Free Burma

Human Rights Documentation Manuals on Burma Released

2009-05-06T15:18:05Z

Apologies for the prolonged absence in posting. I've been handling some sensitive information, and at the time, I thought it best to refrain from blogging. For the past year, I've been transitioning from human rights work into more purely environmental and development work, and will be able to write more on the latter soon. Below is information on a few human rights documentation manuals that helped out with.

The Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) published the first edition of its Documentation Manual series last November. The series includes 13 manuals, one for each of the following categories of human rights violations. I helped work on the last 7.

1. Killings & Disappearance
2. Arbitrary Arrest & Detention
3. Recruitment & Use of Child Soldiers
4. Forced Relocation
5. Rape & Other Forms of Sexual Violence
6. Torture & Other Forms of Ill-Treatment
7. Forced Labor
8. Obstruction of Freedom of Movement
9. Violations of Property Rights
10. Forced Marriage
11. Forced Prostitution
12. Human Trafficking
13. Obstruction of Freedoms of Expression and Assembly

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ND-Burma is a collaborative group of 12 member organizations documenting human rights violations committed in Burma. We are developing a human rights database that will serve to centralize information collected by Burma human rights groups through interviews and other forms of fact-finding. ND-Burma embarked on this project in order to enhance the analysis of trends of human rights violations, to engage in advocacy to prevent the occurrence of human rights violations, and eventually to assist in the development of transitional justice measures in Burma. This series of manuals is designed to provide guidelines on how to document violations in Burma in accordance with international human rights law and based on the experience of ND-Burma members.

Each manual is structured in three chapters. "Chapter 1: Documentation" sets out the relevant international law concerning the category of human rights violation and provides guidelines on possible ways to document these violations. It then provides information about the historical and political context of the violation. Chapter 1 also provides a sample good and bad interview based on a hypothetical fact pattern involving obstruction of freedom of movement. "Chapter 2: Analysis" discusses how to assess the evidence in order to establish a violation of international law. It discusses how to identify trends and patterns that will strengthen the evidence of violations. Chapter 2 also includes information on establishing serious crimes under international law such as genocide and crimes against humanity. "Chapter 3: Advocacy" includes information on how to present evidence of human rights violations to international actors and bodies. This chapter focuses on the role of the United Nations and provides an overview of the mechanisms that are available to deal with violations of freedom of movement.

This manual series covers the 15 categories of human rights violations (some categories have been combined in the manuals, giving us 13) that ND-Burma chose as priority issues as it developed a "controlled vocabulary" to assist with the challenging prospect of standardizing and managing data from 12 different organizations. Additional manuals will be developed if ND-Burma expands the range of violations we cover. We are also developing a "general documentation manual" and in future editions, we plan to add sections on War Crimes and on Discrimination to the "Analysis" chapter.

ND-Burma is grateful to the Human Rights Education Institute of Burma (HREIB), an ND-Burma member integral in the formation and facilitation of the network, which provided essential administrative support to this project, and to the Royal Netherlands Embassy in Bangkok and the Open Society Institute, which made the compilation and publication of this manual possible.

ND-Burma will likely publish updated editions of these manuals in the future, so we welcome feedback and constructive criticism so that we can improve any weaknesses and correct any mistakes that may exist in these documents. The manuals are available on the ND Burma blog (http://www.ndburma.blogspot.com) and will soon be available on the forthcoming ND-Burma website (address to be announced). Please feel free to further distribute these manuals, and please acknowledge ND-Burma if you use any of the material in your own publications.

For more information about this documentation manuals series or about ND-Burma, please contact ND-Burma Coordinator, Han Min Soe, at mghanpai@gmail.com and +66 (0)810231354 or +66 (0)819615992.

Update / Burma's Sham Referendum

2008-04-28T10:08:41Z

Many apologies for the prolonged absence in posting. Security concerns. Let me update you since last entry. At the end of last year, I finished my time editing papers for human rights and environmental activists from all around the Mekong region, and in January, I began working for the only organization that facilitates human rights education trainings for pro-democracy and Burmese groups. My work there focuses on development human rights documentation manuals for some of the major violations that occur in Burma today. They will be used by a consortium of grassroots human rights organizations that work on Burma.

Much of my recent work has been preparing monitoring materials for Burma's upcoming referendum. In essence, a referendum is being held to see whether or not the Burmese population approves the new constitution, which was drafted by the military. Neither the political opposition nor ethnic minorities were involved in the drafting process. Many of Burma's citizens are being threatened and pressured by government sponsored militias and thugs to vote "yes" on May 10. Individuals and groups who have been educating and pushing voters to vote "no" have been harassed and threatened.

In the days leading up to the referendum, many groups expect that the SPDC (moniker of the ruling junta) will further suppress people's freedoms of expression, association, and assembly--much like how it did in the 1988, 1990, and 2007 protests. It has been estimated that the number of Burma's political prisoners surged to 1,864 after the Saffron Revolution. And many fear that arbitrary arrests, torture, and killings will increase leading up to the vote.

If the results show a "yes" for the constitution, it further legitimizes and consolidates the SPDC's grip on power and further postpones a transitional to democracy, peace, and national reconciliation. In addition, some fear that the SPDC will rig the elections. If that is the case, it may very well spark new protests, which will likely be brutally repressed by the ruling regime. If results show an overwhelming vote of "no", the likelihood that the military will cede power to a civilian government is a highly unlikely response. Mass arrests and suppression of political dissidents will probably be the response. It's a lose-lose situation....

Last week, I also began part-timing with an indigenous organization that works jointly on social and environmental issues inside Burma and along the border area. Some of their programs include environmental conservation and education, food security, and traditional medicine.

AVAAZ's call on ASEAN to ACT NOW

2007-11-20T02:47:50Z

***The 19 ONLINE PETITIONS/PLEDGES FOR BURMA HERE.***
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For those in Asia, please help put the pressure on ASEAN to act now!

from AVAAZ:
Asia: Act Now for Myanmar's People
On November 21, China, India, South Korea, New Zealand, Australia and Japan join the leaders of ASEAN at the East Asia Summit in Singapore. This meeting is crucial. With thousands of monks and democrats still imprisoned in Myanmar, these Asian leaders hold vital levers over the military dictatorship there.

Coordinated Asian pressure could decide whether dialogue between Aung San Suu Kyi and the military junta is genuine, or just another con-trick. That’s why we're sending a wave of messages from all around Asia, asking leaders to offer practical support to the UN effort, and to take real steps to press the Myanmar junta into freeing the prisoners and opening real dialogue.

Sign HERE.

Burma the Most Corrupt and Worst Government in the World

2007-11-19T08:02:40Z

***The 19 ONLINE PETITIONS FOR BURMA HERE.***
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Transparency International, the global coalition against corruption, puts out an "annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), first released in 1995, is the best known of TI’s tools. It has been widely credited with putting TI and the issue of corruption on the international policy agenda. The CPI ranks 180 countries by their perceived levels of corruption, as determined by expert assessments and opinion surveys." Burma is tied for last place with Somalia. You can see the listings HERE
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From Irrawaddy:

In addition to being the most corrupt government, Burma has been ranked ‘zero,’ the worst government in the world according to the amount of freedom citizens have to voice opinions and select a government, according to the latest Worldwide Governance Indicators report.

Countries with the best overall rankings included Denmark, 100; Canada, 94; and Australia, 93.
Countries with the worst overall rankings included Burma 0, China 4 and Vietnam 8.
The Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) research project, covering 212 countries and territories, measured six areas of governance between 1996 and 2006 to make its rankings: Voice and Accountability, Political Stability and Absence of Violence, Government Effectiveness, Regulatory Quality, Rule of Law and Control of Corruption.
In the Voice and Accountability category, Burma has ranked near ‘zero’ since 1996.

Among Burma's neighbors: India ranked 58; Thailand, 32 and China, 4. Laos was ranked 6; Cambodia, 21; Malaysia, 38; Indonesia, 41; Philippines, 44; and Singapore 46.

The Worldwide Governance Indicators are produced by researchers from the World Bank Institute and the World Bank Development Economics Research Group.

The aggregate indicators combine the views of a large number of enterprises, citizens and experts in industrial and developing countries. The individual data sources underlying the aggregate indicators are drawn from a variety of survey institutes, think tanks, non-governmental organizations and international organizations.

NEED-Burma and the Food Security Crisis in Burma

2007-11-19T07:54:26Z

***The 19 ONLINE PETITIONS/PLEDGES FOR BURMA HERE.***
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Last week, I began helping out part-time with the Network for Environment and Economic Development (NEED-Burma), an NGO that works on training Burmese on sustainable agriculture methods. Because of poor economic policies, rapid natural resource extraction, and the ongoing civil war, the food security and environmental situation in Burma is worsening. In 1960, Burma was the world's #1 rice exporter. Today, 40% of children are malnourished. This particular NGO seeks to train Burmese from all over Burma on how to grow organic and nutritious fruit and produce that does not pollute or degrade the environment.

Yesterday, NEED's Sustainable Agriculture Advisor said to me that most Burma-related empowerment groups concentrate solely on politics and democracy, but not many give environmental and agricultural training to those on the ground. NEED works to ensure that its farming methods can be replicated in any agricultural area in Burma.

Not to digress too much, but personally, as a trained environmentalist, one of the easiest and most effective ways to take care of the environment and to ensure a future for subsequent generations is to focus on how food is grown. Too much harmful pesticides is used and waste created in the food production methods that most of the world uses today.

In addition to starting a sizeable compost pile out of food waste and leaf litter, we began building an ecological sanitation toilet at NEED's model farm yesterday. It is based on the Indian Kerala system. It's a urine diversion dehydration (UDD) toilet. The urine will be siphoned off as fertilizer, the faeces will go into a drop hole for processing, and the washing water will go to an evapo-transpiration bed, probably for coconuts. To my knowledge, it will be the first of its kind in Thailand. And if this demonstration toilet is a success, and the knowledge can be transferred over to Burma, it can be the start of eco-san in Burma. That's an exciting and hopeful thought.

NEED's explanation on its choice of focusing on Sustainable Agriculture HERE.

Read the February 2007 brief on Burma's Ecological Crisis written by UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights to Myanmar Paulo Sergio Pinheiro HERE.

AVAAZ's Boycott on Total Oil, Chevron, and Their Subsidiaries

2007-11-19T07:50:11Z

***The 19 ONLINE PETITIONS/PLEDGES FOR BURMA HERE.***
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***The petitions and pledges are now up to 19.***

AVAAZ also is launching a global boycott of Total Oil and Chevron and all their subsidiaries that operate in Burma. You can sign AVAAZ's pledge HERE. By hitting them straight in their bottom line, AVAAZ hopes to press these corporations to either push Burma to democratic reform, or to leave the country entirely.

I will say though, while many Western Burma-related NGOs and advocacy networks believe that a complete pullout of Western companies doing business in Burma is the quickest, surefire way to weaken the junta and bring about political change in the troubled nation, the situation is not as clearcut. While companies operating in Burma can use their leverage to enact political change, company pullout can create a power vacuum, creating the conditions for even more abusive (Chinese or other energy-hungry Asian) companies to fill in the void. Chinese, Malaysian, Korean companies would readily, easily, and quickly answer the call for investment.

I have heard that Burmese on the ground are actually against a pullout of Western companies. The are afraid that if Western companies leave, Asian companies with poorer human rights records will move in. In the historic Doe vs. Unocal Case involving the construction of the Yadana pipeline, the verdict held that Unocal WAS liable for human rights abuses committed by SPDC troops hired by the oil company. Some think a more effective way to uphold human rights in Burma, especially in areas where multinationals invest, is to put pressure on Western companies to operate in a responsible manner. The Corporate Social Responsibility discourse is much more predominant and established in the West than in the East, where many countries are still subject to the "race to the bottom" for development. Hence, advocating for Western companies to observe CSR is a more suitable option on which Western activists can rely. Moreover, I personally doubt that enough companies will pull out in a short timeframe to create serious cash flow problems for the junta.

Journalist and author Ross Gelbspan has put forth the following theory in his book about climate change The Heat is On. If a totalitarian state (like Burma) suffers from severe economic instability (such as one that would occur from a massive investor pullout), the conditions would be ripe for GREATER, not lesser human rights abuses. It's the same old Asian Values argument that says economic considerations and the right to development come before civil and political rights. By supervising companies who invest in Burma and getting them to responsibly operate, the hope is that multinationals can counteract human rights abuses.

Another petition: Sign Earthrights International's petition urging Chevron to use its influence to help stop the crackdown, and to stop investing in Burma HERE.

TAKE ACTION! The Petitions for Burma

2007-11-17T15:58:40Z

For those who care about human rights, please sign the NINETEEN(19) PETITIONS below if you have not done so already. Please take the 5 minutes to do this. It's easy and CAN and WILL bring concrete results to the suffering people of Burma.

_____________________________________________________________________________________
19 ONLINE PETITIONS/PLEDGES

1. AVAAZ is petitioning the UN and Chinese President Hu Jintao HERE.

2. AVAAZ also is launching a global boycott of Total Oil and Chevron and all their subsidiaries that operate in Burma HERE. By hitting them straight in their bottom line, AVAAZ hopes to press these corporations to either push Burma to democratic reform, or to leave the country entirely.

3. Also, please sign the US Campaign for Burma petition calling for China to withdraw support of Burma's military regime HERE.

4. Human Rights First is calling on ASEAN members to put pressure on Burma to stop the bloodshed now. Please sign before the ASEAN meeting on November 17th HERE.

5. The US Campaign for Burma is also calling on the UN Secretary General to help stop the torture, killings, and arrests HERE.

6. Call on Members of United Nations, Members of the European Union, All Political Leaders, All Head of States, and, All Dignitaries for immediate action on Burma HERE.

7. An appeal to the 15 members of the UN Security Council HERE.

8-9. Ask that Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon support the passage of a binding resolution requiring the restoration of democracy to Burma HERE. The Global Campaign for Justice in Burma's petition is asking that the Secretary-General investigate and collect proof of human rights abuses in Burma HERE. You can also email UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon asking for immediate UN intervention at inquiries@un.org.

10. Send a petition calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Burma, including Aung San Suu Kyi, to Senior General Than Shwe. Don't worry if one or two of these emails bounces back-the petition will go to 30 Burmese government ministries and Burmese embassies around the world- it probably means their inbox is already full of appeals. The petition, off musician Damien Rice's actionburma.com site is HERE.

11. Reporters Without Borders has a petition calling for the immediate release of Win Tin, one of Aung San Suu Kyi's mentors. You can sign the petition HERE.

12. Sign Earthrights International's petition urging Chevron to use its influence to help stop the crackdown, and to stop investing in Burma HERE.

13. Sign the Shwe Gas Movement's petition to halt South Korea's Daewoo from extracting gas in Western Burma until human rights are upheld HERE.

14. Amnesty International Canada's petition HERE is calling on Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier and the Canadian government to put pressure on the UN and ASEAN to help bring peace to Burma.

15. Burma Rivers Network's PETITION calls on the Chinese government to closely monitor Chinese companies that invest in hydropower and other extractive industries in Burma (and other countries). Nontransparent operation, poor oversight, and not keeping affect communities informed has led to environmental degradation and human rights abuses in Burma.

16. A petition calling on Canadian PM Steven Harper to act HERE.

17-19. For British citizens, please send the following 3 petitions "Support Burmese", "Democracy Burma," and "Boycott Olympics" to PM Gordon Brown. Get him to act now!

- If you know of any other petitions or pledges, email me at freeburmaactioncenter@gmail.com, and I'll add it ASAP.

- DONATE: The Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), founded and directed by Dr. Cynthia Maung, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, provides free health care for refugees, migrant workers, and other individuals who cross the border from Burma to Thailand. Its origins go back to the student pro-democracy movement in Burma in 1988 and the brutal repression by the Burmese regime of that movement.

You can help the clinic continue its work by either DONATINGor VOLUNTEERING.

- DONATE to Partners Relief and Development's 5 Alive Program. $50 can help keep a family of 5 IDPs alive for one month. Read more HERE.

- Help AVAAZ.org Break the Burmese Blackout HERE. The Burmese military has seen the power of global solidarity for the demonstrators--and has moved to shut down all communications with the outside world. As the images and stories have slowed, global media coverage of the Burmese crisis has lost its urgency.

But people power can beat the blackout. Donate below to send crucial technical support and equipment to Burmese civil society groups, and help return Burma's voice to its people. 100% of funds donated will go to Burmese groups--Avaaz will keep no portion.

- Join the Support the Monks' protest in Burma and the US Campaign for Burma Facebook groups. Check out Burma Watch's website http://www.burma-watch.org.

- You can also call and email the Chinese, Burmese, Indian, Thai, Japanese, Russian, South Korean, Malaysian, US, British,and French embassies. Demand that world leaders put sanctions on Burma until the junta upholds human rights. Call on MNCs to pull out of Burma.

- The Dirty List of companies doing business with Burma's junta, compiled by The Burma Campaign UK.

- The Clean List of companies that have either pulled out of Burma, or made a principled decision not to do business in Burma. It is not comprehensive, but does give a scope of how public outcry has led to corporate social responsibility. The list details the companies' reasons for pulling out or refraining from investing in Burma. Also compiled by the Burma Campaign UK.

US Citizens, Help get the Block Burmese JADE and the Burmese Democracy Promotion Acts Passed

2007-11-17T15:46:39Z

***The 17 ONLINE PETITIONS FOR BURMA HERE.***
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US Citizens, please help get the Block Burmese JADE (Junta Anti-Democratic Efforts)Act and the Burmese Democracy Promotion Act passed. Put the pressure on your Representatives and Senators for the toughest US Sanctions against Burma yet. These Acts would stop allowing the junta to launder funds, gems, timber, and other products in third countries before they are sold.

from the US Campaign for Burma:

Call Your Representative and Senators!
Make Sure the US is not bankrolling the Burmese Regime's Brutal Actions

In the House of Representatives, Rep. Lantos has introduced the "Block Burmese JADE (Junta Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act" and in the Senate, Senators Biden and McConnell have introduced the "Burmese Democracy Promotion Act". Both of these will tighten sanctions on Burma's military regime and really hit the generals where it hurts. Call in today to demand that your Representative and Senator co-sponsor. Find your Representative's info at www.house.gov and find your Senators' by going to www.senate.gov. Call today and call everyday until you get an answer! Find out more information on the resolutions and what you should do- Click Here to Take Action

The Burmese Democracy Promotion Act of 2007 (Senate) and the Block Burmese JADE (Junti Anti Democratic Efforts) has the power to force the regime to negotiate with Burma's democracy leaders and Ethnic nationalities. We must show the people of Burma that the U.S. is taking action to support their calls for freedom, democracy and human rights. Call your Senator today asking him/her to support the Burmese Democracy Promotion Act! Organize your community to call in as well. Contact details for your Senators are given below.

What the Acts Do:
The regime makes hundreds of millions of dollars each year off the sale of gems and timber. More than 90 percent of the world's rubies and fine-quality jade comes from Burma. The new sanctions will crack down on the regime's practice of avoiding U.S. sanctions by laundering gemstones and other products, especially timber, through third countries before they are sold.

This Act also freezes the assets of Burmese political and military leaders, prevents Burma from using U.S. financial institutions via third countries to launder the funds of those leaders or their immediate families, and prohibits Burmese officials involved in the violent suppression of protesters from receiving visas to the United States.

Burma also uses third countries to access the U.S. banking system. These overseas banks process accounts in and through the United States for Burma's rulers, providing the regime with much-needed hard currency. The regime uses these funds to purchase weapons and luxury goods, while the bulk of Burma's population lives in poverty.

Biden and McConnell's legislation tightens existing sanctions to prevent Burma's military rulers from profiting from sales to the United States, and blocks access to the U.S. financial system not just for Burmese human rights violators but also to those who provide the regime with banking services.

The bill also creates a new position of Special Representative and Policy Coordinator for Burma. The Special Representative will work with Burma's neighbors and other interested countries, including the members of the European Union and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to develop a comprehensive approach to the problem, including sanctions, dialogue, and support for non-governmental organizations providing humanitarian relief to the Burmese people.

These Acts, if passed, would be the strongest action yet that the U.S. takes to pressure Burma's military regime to negotiate with Burma's democracy leaders and ethnic nationalities.

To read the legislation:

House : Block Burmese JADE (Junta Anti-Democratic Efforts) Act

Senate: Burmese Democracy Promotion Act

Contact information:

Call your Senators/ Representative's offices and ask to speak with their foreign policy staffer. If s/he is not there leave a message and ask her/him to call you back. Call today and every day until you get an answer!

Find Your Representative: www.house.gov

Find Your Senator: www.senate.gov

Senate: To add their name as a cosponsor: Let them know that to co-sponsor (Burmese Democracy Promotion Act of 2007 - S.2257)Democrats should contact Frank Jannuzi at the Committee on Foreign Relations at 202-224-4651

Republicans should contact Reb Brownell in Senator McConnell's office at 202-224-2541

House: To add their name as a co-sponsor: Let them know that to co-sponsor they should contact Eric Richardson at the Committee on Foreign Affairs office at eric.richardson@mail.house.gov or 225-5021.

Talking Points for Staffer:
- Tell the staffer you want your Senator to co-sponsor the Burmese Democracy Promotion Act of 2007

- Give her/him proof that this policy works. It cuts off hundreds of millions of dollars to the regime and will specifically target the top generals' finances.

- Mention that the military junta still deserves sanctions. On top of brutally crushing thousands of peaceful demonstrators, including monks, the military regime has destroyed more than 3,000 villages. It has forcibly displaced more than half a million people inside Burma as well as causing a million refugees to flee across the border to neighboring countries and has made no efforts to move toward democracy.

- Let her/him know it is important to send a strong signal to the regime that the US government will continue to keep American money out the hands of the junta.

- This is not the only action being taken against Burma. On top of many diplomatic efforts, the EU has imposed new sanctions, as well as Australia, and even Japan has decreased aid to Burma.

- Finally ask the staffer to call you back when your Senator has co-sponsored the Burmese Democracy Promotion Act. Important: Leave your phone number!
Let him/her know that his/her constituents care about Burma!

Check up to see if they cosponsor:
It's easy to check and see if they follow through and agree to cosponsor. THOMAS, the Library of Congress' congressional records database updates a list of all information on legislation. Click HERE to find out who has signed as cosponsors in the House, and Click HERE to see who has signed as cosponsors in the Senate.

Please let me know when you have contacted your Senator and how it went - thelma@uscampaignforburma.org. These new sanctions will hit the regime where it hurts.

Please Help Stop the Bloodshed in Burma

2007-10-23T14:59:19Z

The 12 petitions for Burma HERE.

Tell the EU: SQUEEZE THE BURMESE JUNTA

2007-10-12T15:13:14Z

http://www.avaaz.org/en/eu_squeeze_the_junta/tf.php?cl_tf_sign=1

the European Union will decide this Monday, October 15, whether to adopt stronger sanctions and incentives to press the repressive Burmese military junta into dialogue with the opposition. Avaaz.org is mobilizing citizens of every EU country to send messages to their foreign ministers urging them to take action. These sanctions won't hurt ordinary people--but they will strengthen the democracy movement in Burma.
SIGN HERE http://www.avaaz.org/en/eu_squeeze_the_junta/tf.php?cl_tf_sign=1

The other 10 petitions for Burma HERE.

Update

2007-10-09T04:22:47Z

http://freeburmaactioncenter.blogspot.com/

The Oil and Gas Industry is the Junta's Lifeline

2007-10-07T04:09:11Z

*****Again, the NINE (9) online PETITIONS HERE, including a new petition against the Shwe Gas Project, and one calling for Chevron to divest.*****
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American company Chevron, France's Total SA, South Korea's Daewoo, and the Gas Authority of India are some of the major investors in Burma's oil and gas resources. The Yadana, Yetagun, and Shwe Gas Projects have exploited the voiceless, caused human rights abuses, destroyed the environment, and propped up the military dictatorship. From the Shwe Gas Project alone, it is estimated that the junta will pocket more than $2 billion annually. In developing these resources, the junta forcibly relocates villages and uses villagers as slave labor.

Soldiers, contracted by investors to protect project sites, have been implicated in killings, beatings, and arrests, and sexual violence against women is commonplace, perpetuating the cycle of human rights abuses.

Also, rather than benefitting local communities, who largely depend on wood for fuel, the SPDC exports its energy resources--not just oil and gas, but hydroelectric power as well--out of the country. This creates a vicious positive feedback loop, as reliance on wood causes increased deforestation and environmental degradation. The revenue from these "conflict resources" benefits only the junta and gives the SPDC purchasing power for arms, which are used to further control and suppress the population. You can read more on Burma's complete lack of corporate social responsibility HERE.

More news links and further information:
Trade and Security Trump Democracy in Burma. Business and Human Rights Resource Centre
Earthrights International's campaign to call on the oil and gas industry to help stop the violence in Burma
"An Industry Blind to People's Tears. The Bangkok Post. Sept 15, 2007
Firms Seek Access to Myanmar Oil Fields. Associated Press. Sept. 29, 2007
Myanmar's Resources Provide Leverage. The New York Times. Oct. 1, 2007
Pipeline Politics. The Irrawaddy. Oct. 5, 2007

SHWE GAS
The Shwe Gas Movement's website.
Sign the Shwe Gas Movement's petition to halt South Korea's Daewoo from extracting gas in Western Burma until human rights are upheld HERE.

CHEVRON
Chevron's Pipeline is the Burmese Regime's Lifeline. Truthdig. Oct. 2, 2007
Chevron's links to Burma stir critics to demand it pull out. San Francisco Chronicle. Oct. 4, 2007
Information for the Protest of Chevron corporation for their involvement with oil and gas projects in Burma. Chevron Protester. Oct. 2, 2007
Burma Watch's Global Day of Protest Against Chevron, Oct. 9. Burma Watch.
Sign Earthrights International's petition urging Chevron to use its influence to help stop the crackdown, and to stop investing in Burma HERE.

TOTAL SA
Boycott Total Oil's website.
For Total, pulling out of Myanmar not the answer.International Herald Tribune. Sept. 27, 2007
Total's response to allegations of human rights abuses HERE. Total SA website.

The Dirty List of companies doing business with Burma's junta, compiled by The Burma Campaign UK.

The Clean List of companies that have either pulled out of Burma, or made a principled decision not to do business in Burma. It is not comprehensive, but does give a scope of how public outcry has led to corporate social responsibily. The list details the companies' reasons for pulling out or refraining from investing in Burma. Also compiled by the Burma Campaign UK.

10/7/07 - Civic Party-led March for Democracy in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. Demonstrators presented a wide range of interests, from universal suffrage, to mininum wage, Taiwanese independence, and migrant rights. Out of the 3,000 - 5,000 strong crowd, I was lucky enough to have spotted these 3 members of the Alliance for Progressive Labor who were calling for democracy in Burma.

The First Blow and The "Revolution of the Spirit"

2007-10-06T15:03:08Z

**As of now, there are a total of 9 ONLINE PETITIONS calling for collective action on the parts of the UN Security Council, the UN General Body, China, and Myanmar. Please consider signing HERE.

(This entry's going to be a bit more personal)

Today I got the most shocking of rude awakenings. I just came back from the Global Day of Protest for Burma event in Hong Kong that was held tonight. Sponsored by various religious organizations in Hong Kong, it took the form of an interfaith prayer gathering. Catholic, Protestants, Muslims, and Buddhist religious leaders attended and led the 150 or so participants in prayer. It was one of many global events whose idea was sparked by Burma Watch, the website complement to the enormously popular 'Support the Monks' protest in Burma' Facebook group (The website has good news round ups and lists other actions / protests. The next one is Oct. 9 against Chevron).

After prayers, the event organizers opened the floor to members of the audience who wished to speak, and of course, I went up to take the microphone. I spoke about 4 minutes on the background of the situation in Burma and actions that attendants could take, namely signing online petitions, calling / emailing / visiting Myanmar's embassies and consulates and those of countries that sponsor Burma's military regime.

After I left the stage, one of the attendees came up to me and told me he thought the content of what I said was inappropriate for a religious event like this one. He said he felt lectured to. My response was, "They said it was ok for people to say what they wanted to say. I'm sorry you feel that way." I understand that this was hosted by religious institutions, but the situation is a political one that centers on human rights and democracy. The man, I think an American or Canadian, said that for the other attendants, they relied on faith, not on politics.

Then he said point blank. "I've done more than Burma than you have. I gave up my career and my family." Or something like that. Not to mention a curse word or two.

Then he said, "What have you done for Burma?" and stormed off.

]]> This was something that I totally didn't expect, and I didn't know how to answer. I'm the type of guy who's slow on the draw, and will always have something uniquely insightful to say, but only think of a response minutes after the debate is over and after the other party has already left the scene.

For the past couple of hours, I have reflected on what that guy said. And what he said really bothered me. The critique has taught me an invaluable lesson; that even amongst those most willing and committed to fight for social change, there lacks unanimity on which approach is the correct one. For me, the question was not an issue of separating religion and politics, but of how to turn faith into practical action. Speaking out for human rights and democracy is not inimical to religious and spiritual teachings and principles, but rather, encouraged and demanded by them. Take H.H. The XIV Dalai Lama, Pope Benedict XVI, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. All have called for international action to bring peace and stability to Burma. This is socially-engaged religion at is best. (Buddhism permeates every facet of Burman culture, and the ongoing protests have epitomized socially-engaged Buddhism).

I was not sure if that man's idea of the perfect gathering for Burma was to pray and sing songs, and that be that. By no means am I trying to downplay the spiritual or personal enrichment gained from a deep faith, or attacking the freedom to do it. But the international community can only help Burma after awareness is raised and collective action taken. While it may be integral for this gentleman to have solidarity for Burma shown in a religious gathering, if good thoughts do not go beyond prayers, how can we truly help the situation in Burma improve?

Religious hermeticism is not the same as collective action. While I do not know the true intentions of that man, nor his background, I do not doubt that he cared about Burma. But the outright hostility and furor with which he attacked me, and the shortsightedness in his approach struck me as quite unfortunate. Yes, people have died, and people have suffered the utmost pain for democracy in Burma. I didn't mean to say that I was better than anyone in that crowd. However, maybe that guy took it as my intent, which it wasn't. But at least I can see where this guy is coming from. I just wish that we had talked more. I don't have his name or the name of the organization for which he worked. I also don't know what he did.

In any case, in no way do I profess to be an expert in Burmese affairs, and I definitely have much to learn in terms of social activism, but I felt that the guy should've seen that we are both on the same side. For me, we were supposed to be on the same side. It shouldn't be compare our accomplishments to activists next to us and see who is better. Every opportunity should be taken to exchange viewpoints and engage in healthy dialogue in order to get a more wholistic view and understanding of what the problem is and how we can address it together.

Yes, if that man had sacrificed much of his personal life for the Burma causes, I emphathize with him, and I feel for him. I really do. But I do not know his circumstances. What was surprising to me about this episode was that instead of educating me, he belittled me. Through the nature of my studies and work experiences, I have come across many individuals who have suffered much hardships, having lived through atrocities such as the Viet Nam War, the Khmer Rouge, the Cultural Revolution, the refugee experience, etc. And in every account, each individual was willing to share with me his or her life, no matter how tragic or disheartening. It wasn't that I forced them, rather, they wanted me to understand these events and to learn from them, so that history does not repeat itself for my generation. Unfortunately, the willingness of dialogue was not present tonight.

I came not as an adherent of any particular faith or as a national of any specific country, but as a concern global citizen. I could not, as a person with a mindful conscience and a heavy sense of duty, not speak when given the chance. While everyone present knew about the current developments in Burma, I felt that most people present really didn't know what else they, as ordinary citizens, could do, and some appeared to not have as deep a grasp of the situation as I did. While I was unsure of the response I would receive, I had to try.

While I took the event as a chance to further educate others, I surmise this man took it as an opportunity to introspect. But if we keep the knowledge that we have to ourselves, how can we possibly hope to expose these abuses and raise international awareness? Perhaps the last thing the guy needed was some kid come and rant on the situation. Maybe they were all expecting a religious approach. But I really didn't see what lasting tangible good was coming from it and was trying. I'm still processing all that happened. If you have any thoughts on this incident or any and all Burma-related issues for that matter, please, let me know at tharsis133@gmail.com.

Apart from taking in that guy's criticisms, after I spoke, a few people clapped, one of the organizers and a woman who had links with Amnesty International asked me for further information on petitions and on sources with reliable and up-to-date coverage on Burma. That did in some way take the sting off of what that guy said. For me, what was lacking in the coordination of the event was any direction in how people could concretely help. And I'm glad that I somewhat filled in the gap, even if it's only those 2 people out of 150 who were interested in what I had to say. At least it did some good. My hope is those 2 will tell 2 others, those four will collectively tell 8, and so in, in a sort of pay-it-forward / spread the word idea. However, I do wonder if others in the crowd felt the same way as that guy.

By now, the effects that man's criticisms have worn off a bit. I think, when it boils down to it, it was about different attitudes towards our work. Right now, I'm not trying to validate myself or to say that I'm infallible, but I think that instead of a self-importance towards myself in terms of work, I have more of a selfless awarenes. Which is important to me. True, I am relatively new to the 3rd fight for Burma's independence (the first in 1948 and the second in 1988), and there's still much about the situation that I don't understand. I am idealistic, but have not been tempered through the trials and hardships of those who have sacrificed their families, careers, loved ones, and even more. I have not been persecuted for my beliefs in equality and democracy. But I suppose the misunderstanding of tonight presents a couple of challenges to me.

"What have I done to help Burma?" It's not about proving that guy wrong, but about putting my words to practice and DOING SOMETHING. Tonight's events, as a whole, has also have helped me identify my weakness in social work and action. I didn't know about tonight's gathering until half an hour before it was to start. I luckily made it before it started, and hoped that I would have an opportunity to talk. So I began jotting down a few talking points. While it was more or less and on-the-fly talk, I realize that my greatest shortcoming is in ad-libbing and in presentational skills. The facts are all there, but I need to be able to communicate them to others. I think I did an ok job, nothing great. But I need to work on powers of persuasion and expository speaking. A lot of what I said could have come across stronger. Task #1. While, in my opinion, I can write a truly analytical and persuasive article, speaking is my downfall. I'm working on it.

But back to the events of the past couple of days. I'm doing about 10 hours a day researching the current situation in Burma, reading up on its past history and emergence of a rights discourse, and blogging. Currently, I'm reading Aung San Suu Kyi's collection of essays Freedom From Fear. Through it, I'm learning about the aspirations and motivations of Suu Kyi's father, Bogyoke Aung San in his daughter's words. He was all about the selfless awareness that I spoke about earlier. Aung San made it clear that he believed the armed forces should have no part in politics. He created the army to protect the people. Had he not been assassinated, Burma most likely would have been one of the best examples of democracy in Southeast Asia. But it is Suu Kyi's own thoughts that struck me. And I actually quoted her at the rally tonight from her essay of the same title.

It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it...The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit...Without a revolution of the spirit, the forces which produced the iniquities of the old order would continue to be operative, posing a constant threat to the process of reform and regeneration. It is not enough merely to call for freedom, democracy and human rights. There has to be a united determination to persevere in the struggle, to make sacrifices in the name of enduring truths, to resist the corrupting influences of desire, ill will, ignorance and fear.

The essay "Freedom From Fear" is HERE, probably one of if not the most moving of Daw Suu's work's that I have read to date.

The fight for Burma should not be divided over religious or ethnic lines and cannot be won over by religious means, rather the rallying flag that binds us all should be woven with the strands of common human dignity and universal human rights. Only then will Burma be free.
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****For those who care about human rights, please sign the EIGHT (8) PETITIONS below if you have not done so already. Please take the 5 minutes to do this. It's easy and CAN and WILL bring concrete results to the suffering people of Burma. The list of petitions was compiled by Burma Watch.

You can also call or email the Chinese, Burmese, Indian, Thai, Japanese, Russian, South Korean, and French embassies. Below are also organizations to which you can donate. Please consider supporting their advocacy work on Burma.
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8 ONLINE PETITIONS

1. Call on Members of United Nations, Members of the European Union, All Political Leaders, All Head of States, and, All Dignitaries for immediate action on Burma HERE.

2. An appeal to the 15 members of the UN Security Council HERE.

3. Also, please sign the US Campaign for Burma petition calling for China to withdraw support of Burma's military regime HERE.

4. AVAAZ is petitioning the UN and Chinese President Hu Jintao
HERE.

5. Send a petition calling for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Burma, including Aung San Suu Kyi, to Senior General Than Shwe. Don't worry if one or two of these emails bounces back-the petition will go to 30 Burmese government ministries and Burmese embassies around the world- it probably means their inbox is already full of appeals. The petition, off musician Damien Rice's actionburma.com site is HERE.

6. Sign Earthrights International's petition urging Chevron to use its influence to help stop the crackdown, and to stop investing in Burma HERE.

7. Sign the petition to the Norwegian Nobel Committee to nominate the Sangha (the monkhood) in Burma for the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize HERE.

8. For British citizens, please sign the petition to PM Gordon Brown. Get him to act now!

- You can also email UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon asking for immediate UN intervention at inquiries@un.org

- Join the Support the Monks' protest in Burma and the US Campaign for Burma Facebook groups. The Support the Monks' group has a useful and thorough website directory and a good grassroot action network. Check out its posted pictures on the recent crackdown.
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DONATIONS NEEDED!
- from http://www.irrawaddy.org/the main opposition website

Dear Readers,

The Irrawaddy has been inundated with messages of support and appreciation since the start of the current crisis in Burma, and they have given us great comfort and stiffened our determination to continue with our mission, despite the many difficulties. Our warm thanks go out to all who have written to us.

Among the difficulties we have faced is the attack on our Web site. We hope to be up and running again soon. In September, we received a staggering 31 million hits, a monthly record and an indication of the huge worldwide interest in what is happening in Burma.

Your support in the form of subscriptions to The Irrawaddy’s print edition and donations are of vital importance to us and highly appreciated.

We welcome individual and corporate donations to support our ongoing media coverage and meet the cost of maintaining a dedicated staff and network of correspondents committed to independent journalism and to the task of getting the news out of Burma.

Donations can be made by following the link www.irrawaddymeida.com/shop or, for the more information, please contact donations@irrawaddy.org

Thank you.

The Irrawaddy
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SUPPORT THE SCHOOL FOR SHAN STATE NATIONALITIES YOUTH

Here is a link to their site to get some more details(somewhat under construction)
http://www.sssny.org/main.html

The school was started about 7 years ago by Nang Charm Tong- a refugee from Burma- when she was still a teenager! She was won many global awards for her human rights work, including being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. Much of what Pres.and Laura Bush have said regarding the problems in Burma come from a meeting that Charm Tong had with them a few years ago.
President George W. Bush welcomes activist Charm Tong of Burma to the Oval Office, Monday, Oct. 31, 2005, at the White House in Washington

With the US at war in Iraq.... why talk about Burma? Easy... because this issue is very clear. Complete oppression of the people of Burma by their government dictatorship will only be reversed when the "opposition" can be supported by the outside world. By supporting the students at SSSNY, you are directly helping a Burmese refugee become a political activist so they can fight for democracy and someday go back home. It would be easy to donate via the website... but it is not yet functional.

If you are interested in donating to the SSSNY, please email me at tharsis133@gmail.com for further instructions. I can guarantee that it will get to them.

Myanmar sets conditions for meeting Suu Kyi / Sanctions Analysis / Lack of Human Rights Discourse in China

2007-10-05T02:37:46Z

from AP

Hoping to deflect outrage over images of soldiers gunning down protesters, Myanmar's hard-line leader announced Thursday he is willing to talk with detained democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi -- but only if she stops calling for international sanctions.

Senior General Than Shwe also insists Suu Kyi give up urging her countrymen to confront the military regime, state television and radio said in reporting on the conditions set by the junta leader during a meeting this week with a special U.N. envoy.

The surprise move is aimed at staving off the possibility of economic sanctions and keeping Myanmar's bountiful natural resources on world markets, while also pleasing giant neighbor China, which worries the unrest could cause problems for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The rest of the report at CNN HERE.

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A fellow NGO worker told me that a Burma specialist at her school noted that some say that Aung San Suu Ki was wrong when she called for sanctions against Burma 19 years ago. Had the US and other countries not imposed sanctions on Myanmar, Myanmar could have achieved economic progress akin to that achieved by Viet Nam or China, giving increased purchasing power to the
general population.

However, this is a slippery slope, as it puts economic rights over political, social, and civil ones. As the 1948 UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) included both civil and political rights ("first" generation human rights) and economic, social, and cultural rights ("second" generation rights), it could not secure international consensus necessary to become a binding resolution. In particular, a deep rift divided capitalist countries like the US, which favored civil and political rights, and communist nations which favored economic, social and cultural rights. So the UN had to develop separate covenants for civil and political rights the 1966 UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and one for economic (and social) rights, the UN International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

The argument for sanctions is that there is no way to guarantee that after granting economic rights, political and civil rights will be attained. Asian totalitarian regimes have prioritized economic rights before political ones as an excuse to put off democracy and human rights: China, North Korea, Indonesia, Viet Nam, and of course, Burma, are excellent examples. The only exception is Singapore.

Political and civil development lay the foundation for vibrant economy that gives opportunities for people in every sector of society to break out of poverty, attain new educational opportunities, grow socially, and participate in politics. "Second generation" rights cannot fully be realized without first achieving basic "first generation" rights for everyone.

Having studied and worked in both Viet Nam and China, I can speak from personal experience, that while both countries have reached unprecendented rates of economic growth, the lack of rights and rights consciousness impede the development of civil society in each respective state. Poverty is still rampant. The vast majority of people have meager means by which to live. The cities are ok, but for almost all of the towns and villages, basic infrastructure like sanitation and roads are lacking, social services like healthcare and education are appalling. In large cities and towns in the Mekong Delta, you can see kids as young as 4 or 5 on the streets selling lottery tickets.

Is the "economic growth" really benefitting the average Vietnamese or Chinese? I think not. Rather, both countries are susceptible to the "race to the bottom", in which multinational corporations go to their countries to set up shop because of the lower wages and environmental and worker safety standards of each country. According to the Worldwatch Institute, 16 of the world's 20 most polluted cities are in China.

Absolute poverty is defined by the global community as making less than $1 a day. Do you know how China has been making such big headway in curbing poverty? Simple. Because the CCP's definition of poverty isn't $1 a day. it's $122 a year!

I've been to many a village--not even that far from major towns--they lack roads, drainage, working water systems, and school supplies. I've seen malnourished children and people suffering from drinking flouride contaminated water. Is this progress?

Ok, let's focus on big cities. In China, the government refuses to acknowledge that homelessness exists. According to a former co-worker, when there was an evaluation to decide whether or not to term the city where I was working a clean city (or some politically equivalent title), instead of finding ways to solve the homelessness issue, the government bought train tickets for the homeless to go home for a couple of weeks.

The only soup kitchen in the city, and the only one I've seen in China for that matter, is allowed to operate because it is obscured from public view from the street. Chinese citizens and tourists won't see the throngs of people lining up for food. It's not a government soup kitchen, but run by an individual who pays for it out of pocket.

And not to mention the issue of urban migration--China's policies make it very difficult for the 400 million+ rural workforce to find a place for themselves in city.

But quite possibly the greatest deficiency was the appalling low sense of rights awareness and the generally acknowledged sense of powerlessness in this cultures and societies. In Chinese, there is a phrase termed, "Mei banfa," which means, "There's no way, so why bother?" The root of this ideology is Asian values of "not rocking the boat" and respecting your elders, even if they are wrong or if you disagree. True, Asian cultures have a deeper sense of communal values, but that is precisely because they have sacrificed their individual dreams, hopes, and aspirations for familial burdens and expectations and for unity and conformity. This has much to do with filial piety and Confucian values, which have reversed the clock on the development of a true rights discourse in China.

At my previous job, the organization's focus was on children's development. All the children and most of the parents and villagers I've met and have spoken with simply didn't know that as human beings, they deserve clean water; a good education; a safe, clean, and comfortable toilet; social services, and a right to participate in politics and community development. They don't know how to demand these things. So there is this cycle of ignorance and the corruption that preys on it.

The helplessness that I felt and the inefficiencies I've observed in Viet Nam and Chinese society made me realize that I could never adjust to living life there. Don't read me the wrong way. I'm very liberal and open-minded. But honestly, if you would ask me in what ways living in Viet Nam or China were better than living in the States, besides lower living costs, I'd say nothing.

Some may feel that comments about China's lacking rights consciousness may come across as incendiary and that I may come across as culturally insensitive, but the lack of rights consciousness pervades all aspects of society. If you're truly interested, I wrote a paper on the lack of human rights discourse last fall for a human rights course.

Citing multiple sources and quoting Chinese dissidents and democracy movement leaders, it seeks to explain the human rights case in China. While my understanding of China is far from complete, my general thoughts on China has been formulated through research both in the library and living in Chinese society.

DOWNLOAD a past paper The Universality of Human Rights vs. Cultural Relativism in Asia

DOWNLOAD a focus paper on how Confucianism and Marxism have impeded the development of a rights consciousness dialogue in China, and how these ideologies have facilitated and/or excused human rights abuses there. Sorry I couldn't find the final version of the paper that I wrote. Here is just the outline and rough ideas.

I digress. Perhaps some of my views are generalized, but I hope it gives you some insight into my frustrations and observations of life in "closed" Asian societies.

For Burma: National Campus Day of Action Oct 5 /Global Day of Action Oct 6

2007-10-04T17:31:46Z

!!!!!!!!!!A Global Day of Action is currently being organized. Get involved. Show that you care.!!!!!!!!!!
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Chinese Support for Myanmar's Junta Sparks Olympics Boycott Epoch Times Article

- from the US Campaign for Burma
We are writing this urgent email to call for global demonstrations on Burma this coming Saturday, October 6th to demand the UN Security Council take action on Burma and to call for a global boycott of the 2008 Olympics. We are working together with a huge coalition of international organizations to put together this incredible day of action and we need you to make it happen.

This is one day after a day of student demonstrations across the Unted States on October 5th.

]]> We are expecting demonstrations and protests in up to 35 countries around the world. We are asking for everyone to wear the color red on that day -- red shirts, headbands, or other -- in solidarity with the monks inside Burma. Organize an event or protest in your community, church, city or join us at the Chinese embassies and consulates in the United States and around the world.

As you know, the UN Security Council shamefully has not lifted a finger to help the courageous Burmese monks and civilians even as they are slaughtered by solders wth automatic weapons. The Security Council has also never even breathed a word after the military regime in Burma destroyed over 3,000 villages -- nearly twice as many as have been destroyed in Darfur. The Burmese regime's scorched earth campaign in eastern Burma has been perhaps the most under-reported tragedy perhaps in the world.

There is one reason only for the paralysis of the Security Council: China. One country has singlehandedly blocked the international community from stopping the carnage in Burma. As a result, the UN is making the same mistakes it made on Rwanda and Darfur: sitting on its hands waiting while people die.

Nobel Peace Prize recipent Desmond Tutu has joined us in this call, saying he will boycott the Olympics unless China changes its position at the UN Security Council.

Please pledge to boycott the 2008 Olympics today. The 2008 Olympics have become a monument to savagery and immorality

(p.s. we know that many athletes have worked for a long time to participate in the Olympics. that is why we are asking for the Olympics to be moved to another country so athletes aren't harmed).

Please sign up to host an event on our webpage and keep an eye on our webpage to see what events are already happening so you can join.

We are also requesting donations to help us fund this and more actions. If you are able to donate, please do so generously here. Or, you can host a fundraiser after your demonstration/event on October 6th. Action is always more important than money, but we are urgently short on funds and would appreciate your financial support in addition to your action.

Aung Din, Jeremy Woodrum, Jennifer Quigley, and Thelma Young