Burma’s government-appointed human rights body has urged the new president to release political prisoners or transfer them to prisons close to their families. Burma’s state-run newspapers published an open letter Sunday from National Human Rights Commission chairman Win Mra, calling on President Thein Sein to grant amnesty as a reflection of magnanimity or to transfer […]
Burma’s Rights Commission Calls for Release of Political Prisoners
Posted November 13th, 2011 at 3:10 am (UTC-5)
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Aung San Suu Kyi ‘Likely” to Run in Burma By-Election
Posted November 12th, 2011 at 8:25 am (UTC-5)
A spokesman for Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi says she is likely to run in a by-election in coming month, following a change to party registration laws. Nyan Win, of the National League for Democracy, told the French news agency the NLD is likely to register and the Nobel Peace laureate is likely […]
Indonesian FM Seen Favoring Burma’s ASEAN Bid
Posted November 8th, 2011 at 6:20 am (UTC-5)
A U.S. government agency says Indonesia is likely to endorse Burma’s bid to serve as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 2014. The Open Source Center, which analyzes international press reports, said its analysis is based on comments by Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, who visited Burma last week. Indonesia’s opinion carries […]
US Considers Rewarding Burma For Reforms
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 10:00 pm (UTC-5)
The United States says it is discussing new aid to Burma as well as other measures to support the beginnings of reforms in that country. The State Department’s top official for human rights, Michael Posner, said at the U.S. embassy in Rangoon Friday the United States wants to recognize what is being done in Burma […]
US Considers Rewarding Burma For Reforms
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 6:00 pm (UTC-5)
The United States says it is discussing new aid to Burma as well as other measures to support the beginnings of reforms in that country. The State Department’s top official for human rights, Michael Posner, said at the U.S. embassy in Rangoon Friday the United States wants to recognize what’s being done in Burma that […]
UN Adviser Concludes Burma Visit
Posted November 4th, 2011 at 10:25 am (UTC-5)
A senior United Nations official has concluded a visit to Burma saying he sees a “historic opportunity” for change. Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff to the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, released a statement Friday relaying to Burmese leaders the encouragement of Mr. Ban on steps taken toward reform. He said Mr. Ban also praises the […]
Burma’s Karen Appeal for Outside Help Against Government Attacks
Posted November 3rd, 2011 at 5:50 am (UTC-5)
Leaders of Burma’s ethnic Karen minority are appealing for international help against what they describe as increasingly fierce government attacks. In a formal request Thursday, leaders of the Karen National Union urge the United Nations and the world’s democratic countries to bring increased pressure on the Burmese government of President Thein Sein. In particular, they […]
IMF Officials Complete Three-Week Visit to Burma
Posted November 3rd, 2011 at 1:40 am (UTC-5)
The International Monetary Fund says its experts have concluded talks with Burmese officials on their plans to reform the country’s currency exchange practices. The IMF says its team held three weeks of discussions with representatives from Burma’s public and private sectors in the capital Naypyitaw that ended on Monday. The team was in the country […]
UN, US Envoys Converge on Burma
Posted November 1st, 2011 at 6:35 am (UTC-5)
Burma plays host this week to senior U.N. and U.S. diplomats amid mounting interest in that nation’s cautious moves toward democratic reform. Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, arrived in the Burmese capital Monday for a five-day visit that will include talks with senior government officials. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State […]
Burmese Democracy Leader Meets Again with Government Minister
Posted October 30th, 2011 at 11:25 am (UTC-5)
Burma’s Labor Minister met Sunday with pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi for further talks on issues blocking a breakthrough in the country’s long-standing political stalemate. The meeting was the fourth such effort by the new, nominally-civilian, military-backed government to woo Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy into re-registering as a political party. […]
