“Kyaw Zaw Lwin spent seven months in unjust confinement and we are all relieved that his ordeal is now over.  Sadly, while he is coming home, Burma’s junta continues to hold its grip on 2,200 political prisoners. All are jailed for one reason — their efforts to convince the Burmese junta to respect basic human rights and agree to a genuine democratic process.” – John Kerry, U.S. Senator from Massachusetts

Bangkok — A pro-democracy activist from Myanmar who is a naturalized American citizen has been released from prison a month after a court sentenced him to five years of hard labor, the United States Embassy in Yangon said on Thursday. (more…)

Pyapon, Myanmar — In the dried mud of the Irrawaddy Delta, workers are welding together the final pieces of a natural-gas pipeline that the country’s ruling generals say will keep the lights on in Yangon, Myanmar’s main city, after years of debilitating blackouts. (more…)

Yangon, Myanmar – Myanmar opened the registration period Thursday for political parties ahead of elections this year, in what the government bills as a key step toward democracy but which critics suspect will entrench the country’s military rulers. (more…)

Nay Pyi Taw – The meeting (6/ 2010) of the Union Election Commission took place at the meting hall of the UEC office here this morning. (more…)

Chiang Mai – Officials from the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association said the industry, affected by the global economic downturn, is still struggling to achieve its previous position. (more…)

Claims that Thailand’s navy last week pushed 93 Rohingya ‘boat people’ out to sea where they drifted for 45 days have been flatly rejected by the Thai government. (more…)

The Report states that in 2009, the government of Burma “continued its egregious human rights violations and abuses.” (more…)

Burma’s Union Election Commission published the technical regulations for political parties on Thursday, which favor wealthy candidates. (more…)

In response to the military regime’s new election laws, Burma’s Movement for Democracy and Rights of Ethnic Nationalities is holding a press conference to present their analysis of the election laws, perspectives on the 2010 elections based on the experience of the 1990 elections, and the position of ethnic nationalities. The Movement will also launch a global campaign calling for genuine democracy and national reconciliation. (more…)

The Burmese junta released prisoner of conscience Nyi Nyi Aung from prison on Thursday, March 18, 2010; he will be arriving in the United States late Friday afternoon. (more…)