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,
Burmese American Democratic Alliance held its ninth Annual Burma Human Rights Day event on Saturday
March 14, 2009 at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists hall, 1924
Cedar (Cross St. Bonita) in Berkeley from 6 pm to 10 pm.
The event featured a Burmese style dinner and a Burma documentary
film along with two outstanding Speakers on Burma: Min Zin and
Zoya Phan.
Thanks for all the attendees and supporters who made this event a
success!!!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Annual Burma Human Rights Day Benefit
(A public outreach and awareness activity in support of Burma's people!)
Saturday, March 14, 2009; 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 two outstanding Speakers on Burma: Min Zin and Zoya Phan. Join Us!
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.
SPEAKERS:
Min Zin:
He was 14 years old high school student when he participated in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising and had to spend nine years in hiding before fleeing Burma. He is now a leading Journalist on Burma in Exile and a teaching fellow at UC Berkeley's School of Journalism. Though he has never finished high school due to his struggle under the regime, the UC Berkeley has accepted him as a graduate student for a masters degree in Southeast Asian studies -- for the first time in its history. Five professors at the university has endorsed his application citing his intensive journalism work on Burma. He has also worked for Washington-based Radio Free Asia (RFA) in the Burmese Department and for the Irrawaddy Magazine based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Zoya Phan:
At 14, Zoya become a refugee after fleeing a military attack on her Karen village. She is currently the International Coordinator of Burma Campaign (UK) and has met with political leaders and government around the globe to advocate for human rights in Burma. She works tirelessly and has been credited for generating increased pressure from the European Countries on the military regime in Burma. She is the director Phan Foundation that aims to fight poverty and provide education for Karen people from Burma, who have suffered decades of oppression. Zoya and three other children co-founded the Phan foundation in honor of their beloved father, Padoh Mahn Sha, the General Secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU), who was assassinated by agents of Burma’s military dictatorship on Feb 14, 2008.
$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;
Co-sponsored by Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Social Justice Committee and Global Exchange (GX).
Contact:
Anil Verma: 510 485 3751;
Kyaw Sit Naing: 415 680 5555
Email: info@badasf. org; Website: www.badasf.org
(A public outreach and awareness activity in support of Burma's people!)
Saturday, March 14, 2009; 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 two outstanding Speakers on Burma: Min Zin and Zoya Phan. Join Us!
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.
SPEAKERS:
Min Zin:
He was 14 years old high school student when he participated in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising and had to spend nine years in hiding before fleeing Burma. He is now a leading Journalist on Burma in Exile and a teaching fellow at UC Berkeley's School of Journalism. Though he has never finished high school due to his struggle under the regime, the UC Berkeley has accepted him as a graduate student for a masters degree in Southeast Asian studies -- for the first time in its history. Five professors at the university has endorsed his application citing his intensive journalism work on Burma. He has also worked for Washington-based Radio Free Asia (RFA) in the Burmese Department and for the Irrawaddy Magazine based in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Zoya Phan:
At 14, Zoya become a refugee after fleeing a military attack on her Karen village. She is currently the International Coordinator of Burma Campaign (UK) and has met with political leaders and government around the globe to advocate for human rights in Burma. She works tirelessly and has been credited for generating increased pressure from the European Countries on the military regime in Burma. She is the director Phan Foundation that aims to fight poverty and provide education for Karen people from Burma, who have suffered decades of oppression. Zoya and three other children co-founded the Phan foundation in honor of their beloved father, Padoh Mahn Sha, the General Secretary of the Karen National Union (KNU), who was assassinated by agents of Burma’s military dictatorship on Feb 14, 2008.
$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;
Co-sponsored by Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Social Justice Committee and Global Exchange (GX).
Contact:
Anil Verma: 510 485 3751;
Kyaw Sit Naing: 415 680 5555
Email: info@badasf. org; Website: www.badasf.org
Friday, February 13, 2009
This Valentine's Day, Take Action for Burma
This Valentine's Day, Take Action for Burma
This Valentine's Day or soon thereafter, show your love and support for the people of Burma by secret shopping for Burmese "Blood Rubies." Click here to take action.
Recently, Congress decided to ban the import of Burmese "Blood Rubies" in response to Burma's military regime's atrocities against ethnic minorities and the violent suppression of peaceful Monks and democracy activists. "This bill hits the Burmese leaders where it hurts - in the wallet. It's our hope that these sanctions will push other countries to examine their own financial dealings with Burma," said Representative Berman, a Democrat from California.
Regardless of their aesthetic value, buying rubies that could fuel oppression in Burma is immoral.
We are asking you to become a secret shopper. Please go to your local jewelery store and inquire if they sell rubies from Burma.
The recently enacted "Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act" now makes it illegal for jewelers and their suppliers to import rubies from Burma. This was a huge victory in the movement for a free and democratic Burma. However, it is possible that in anticipation of this new law, jewelers and their suppliers may have stockpiled rubies from Burma because it is not illegal to sell rubies that were imported prior to the enactment of the JADE Act.
Once you identify a jeweler(s) selling Burmese rubies, you should inform us. We will write to the jewelers to inform them of the situation in Burma, the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act, and why it is important not to sell Burmese rubies. We will ask them to do the ethical thing and stop selling all Burmese rubies. If the jewelers do not stop selling Burmese rubies, we will take further action, including a possible consumer boycott of that company.
Thank you for your continued support,
Mike Haack
Campaigns Coordinator
U.S. Campaign for Burma
mike@uscampaignforburma.org
(202)234-8022
Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma:
This Valentine's Day or soon thereafter, show your love and support for the people of Burma by secret shopping for Burmese "Blood Rubies." Click here to take action.
Recently, Congress decided to ban the import of Burmese "Blood Rubies" in response to Burma's military regime's atrocities against ethnic minorities and the violent suppression of peaceful Monks and democracy activists. "This bill hits the Burmese leaders where it hurts - in the wallet. It's our hope that these sanctions will push other countries to examine their own financial dealings with Burma," said Representative Berman, a Democrat from California.
Regardless of their aesthetic value, buying rubies that could fuel oppression in Burma is immoral.
We are asking you to become a secret shopper. Please go to your local jewelery store and inquire if they sell rubies from Burma.
The recently enacted "Block Burmese JADE (Junta's Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act" now makes it illegal for jewelers and their suppliers to import rubies from Burma. This was a huge victory in the movement for a free and democratic Burma. However, it is possible that in anticipation of this new law, jewelers and their suppliers may have stockpiled rubies from Burma because it is not illegal to sell rubies that were imported prior to the enactment of the JADE Act.
Once you identify a jeweler(s) selling Burmese rubies, you should inform us. We will write to the jewelers to inform them of the situation in Burma, the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act, and why it is important not to sell Burmese rubies. We will ask them to do the ethical thing and stop selling all Burmese rubies. If the jewelers do not stop selling Burmese rubies, we will take further action, including a possible consumer boycott of that company.
Thank you for your continued support,
Mike Haack
Campaigns Coordinator
U.S. Campaign for Burma
mike@uscampaignforburma.org
(202)234-8022
Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma:
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Will you Arrest Yourself to help the people of Burma?
Even though January is over, there is still time to make a new year's resolution for human rights in Burma.
Will you "arrest yourself" to help the people of Burma?
Every year, we ask people around the world to stay at home for 24 hours in solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi, the world's only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who is currently under house arrest in Burma. We'll send you all the materials you'll need to host a gathering in your home while you "arrest yourself", including DVDs, recipes for traditional Burmese food, sample invitations and petitions that your guests can sign so that we create a ripple effect of people around the world who are concerned with helping Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma.
You can "arrest yourself" and host your event anytime between now and Aung San Suu Kyi's 64th birthday on June 19th, 2009.
Click here for more information or sign up now to make your resolution for human rights in Burma.
Sincerely,
Mike Haack
Campaigns Coordinator, USCB
Mike@uscampaignforburma.org
(202) 234-8022
Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma:
Will you "arrest yourself" to help the people of Burma?
Every year, we ask people around the world to stay at home for 24 hours in solidarity with Aung San Suu Kyi, the world's only imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize recipient, who is currently under house arrest in Burma. We'll send you all the materials you'll need to host a gathering in your home while you "arrest yourself", including DVDs, recipes for traditional Burmese food, sample invitations and petitions that your guests can sign so that we create a ripple effect of people around the world who are concerned with helping Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma.
You can "arrest yourself" and host your event anytime between now and Aung San Suu Kyi's 64th birthday on June 19th, 2009.
Click here for more information or sign up now to make your resolution for human rights in Burma.
Sincerely,
Mike Haack
Campaigns Coordinator, USCB
Mike@uscampaignforburma.org
(202) 234-8022
Support 1991 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi and the struggle for freedom and democracy in Burma:
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Hasina wants release of Suu Kyi
Hasina wants release of Suu Kyi
Awami League Chief and leader of the grand combine Sheikh Hasina said Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest since May, 2003, should be released.
She told a questioner at her first press conference after her alliance's grand victory at Bangladesh-China Friendship International Conference Center that her party always in favour of democracy.
When a foreign journalist asked her to explain her stand on detained Myanmar leader Suu Kyi, Sheikh Hasina said, "We want immediate release of Suu Kyi".
" Burma is a close neighbuoring country of Bangladesh and as such we want good neighbourly relations with Yangon ", Sheikh Hasina said.
"Friendship with all and malice to none" is our cardinal foreign policy she said adding that she wants a peaceful and democratic South Asian region.
Awami League Chief and leader of the grand combine Sheikh Hasina said Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest since May, 2003, should be released.
She told a questioner at her first press conference after her alliance's grand victory at Bangladesh-China Friendship International Conference Center that her party always in favour of democracy.
When a foreign journalist asked her to explain her stand on detained Myanmar leader Suu Kyi, Sheikh Hasina said, "We want immediate release of Suu Kyi".
" Burma is a close neighbuoring country of Bangladesh and as such we want good neighbourly relations with Yangon ", Sheikh Hasina said.
"Friendship with all and malice to none" is our cardinal foreign policy she said adding that she wants a peaceful and democratic South Asian region.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
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
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
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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.
Burma's Martyr Day.
The Day that All the Burmese People Should Never Forget.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
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
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
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, April 21, 2008
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/
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/
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