BP Weekly Briefer (September 22-28, 2008)

*** The First Anniversary of the Saffron Revolution ***

Protests and Solidarity Actions Worldwide:

• Reading Burma: A Benefit for Cyclone Relief and Freedom of Expression in Burma/Myanmar (USA, September 23) … Details »»»
• Anniversary of the Saffron Revolution (Thailand, September 24) ... Details »»»
• Briefing by Leading Monks of the 2007 Burma Uprising (USA, September 25) ... Details »»»
• Forum: The Struggle in Burma (New Zealand, September 25) ... Details »»»
• Over 200 Events for Change in Burma (USA, September 26) … Details »»»
• Peace Walk for Burma: One-Year Anniversary of the Saffron Revolution (USA, September 26) ... Details »»»
• One Year Anniversary of the Saffron Revolution (Switzerland, September 26) ... Details »»»
• 1st Anniversary of Saffron Movement Awareness Campaign (Australia, September 26) ... Details »»»
• Silent Protest (Philippines, September 26) ... Details »»»
• Demonstration to call for the release of all political prisoners in Burma (England, September 26) ... Details »»»
• Seminar and Protest (Thailand, September 26-27) ... Details »»»
• Actions for Saffron Anniversary (Japan, September 26-28) ... Details »»»
• Peaceful March (Sittwe, Arakan State, September 27) … Details »»»
• One Year Anniversary of Burma's Saffron Revolution: Roundtable Discussion and Memorial Service (USA, September 27) ... Details »»»
• First Anniversary of the Saffron Revolution 2008: Burma (Australia, September 27) ... Details »»»
• Saffron Revolution, A Year Later (Thailand, September 27) ... Details »»»
  

Multimedia:

• Nobel Women's Initiatives: Laureates Honor One-Year Anniversary of Saffron Revolution … Watch »»»
• US Campaign for Burma: Burma's Saffron Revolution … Watch »»»
• Al Jazeera: Myanmar: One year after the crackdown … Watch »»»
  

Report/Briefer

• Burma Partnership Secretariat: Saffron Anniversary … Download »»»
• Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma: Saffron Revolution A Year Later: It's Not Over … Download »»»
• US Department of State: International Religious Freedom Report 2008 [Burma] … Download »»»
• Transparency International: 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index … Download »»»
• Emergency Assistance Team (Burma): EAT-Burma Phase Two Mid-Term Report … Download »»»
• Asian Legal Resource Centre: Saffron Revolution imprisoned, law demented … Download »»»
  

Interview:

• Taking A Deep Breath (The Irrawaddy recently spoke with UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari about his meetings with Aung San Suu Kyi, his disappointments and his hopes for the future of Burma.) … Read »»»
• Engaging with the military regime (Twenty years after the military coup which ended the 8888 uprising, DVB spoke to three former Burmese army officers about the outlook for the pro-democracy struggle against the military regime.) … Read »»»
• Conversation with 'Man of Steel' (Mizzima reporter Phanida interviewed the man who stepped out of prison in prison uniform, who refused to sign the bond pledging not to be involved in politics, who refused to be released on grounds of age and poor health, who wanted to be released only on the ground he deserved to be released, a person who was imprisoned for over 19 years, on his opinion on the media, politics and his personal feelings.) … Read »»»
• Doing What Needs to be Done (Earlier this week, The Irrawaddy spoke with Win Tin, Burma’s longest-serving political prisoner, who was released on Tuesday after spending 19 years behind bars. He spoke of his commitment to the cause of democracy, his faith in the leadership of Aung San Suu Kyi, and his gratitude to supporters and those have already sacrificed much for the sake of their country.) … Read »»»
  

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD:

The US first lady Laura Bush urged the military regime on September 25 to release pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners. "The United States reiterates our long-standing call for the Burmese regime to engage in a genuine dialogue with all democratic and ethnic minority leaders, with the goal of making a credible transition to civilian, democratic government," Laura Bush said in a statement … Details »»»

The European Parliamentary Caucus on Burma urged the military regime on September 26 to immediately release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners, and take part in the tripartite dialogue with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, all concerned parties and ethnic representatives facilitated by the United Nations without any further delay … Details »»»

The Group of Friends on Burma called on the military regime on September 27 to release all political prisoners, including pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and to start talking with the opposition. The Group also called on the junta to cooperate with the United Nations, which has tried with little success to nudge the regime toward engagement with its opponents … Details »»»

The NLD urged the military regime on September 22 to set up a committee to review the military-backed constitution. In its statement, the NLD said the majority of the people did not accept the constitution which was illegally approved by force and the authorities used coercion, intimidation, deception and misrepresentation to get voters' approval … Details »»»

NLD chairperson U Aung Shwe and members of the party’s Central Executive Committee were summoned to the interior ministry on September 25 by police chief Khin Yi and told to withdraw their statement calling on the authorities to form a constitutional review committee … Details »»»

The NLD marked its 20th anniversary at its headquarters on September 27. A number of recently released political prisoners, including U Win Tin, Burma's longest-serving political prisoner, were among the 350 people attending the ceremony … Details »»»

Nine NLD members were arrested on the party’s 20th anniversary. Six people were arrested before the ceremony at a bus stop near the Yazana hotel adjacent to the NLD headquarters as soon as they got off the bus, while three others were detained after the event … Details »»»

Prisoners of Conscience and Freedom of Expression:

Leader of last September's Saffron Revolution, Ashin Gambira was not feeling well when he was produced in court on September 22. He has been charged under section 13(1) of the Immigration Act, section 17(1) of the Unlawful Associations Act, section 6 of the Associations Act, section 505(b) of the Penal Code (inducing crime against public tranquility) and 295, 145, 147 of the Penal Code (insult to the religion, unlawful assembly), section 17/20 of the Printers and Publishers Act and section 33(a)/38 of the Electronic Law … Details »»»

Veteran journalist and NLD member U Win Tin was released from Insein prison on September 23 after serving over 19 years behind bars … Details »»»

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPPB) confirmed that there were only seven political prisoners out of 9,002 prisoners granted amnesty by the military regime on September 23 … Details »»»

Amnesty International welcomed the release of seven political prisoners on September 23 but raised concern over the fate of other estimated 2,100 political prisoners who still remained behind bars. “While the release of U Win Tin and his fellow prisoners is certainly the best news to come out of Myanmar for a long time, unfortunately they don’t even represent one percent of the political prisoners there,” said Benjamin Zawacki, Amnesty International’s Burma researcher … Details »»»

In their press statement release on September 23, Shan groups in exile said the regimes’ mass prisoner release was a publicity stunt and demanded immediate, unconditional release of all political prisoners in Burma, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the Shan State leaders imprisoned since 2005 … Details »»»

UN Secretary-General welcomed the release of seven political prisoners in Burma and called on Burma's junta to free all remaining political prisoners in the country. “The Secretary-General reiterates that all political prisoners should be released and that all citizens of Myanmar should be able to enjoy political freedoms, as necessary steps towards the process of national reconciliation and dialogue,” his spokesperson said in a statement … Details »»»

NLD member U Win Htein, who was released from Katha prison on September 23 as part of a regime amnesty, was re-arrested on September 24. He was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment on 21 May 1996 and freed on September 23 … Details »»»

Southeast Asian Press Alliance (Seapa) said the release of veteran journalist U Win Tin merely underscored how the rest of Burma's media remained severely repressed. ’When U Win Tin first entered jail 19 years ago, the Burmese media was already operating under harsh laws imposed by the junta. Two decades later, the environment for journalists and Burmese society in general has failed to improve.’ said Seapa … Details »»»

Cyclone Nargis:

Burma's army battalions resold fertilizers meant for Cyclone Nargis-hit farmers in Irrawaddy to farmers in Mon State with a price of 32,000 kyat per sack. "Most farmers don't wish to buy these fertilizers because it is for farmers in Irrawaddy Division where seawater flooded farms during the Cyclone Nargis on May 2-3," said a village official … Details »»»

In the wake of Cyclone Nargis an unidentified freshwater snail has left scores of paddy farmers in southern Burma reeling. Experts believe the snails were washed up by the sea’s tidal surge when it submerged more than 783,000ha of rice paddy fields or 63 percent of paddy land in the affected areas … Details »»»

UN and International:

The UN General Assembly on September 26 rejected an appeal by Burma's elected members of parliament in the 1990 general elections to replace the ruling junta's representatives at the World Body. Michele Montas, UN Secretary-General's spokesperson, said that the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Patricia O'Brien, had responded to the appeal saying that the Secretary-General would not take action on the letter as it did not comply with the legal requirement set out in Rule 27 of Rules of Procedure … Details »»»

The first high-level meeting of the Group of Friends of the Secretary-General on Burma was convened in New York on September 27. This was the sixth meeting of the Group since it was established in December 2007 … Details »»»

In its International Religious Freedom Report 2008, the US State Department accused Burma's junta of being guilty of systematic religious persecution against members of the dominant Buddhist community as well religious minorities throughout the country. The report further called out the generals on their attempt to "systematically restrict efforts by Buddhist clergy to promote human rights and political freedom" … Details »»»

US President on September 26 proclaimed amendments to the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 … Details »»»

Appealing to the broader international community as well as to the generals in Naypyitaw, Mrs. Laura Bush reiterated on September 23 the long-held United States call for the Burmese junta to initiate a meaningful tripartite dialogue process incorporating pro-democracy and ethnic groups in addition to the military authorities. "I want to urge all the neighbors of Burma -- China and India and other neighbors -- to continue trying to talk to the Burmese General, Than Shwe, to see if he can't do what all the world, the international community wants him to do, and that is start respecting the rights of the people of Burma," spoke the First Lady … Details »»»

UK admitted that it could seek further sanctions against Burma's military junta if it failed to improve its human rights record and deliver on promises over political reform. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office told inthenews.co.uk the UK government "would support considering further sanctions if insufficient political progress in Burma is seen" … Details »»»

Switzerland’s government said on September 26 that it had decided to extend its sanctions against Burma to include a ban on wood imports, bringing its measures in line with the European Union. “The new coercive measures include the banning of imports of wood and wooden products, coal, certain metals and gemstones from Myanmar,” the Federal Council said … Details »»»

Human Rights Watch said on September 26 that the international community should demand accountability from the military regime for the brutal crackdown in September 2007 on monks, activists, and other civilians. It also said repression in Burma had increased and the regime had failed to deliver on promises it made a year ago, despite international efforts at mediation … Details »»»

Trade and Business:

Burma’s military regime has planned to build a trade center in Maungdaw, a western border town, in order to promote trade with Bangladesh. Western Command commander General Thaung Aye arrived in Maungdaw on September 21 and discussed the matter of a trade center with senior officials from Maungdaw District … Details »»»

Bangladesh Communication Ministry said on September 21 that China had agreed to assist with the construction cost of a large part of the Burma-Bangladesh friendship road. The cost of the 110 kilometers of road from Kyin Chaung to Kyauk Taw in Burma that China has agreed to bear is estimated at US $128 million … Details »»»

Rice traders in Myawaddy, opposite the Thai border town of Mae Sot, illegally exported hundreds of thousands of bags of rice to Thailand every week even though Burma’s junta officially banned the border rice trade after Cyclone Nargis struck the country’s Irrawaddy delta on May 2-3 … Details »»»

Health:

Burma's Health Ministry began conducting a surprise check on China-made milk powders in wholesale markets. Local sources said, police forces, and market administration committee members in Rangoon had accompanied health officials in a surprise check and seized Chinese–made milk products in several markets including Mingalar and Nyaungpinlay markets … Details »»»

Burma's authorities said it would destroy 17 1/2 tons (16 metric tons) of powdered milk made by one of 22 Chinese dairy companies found to have produced chemically tainted products. An official at Burma's Food and Drug Administration said the milk powder was worth about US $50,000 and would be destroyed on September 30 … Details »»»

Burma has made arrangements to establish more animal quarantine laboratories in two areas bordering Thailand as part of its bid to step up control of trans-border animal diseases under the two countries' cooperation program in the aspects. The two border areas are Myawaddy, Karen State and Kawthoung, Tenessarim Division … Details »»»

Other News:

Maung Tun Khaing Win, a 13-year-old pupil at the No. 1 State High School in Sittwe, Arakan state, who lives with his mother Daw Khin Khin Win in civil servants’ ward (1), was taken from his home on Septembe 21 by a soldier at knifepoint while his mother was out hawking food. He was forced to join the army … Details »»»

More than 100 Muslim Rohingya people from Burma’s Arakan State were arrested while traveling to Rangoon in search of work and were later sentenced to six months’ imprisonment. Rohingya are prohibited from traveling outside Arakan State and are further marginalized by other discriminatory regime laws … Details »»»

One-kyat banknotes printed with anti-government slogans were distributed in Gyopinkauk township, Pegu division, on September 22 as part of a campaign to protest the military regime. The notes bore a picture of Burma’s national independence hero General Aung San and the slogans ‘Down with the monk-killing military dictatorship’ and ‘Free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’ … Details »»»

The military regime terminated the prison terms of 9,002 prisoners with good conduct and discipline for social consideration of their families, and released from the respective jails on 23 September to enable them to serve the interests of the regions and their own and the fair election to be held in 2010 … Details »»»

Released on September 22, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs survey, which only dealt with issues related to foreign policy, found 63 percent of the study group backed government to government talks between Washington and Naypyitaw, with 30 percent strongly opposed to the idea … Details »»»

According to the Global Corruption Report 2008, released by Transparency International (TI) on September 23, military-ruled Burma was still one of the most corrupt countries in the world, ranking just ahead of Somalia and tied with Iraq for the second-lowest spot. The reported highlighted that Burma had become more corrupt since last year … Details »»»

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie donated $1 million to the Human Rights Watch's work in Burma and Zimbabwe. Their contribution would go towards funding research and advocacy in the two countries … Details »»»

Amidst tight security in the city, a bomb blast near the Rangoon City Development Committee (YCDC), which is near the Sule Pagoda on Thursday morning, September 25, injured seven people. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the blast … Details »»»