Burma Update: May 1, 2008

Highlight

Burma Partnership Update: Burmese Call for "Vote 'No' Global Protest Week"

Seven Alliances: Vote 'No' Global Protest Week [Press Release]

Seven Alliances: Pre-Analysis of the May 10 National Referendum

Burma Partnership Secretariat: Background of Seven Umbrella Organizations of Burma's Democracy Movement in Exile

Human Rights Watch: Vote to Nowhere: The May 2008 Constitutional Referendum in Burma

The 61-page report shows that the referendum is being carried out in an environment of severe restrictions on access to information, repressive media restrictions, an almost total ban on freedom of expression, assembly, and association, and the continuing widespread detention of political activists. It highlights recent government arrests, harassment and attacks on activists opposed to the draft constitution.

News from Burmese Media

Mizzima News: Factory Workers to Vote in Special Booths
Mizzima News: Survivors of Container Accident to be Deported Soon
Mizzima News: Burma's Referendum Process A 'Sham': HRW
Mizzima News: Advance Voting Allowed If It is a 'Yes' Vote
Shan Herald Agency for News: Migrant Reps Join May Day Parade
Shan Herald Agency for News: Aussie FM Says It is a Llawed Referendum
Kachin News Group: Meeting over Referendum Continues in Waingmaw
Irrawaddy News Magazine: UNLD Calls for Referendum Boycott
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burma Activists Tap Celebrity Power for Suu Kyi
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burmese Biofuel Policy a Debacle: Report
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Than Shwe Urges Workers to Vote ‘Yes’
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Lonely Planet Founder Defends Burma Guidebook
New Light of Myanmar: Senior General Than Shwe Sends Workers Day Message: Take Part in the Tasks for Approval of Draft Constitution of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Democratic Voice of Burma: Heavy Rains Cause Flooding in Rangoon
Democratic Voice of Burma: Monk U Kawvida Dies at 81
Narinjara News: USDA Member Stabbed to Death

News from Regional/International Media

Bangkok Post: Burmese Leader Visits Chiang Rai
The Nation: Junta will Keep Suu kyi Uninvolved: Samak
The Straits Times: Cyclone to Hit Bangladesh, Myanmar Coast: Official
The Straits Times: Myanmar Plans Crop Substitution to Combat Opium: Thai Official
The Straits Times: More Myanmar Nationals Flocking to S'pore to Work
International Herald Tribune: Thailand Considers Starting 5-Nation Rice Cartel
ABC: Rights Group Says US Energy Giant Complicit in Burma Abuses
Xinhua Online: Myanmar to Cultivate More Paddy in 2008-09

Opinion/Other

The Nation: Human Rights Issue Not on Samak's Agenda [Editorials]
Irrawaddy News Magazine: Burma's Political Transition Needs People Power [News Analysis] - Min Zin
UPI Asia Online: Rage against Burma's Mockery of Justice - Awzar Thi
Bangkok Post: Burma's Army Digs In [Analysis] - Peter Janssen
Bangkok Post: Bearing the Brunk of Crackdowns - Paul Cawthorne
Bangkok Post: Junta's Horribly Misguided Energy Experiment - Chris Greacen
The Nation: Burma in the Spotlight
Newsweek: Hitting the Junta - Jessica Bennett
New Statesman: Forgotten Burma - Rachel Aspden

Interview

Mizzima News: Views on Draft Charter

Statement/Press Release

Human Rights Watch: Burma: Referendum is A Sham
Ethnic Community Development Forum: New Report Reveals Biofuel Fiasco in Burma
The Burma Campaign UK: Burma Regime Receiving An Email Every Minute for Min Ko Naing
US Campaign for Burma: US Senators Send Urgent Appeal to UN Chiefs as Burma Activists Face Health Crisis
United Nationalities Alliance: Exhortation to the People of All Nationalities

Report/Briefer

Ethnic Community Development Forum: Biofuel by Decree - Unmasking Burma's Bio-Energy Fiasco

The report details how the military’s nation-wide campaign to plant eight million acres of the toxic tree Jatropha curcas for biodiesel production is resulting in forced labor, land confiscation, loss of income and food insecurity...


Karen Human Rights Group: Growing Up under Militarisation: Abuse and Agency of Children in Karen State

As the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the military junta currently ruling Burma, works to extend and consolidate its control over all areas of Karen State, local children, their families and communities confront regular, often violent, abuses at the hands of the regime's officers, soldiers and civilian officials...