Day: September 7, 2011
“Hundred of Indian Parliamentarians Call for release of 2000 political prisoners in Burma” – Indian Parliamentarians’ Forum for Democracy in Burma (IPFDB)
“Hundred of Indian Parliamentarians Call for release of 2000 political prisoners in Burma”
– Indian Parliamentarians’ Forum for Democracy in Burma (IPFDB) –
New Delhi, 05th September 2011:
Mr. Ram Jethmalani, Convener and other honourable members of the Indian Parliamentarians’ Forum for Democracy in Burma (IPFDB) will hold a press conference to support the call by Burmese democratic leader and Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi for the release of Burma’s Political Prisoners and will announce sending of the signed letter to President Thein Sein.
A call letter was signed by more than 100 Indian Members of Parliament across the parties to be sent to President U Thein Sein, Union of Myanmar, urging for immediate release of the remaining political prisoners in the country.
There are still more than 2000 political prisoners languishing in prisons in Burma. They have been kept in deplorable and inhuman conditions. Most of them have been sentenced to 65 years and more of rigorous imprisonment, and have little hope of ever leaving prison.
The release of Daw Aung San Syu Kyi by the new government has been a welcome move. However, her release alone does not signify Burma’s transition to democracy. If the new government is serious about its intention of promoting democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Burma then it is incumbent upon the new Government of Burma to release all the other political prisoners too, who constitute no other threat than that of being the voice of dissent.
We, Indian Parliamentarians, hope to see a genuine democratic system in Burma and, as the first step towards peace and reconciliation in Burma, we call upon the President and the government of Burma to release all political prisoners in the country. Their release will be a positive step in the spirit of conciliation and dialogue that Burma now needs.
Indian Parliamentarians’ Forum for Democracy in Burma invites you to a press conference “calling for the release of political prisoners in Burma” as below scheduled;
Date: 6th September 2011
Venue: Press Club of India, Raisina Road, New Delhi
Time: 4:00 -5:30 pm
Sincerely,
Ram Jethmalani (MP/RS)
Convener – Indian Parliamentarians’ Forum for Democracy in Burma (IPFDB)
* This Press Release was sent by Indian Parliamentarians’ Forum for Democracy in Burma (IPFDB)
The sender can be contacted at ipfdb(dot)india(at)gmail(dot)com
This PR was webcasted on September 05 2011 .
source epao net
LONDON EVENT: Political Prisoner,Ko Zarganar,Film screening: This Prison Where I Live@ Foreign Office in King Charles Street
On 15 September, the FCO will show the film telling the story of the political prisoner Zarganar, a fierce critic of the regime in Burma and its most popular comedian. Find out how to get your place and listen to our new human rights podcast.
Members of the public are invited to attend the event, which will take place at the Foreign Office in King Charles Street, Westminster, London. Places will be first come first served. To attend, become a fan of the Foreign Office News on Burma Facebook page and view the event details and instructions. The film is directed by Rex Bloomstein, who will attend the event and will take part in a Q&A session after the screening.
Ahead of the event, the Foreign Office has launched our new human rights podcast series. This looks at a range of human rights issues, as well as focusing on the situation in specific countries. The first in this series focuses on Burma and freedom of expression, featuring an interview with Rex and excerpts from ‘This Prison Where I Live’.
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=651674382
Tickets are limited and there will be a maximum of 2 tickets per person.
Please RSVP on this page to show your support but to confirm your attendance you will also need to email: SEAPG.Enquiries@fco.gov.uk with your name and your guest’s name. You will then receive a confirmation of your place which you will need to print out and bring with you.
If you do not bring the confirmation print-out we can’t guarantee entrance!
The screening of ‘This Prison Where I Live’ is in conjunction with Rex Entertainment at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Thursday, 15th September. Director Rex Bloomstein will take part in a Q&A session following the screening.
The FCO has helped to organise screenings of ‘This Prison Where Live’ all over the world and we are now pleased to give our Facebook members the chance to see it here.
‘This Prison Where I Live’ tells the story of the political prisoner Zarganar, a fierce critic of the regime and Burma’s most popular comedian. Containing secret footage of Zarganar filmed in 2007, it is an insight into the experiences of an extraordinary man and the journey made by Bloomstein and German comedian Michael Mittermeier in their attempt to share his story with the world.
This film simultaneously explores the scale of oppression in Burma and the resilience of those who struggle against it. The comparison between two comedians from two different countries reveals the importance of democracy and freedom of speech.
“The movie is an introduction to a remarkable man who needs the support of the world against his vindictive oppressors” – The Observer
Thank you for your continuing support. We look forward to seeing you at the screening.
Details
The screening will take place on 15th September. Refreshments will be served from 6.00pm before an introduction to the film at 6.30pm. Please arrive at the main reception by 6:15 to be escorted to the screening.
Nearest Tube Station: Westminster
http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/news/latest-news/?view=News&id=651674382
http://www.bdcburma.org/NewsDetails.asp?id=906
KACHIN TV: Burmese propaganda distributes Kachin State (Burmese)
The KIA’s fraction and killing news in the government mouthpiece New Light of Myanmar newspaper on September 6 was denied by KIA’s Vice Chief of Staff Brig-Gen Gun Maw.
The Burmese government is launching psychological warfare against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) by distributing false messages about the KIA to people in Kachin State, local people said.
Leaflets and posters containing government propaganda and false messages about the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) and its armed-wing, the KIA, have been distributed in Myitkyina, Manmaw (Bhamo), Waingmaw and Hpakant since early August, said witnesses.
The anti-KIO/A leaflets were distributed and pasted in Manmaw, the second largest city of Kachin State on August 20, September 3 and 5, according to residents. Continue reading “KACHIN TV: Burmese propaganda distributes Kachin State (Burmese)”
Contrary to report, DKBA remains active and strong
September 6th, 2011
IMNA – The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) has countered the recent statement made by the Karen State Democracy and Development Party (KSDDP) that the DKBA no longer exists due to its transformation into a Border Guard Force (BGF) according to constitutional law by pointing out that the DKBA is still active with thousands of soldiers.
The Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) ( Photo-http://www.ibiblio.org)
The KSDDP’s statement was made through a government-owned television station on 2 September.
According to DKBA’s information officer from Kolohtoobow Military Heard-quarters, “DKBA still stands with the strength of about 3,000 soldiers, mainly the troops led by Brigadier General Saw Lar Bwe, also known as Bo Moustache and Major Saw Bi”.
Factions of the DKBA that refused to comply with the Burmese government’s demand to transform itself into a BGF have combined with troops of the Karen National Union (KNU) and are actively fighting against Burmese troops, the officer said.
The remaining DKBA troops are cooperating with the KNU at Myawaddy, Kawkareik, Kyainnseikkyi, Three Pagodas Pass, and areas near Myaing Gyi Ngu, such as Hlaing Bwe and Hpa-an.
The officer added that these DKBA troops are cooperating with the KNU militarily, while also joining forces with the KNU politically.
The DKBA was formed when troops split from the KNU in 1994. Many DKBA factions agreed to become BGF with the arrangement of the Burmese government before the 2010 election.
Brigadier General Saw Lar Bwe (Bo Nauk Kham Mwe) did not accept the reformation demand, and continues to use the ‘DKBA’ name for his rebel troops.
The KSDDP, which announced that the DKBA no longer exists, formed a political party with a former officer of the DKBA after some DKBA battalions changed into BGF in 2010.
The Chairman of KSDDP is Saw Tha Htoo Kyaw, the Vice Chairman is Saw Aung Ngwe, and the Secretary is Saw Than Mya. The current Minister of Finance for Karen State, U Saing Chit Hlaing, is from KSDDP, according to KIC news.
Short URL: http://monnews.org/?p=3493
DKBA won’t go give up the fight
The Kayin State Democracy and Development Party (KSDDP) based in Hpa-an in Karen State, announced in the state-controlled media that it did not recognize the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army and claimed that the group undermines peace and stability of the State under the name of DKBA.
The KSDDP’s statement ran in the state run newspaper, The New Light of Myanmar, recently claimed the DKBA was finished as it had been formed into a Border Guard Force in accord with the constitution. The paper said.
“There is no more DKBA any longer, [the] KSDDP’s statement says. Consequently, the KSDDP affirmed that it does not recognize the organization under the name of DKBA undermining peace and stability of the State.”
Major Saw Hsan Aung, a commander with the DKBA Brigade 5, told Karen News, that KSDDP’s media statements was ordered to by the country’s ruling party, the Union Solidarity and Development Association leading member, the Prime Minister, U Thein Sein.
“People from this party are ordered, word-fed and are the mouth piece of [PM] U Thein Sein government. Civilians already know that there is DKBA. The Government want us disappeared, and they are trying to deceive all the ethnic and international community.”
The DKBA pointed out that the statement run in the state-controlled media had a number of inaccuracies – it misspelled the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army as the Democratic Karen Buddhist Association and got the dates wrong about the formation of the Border Guard Force stating incorrectly that it was formed on 18 August 2011 instead of 18 August 2010.
The statement was also broadcast on Padauk Myay Brocast Station.
The DKBA’s Major Saw Hsan Aung, said its 5th Brigade, led by Brig-Gen Saw Lah Pwe started fighting on election day on 8th November 2010 and continues to work and fight alongside the Karen National Union’s army.
DKBA 5th Brigade, Military Head Quarters, responded to the ‘Union of Myanmar Government’s Announcement 1/2011’, that the “invitation to peace talks” was worthless as it did not include the whole State.
The former KSDDP Myawaddy Township Northern organizer, Saw Poe Kli, who joined with the KNU early this year said.
“The [KSDDP] party is not related to the DKBA. The Government wants DKBA to disappear. But the reality is that Na Khan Mway [Saw Lah Pwe] and Major Saw Beeh are still fighting against the Burma Army – they’re still wearing their [DKBA] insignia.”
The Karen State Democracy and Development Party was founded by Chairman Saw Tha Htoo Kyaw, Vice Chairman Saw Aung Ngwe and Secretary Saw Than Mya before the 2010 elections and the current Karen State Economics Minister U Sai Chit Hlaing is from the KSDDP party.
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