As the world watched with disbelief the tragic deaths of 54 Burmese victims of illegal human trafficking in Thailand, even more unbelievable were Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon’s remarks to the British Prime Minister’s Special Representative Mr. Michael Williams. In an amazing copycat version of the Burmese regime’s accusation of Western sanctions, he said that human trafficking is largely the result of Western sanctions. (more…)

1. The State Peace and Development Council promulgated “the Referendum Law for the Approval of the Draft Constitution of the Republic of Myanmar 2008” on 26 February 2008.
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The United Kingdom-based Index on Censorship-one of the world’s leading magazines on free expression issues-honored imprisoned Buddhist monk leader U Gambira for his leading role in last September’s peaceful demonstrations with an award on April 21.
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Burma’s main opposition party, the National League for Democracy, has called on the regime to make sure political detainees, including NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi, can vote in the constitutional referendum on May 10.
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With less than three weeks to go until Burmese get a chance to vote on a constitution drawn up by the country’s military rulers, a new poll conducted by Irrawaddy correspondents in Rangoon shows that residents of Burma’s largest city are less than enthusiastic about their first chance to cast a ballot in nearly two decades.
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The National League for Democracy released a special statement yesterday calling for detained political leaders and activists to be given the right to vote in the national referendum in May.
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A man who set himself on fire at Myanmar’s most revered Buddhist temple to protest military rule has died of his injuries, hospital officials said Tuesday.
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In a bid to win support for the draft constitution, Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win is alleged to have made a donation to a school in Zegone township of Pegu division north of Rangoon.
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The Burmese military junta, today accused members of the Vigorous Burmese Student Warriors (VBSW) of being involved in the bomb blasts, which rocked Rangoon on Monday.
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Chinese businessmen in Namtu Township in northern Shan State have been exploiting children. Children in Man Jak village in Namtu are being made to work but are being paid very little, a source said.
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Burmese citizens in Thailand desirous of voting in the referendum to approve the draft constitution of the military junta can vote at the Burmese embassy in Bangkok starting today. (more…)

Absentee voting in the military junta’s referendum for Burmese citizens in India will commence this weekend. This was declared by the Burmese embassy in New Delhi.
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Six Thai nationals will be charged with causing death by negligence after 54 illegal Burma migrants suffocated while being smuggled through Thailand in a locked truck, police said on Monday.
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Authorities say that under Thai law human trafficking required an act of exploitation, which was absent from the smuggling of people seeking proper work.
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The junta has launched a daily media campaign designed to promote “Yes” votes during the May 10 constitutional referendum, but evidence is mounting its pro-constitution blitz has convinced many people to vote “No.”
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Thailand must stop pandering to the Burmese junta and do more to bring positive change
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Myanmar’s military regime is under fire for the language in a new constitution to be approved at a national referendum on May 10. The full text of the charter was made public only a month ahead of the plebiscite.
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