Burma Update: March 15, 2008

Highlight

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPPB) and the Forum For Democracy in Burma (FDB) have launched a global campaign, "Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now!"

The Campaign demands the release of 1,873 political prisoners detained in jails throughout Burma and
condemns the use of systematic torture, the failed judicial system and targeted harassment of political prisoners’ families. Click HERE to read the Campaign Press Release.

The Campaign also calls upon the international community including the United Nations to step up efforts for the unconditional release of prisoners of conscience in Burma through an online petition on the campaign site, www.fbppn.net, to be submitted to the United Nations Security Council.

Show your support for a free Burma by joining "Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now!"


News from Burmese Media

Kaladan Press Network: Burma’s Security’s Campaign for Next Constitutional Referendum
Kachin News Group: Naypyidaw Officer Flouts Orders, Discriminates Between New NRC Applicants
Irrawaddy News Magazine: UN Rights Envoy Denied Burma Visa


News from Regional/International Media

The Nation: Thailand to Tell Other Countries Burma's Message : PM
The Nation: Singapore Says "Immense Patience" Needed in Dealing with Burma
Bangkok Post: Thai-Burma Pact
Bangkok Post: Noppadon Defensive over Shilling for Burma
Radio Australia: Thailand Signs Investment Deal with Burma
The Peninsula: Democracy in Myanmar a Fantasy: Envoy


Opinion/Other

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Don’t Bet on the Burmese Regime [Commentary] - Yeni
Bangkok Post: Burma Gets Choice between Coke, Pepsi - Kyaw Zwa Moe
Jakarta Post: ASEAN must Enforce Charter for Myanmar - Usman Hamid
Asian Tribune: Don’t Blame the Underdog UN Envoy Gambari! - Nehginpao Kipgen
Mizzima News: United Front to Combat Junta's Referendum? [Analysis] - Mungpi


Statement/Press Release

The 88 Generation Students: Vote “No” to the Sham Constitution


Report/Briefer

Irrawaddy News Magazine: Weekly Business Roundup (March 15, 2008) - William Boot

- Junta Rejects Bangladesh Request for Gas
- South Korea to Help the Junta’s Nutty Biofuel Plan

Shan Herald Agency for News: Weekly Diary, No. 292 (8–14 March 2008)

UN Human Rights Council: Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro

National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma: Bullets in the Alms Bowl - An Analysis of the Brutal SPDC Suppression of the September 2007 Saffron Revolution


Special Feature

Irrawaddy News Magazine: The Law of the Jungle [Beyond 1988 - Reflections X] - Aung Naing Oo

"March—April 1989: The laws had already been made by the time I arrived at Camp Thay Baw Boe, the largest student camp established by the newly-formed All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF) near the Thai-Burmese border in Karen State immediately after the coup in September. I hadn’t missed much, said students critical of anything that came out of the camp committees.

And criticism abounded. Everyone in the camp had just left behind restricted lives under socialism and hierarchical traditions in which we were supposed to listen to authority of any kind—be they leaders, laws or even parents—without question. Now, after escaping to the jungle to pursue our rebellion, we looked upon them as unreasonable curbs on our freedom; curbs that had to be resisted, or ignored..."