -- Myanmar (Burma) as a Case in Point
Description/subject:
"...In this inquiry I have explored the multiple interactions between corporate,
state and civil society actors through which understandings of responsible?
corporate engagement in Myanmar are created, enacted and transformed. I have
identified and conceptualised four social processes at work in these interactions,
which I describe in the grounded theories of:
(1) Commercial Diplomacy (describing the use of enterprise as a conduit
for foreign policy by states, particularly as it relates to ethical? business
activity)
(2) Stakeholder Activism (critiquing the aims and strategies of
transnational civil society organisations who advocate for responsible?
corporate engagement)
(3) Corporate Engagement (explaining variation in the motivations and
terms of corporate engagement, specifically different forms of divestment
or engagement, as strategic responses to stakeholder activism, commercial
diplomacy and other factors which influence the enterprise context)
(4) Constructive Corporate Engagement (a conceptual framework,
grounded in multiple stakeholder-views and drawing from the
international development discourses of state fragility and human security,
for considering the potentially constructive impacts of corporate
engagement).
Working within and between these four theories, I generated an overarching
grounded theory of (5) Corporate Citizenship in Fragile States. From these
theories I offer a critical analysis of Corporate Citizenship as the normative basis
for a new articulation between the economic, social and political spheres in
pursuit of a more equitable global order..."
Nicola M. Black
Source/publisher:
Te Waananga o Waikato (The University of Waikato)
Date of publication:
2008-11-30
Date of entry/update:
2010-04-02
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political, social and economic dimensions of investment in Burma, Yadana Field - (Total, Chevron, PTTEP, MOGE)
Language:
English
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
Table of Contents:
Foreword...
Introduction...
Current Dimensions, Future Directions: Australian Policy toward Burma...
Assessing the Current Situation in Myanmar: A Perspective from China...
From Isolation to Engagement: Reviewing India's Policy toward Myanmar...
The Quest for the "Middle Way": Indonesian Perspectives on Current
Developments in Myanmar...
Japan's Policy toward Myanmar: A Special Responsibility...
Pragmatic Diplomacy: Reviewing International and Malaysian
Policy toward Myanmar...
Developing an International Policy toward Burma/Myanmar:
Philippine Perspectives...
From Proxy to Principle: A Review of Singapore's Myanmar Policy...
Thailand's Burma/Myanmar Dilemma: Domestic Determinants and
Regional/International Constraints...
Appendix 1: Executive Summary: Report of the Asia Society Task Force on
US Policy toward Burma/Myanmar
Source/publisher:
Asia Society
Date of publication:
2010-03-31
Date of entry/update:
2010-03-31
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
USA-Burma relations
Language:
English
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
Executive Summary:
"In September 2009, the United States announced a new course in its policy toward
Burma following a seven-month review undertaken by the Barack Obama administration.1
Recognizing that decades of pursuing policies of isolation and sanctions had done little to
influence change among Burma's military leaders, the United States introduced a policy
of "pragmatic engagement." Under this new policy, the United States will maintain its
sanctions on Burma while simultaneously undertaking direct dialogue with senior leaders
of the Burmese regime. Dialogue, according to the United States, will "supplement, rather
than replace," decades of U.S. sanctions policy. These talks have already begun, and the
United States has indicated that any improvement in relations between the two countries is
possible only when Burma's military regime enacts meaningful and concrete reforms in the
country, particularly in the areas of democracy and human rights.2
In adjusting its policy toward Burma, the United States must face reality with clear
vision. Among other things, this vision must recognize that the United States' ability to
solve Burma's problems and to influence the course of the country's governance is extremely
limited, as nearly 20 years experience with a harsh punitive policy of isolation and sanctions
have demonstrated. U.S. influence in Burma is unlikely to outweigh that of increasingly
powerful Asian neighbors. Therefore, the United States' priority must be to clarify its
fundamental objectives in Burma and the basic means at its disposal for promoting those
objectives. Moreover, Burma is not likely to rank very high on the list of U.S. foreign policy
priorities in the foreseeable future, so resources to address U.S. goals in Burma will be
limited, compared to priority countries and regions.
The Task Force believes that the United States must approach policy adjustments
with careful consideration of how the instruments that are available -- including both the
engagement and sanctions sides of the equation -- can be employed most effectively to
encourage reform and democratic governance. Through its programs and support for the
Burmese people, the United States can demonstrate that it is steady but flexible and quick
to react to any potential overtures from the Burmese government. Specifically, during this
period of transition, the United States should encourage the process of political development
toward democratic norms; press the military regime to improve governance; and assist the
country's non-Burman nationalities in pursuing an equitable voice in national governance.
The basic means available to the United States to pursue these goals will be effective
channels of communication; focused assistance programs; reform-oriented economic
activity; coordination with Burma's neighbors and the broader international community; and tightening of targeted financial sanctions, if and when necessary.
Going forward, it will be useful to consider distinctions based on change in
Burma for framing U.S. policy recommendations. The Task Force makes the following
recommendations, which are organized into three distinct stages: (1) measures to be
pursued now; (2) additional measures to be implemented if and when the United States
begins to see indications of change on the part of the Burmese leadership; and (3) actions
to be undertaken after real progress has been demonstrated on a sustained basis..."
Source/publisher:
Asia Society
Date of publication:
2010-03-31
Date of entry/update:
2010-03-31
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
USA-Burma relations
Language:
English, Burmese
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
Links to relevant texts...
The basis of the review is:
(a) The Charter of the United Nations;
(b) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
(c) Human rights instruments to which a State is party;
(d) Voluntary pledges and commitments made by States, including those undertaken when
presenting their candidatures for election to the Human Rights Council (hereinafter"the Council".
2.In addition to the above and given the complementary and mutually interrelated nature of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, the review shall take into account applicable international humanitarian law..."
Source/publisher:
Online Burma/Myanmar Library
Date of publication:
2010-03-27
Date of entry/update:
2010-03-27
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
129 KB
Local URL:
Basis_of_the_review.pdf
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Description/subject:
From 1991 to the present: General Assembly, Commission on Human Rights and Human Rights Council reports and resolutions, as well as NGO written statements
Source/publisher:
United Nations
Date of entry/update:
2010-03-26
Type:
Websites/Multiple Documents
Category:
UN human rights documents on Myanmar
Language:
English (also available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish)
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
(unofficial translation)...
"On 8 March 2010, the State Peace and Development Council announced the Union Election
Commission Law, Political Parties Registration Law, Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House)) Election
Law, the Amyotha Hluttaw ((Upper House)) Election Law, and the Region or State Hluttaw
Election Law.
If these laws are studied, it becomes clearly evident that they are against democratic practices and there
is nothing fair, free, about them. Some key examples to cite here are:..."
Source/publisher:
National League for Democracy (NLD)
Date of publication:
2010-03-23
Date of entry/update:
2010-03-26
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
NLD Statements (English) 2010, 7-Step Roadmap (Step 5): Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution (news and commentary)
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
61.72 KB
Local URL:
NLDAnnouncement2010-03-23.pdf
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Description/subject:
"The Chairman of the National League for Democracy ( NLD ) U Aung Shwe ( 92 )
has on March 17 written an official letter to Chairman of the State Peace and
Development Council ( SPDC ) Senior General Than Shwe requesting the latter to
urgently allow the party?s entire Central Executive Committee including detained
General Secretary of the party Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to hold its meeting as soon as
possible in order to lay down the future programmes of the party in view of the
Political Party Registration Law and Elections Law promulgated by the SPDC, the
NLD special announcement (1/03/10) issued this evening declared..."
Source/publisher:
National League for Democracy (NLD)
Date of publication:
2010-03-22
Date of entry/update:
2010-03-23
Type:
Individual Documents
Language:
English, Burmese
Format :
pdf
Size:
204.5 KB
Local URL:
NLD_Announcement2010-03-22.pdf
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Description/subject:
No English translation available yet
Source/publisher:
SPDC via Network Myanmar
Date of publication:
2010-03-17
Date of entry/update:
2010-03-23
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
7-Step Roadmap (Step 5): Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution (texts), Laws, decrees and regulations relating to the 2010 Elections (texts), Decentralisation (Decentralization) in Burma/Myanmar
Language:
Burmese (ျမန္မာဘာသာ)
Local URL:
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Source/publisher:
SPDC via Network Myanmar
Date of publication:
2010-03-17
Date of entry/update:
2010-03-23
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
7-Step Roadmap (Step 5): Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution (texts), Laws, decrees and regulations relating to the 2010 Elections (texts)
Language:
Burmese
Local URL:
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Description/subject:
No English translation available yet
Source/publisher:
SPDC via Network Myanmar
Date of publication:
2010-03-17
Date of entry/update:
2010-03-23
Type:
Individual Documents
Category:
7-Step Roadmap (Step 5): Holding of free and fair elections for Pyithu Hluttaws (Legislative bodies) according to the new constitution (texts), Laws, decrees and regulations relating to the 2010 Elections (texts)
Language:
Burmese
Local URL:
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