The Prospects for Peace
By Roland Watson, Dictator Watch | May 24, 2016 There have been a number of significant events in Burma in the last two weeks. However, it is difficult to discern how they might come together - what their overall [...]
A Fragmented Ethnic Bloc Impedes Suu Kyi’s ‘Panglong’ Vision
By Saw Yan Naing & Kyaw Kha, The Irrawaddy | May 20, 2016 RANGOON — While State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi beats the drum for a “21st Century Panglong Conference” to resolve decades-long ethnic conflict in Burma’s border regions, [...]
Only De-Escalation of the War Could Pave Way for Reconciliation
Opinon article by Sai Wansai, Shan Herald Agency for News (S.H.A.N.) | May 19, 2016 Burma Army is sending a clear message of “ethnic resistance forces annihilation stance aimed at derailing the Daw Aung San Suu Kyi desired Panglong-like convention [...]
Burma Army Accused of Torturing Shan Villagers
By Nang Mya Nadi, Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) | May 19, 2016 Burmese government troops fighting ethnic armed groups in northern Shan State have been accused of abducting and torturing local villagers suspected of being rebel fighters. The district [...]
Doublespeak of Commander-In-Chief Could Derail National Reconciliation Process
Opinion Article by Sai Wansai, Shan Herald News Agency (SHAN) | May 17, 2016 When the Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing declared quite recently that he was toeing the line of Aung San Suu Kyi’s 21st Century Panglong initiative, it looks [...]
NLD Government Must Protect Rohingya People
Joint Press Release by 11 Rohingya Organizations | May 16, 2016 We, the undersigned Rohingya organizations express our serious concern that the security, honour and dignity of the Rohingya population continue to be at stake due to growing anti-Rohingya [...]
Have Ethnic Groups Lost Faith in the NLD?
By Nang Seng Nom / The Irrawaddy | May 14, 2016 The Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) stood by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) for many years in its opposition to the military junta. But less [...]
Ethnic Affairs Minister: The Mandate and Its Executive Power from the Lady’s Lips
By Wagaru Mon, Mon News Agency (MNA) | May 12, 2016 A ministerial post is a role of honor and privilege to the person appointed by an elected government in Burma, also known as Myanmar. Burma’s president appointed a Minister [...]
Consultation Meeting of Border-Based Democracy Activist and Ethnic Civil Society Organizations Re Their Role and Work in Burma During the Transition
Press release by the Organizing Committee of the Second Meeting of Border-Based Civil Society Organizations | May 11, 2016 From 7-9 May, 2016, 56 representatives from 20 border-based democracy activist and ethnic civil society organizations held a second consultation [...]
Arakanese Ceasefire Signatory Threatens Fighting
By Moe Myint/The Irrawaddy | May 11, 2016 RANGOON — Last year’s “nationwide ceasefire agreement” may already be unraveling, as one of its signatories, the Arakan Liberation Army (ALA), has threatened to pull out of it, according to ALA [...]