THE 3rd ANNUAL MIGHTY MIC HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS CONCERT: Benefit for Burma

April 21, 2009
6:00 - 10:00 PM
(Doors open at 5:45)
Ackerman Grand Ballroom, UCLA campus

Los Angeles, CA (April 7, 2009) - On Tuesday, April 21, thousands of students and community members will come together to make history at the 3rd Annual Mighty Mic Human Rights Awareness Concert at UCLA, Benefit for Burma. This student-run non-profit concert attracts about 2,000 attendees annually and is fast becoming a beloved UCLA tradition. Last year, Mighty Mic raised over $20,000 for the refugees of the genocide in Darfur. This year, Mighty Mic will highlight the struggle for human rights in Burma, a country that has been under the rule of an all-oppressive military junta for 43 years, making it the 4th least free country in the world. Learn more about the human rights violations, including the abuse of ethnic minorities, mass rape of women, recruitment of child soldiers, aforced labor, mandatory relocations, and child soldiers. Benefit For Burma's multi-media showcase will feature an eclectic mix of artists from many genres such as rock, indie, and hip-hop while incorporating informative educational content through speakers and videos that will entertain, inform, and inspire attendees.


ARTISTS
Blackalicious
Daphne Loves Derby
Audible Mainframe
Jarell Perry
Brandon Contreras

SPEAKERS
Edith Mirante
Min Zin
The All-Burma Monks Alliance
(U Pyinya Zawta, U Gawasita, U Agga Nya)

The concert will also include an on-site art gallery featuring Burmese artist Maung Maung Tinn as well as UCLA students artists, interactive educational activities, and booth space for non-profits, sponsors, and student-organizatio ns. Although the concert is free, donations are highly encouraged as all proceeds will go towards Doctors Without Borders, USA and US Campaign for Burma. For more information, ticketing, press passes, vendor and sponsorship opportunities visit www.mightymic. org

Not a UCLA student? That's ok. Email Connie at connie@mightymic. org with "USCB Concert Attendee" in the subject line. If you do not have a chance to contact Connie, just specify at the concert that you heard about the event from USCB.

Show To Support Burma's Democracy Movements

Date: Feburary 1st 2009 (Sunday)
Time: 11am to 1pm -> Food
1pm to 5pm -> Performance
Place: Chabot College, Performing Arts Center
25555, Hespeian Blvd, Hayward, California 94545
Tickets: $50, $30, $20
Contact: Ph (415) 577-6505
Email: t4tsanfrancisco@gmail.com

Saffron Revolution A Year Later: It's NOT Over!

Article Written by ALTSEAN.

8888 - "Burma Day"

61st Anniversary of Burma's Martyr Day (19th, July 2008)

July 19th 2008.
Burma's Martyr Day.
The Day that All the Burmese People Should Never Forget.

Canadian Senior gives $110K donation to Burma Victims

The Canadian Press
Fri Jun. 27 2008


TORONTO — A Toronto senior has offered up what's thought to be the largest private Canadian donation to date to help survivors of Burma's cyclone.

Joseph Lariviere donated $110,000 to the Burmese Buddhist Association of Ontario earlier this week for its relief program for Burma.

The abbot of the Toronto temple where Lariviere offered his donation says at first he didn't believe it.

He says the association is touched by the generosity of seniors but is checking to make sure they'll have enough money left to live on.

The association has raised about $300,000 to date to help survivors of the May 2 storm in Burma.

Canadians have donated about $8 million to cyclone relief for Burma.

WaSo-Robe Offering, July 6th Sunday, Fremont CA

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's Birthday Invitation, June 22nd Los Angeles

June 15 Event Invitation

Penang Sayadaw Damma Talk

Join the Meditative March and Protest Regarding Burma's Cyclone

When:
May 23, 2008 11:30am - 1:30pm

Where/What:
11:30-11:50 Meet at Justin Herman Plaza and set up for meditation march
11:50-12:10 March to Singapore Consulate, 595 Market Street, San
Francisco, CA, 94105
12:10-1:30 Meditation in front of Singapore Consulate

Contact:
510 593 4388

Why:
Singapore is the chair of ASEAN and a great enabler of Burma's brutal regime. Most ASEAN members, such as Thailand and Singapore,enjoy Burma's resources at cut-rate prices while millions suffer greatly under the junta.

After the deadly Nargis hit Burma's delta region, there was great outcry from much of the world as we witnessed the regime's cruel and dispassionate neglect of the massive destruction and deaths. As usual, member nations of ASEAN kept quiet until they saw western navy ships perched to act in the best interest of the cyclone victims.

These are the same forces from the US, UK and France who effectively aided tsunami victims in the same region when members of ASEAN did not have sufficient resources or expertise to help their own.

In an emergency meeting held on May 19, 10 members of ASEAN said they will make sure aid from all over the world will flow into Burma without any explanation or details as to how this aid will actually make it to the areas of greatest need. They also said they will hold a donor conference -- which France denounced as it ignores the real and immediate need of aid delivery to the Irrawaddy delta area.

It is obvious that ASEAN's move is politically motivated. They should have acted much earlier rather than stalling to protect the Burmese regime's ineptitude. Had the welfare of the cyclone victims been their true priority, they would have had this meeting within days of the cyclone instead of waiting until there seems to be imminent humanitarian intervention by western countries.

The insufficient and superficial aid operations of ASEAN, still tightly controlled by
Burma's military, will inevitably result in hundreds of thousands of more deaths in the coming weeks and the potential of 2.5 million people dying of starvation, dehydration, disease and/or exposure.

We will, therefore, inform the Singapore consulate, the current chair of ASEAN, that it will be responsible for any future deaths if massive aid operations as called for by the US, UK and France are not implemented. Singapore has a responsibility to ensure that the 2.5 million lives receive the best care possible in this dire situation.

It must continue to pressure the junta to accept as much aid as is needed in Burma, whether it be in supplies or personnel, and no matter which country is providing such aid.

The question to all ASEAN member nations should answer is: Is this the plan you would want for your country in the next tsunami?

Ref: BADA

Fund-Raising Event for Burma's Cyclone Victims

Please Donate to Cyclone Victims in Burma

Burma's Junta Adopts Dubious Means to Win Support for Constitution

Mungpi
Mizzima News
April 26, 2008
New Delhi -

Notwithstanding the Burmese military junta's claim that it will hold the May 10 referendum in a free and fair environment, its activities on the ground and information leaked by insiders suggest that the junta is desperately resorting to various means, not all of it ethical, to win support.

The junta desperate to garner supporting votes is creating a fear psychosis by intimidating and coercing the people as it vigorously carries on with its campaign.

Intimidation and an environment of fear

In a campaign meeting held in Rangoon, a junta official who is the chairman of a township, told participants that for the convenience of voters, every vote is being registered with code numbers.

This coding system would help authorities trace the voters and the votes cast, thereby creating an environment of fear.

"In every ward, for everyone, votes are registered with code numbers against the name. It is for your convenience," the official said.

The official while explaining this method provided an example saying, "For instance, you are staying in a ward and you work for the whole day and you can come to the station only after your work. It would be tiring and difficult to find a card for you where your name is registered with a code. For this, we suggest you cast your vote in advance so as to avoid inconvenience."

Besides, the official said that policemen are to cast their votes in advance as they would be taking charge of security during the actual polling and that they will have no time to come to their respective booths to vote.

This clearly reveals that the junta has already planned polling in advance for its civil servants, which is against the universal norm of voting.

Win Min, a Burmese military analyst based in Thailand, shoring up this information said, "a reliable source of mine very close to the military said they [the junta] is planning to force civil servants, including university lecturers and school teachers, and possibly other USDA members to go for advance voting in front of senior military authorities' eyes."

"This is clear intimidation to vote 'Yes'. It's unacceptable since it violates the basic right to secret voting. It also shows that the authorities are worried that these civil servants are likely to vote 'No' if they're free to do so," added Win Min.

Vote rigging

An official in Burma's second largest city of Mandalay, who has been appointed secretary of one of the polling booths told Mizzima that while the counting of votes will be conducted after the voting, the results will not be announced but sent to higher authorities.

"It now seems that the results will be declared only from Naypyitaw, though counting will be held in the polling booths," said the official, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal.

Sources in the military establishment said, Maj. Gen. Myint Swe, member of the ruling military council, communicated this information to a meeting of 600 people that included senior government officials and senior NGO representatives in Naypyitaw on April 9.

Misleading campaign

Sources said the junta in a bid to lure people to vote 'Yes' is also twisting its campaign slogans to mislead people.

Van Lian, chairman of Burma's largest opposition party – the National League for Democracy in Chin state's capital Hakha town, said authorities are explaining to villagers that 'Democracy could only prevail if they vote in favour of the draft constitution.'

"They [authorities] told villagers that 'if you don't like the military you should vote 'Yes' because approving the draft constitution will end military rule," Van Lian told Mizzima.

Van Lian said, In Chin state, northwestern Burma, most people do not like the military and therefore authorities are adopting this tactic to win supporting votes.

In one of the secret campaign meetings in Rangoon, the township chairman told participants that if the draft constitution cannot be approved in the referendum, the military will prolong its rule merely by saying that a fresh constitution needs to be drafted.

"We know the public does not like being governed by the military. If you don't like being governed by the military, you should vote 'Yes' in the referendum."

"But if you say 'No', the military will say they will re-draft the constitution and stay in power as long as it likes. So you should vote 'Yes' to prevent it from staying in power longer," added the official.

Memorial Service for Buma's Fallen Stars

Why:
Fallen stars of Burma
Ludu (people) Daw Ah Mar
(November 29, 1915 - April 7, 2008)
A respected leading dissident writer and journalist in Burma

Kyae Mone U Thaung
(Oct 4, 1926 - April 3, 2008)
A legendary journalist and famous dissident writer

You are cordially invited to following Swan Offering event:
Ludu (people) Daw Ah Mar (92 years old) has passed away in April 7, 2008 in Mandalay , Burma. She kept saying “You have left your work to keep Burmese to be united to reclaim the freedom, and dignity, and rights that has been robbed away by Military Junta.”

Famous journalist Kyae Mone U Thaung (Aung Ba La) (82 year old) has passed away on April 3, 2008 in the United States . U Thaung is a founder of the Mirror Daily (Kyae Mone News paper) and authored 26 books and support of human rights and democracy in his motherland, Burma

What:
Swan Offering (Potluck)
Pay last respect to both fallen stars Daw Ah Mar and Kyae Mone U Thaung

When:
10 A.M., Saturday May 3, 2008

Where:
Matta Nada Monastery 4619 Central Ave , Fremont , CA 94536
Phone: (510) 795-0405

Who:
Burmese community & friends of Burma
(San Francisco Bay Area)

May Fallen Stars of Burma , Daw Ah Mar and U Thaung Souls Rest in Peace.

UC Berkeley Talk about Burma

The Center for Southeast Asia Studies, UC Berkeley
presents a talk in its SPECIAL BURMA SERIES

Topic: “Politics, Anti-Politics & the 2007 Monks' Protest in Burma”
Speaker: Ingrid Jordt
Position: Assistant Professor, Anthropology
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2008
Time: 5:00 p.m. to­ 6:30 p.m.
Place: IEAS Conference Room, 6th floor
Address: 2223 Fulton St. (at Kittredge), Berkeley CA

"Turning over the alms bowl" is a form of non-violent Buddhist protest with deep historical roots in Burma. This talk will discuss the religious boycott as a soft power movement that negotiates the careful divide between religious moral sanction and outright political action.

Prof. Jordt is a special authority on Burmese Buddhism having spent several years in Burma as an ordained nun in the 1980s. She received her Ph.D. from Harvard University where she studied with Prof. Stanley Tambiah, and has emerged as a leading expert in recent months in providing context on the popular protests that erupted in Burma in 2007. Her most recent book is "Burma’s Mass Lay Meditation Movement: Buddhism and the Cultural Construction of Power" (Ohio, 2007).

Co-Sponsored by UC Berkeley’s Center for Buddhist Studies

Free and open to the public. This lecture is made possible through the generous support of an external grant made to UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism.

_______________________________
The Center for Southeast Asia Studies
International & Area Studies
University of California at Berkeley
2223 Fulton Street, #617
Berkeley, CA 94720-2318
Phone: (510) 642-3609
Fax: (510) 643-7062
http://ias.berkeley.edu/cseas/

Announcement from OBP (Singapore)

UN Rapporteur Warns Burma on Vote

BBC, 15 April 2008

Mr Pinheiro said there were no signs of political change in Burma.

Burma's referendum next month will be a "ritual without real content" unless international monitors are allowed in, a top United Nations official has said.
Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the Special Rapporteur on Burma, also accused military rulers of a clampdown on people campaigning for a "no" vote.

The referendum, set for 10 May, is on whether to adopt a new constitution.
Leaders say it will pave the way for elections by 2010, but critics say it is aimed at entrenching military rule.

The charter was drafted by the generals without input from the pro-democracy opposition.

It allocates a quarter of seats in parliament to the military and bans anyone who has been married to a foreign national from holding office - ruling out detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Her National League for Democracy has called on people to vote against the referendum.

'No transition'

Speaking in Brussels, Mr Pinheiro said that the referendum would not have any credibility if opponents were prevented from speaking out.

Burmese troops used force to end anti-government protests in September "How can you have a referendum without any of the basic freedoms?" he was quoted by the Associated Press news agency as saying.

"It would be important to have international observers to validate the referendum, because if not it would be just a ritual without real content."

In a separate interview with Reuters news agency, he accused the Burmese government of detaining "no" campaigners, and said that he saw no signs of political change there.

"If you say a real political transition process is taking place in Myanmar (Burma), this would be almost offensive to countries in Asia like the Philippines and Indonesia or Thailand that passed through a transition process to democracy," he said.

Mr Pinheiro last visited Burma in November 2007, weeks after a military crackdown on anti-government protests left at least 31 people dead.

The Burmese government has since then refused to allow him back in.

The full text of the constitution went on sale in government bookshops on 9 April.

Burmese in Singapore now can Vote for Referendum

Myanmar Warns Embassies ahead of Referendum

Thu Apr 10
YANGON (AFP)

- Myanmar's military government Thursday warned foreign embassies not to support Aung San Suu Kyi's pro-democracy party, as the nation gears up for a referendum on a constitution opposed by her supporters.

ADVERTISEMENT

The warning carried in the official New Light of Myanmar newspaper came the morning after the regime announced that the referendum would be held on May 10.

Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party is urging voters to reject the constitution, saying it will not bring democracy to the country which has been ruled by the military since 1962.

"Certain foreign powers, with the intention of interfering in the internal affairs of Myanmar, are now ... aiding and abetting some local political parties to destabilise the country," the paper said.

"Some diplomats of certain foreign embassies in Yangon regularly visit NLD (headquarters), hold talks and give directives to harm the interests of the nation and the people," the paper said.

"The embassies should stop such activities," the government mouthpiece said.

The ruling junta says the new constitution will help create a "discipline-flourishing democracy," with multiparty elections set for 2010.

But critics say the constitution will give the generals a dominant role in government, even after the polls.

Aung San Suu Kyi, who led the NLD to a landslide victory in elections in 1990, would be barred from running in new polls.

The military never recognised NLD's election win, and has silenced the Nobel Peace Prize winner by keeping her under house arrest for 12 of the last 18 years.

One quarter of the seats in parliament would be reserved for soldiers, appointed by the commander-in-chief. The military would also have broad powers to declare a state of emergency and take direct control of the government.

Amending the constitution would be almost impossible without the military's consent. Three-quarters of parliament must approve any changes, which then must go to voters in a referendum.

Although the NLD and other pro-democracy groups are calling for a "No" vote, they have little ability to campaign effectively because the regime has outlawed speeches and leaflets about the referendum.

In a statement released Thursday, the NLD accused the junta of suppressing free speech and physically intimidating and arresting their supporters.

"An intimidating atmosphere for the people is created by physically assaulting some of the members of (the) NLD," it said in a statement.

"For these reasons, it is now obvious that the forthcoming referendum cannot be free and fair."

Copies of the constitution were only released to the public on Wednesday, when they were put on sale in government bookstores for nearly one dollar -- a price far beyond the means of most people in this impoverished country.

Thailand-based Myanmar analyst Win Min said that by placing the date for the referendum only one month away, the regime left voters with little time to understand the 194-page document.

"They are worried that if they make it longer, the movement for holding a 'No' vote will get some momentum, and people will be more likely to vote 'No,'" Win Min told AFP in Bangkok.

"They are giving little chance to the opposition to organise," he said.

The regime may also have sought to avoid scheduling the referendum too close to the symbolically important date of May 27, which will be the 18th anniversary of the 1990 elections won by the NLD, he said.

That is also the date when the military is due to renew Aung San Suu Kyi's house arrest.

In Washington, President George W. Bush said he was disappointed with the pace of democratic reforms in Myanmar.

The United States and the European Union have tightened sanctions on Myanmar since a deadly crackdown on pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks in September.

At least 31 people were killed while 74 went missing, according to the United Nations. More than 700 people are still behind bars over the protests, Amnesty International has said.

Town Hall Meeting with ABSDF Leaders in LA (April 20, 2008)

San Fran Olympic Torch Relay Protest was a Great Success

Dear All,

On April 9, hundreds of you -- some as far away as from Chicago, Los Angels and Santa Cruz, Fresno, joined the Peace Walk for Burma across the San Francisco Golden Gate bridge and other actions despite being on work day and uneasy commute. You do care about Burma and stood up for her at a time when she needed you most. Thank you all.

Amid beautiful weather, clear sky, and kinder wind, bearing peaceful mind and kind heart, the Free Burma supporters gathered and marched peacefully across Golden Gate Bridge to relive the memories of last September saffron peaceful marchers in Burma. Even a Wheelchair-bound women (who worked for Mayor) joined the walk to show her support for Monks, nuns and the people of Burma. What a way to open an important day, and in fact, with this great walk completed successful, we the Burma supporters had already had our day even before the torch relay began.

After the walk, many of us did proceed to protest at the torch relay closing designated location. While most of us are walking on the Bridge, some of us were at the locations near McCovey Cove to protest for Burma. Both groups met and protested near the Justin Herman plaza. Our day ended with a march to the City Hall along Market street chanting slogans; and then a rally and protest at the City Hall steps. We really had a long day then.

Due to your support and hard work and good team work by the organizers, we have noticed the significant progress in mentioning Burma-China connection in the Olympic torch protest news. Pased below please find the coverage for April 9 Burma actions. And here are some highlights:

A couple of local stations aired the peace walks; and national networks also carried it

Among others, CNN photographer was on site taking pictures and there of those made it into the collection

Radio Free Asia allowed us to broadcast live of the Peace Walk into Burma as it was happening.

Voice Of America also cover the events in detailed

A reporter from Salon.com trailed the Burma protesters and produced a featured cover story about our protests

Saw significant progress in mentioning Burma explicitly by high-profile news agencies including AP, USA Today, BBC, The Guardian, Wall Street Journal and others in their coverage about Olympic protests.

Bush, Pelosi, other leaders are now consistently mentioning Burma along with Tibetan and Darfur as issues China has been heavily citied

Photos and videos are on Flicker and many other news reports including CNN.

Videos Burma Peace Walk are posted on YouTube (believed to be taken from the air probably from Helicopter that we saw)

However, In their call for Bush to to boycott the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympic games, Senator Clinton and Obama and McCain did not mention Burma at all. Therefore we need to do a lot of work in highlighting China's support to Burma's dictator and the suffering of 50 millions due to Chinese arms, trade and veto at the UNSC).

Nothing has changed in Burma and she still needs you to help free her from the brutal dictatorship.

Thanks.

BADA
Photo: BADA flickr Album
------------ ------

Local TV Stations News Video of Burma Peace Walk:
(National NetWork also aired theses)
ABC& Local Network Coverage; Monks march through Golden Gate
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local&id=6070807

KRON 4 NEWS Video: Burmese Monks and Supporters Walk Across Golden Gate Bridge
http://www.brightc ve.tv/title.jsp?title=1496480847&channel=1274168794

Burma April 9 Torch Protest Featured Coverage:

Salon.com spent a day with Burma protesters and made this feature front page story:
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/04/10/torch/

Press Democrat: On day of chaos, quiet march speaks loudly
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/article/20080410/NEWS/804100357

YouTube Video of Peace Walk taken from the Air

San Francisco: Peace Walk begin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-ro6eSs0SE

Peace Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-ro6eSs0SE

Peace Walk Across the Golden Gate Bridge2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4wCF_b7_c4

CNN.com Photo Collection:

CNN: There photos from Bridge Walk made it to this collection of 14 photos by
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/09/sf.protests.ireport/index.html

The Province: Bridge Walk Photo is used in this Canada Article:
B.C. residents join anti-China demo
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=ac65862f-f072-42ba-b23f-a824f50848b0

Other coverage where Burma was mentioned:

Americans take dim view of relay
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23518784-2703,00.html

Olympic Torch Takes Unexpected Route Through SF
http://www.cityonahillpress.com/article.php?id=1137

CBC Canada on the Bridge Walk Coverage:
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/080410/w041015A.html

USA Today: Olympic torch run out of sight for most:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-04-09-torch_N.htm

BBC: Confusion strikes US torch relay:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7339380.stm

The Guardian: San Francisco is braced to greet Olympic torch - and thousands of protesters
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/09/olympicgames2008.usa

AP: Torch concludes bumpy tour of Bay Area:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/olympics/2090ap_oly_olympic_torch.html

Some of the coverage before April 9 :

NBC11 Video: Burmese Activists To SF: Drop Torch Run completely
http://www.nbc11.com/newsarchive/15734804/detail.html

Video: Burmese activists protest SF torch run
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lfvXVbPjtc

Video: Burmese activists protest SF torch run
ABC7 News:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local&id=6048985

April 9 Action List

The Beijing Olympic Torch arrives in San Francisco on April 9 as part of the world wide torch relay. This will be the only visit to the whole North America (US & Canada).

Join us and help shed the light on continued great pain and suffering of the 50 million people of Burma under a 46 year long brutal dictatorship due to China's great military, economic and diplomatic support. China is exploiting Burma's market and her bountiful resources (especially oil and gas) to support its burgeoning economy while people in Burma struggle to live hand to mouth under the world's worst oppression imposed upon them.

Action List

9:30 am – 11:30 am- (You may arrive early to San Francisco side of the bridge to catch shuttle or buses to the other side)
- Vista Point (Marin Side) Golden Gate Bridge
- Peace Walk for Burma across Golden Gate
-(Contact: 707 362 8452; 510 220 1323; 415-939-2084)

12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
- (Arrive between 12:00 -12:30 before we start moving to protest locations)
- Aquatic Park, 900 Beach St, San Francisco, CA 94109
- Protest at the torch route near Aquatic Park area
-(Contact: 415 531 1946; 510 220 1323; 707 362 8452)

11:00 am to 1:30 pm
-(Arrive between 11:00 -11:30 before we start moving to protest locations)
- Near Train Station; 4th and King Streets, San Francisco, CA 94107
-Protest at the opening near McCovey Cove
-(Contact: 415 577 6505; 415 595 4591, 415 335 2145)

2:30 pm to 3:30 pm
-(We will have some organizers present even before 2:30 here)
-Washington St & Drumm St, San Francisco, CA 94111
- Protest at the closing near Justin Harman Plaza
-(Contact: 510 485 3751; 415 577 6505)

4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
-(Our final action of the day will close with a rally and songs)
- Civic Center Plaza, Polk St & McAllister St, San Francisco, CA 94102
- Rally In front of City Hall
-(Contact: 510 220 1323; 707 362 8452; 415-939-2084, 415 203 0541)

Co-sponsoring organizations:
- Buddhist Peace Fellowship (BPF),
- Burmese American Democratic Alliance (BADA),
- International Burmese Monks Organization Inc. (Sasana Moli),
- Burmese American Women's Alliance (BAWA),
- US Campaign for Burma (USCB),
- 8888 Generation Students (Exile),
- Burmese Youth Association (BYA),
- 8-8-08 for Burma,
- 8888 LA Organizers Group (Los Angelse)
- BFUU Social Justice Committee and Global Exchange (GX).

Democracy in Burma back on UN agenda

FT, April 8 2008

With the United Nations under fire from Burma’s opposition for failing to hasten the end of military rule more than six months after the violent suppression of anti-regime protests, western states will this week seek to push the issue back on to the international agenda.

The US, Britain and France intend to press fellow members of the UN Security Council to adopt a new statement calling for the early establishment of democracy.

But Burmese dissidents said they doubted words would be enough to dent the intransigence of the ruling junta as it prepares for a constitutional referendum whose purpose they claim is to entrench its authority.

The situation of the Burmese, whose plight dominated headlines as world leaders gathered for the UN General Assembly’s annual session last autumn, has since fallen victim to the current dynamics of the 15-member Security Council in which China and Russia baulk at action they construe as interference in member states’ internal affairs.

Last autumn’s crackdown, in which hundreds of Buddhist monks and other protesters were rounded up, prompted unanimous condemnation from the council in October to which even China, Burma’s closest ally, put its name.

But since then public pressure has subsided and three visits by Ibrahim Gambari, UN special envoy, have failed to win concessions from the military regime.

The Nigerian diplomat’s decision to take the regime’s word on its commitment to reform, in spite of the lack of concrete results, has angered opposition leaders and has even been questioned by diplomats in New York.

Mr Gambari told the council last month that the regime was proceeding with a “road map” to democracy it had itself established by setting dates for a constitutional referendum in May and elections in 2010.

He also appeared to rule out international sanctions on the regime which are in effect closed to the Security Council because of the near-certainty of a Chinese veto.

Opposition figures accused him and the UN of betraying the Burmese people. Aung Din, head of the US Campaign for Burma, and one of his chief accusers, said at the weekend: “He’s still acting as if he can do something. He persuaded the opposition he could deliver and he hasn’t.”

Although this week’s draft statement expresses appreciation for Mr Gambari’s work, a western envoy acknowledged privately: “We feel he needs to be clearer in areas where the regime is failing and not always put a positive gloss on the regime.”

The western drafters want the council to demand the early release of all political prisoners and detainees and to engage in an inclusive dialogue with all opposition figures, including Aung San Suu Kyi, who would be barred from seeking election under the terms of the regime’s new constitution. They also call for guarantees of freedom of expression and assembly ahead of next month’s referendum as well as international monitoring of the vote.

That is not enough to satisfy the Burmese opposition and may be too much for some members of the Security Council to accept.

---------

Announcement from Butterfly3 Organization

Please Sign Up - Burma Needs You On April 9th

Please sing up online here: http://www.badasf.org/2008/event-sign-up.htm

Give voice to 50 millions people of Burma suffering under China-backed brutal regimes for 46 years.

Sign up for actions on April 9th; Please check back at www.badasf.org for updates on actions.

Details:

- 10 am to 12 pm, Peace Walk for Burma Across Golden Gate Bridge

- 1 pm Rally / Protest at Opening near AT&T Park

- 3 pm (Est.) Rally / Protest at Closing (Ferry Building in front of Justin Herman Plaza)

Myanmar's draft constitution bars Suu Kyi, cements military role in parliament

AP
Posted: 2008-03-31

YANGON, Myanmar (AP)

- Myanmar's draft constitution, which goes before voters in a May referendum, perpetuates military domination of politics and protects junta members from prosecution for past actions.

The text of the proposed constitution has not yet been made public. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the 457-article, 194-page document Monday.

It draws on guidelines that a national convention completed last year after 14 years of on-and-off meetings.

It contains several new points not in the guidelines, however, in an apparent effort to stave off challenges to the military's authority.

The ruling military junta announced the referendum in February and said it would be followed by a long-awaited general election in 2010. The junta calls the process its "roadmap to democracy."

Critics have denounced the process as a sham designed to perpetuate military rule. The drafting process did not include Aung San Suu Kyi or members of her opposition National League for Democracy.

One of the draft's most contentious clauses follows the guidelines in barring anyone who enjoyed the rights and privileges of a foreign citizen from holding public office. This would keep Suu Kyi out of government because her late husband, Michael Aris, was a Briton and their two sons are British.

The draft charter allots 25 percent of seats in both houses of parliament to the military. It empowers the president to transfer legislative, executive and judicial powers to the military's commander in chief for a year if a state of emergency arises.

It also stipulates that no amendments to the charter can be made without the consent of more than 75 percent of lawmakers - making proposed changes unlikely unless supported by military representatives in parliament.

A clause in the charter draft, but not covered in the guidelines, protects members of the junta in power since 1988 from legal prosecution for any acts carried out as part of their official duties.

The junta has been accused of gross human rights violations in suppressing Myanmar's pro-democracy movement and in its counterinsurgency operations against restive ethnic minorities.

Neighboring Thailand last year adopted a similar clause in its own military-backed constitution, effectively protecting from prosecution leaders of the military and their allies who carried out a September 2006 coup d'etat and administered the country for more than a year of interim rule.

In a significant change from the guidelines, Myanmar's draft charter delays when the new constitution would take effect.

Instead of becoming law after voters accept it in the May referendum, it would do so only after parliament's first session - which could not happen until at least 2010. Parliament will convene within 90 days of the election.

Other proposed changes include a new name and national flag. The draft proposes to rename the country, which was called Burma until 1989, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. It is now called the Union of Myanmar.

The new constitution is supposed to replace the one scrapped when the current junta took power in 1988.

After the last election was held in 1990 the military refused to hand power to the winner, Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party. Suu Kyi has been in prison or under house arrest for more than 12 of the past 18 years.

Myanmar has been in a political deadlock since 1990 with hundreds of Suu Kyi's supporters thrown in jail.

The junta has faced international pressure to make democratic reforms, especially since it crushed peaceful protests in September. The U.N. estimates at least 31 people were killed and thousands more were detained in the crackdown.

UN Must Reject Burma's False Constitution!

TAKE ACTION!!

Tell Your Political Representitive:
UN Must Reject Burma's False Constitution!

Please go to:
http://uscampaignforburma.org/action/2008-tell-your-rep-un-must-reject-burmas-false-constitution.html
and follow the prompts to take this important step.

Thank you all.

What you can do to hlep Burma on April 9 in San Francisco? Please sign up!

Sing up for April 9th actions:
http://www.badasf.org/2008/event-sign-up.htm

Sign petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stand-by-the-people-of-burma---no-olympics-torch

Make donations:
www.badasf.org

Dear All,

The eyes of the world will be on the streets of San Francisco when the Beijing Olympic Torch arrives on April 9 – the only visit to North America. Chinese government really wants to make the street of San Francisco looks like the Streets of Beijing -- filled only with cheering crowds. But, we are working with many groups to highlight China's irresponsibly causing and committing Human Rights abuses around the world (Visit ExposeBeijing. org).

As much as Olympic is precious to all of us, we must not let Chinese government hide its atrocious image under the cover of Olympic -- prolong brutal dictatorship and causing continued great pain and suffering to 50 millions people in Burma due to China's great military, economic and diplomatic support to the dictators to exploit Burma's oil and gas, her market, and her roads to India Ocean for its military; in short --- China's gain, Burma's pain.

Please do something on April 9 to give voice to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her 50 millions people. It will be the great and rare opportunity to expose Burma and her cause at the world stage again -- after last year protests in Burma.

Why Burma needs you to come out on April 9:

1. Chinese government is pressuring the San Francisco Mayor really hard that he is behaving like China's representative rather than our Mayor. He previously stated that we can not protest along the torch route, but only at the staged free-speech zones -- major insult to the city and the people in the area.

2. Due to great local push back, he is now backing off, but he still scares us that the protesters will be outnumbered 1 to 10 by the cheering crowd. Given that large Chinese Community lives in San Francisco that is not an overstatement at all.

3. We have also learned that other communities are rallying their supporters and thousands are coming to San Francisco from all over the United States on April 9 to highlight their causes.

4. As for Burma, the events in Rangoon has already passed six months, and much of our emotion has died down and therefore it does not look like very many of us will be on the streets for her that day -- at least not yet unless each and every one of us steps up.

5. The reality is that nothing has changed in Burma, and we must not forget her. We must restore our feeling, emotion, and outrage that we had on or around September 24, 25, 26 of 2007 during the saffron events in Burma. Let's fill the streets with Burma supporters on April 9. Therefore we need you to come out on April 9 for Burma.

What you can do:

Please motivate people around you. Tell them to give April 9 to Burma and do something. Forward this message; call or speak in person and explain why he or she should do something. Outreach to Collagues, high schools, religious schools, churches, monasteries, community groups and centers. Any little effort counts.

Sing up for actions here: http://www.badasf. org/2008/ event-sign- up.htm to attend, participate, help organized the Burma related actions on April 9. Make sure, you check back this page for updated actions as the city has not released the torch route.

Make signs and hold them along the torch routes; State any messages that you are comfortable with: Free Burma; Free Daw Aung San Suu Kyi; China's Gain, Burma's Pain; China's Policies, Burma's Misery; Burma's Blood on China's Hands; Free Burma, Shame on China; No Genocide Torch; Boycott Olympic; And make sure to put images that highlight the suffering of our people.

We are flying an air plane to tow a "Free Burma" billboard. Other groups have put up billboards in the city and also flying like us and they are even relaying their torches around the world in parallel with Beijing torch. But we will do what we can for Burma even though the flight will cost us nearly $ 3000 for 3 hours. We are also making signs, banners, posters, scarfs, buttons, cloths and many items. So the cost is exceeding our resources and need your help.

To help us, please donate here online at www.badasf.org. Also solicit donations from your neighborhood stores, shops and groups. Your donation will be used only for all April 9 Burma related actions. Any amount counts.

Attend Civil Disobedience training on Saturday April 5 at 12pm-3pm prompt time! at Amnesty International Office; 1663 Mission Street Suite 694 (near corner of Van Ness); San Francisco; exit Civic Center Bart Station; Please RSVP to Margaret Howe at margaret@bpf. org or 707-360-8452.

Also attend the ACLU's training to be held at the same Amnesty International Office on April 7th at 12 noon. Please RSVP Anil at anilverma7@gmail.com or Call (510)485-3751.(Space is limited)