Two human rights activists were ruthlessly beaten up by a group of 100 people in Hinthada in lower Burma. The township head of the Union Solidarity and Development Association masterminded the assault, activists alleged.
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Burma’s former capital Rangoon celebrated this year’s Thingyan, or water festival, not only with the predictable rock concerts, DJs, dance music and chaotic water-throwing events, many of which were sponsored by commercial interests or the military government.
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Rangoon-based veteran Burmese politicians have urged Burma’s military government to set up an interim government to help solve the country’s political and social crises.
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[Newsreader] State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) troops and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) are still launching offensives in the territories controlled by the Karen National Union (KNU), and hundreds of Karen people have crossed over to the Thai side as DKBA soldiers are forcing them to work as porters.
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Thai authorities have drafted new regulations for Burmese migrant workers in Chiang Mai that infringe on their human rights, according to local migrant advocacy groups.
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Down a dirt road in a northeastern Yangon suburb, a large barn stands empty but for white feathers and piles of chicken excrement that hint at its former occupants.
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Contrary to official claims, northern Shan State that has been under stringent opium ban since the 2001-2002 season is enjoying a bumper crop during the latest season which ended last month, according to sources coming to the border.
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The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is prosecuting 34 ethnic Burmese rebels currently lodged in Presidency jail in Kolkata, today produced before the court only a few arms out of a long list of arms, ammunition and boats, which were allegedly seized from the rebels nine years ago.
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Gordon Brown’s strong condemnation of repression in Burma has raised hopes that Britain will toughen its stance towards the country’s military junta if and when he becomes prime minister. New initiatives are certainly needed. After a UN security council resolution, demanding a restoration of democracy, was vetoed by China and Russia in January, the generals are growing more confident – and aggressive.
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April 17: (New Year day, 1369 Myanmar era – Unofficial Translation)
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