A Charge to the People of Burma Resid...

July 20,2014 Keynote speech by Prof. B T Win* On March 2nd. 1962, the day the military takeover Burma, Eugene’s Younger brother Sao Myee Myee Thaike was deliberately shot on that night as the Burmese army raided the President’s home. Since then more than half of the past-century, the various military administrations of Burma, was one of the w [...]

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Arakan Minister Struggles to Gain Tru...

By Lawi Weng July 17, 2014 RANGOON — The newly appointed chief minister of Burma’s conflict-torn Arakan State appears to be struggling to win the trust of Rohingya Muslims, who continue to live in squalid camps after being driven from their homes in rioting two years ago. Chief Minister Maung Maung Ohn, who is also a general in the armed forc [...]

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Chinese Muslims in Mandalay fear for ...

Tolerance shown by bygone Buddhist rulers is unravelling in Myanmar’s old royal capital July 14, 2014 MANDALAY (Myanmar) — When hundreds of Buddhist men carrying clubs and swords marauded through the streets of the old royal capital Mandalay earlier this month, the owner of a Chinese-Muslim restaurant took down the Quranic scriptures and the [...]

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Sexism, racism, poor education condem...

Author: Thin Lei Win July 9, 2014 THET KE PYIN, Myanmar (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – When I first met Roma Hattu, a stateless Rohingya Muslim, in April 2013 she was rolling on the dirty concrete floor of an abandoned building in western Myanmar, heavily pregnant and in excruciating pain. She had taken shelter in the building after Buddhist- [...]

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Journalists Protesting Sentencing Bar...

By Kyaw Phyo Tha July 12, 2014 RANGOON — Journalists in Rangoon wearing t-shirts to protest the jailing of four reporters and the CEO of the Unity journal were refused entry to an event involving President Thein Sein, sparking protests and a boycott of the meeting by other media. About two dozen journalists trying to cover an event at the Mya [...]

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Lawyers appeal murder charges in case...

By Aye Nai July 11, 2014 Seven Buddhists charged for their participation in the murder of 10 Muslim pilgrims in Arakan State town of Taunggup in June 2012 are appealing against their indictment. The district court in Sandoway, officially known as Thandwe, indicted the seven for murder in May this year under Penal Code articles 302 and 34. Def [...]

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Rangoon-based journalists are calling...

Zarni Mann July 9, 2014 MANDALAY — Rangoon-based journalists are calling on the government to protect reporters who were threatened with violence while covering inter-communal riots in Mandalay last week. The Myanmar Journalist Network and the Interim Press Council, both based in the former capital, issued statements on Tuesday condemning the [...]

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Testimony: Disturbing Human Rights Ab...

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Tom Andrews The following is the oral testimony provided by Tom Andrews to the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Spotlighting Human Rights in Southeast Asia. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you very much for convening this important hearing. It is an honor for me to be here. I also want to thank you for th [...]

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Immediate Changes Needed in U.S. – Bu...

(Published on July 9, 2014) United to End Genocide President Tom Andrews Testifies at Congressional Hearing on Disturbing Human Rights Abuses, Signs of Genocide in Burma Speaking today at a U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing, “Spotlighting Human Rights in Southeast Asia,” President and CEO of United to End Genocide, Tom Andrews, urg [...]

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Burma’s Democracy Struggle Host...

By Susanne Dombleton 7 July 2014 Ethical issues in Burma (also known as Myanmar) have never been simple, and the real estate boom roiling Rangoon ranks with the thorniest. Those poised to reap rewards are scoundrels and those being fleeced have their backs to the wall. Unless persons with influence intervene, no real progress toward democracy [...]

U.S. wanted Burma to model democratic change, but it’s not turning out that way

By Annie Gowen & David Nakamura 6 July, 2014 The Washingtown Post RANGOON, Burma — President Obama recently singled out Burma as a U.S. foreign policy victory — a country that had emerged from decades of military rule and turned toward the West, thanks in part to American diplomacy. If Burma succeeds, the president told West Point cadets [...]

Myanmar Begins Controversial Citizenship Verification Process

Gabrielle Paluch July 07, 2014 BANGKOK The Muslim stateless residents of northern Rakhine state have long identified themselves as “Rohingya,” a term recognized by the United Nations, and foreign nations, including the United States. But not by Myanmar’s government. Instead, authorities are asking them to register as “Bengalis.” Myanmar’ [...]