Most people remain at a loss about what the Asean Inter-governmental Commission on Human Rights has been doing in its first year, a report says. (more…)

U.S. officials say human rights issues are likely to be discussed during President Obama’s upcoming visits next month to India and three other Asian democracies. (more…)

India has questioned the value of holding a UN Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into war crimes in Burma, an Indian diplomat recently told a General Assembly committee. (more…)

Phnom Penh, Cambodia — The United Nations chief warned Thursday that unless Myanmar’s junta frees political prisoners its planned Nov. 7 elections may not be considered legitimate or credible. (more…)

Washington – President Barack Obama’s administration faces internal divisions that have so far prevented it from seizing opportunities to engage Myanmar’s military rulers, a key senator said on Wednesday. (more…)

The government that emerges after Nov. 7 will be no less corrupt and unlawful than the present one. (more…)

The proposed UN inquiry would call the Burmese regime to account, but it depends on global support that’s so far lacking. (more…)

Bangkok – Few people have high hopes for real change after Myanmar’s November 7 general election, its first in 20 years, but for the country’s ethnic minority rebel groups, the polls threaten to bring change for the worse. (more…)

Bangkok – At least 71,000 people have lost their homes and an estimated 177,000 have been affected by a cyclone that hit western Myanmar late on Friday, leaving survivors in urgent need of food and water, aid agencies said on Wednesday. (more…)

Though junta supremo Snr-Gen Than Shwe’s plans for his post-election role still remain uncertain after state-run media described him as the commander in chief during the week, observers say at least two ways remain for him to retain control of the country in the next 10 years. (more…)

New Delhi – Burmese elections next month cannot be presumed free and fair unless the military junta releases all political prisoners prior to November elections and allows them to participate, a range of Burma analysts, pro-democracy advocates and the UN have said. (more…)

New Delhi – Burmese internet users on the Bagan Net provider are having their connections cut regularly and when working, they slow to a crawl, according to cybercafé owners and surfers. (more…)

Up to 100 people are now thought to have died from injuries sustained when an oil pipeline set ablaze in Burma’s central Magwe division last week. (more…)

Nay Pyi Taw –The government is working hard for successful completion of upcoming 2010 multiparty general elections that will take place soon, while striving in cooperation with the people for national development, peace and stability of the State and the rule of law. (more…)

Hanoi – Myanmar’s election is a democratic farce, the Philippines said in a document outlining President Benigno Aquino’s position at an Asian summit this week where differences over the military-ruled nation could bring discord. (more…)

Bangkok — Myanmar is carrying out a secret atomic weapons programme that could “really speed up” if the army-ruled country is aided by North Korea, according to a top nuclear scientist. (more…)

Tokyo – Some 250 protesters rallied in Tokyo on Wednesday to call for a boycott of next month’s election in Myanmar, decrying it as a sham for excluding the biggest opposition party. (more…)

Ft. Wayne, Indiana – The scheduled November 7 general election in Burma, the first in 20 years, is drawing widespread criticism. The ruling military government is restricting foreign media and observers from monitoring the elections.   And the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur for human rights in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, calls the election process “deeply flawed.”  Ft. Wayne, Indiana is the home to the largest Burmese refugee community in the U.S., where many doubt the elections will be free and fair. (more…)

Without warning, Burma’s rulers last week bestowed upon their country a new flag, a new seal and a new anthem. A surprised government official told Reuters that the junta’s instructions specified that the old flags should be lowered by people born on a Tuesday and the new flags should be raised by people born on a Wednesday. Then all the old flags were to be burned. (more…)

If you look at the election strategy of the Burmese military regime, you will find it has ensured control of a majority of seats in the parliament even before the election. (more…)