Peaceful Demonstrator Andrew Koenig Missing

Dear L.A. Organizers:

Some of you knew Andrew Koenig from the Rose Parade where he put himself in front of the Beijing float to draw attention to China's relationship with the Burmese regime.  He also traveled to the Thai Burma boarder with his father and documented the trip.  Andrew is an old friend who had joined us at many Burma demonstrations.  He brought his father to speak at the Saffron Revolution event at UCLA.  

As you may have heard in the news, Andrew has been missing since February 14th.  He was in Vancouver.  I am peripherally in touch with his family, just taking it a day at a time and hoping he'll turn up soon.

150,000 Back Aung San Suu Kyi on Facebook

More than 150,000 people from all over the world have signed up to a Facebook Page to support detained Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/aungsansuukyi enables people to become a fan of Aung San Suu Kyi and receive regular updates about the situation in Burma, as well as requests to take action.

The high number of supporters puts her in the top one hundred political leaders of all time.

“For thousands of people this Facebook Page is the only way they receive news about what is happening to Aung San Suu Kyi,” said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator of Burma Campaign UK. “Facebook enables us to reach people who would not otherwise pay attention to the situation in Burma, and we can mobilise them to take action.”

Aung San Suu Kyi has spent more than14 years in detention. Her current period of detention began in May 2003 after a convoy she was travelling in was ambushed by a regime militia. She escaped with her life but dozens of her supporters were killed. She is due to be released from house arrest in November this year, a month after fake elections being planned by Burma’s generals.

The Facebook page is at: http://www.facebook.com/aungsansuukyi

Historic Event Spotlights Crimes in Burma

Dear Burma And,

Join us March 2nd from 9am-6pm in New York City for a historic tribunal on crimes against women in Burma or tune in live via webcast by clicking this link.

Women have been particularly impacted by the regime's crimes. They face sexual violence, forced labor, forced relocations and the loss of their family members to political violence. This, despite the fact that the Burma is a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discriminations Against Women (CEDAW); legally obligating the military to respect women's rights.

The United Nations must wake-up and take action to end the crimes committed against women in Burma.  That is why the Women's League of Burma and the Nobel Women's Initiative have teamed up for a tribunal that will make the voices of survivors loud and clear during the UN's Commission on the Status of Women. 

Nobel Prize Laureates Dr. Shirin Ebadi, Jody Williams, and Adolfo Prez Esquivel will preside as judges to hear the testimonies of the survivors. More information below.

Hope you can join us,

Mike


INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL ON CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN OF BURMA


The Tribunal is a women‐directed and women‐centered justice and advocacy initiative. Judges will hear testimony from several women of Burma who will share their personal stories of surviving human rights violations and crimes under military rule in Burma. Their voices, and the findings and recommendations of the judges, will be directed to the Burmese regime and the internal community. The Tribunal will provide a powerful spotlight on the oppression of women of Burma in order to support the development of a just and peaceful Burma.


Adjudicated by

Dr. Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Prize (2003), Iran

Jody Williams, Nobel Peace Prize (1997), USA

Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, Nobel Peace Prize (1980), Argentina

Prof. Vitit Muntarbhorn, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

Dr. Heisoo Shin, Former Expert, UN CEDAW, Republic of Korea


March 2, 2010
9 am ‐ 6 pm
Proshansky Auditorium
The Graduate Center
City University of New York
365 Fifth Avenue (at 34th Street)
New York City

To RSVP and for information:
+1 613 569 8400 ext. 116
tribunal@nobelwomensinitiative.org

Burmese Refugees Persecuted in Bangladesh

Detail Story: please read HERE

BANGKOK — Stateless refugees from Myanmar are suffering beatings and deportation in Bangladesh, according to aid workers and rights groups who say thousands are crowding into a squalid camp where they face starvation and disease.

Women say they suffered abuse in Myanmar.

Greg Constantine

A woman prepared shrimp, amid food shortages.

Bangladeshis fish in a river between Myanmar and Bangladesh. Myanmar has forced ethnic Rohingyas to build the border fence in the background. 

In a campaign that seems to have accelerated since October, the groups say, ethnic Rohingya refugees who have been living for years in Bangladesh are being seized, beaten and forced back to Myanmar, which they had left to escape persecution and abuse and which does not want them.

“Over the last few months we have treated victims of violence, people who claim to have been beaten by the police, claim to have been beaten by members of the host population, by people they’ve been living next to for many years,” said Paul Critchley, who runs the Bangladesh program for the aid group Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders.

A Retrospective Evaluation On The Union Day Of Burma

Shwekey Hoipang

19 February 2010: Burma is a beautiful country in South East Asia and is rich in natural resources. The population of Burma is about 50 millions according to 2009 UN estimation. She lies between the Asian two giants India and China, and her neighbours include Laos, Thailand and Bangladesh.

The modern Burma area was inhabited by the “Mon and Pyu kingdoms dominant from the 1st century BC to the 9th century AD.”[1] The Burmese dynasty united the two kingdoms in the 11th century but later “was overthrown by the Mongols in the 13th century.”[2] The withdrawal of the Mongols produced several kingdoms such as Ava, Bago, Thanlyn, Thahtung, Pyi, Mrauk-u and other local chieftain kingdoms. Finally the Alaungpaya dynasty ruled Burma from 1752 to 1885.[3] However there is not enough evidence that the Burmese dynasty ruled all the ethnic regions in the history because they were ruled by their own chieftains such as Duwas and Zawbwas, although there were several exchanges of war and peace between the Bamar and some of the ethnic nationalities.

Burma has also experienced westerners since mid 16th century through trade with the Portuguese, Dutch, and English until the 17th century. The trade turned into an annexation after three wars between the British and Burmese. First in 1824-26 when Burma renounced their claim to Assam and Manipur and ceded Arakan (Rakhine) and Tanesserim (Thanintyaryi) to the British according to the treaty of Yandabo in 1826.[4] Second in 1852-53 which ended in the annexation of the rest of Lower Burma.[5] The third and final war started in 1885 when upper Burma was annexed on the 1st of January 1886.[6]

 Please read HERE for detail story.

10th Annual Burma Human Rights Day Benefit

Please read this posting online: http://www.badasf. org/2010/ 2010-BHRD. htm

Free Burma; Free Aung San Suu Kyi
10th Annual Burma Human Rights Day Benefit
(A public outreach and awareness activity in support of Burma's people!)

Saturday, March 13, 2010; 6:00pm-10:00pm
Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Hall,
1924 Cedar (at Bonita), 

Berkeley, CA 94709-2022, USA

The event will feature a Burmese style dinner and a Burma documentary film along with three outstanding Speakers on Burma: Prime minister of Government in Exile (NCGUB), Dr. Sein Win, former political prisoner and NLD Youth Leader Toe Lwin and Chivy Sok, an International Human Rights Advocate.

Each year, the people from Burma around the world commemorate March 13 as the Burma Human Rights Day to make the death of the engineering student Ko Phone Maw as he was murdered by the Burma's military in his school campus. The killing set off the historic 1988 nation-wide pro-democracy uprising in Burma after 26 years of oppression. However, the regime brutally cracked down the peaceful protests and continued hold on to power for decades.

In September, 2007, yet another historic and massive, but peaceful protests for democracy led by the students and monks took place; but, as always, the regime brutally murdered the innocent protesters and monks. The Peoples' endless and painful struggle for freedom, for over four decades, continues to this day.

The world has yet again witnessed the brutality of the regime when the Cyclone Nargis devastated the lower delta region of Burma on May 2nd, 2008. Hundreds of thousands left for dead by starvations denying much needed urgent help despite international appeals and pressure. 

To continue to raise the awareness about the brutal dictatorship and the people's suffering in Burma, and to discuss planning actions, this year again, BADA will hold its ninth Annual  Burma Human Rights Day event on Saturday March 13, 2010 at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists hall, 1924 Cedar (@Bonita) in Berkeley from 6 pm to 10 pm.  

The military regime in Burma is planning a sham election this year to formally erase the results of 1990 election in which People of Burma overwhelming voted for the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Furthermore, the constitution that was illegal crafted by the military and forcibly gotten the approval during the Nagis disaster is designed to formalize the military rule in Burma. Therefore, 2010 is the most important year yet for the people of Burma and their beloved leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all prodemocracy forces in Burma. Our speakers will discuss the current political situation in Burma as well as human rights issues and, most importantly, how you can help. Therefore, please join us for a dinner, film and outstanding speakers on Burma and human rights issues.

SPEAKERS:

Dr. Sein Win, Burma's Elected MP and Prime Minister of NCGUB, Government in Exile

Dr. Sein Win is the elected Member of Parliament in exile and the Prime Minister of National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB).

After brutally cracking down the 1988 nationwide prodemocracy uprising, the military regime in Burma held an election in May, 1990 anticipating  the  military-backed party would win. However, in the election, the people of Burma overwhelmingly voted for the prodemocracy representatives, and the National League for Democracy (NLD) led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi won a landslide victory. Dr. Sein Win, first cousin of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was elected from Paukkaung Constituency, Pegu Division.

When the military junta refused to honor the election results and instead started arresting NLD leaders and elected representatives throughout the country, the NLD caucus held a series of secret meetings and decided to send some of its MPs -- including Dr. Sein Win, to the liberated areas to form a provisional government. The main task of that legitimately elected government is to help restore democracy and human rights in Burma. As a result, the NCGUB was formed in Manerplaw (Karen State) on December 18, 1990, and Dr. Sein Win was elected as the Prime Minister.

After ignoring the election results for decades, brutally repressing the elected representatives and the opposition ,  including imprisoning Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the military regime is now planning a sham election in Burma this year to formally erase the results of 1990 elections -- the true will of the people, and to legalize the military rule in Burma.

Currently Dr. Sein Win is serving his fifth-term as Prime Minister of the NCGUB. He will talk about current political situation inducing the situation of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, NLD and the position of NCGUB.

Toe Lwin: Burma’s former political prisoner and Youth Leader of NLD

Toe Lwin is a former political prisoner and a Youth Leader of National League for Democracy (NLD) since  the 1988 prodemocracy uprising in Burma. In 2000, he became one of the Central Youth Committee leaders of the National League for Democracy (Headquarter) . He was then selected by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to lead her security team.

The regime’s orchestrated brutal attack on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the envoy, Depayin massacre, occurred on May 30, 2003. As he protected Daw Aung San Suu Kyi from the beatings of attackers, thugs organized by junta, he was severely injured and then arrested by the military intelligent. He was again horribly beaten in the interrogation center in Khantee prison. After suffering from continuous mental and physical torture, he was released on December 2, 2003. Toe Lwin went back to NLD headquarter and assisted Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as he did before.  

In May 2007, Toe Lwin and student leaders: Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Htay Kywe, Mya Aye, Su Su Nway, Phyu Phyu Thin led several campaigns to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all the political prisoners. While political tension was rising, the security forces threatened to arrest Toe Lwin multiple times. He hid at  colleagues and friends’ houses from time to time and moved from one place to another. Fearing the certain arrest and torture, he left for Thai-Burma border in July, 2007. He then migrated to the United States. He is currently living in the San Francisco Bay Area and continues to advocate democracy and freedom in Burma.

Toe Lwin will talk about his activist life in Burma and the experience from the Depayin Massacre and the Khantee prison.

Chivy Sok: International Human Rights Advocate

Chivy Sok, an educator, trainer and researcher on human rights and child labor, currently serves on the Steering Committee of the Ginetta Sagan Fund of Amnesty International USA. The Fund is dedicated to supporting courageous women who risk their lives to promote and protect human rights of women and children around the world.  Currently, she also provides philanthropic consulting services in a variety of areas, including human rights, women’s rights, corporate accountability, environmental justice, and sustainable agriculture.

 She is the former Program Director of Columbia University's Center for the Study of Human Rights and former Deputy Director of the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights (UICHR).  While at the UICHR, she was appointed as an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of Iowa School of Law where she co-taught an advanced research seminar on international human rights and child labor and also concurrently served as the Project Director of a $1.2 million initiative on global child labor under contract with the U.S. Department of Labor. 

She has worked on a number of human rights projects and NGOs during the last decade, including serving as Co-Director of the Women’s Institute for Leadership Development for Human Rights and the National Campaign Coordinator at the Cambodian Association of Illinois. 

• $15 Suggested Donation (dinner included) to benefit BADA
  Draft Program: Dinner (6-7 pm), Speakers (7-9 pm), Film (9:00-9:30), Q&A (9:30-10:00)
  Dinner is vegetarian friendly; Talks will be in English; Contents are OK for children
  Organized by Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA).
  Contact: Anil Verma: 510 485 3751
  Email: info@badasf. org; Website: www.badasf.org

Ethical Traveler Acknowledges US Reps regarding Forced Repatriation of Karen Refugees from Thailand

ET Acknowledges US Reps re Forced Repatriation of Karen Refugees

On February 4, 2010, 28 members of the US House of Representatives endorsed a letter to the Prime Minister of Thailand expressing grave concerns regarding recent forced repatriation of Karen refugees from Burma. 

Ethical Traveler acknowledges and thanks those representatives who signed the letter - especially Congressman Joseph Crowley and Congressman Joseph R. Pitts who lead the effort.

Ethical Traveler's acknowledgment has been formalized in a letter to the signatories.

The text of the letter can be read HERE

Losing an Inspirational Leader, Naw Louisa Benson Craig

It is with sadness in our hearts that we share with you the loss of Naw Louisa Benson Craig, an inspirational Karen leader and invaluable member of the U.S. Campaign for Burma family. Yesterday, February 2nd, 2010, Louisa passed away after a long battle with cancer. Our sincerest condolences go out to her family and friends during this difficult time.

Louisa Benson Craig was a truly inspirational role model. For decades, Louisa dedicated herself to both the movement for a free and democratic Burma and the health, safety and betterment of displaced Karen in Burma and around the world. Although Louisa had resettled in the United States, she never wavered in her commitment to the Karen people and the Free Burma movement. During her time as a leader of the Burma Forum and a Board Member of the U.S. Campaign for Burma, Louisa Benson Craig admirably represented the Karen Community, demonstrating a passion and commitment to ethnic unity and democracy in Burma. Louisa understood the unique and arduous challenges that newly resettled Karen refugees face in the U.S., and admirably rose to the challenge by helping found the Karen American Community Foundation.

Burma VJ is nominated; read the list

Burma VJ is nominated for Best Documentary Feature

http://oscar.go.com/nominations/nominees

http://oscar.go.com/media/2010/html/print10.html

 

Obama Proposes $36.5 Million To Support Democracy in Burma

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US President Barack Obama has earmarked $36.5 million in his 2011 budget to support democracy and humanitarian programs for Burma and along the Thai-Burma border.

The money, earmarked under the US Administration' s “Economic Support Fund,” would be used within Burma but also for programs and activities involving Burmese student groups and other unnamed organizations located outside the country.

US President Barack Obama speaks about his budget for fiscal year 2011, at the White House on February 1, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo: Getty Images)

The proposed budget, covering the year beginning in Oct. 2010, now goes before the US Congress for its approval.

The Administration proposes that in addition to aid for Burmese refugees provided under the heading "Migration and Refugee Assistance,' ' $ 4 million shall be made available for community-based organizations operating in Thailand to provide food, medical and other humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons in eastern Burma.

According to the 2011 budgetary proposals, when implementing activities with funds appropriated for assistance for Burma, the implementing agency shall only support activities that are consistent with the principles and goals of the National League for Democracy in Burma.

The budgetary proposals also reiterate that the Obama administration will continue to oppose at any international forums any loans or financial assistance to Burma.

“[The] Secretary of the Treasury shall instruct the United States executive director to each appropriate international financial institution in which the United States participates, to oppose and vote against the extension by such institution of any loan or financial or technical assistance or any other utilization of funds of the respective bank to and for Burma,” the proposals state.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a radio interview that Washington had “offered the potential” to Burma for developing better relations.

Clinton told the Voice of America: “We want to develop a better bilateral relationship with Burma and we have offered the potential of that. But of course we really hope to see the kind of progress that would demonstrate that Burma is ready to emerge from a period of authoritarian rule and some level of isolation and violation of human rights.

“The United States stands ready to work toward better relations with Burma and assistance but we have to see some evidence first.”

Clinton repeated US calls for “free fair and legitimate elections that give the people of Burma the chance to express their preference for their own leaders. We want to see Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners released as soon as possible.”

Burma VJ Nominated for an Oscar

Great news. Even if it doesn't win this will help greatly with distribution, increased viewership, and thus increased awareness amongst the general public.

Documentary (Feature)

• Burma VJ Anders Østergaard and Lise Lense-Møller
• The Cove Nominees to be determined
• Food, Inc. Robert Kenner and Elise Pearlstein
• The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith
• Which Way Home Rebecca Cammis

http://www.oscars. org/awards/ academyawards/ 82/nominees. html

For Burma With Love

This Valentines Day, forget the chocolate and flowers and get that special someone in your life a gift that makes a difference.

The US Campaign for Burma Online Store offers conscientious gifts such as "Free Aung San Suu Kyi" T-shirts, art work by Shepherds Fairey and the "For The Lady" benefit CD, featuring Coldplay, U2, Paul McCartney, Damien Rice, and many other great artists.

You can be sure not only to delight your loved ones, but to also support the grassroots movement for human rights and a democractic Burma.

Go to the US Campaign for Burma Store and show those you care about just how big your heart really is!

Sincerely,

Mike
Campaigns Coordinator
U.S. Campaign for Burma