The Burmese military-derived government has released hundreds of political prisoners, signed a ceasefire with the country’s largest ethnic rebel group and allowed the opposition National League for Democracy to re-form.
Burma
Burma sanctions just reinforce ‘siege mentality’
There is a growing recognition in the international community that engagement, rather than sanctions and diplomatic isolation, is fast emerging as a more productive strategy in pressuring the Burmese government to reform, writes David Hopkins, a foreign relations masters graduate and Burma researcher.
Democracy, inch by inch: Burma in 2011 and beyond
Last November the people of Burma went to the polls for the first time in two decades, and although the country’s slow journey towards democracy has generated widespread resentment it marks a crucial turning point in its plight to shake its reputation as a pariah, writes Nicholas Farrelly.
Burma’s First Lady of freedom
Read this intriguing indepth profile on recently released Aung San Suu Kyi, Crikey’s person of the decade. Interviewer Hannah Beech dodges government spies trailing her taxi in order to interview the famous Burmese political leader.
Aung San Suu Kyi: Crikey’s Readers’ Choice Person of the Decade
It may seem odd that the Crikey’s readers’ choice for Person of the Decade is a woman who spent the majority of the decade under house arrest, out of the public eye and banned from speaking to the media… but it’s the mark of a decade of very powerful silence.
Come in Spinner: Background briefings cui bono?
One of the fascinating things about the media is how frequently the “facts” reported about an event differ between media outlets while, simultaneously, the supposed meaning of the events are interpreted in remarkably similar ways. Noel Turnbull looks to Burma.
Burma rebrands: a dictatorship, without the uniforms
Saturday’s Burmese election was, in reality, just the junta’s mechanism for shifting away from an overt military dictatorship to a slightly more covert form — dictatorship without so many uniforms.
Junta the sole winner of Burma’s sham elections
The eyes of the world will turn to the secretive state of Burma next month, as the country prepares for its first election in 20 years. But, as Burmese refugee Waihnin Pwint Thon writes, the poll will neither be fair or free.
PHOTO GALLERY: The unseen family album of Aung San Suu Kyi
As Burmese activist Aung San Suu Kyi celebrates her 65th birthday, The Guardian shows previously unreleased photos of the leader as a young bride and mother.
Fighting the Burma genocide
An incredible, in-depth look at the activists attempting to promote democracy in Burma and chronicle the human rights abuses occurring under the junta. Mac McClelland visits the Karen freedom fighters trapped in Thai refugee camps.
Twinza Oil to step up investment in Burma
Contrary to popular belief, Australia doesn’t have a ban on investing in Burma. But Australian company Twinza Oil will still come under heavy scrutiny when it starts drilling for oil there, writes Kyaw Kyaw.
Aung San Suu Ki to be freed?
A senior Burmese diplomat has announced plans for the release of Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, following her latest 6 years of house arrest. But is this just another false alarm?
Even without blood money, Burma is bled dry
Recently there has been a call for tougher sanctions for Aussie businesses wanting to deal in Burma. But how effective are sanctions when Burma’s military tentacles are wrapped so tight?
Is Jetstar propping up Burma’s dictatorship?
Jetstar has come under fire for running flights into Burma, with critics claiming the airport fees and money the airline brings into the country are helping fund Burma’s repressive military junta.
Fiji no longer the ‘bula-bula-happy-clappy land’
Post Fiji’s 2006 military coup, the economy is collapsing, morale is low and leadership is a mess. “Fiji is on the same path that Burma and Zimbabwe and Nigeria went down”, writes discombobulated.
American rescued from Burma; Suu Kyi left to pay the price
John Yettaw, the American whose attempt to make contact with Aung San Suu Kyi cost the Burmese opposition leader an extra 18 months under house arrest has himself been released from imprisonment. Suu Kyi, meanwhile, remains under lock and key to pay the price for his stupidity.
Silent outrage as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remains locked up
While there were no large-scale protests, there was a palpable sense of anger at the decision to continue Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest, freelance journalist Kyaw Kyaw writes from Burma.
Burma back in the international spotlight
Pressures from the international community are mounting on Burma’s junta, following the increase of Aung San Suu Kyi’s home detention sentence and concerns of nuclear weapons.
Buddhist monks are key in the battle for Burma
In light of Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s recent re-sentencing, foreign leaders are once again speaking out against the country’s repressive military junta. But to win over the Burmese people, foreign powers must first win over the country’s Buddhist monks, says the Christian Science Monitor.
The solitary life of Aung San Suu Kyi
Reading and meditation, day in day out: such has been the life of imprisoned Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi for the last 13 years, and with yesterday’s sentencing, one to which she will return for another 18 months.
Rogue state of Burma needs to be controlled
Burma’s close relationship with North Korea and possible nuclear facilities should be of serious concern to the West, writes Greg Sheridan.
Asia’s new Axis of Evil
North Korea and Burma are not natural allies, but sharing an identity as international pariahs and an interest in nuclear weapons could be bringing the two countries together.
Aung San Suu Kyi back on trial
Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s trial has resumed after UN chief Ban ki-moon’s visit and attempted intervention last week, seen now as a “failure, even a humiliation” for the leader.
The bigger issues behind North Korea’s missile launch
North Korea’s Fourth of July fireworks show was fairly predictable — the bigger issue is the dictatorship selling their missiles to countries like Iran, Syria and Burma.
An historic day for Myanmar – or another false dawn?
Today, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon flies into Myanmar — at the invitation of the ruling generals. There is a lot riding on the visit, says Kyaw Kyaw, a Myanmar-based blogger.
