Burma Update: March 24, 2008

Highlight

Burma Partnership Weekly Briefer: Solidarity for Tibet and Burma in 3rd Week March

"After six months of the brutal crackdown on the Burmese Buddhist monks by the Burmese regime's security forces last September, we are again quite saddened to witness the violent attacks and killing of the Tibetan monks and people by the Chinese government’s security forces last week. In response to this brutality and to show their solidarity with the Tibetan monks, the Burmese monks organizations have made calls and appeals to the Chinese government to stop oppression and initiate peaceful negotiations with Tibetan opposition groups.

On Friday (21/3/08) group of around 60 activists made up of Thai, Burmese and westerners, protested for some 90 minutes in front of the Chinese Consulate in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The group known as “Action Group for Peace” held posters and placards of September crackdown against monks in Burma and shouted slogans such as “Boycott Beijing Olympics” and “Free Tibet” and “Stop support to Burmese regime!” The group also issued a statement and said that “The Tibetan’s grievances and demands for self-determination must be addressed through dialogue, not by force and further oppression”. It's likely to see more Burmese communities joining solidarity actions for Tibet in coming days and weeks..."



News from Burmese Media

Shan Herald Agency for News: SSA Former Leader Dies from Hypertension
Shan Herald Agency for News: Forced Donations for ID Cards
Shan Herald Agency for News: Yawdserk Spurns Surrender-to-Stand-for-Elections Advice
Kachin News Group: Mandalay Municipality Builds Temporary Shops
Kaladan Press Network: UNDP Extends Works in 15-More Villages in Maungdaw Township
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Man Faces Charges for Self-Immolation
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Hundreds of Burmese Migrants Rounded Up in Malaysia
Irrawaddy News Magazine: How Will the Burmese Armed Forces Vote in the Referendum?
Mizzima News: KIO Likely to Boycott Referendum
Democratic Voice of Burma: Three Arrested for Criticizing Fire Brigade
Mizzima News: Taunggup NLD Opposes Referendum
Narinjara News: Township Election Commission Formed in Western Burma
Narinjara News: 13 Burmese Nationals Arrested in Bangladesh
Kachin News Group: Kachin Theological College Celebrates Diamond Jubilee



Opinion/Other

Mizzima News: Don't Count on the Army to Split [Commentary] - Maung Htun
Irrawaddy News Magazine: America’s Role in Burma’s Struggle for Democracy [Editorial]
Mizzima News: Burmese Gem Sanctions: Doing Good or Just Feeling Good? [Analysis] - Gary Horvitz
Independent Mon News Agency: Gambari's Listless Burma Visit Makes No Headway [Commentary] - Shyamal Sarkar
Independent Mon News Agency: Legal ddocument A Must for Burmese Migrant Workers - Banyol Kin