Stories about Myanmar (Burma) from December, 2008
Myanmar: Pictures of fishing villages
dawn_109 went to the delta region of Myanmar, and posted pictures of fishing villages which were destroyed by a deadly cyclone last May.
Myanmar: Political prisoner commits suicide
A 35-year old political prisoner in Myanmar committed suicide after authorities refused to give him proper medical treatment.
Myanmar: Nine activists arrested during peaceful march
It’s not a happy new year for nine members of the National League for Democracy who were arrested near the Parliament building in Rangoon, Myanmar on Tuesday while demanding for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi.
Southeast Asia: Controversies and tragedies of 2008
In the previous post (Southeast Asia: Newsmakers of 2008), I wrote about the major events that took place in Southeast Asia. In this article, I will highlight other stories which became controversial as well.
Southeast Asia: Newsmakers of 2008
For Southeast Asia, 2008 was a year of terrible disasters, both natural and man-made. Rice consumption was reduced, milk products were contaminated with melamine, jobs were lost, bloggers were arrested, and homes were destroyed. But the situation is not hopeless.
Myanmar: Shoes, politics and colonialism
Shoes had been a symbol of politics in Myanmar. Aung Zaw of The Irrawaddy writes about a “shoe incident” involving British colonizers who didn't remove their shoes when they met the Burmese king a century ago. This became a national issue.
Myanmar: Killing of elephants for trade
According to BurmaNet News, an increasing number of elephants in northern Myanmar are being killed for its ivory and skin for over a decade. Myanmar has the largest elephant population in Southeast Asia.
Myanmar: Prepaid GSM SIM card now available
dawn_1o9 reports that pre-paid GSM SIM cards are now available in Myanmar, but costs and application procedures are still prohibitive. Mobile phones have been used in the protest actions against the ruling Junta.
Myanmar: Jailed bloggers receive awards
Popular Burmese bloggers Zarganar and Nay Phone Latt, who were arrested by the Junta authorities for allegedly criticizing the government, have been recognized by media groups in Paris.
Video:What image opened your eyes to human rights?
The sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is on December 10th, and Witness' The Hub team has put together a video that responds to the question: What images have opened your eyes to Human Rights? The video is online right now and with it they are asking all of us to participate by showing and telling the world about the power images have had in making us care about Human Rights.
Myanmar: English translation of Constitution
Myat Thura uploads an English translation of Myanmar's constitution
Myanmar: Humanitarian aid for AIDS victims
Yu Yu Din writes that two cousins of hers have died of AIDS. She also notes that Myanmar is receiving very little humanitarian aid to treat people with AIDS.
