Burma Update: March 25, 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

Mizzima News: Join Hands in Confrontation: Activists
Mizzima News: Rangoon Fire Victims Still Homeless
Narinjara News: Taungup NLD Reasserts Daw Suu's Political Role
Narinjara News: Bangladesh Border Security Force Changes Tactics Against Burmese Muslims
Narinjara News: Two Model Village Toll Collectors Hospitalized After Attack
Kaladan Press Network: Curfew Imposed in Akyab after Thapound Full Moon Day
Kaladan Press Network: SPDC Issues ID Cards to Rohingya Youth
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Thai Army Raids Burmese Opposition Groups in Mae Sot
Kachin News Group: Students Paste "No" Vote Posters on Referendum in Northern Burma
Democratic Voice of Burma: Monks Boycott State-Run Exams
Democratic Voice of Burma: Insein Prison Inmates Join Metta Chanting Campaign
Democratic Voice of Burma: Man Under Armed Guard after Setting Fire to Himself
Mizzima News: Shan Rebels Sound Warning Bell for All Ceasefire Armed Groups



News from Regional/International Media

The Straits Times: Thai PM Defends Investments in Myanmar
AFP: Myanmar Monasteries Deserted Six Months after Protests
Xinhua Online: Myanmar to Open 1st Largest Zoological Garden in New Capital



Opinion/Other

Irrawaddy News Magazine: The Road Ahead is Going to be Rough [Commentary] - Kyaw Zwa Moe
New Straits Times: Apt Time to Push for Change in Myanmar - Amy Chew



Report/Briefer

ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus: Myanmar/Burma News Update (Edition 81)