Nordic Expertise on Burma
Latest additions
Share
Subscribe
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
84 links. Showing
1-10.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
-
Selfdescription: ALTSEAN-Burma (Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma) is a network of organizations and individuals based in ASEAN member states working to support the movement for human rights and democracy in Burma. The network is comprised of human rights & social justice NGOs, political parties, think tanks, academics, journalists and student activists. We were formed at the conclusion of the Alternative ASEAN Meeting on Burma held at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, in October 1996. We are a regional network engaged in advocacy, campaigns and capacity building to establish a free and democratic Burma. We work with the democracy movement and its supporters to produce resources and create opportunities for: • Building and strengthening strategic relationships among key networks and organisations from Burma, ASEAN and the international community. • Implementing innovative strategies that are responsive to emerging needs and urgent developments. • Inspiring and building confidence for empowerment among activists, particularly women, youth and all ethnic groups of Burma.
http://www.altsean.org/index.php
Keywords: Burma - Myanmar, Civil society, Human rights, In Focus, In Focus 2007, In Focus 2007 Week 40, In Focus 2008, In Focus 2008 Week 24, In Focus 2009, In Focus 2009 Week 09, In Focus 2010, In Focus 2010 Week 43, NGO, Politics and society, Southeast Asia,
-
The three Rohingya Organisations-Arakan Rohingya Islamic Front (ARIF) , Rohingya Solidarity Organisaton (RSO) and Rohingya Solidarity ORGANISATION RSO)- having common outlook toward all national, political and ideological matters, have united together and merged into a single organisation namely ARAKAN ROHINGYA NATIONAL ORGANISATION (ARNO ) to serve the cause of their people. The website contains information in various forms about the situation for the Rohingyas, articles, books, videos and more.
http://www.rohingya.org/
Keywords: Burma - Myanmar, Civil and political rights, Conflicts. Terrorism, Ethnic conflict, Ethnic groups, Human rights, In Focus, In Focus 2009, In Focus 2009 Week 09, Islam, Philosophy. Religion, Population, Refugees, Social conditions, Southeast Asia,
-
When ASEAN took in Myanmar as a partner, Myanmar’s fate becomes ASEAN’s fate. This review outlines ASEAN's decisive role, Buddhism in Myanmar, a previous rebellion led by monks and why Than Shwe and his junta must not be overthrown. OOI Keat Gin Buddhist monks holding hostages and then protesting en masse on the streets of Yangon swelling to thousands as other local people joined in was an unprecedented spectacle in recent times that became dubbed as the ‘saffron revolution’. The strong arm tactics by the ruling military junta in crushing dissent was no great surprise; precedents were aplenty, the infamous 1988 crack down is barely forgotten. The number of fatalities, double or three figures and the uncertainty of the numbers that were taken away then and now still remained a mystery. World leaders and general public opinion had appealed for restrained. Almost a deja vu if one recalled Tiannmen of 1989. The generals of Myanmar, like the Communist Party of China, is not going to be bother with world public opinion or even threats of sanctions. The military leaders in Myanmar are not going to care much whether economic or whatever sanctions are imposed on the country. In fact the more imposition of sanctions the more the ordinary citizen of Myanmar, his wife, children and hand-held baby are going to be the victims and suffer from deprivation. The ‘Saffron revolution’ appeared to be the last resort against recent developments in Myanmar. Ever since the country embraced Buddhism several centuries ago, the religion is pervasive in practically all aspects of daily life. Respect for the sangha, the Buddhist clergy is unquestionable and a fact of life amongst the devout as well as the sundry. Monks are found in every corner of the country, in cities and in remote villages. The daily scene of people offering food to a line of monks each holding a bowl connects the sangha directly to the man-in-the-street. What a monk utters be it a blessing or advice is well-received by the common men and women. Buddhism preached non-violence. But there were instances when Buddhist monks or pongyis-led revolt against authority; the Saya San rebellion of 1930-1931 was practically organized by the political-minded pongyis. Despite being defeated by the British colonial government, the historian J. F. Cady remarked that this political-religious revolt “undoubtedly constituted an important landmark in the development of Burmese nationalism”. Therefore with the muffling and incarceration of pro-democracy elements and the perennial house arrest imposed on the impotent Aung Sun Suu Kyi, the sangha appeared to be the only and final hope for turning the country around. Reminiscence of Saya San that gained popular support in the Tharrawaddy district against the background of the World Depression appeared to be resurrected. The current spiraling cost of living that worsened day by day culminating in the increase in fuel prices is but the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s (read people’s) back. Enough is enough and the people hit the streets behind saffron robed monks that represented the moral authority in a society long cowed under repressive rule. Notwithstanding ASEAN’s unyielding so-called constructive engagement with Myanmar’s military government, it is still not too late for ASEAN to play a decisive role in persuading Than Shwe and his colleagues to resolve the country’s problem at the conference table. But in this role, ASEAN must play a covert, behind-the-scene role to broker a ‘ceasefire’ between the opposing factions. A compromise solution needs to be decided and agreed upon by all concern. The crux to the solution is this important point. For public consumption the solution or a compromise deal has to be seen to be from the military junta; it is imperative that all appearances to show that it is they who initiate and resolve the situation. ASEAN’s role has to be in the background. The military junta needs to ‘save face’, and must not publicly be seen as backing down or compromising. Opposition groups need to give the generals a ‘face-saving’ way to pull out of the present debacle for the sake of the country’s future. If the latter is steadfast in not wanting to allow the facade that the solution / compromise deal emanates from the military junta, then sadly the country is heading towards chaos and even all-out civil war. Ironically Than Shwe and his junta must not be overthrown. If the central authority in Myanmar collapses, the country will descend into anarchy. It took several decades for the Myanmar government to resolve the ethnic strife amongst the country’s minorities – Shan, Karen, Kachin, Chin, and others. If the government falls, the entire country will convalesce into flames of chaos. The situation will not be unlike W. B. Keats’ When things fall apart, the centre can not hold; Mere anarchy be lost upon the world A UN special envoy, a Nigerian named Ibrahim Gambari was in Myanmar to help resolve the situation. He, alas, would join the club of ‘special envoys’ that returned empty-handed. When ASEAN took in Myanmar as a partner, Myanmar’s fate becomes ASEAN’s fate. The onus, therefore, is on ASEAN to bring about a resolution to Myanmar’s present situation. Southeast Asians should resolve Southeast Asian problems and not allow others from outside the region to take the opportunity and advantage to impose their agenda or achieve their ulterior motives. Lessons from Viet Nam (1950s-1970s) remained vivid. *************************************************************** OOI Keat Gin is associate professor in the School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia, coordinator of the Asia-Pacific Research Unit (APRU), and editor of the International Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies (IJAPS).
http://www.usm.my
Keywords: Burma - Myanmar, International relations, Politics and society, Regional relations, Southeast Asia,
-
The Asia-Pacific Peoples’ Partnership on Burma (APPPB) is a movement of organizations and individuals that aims to develop a strong broad-based partnership of peoples of the Asia-Pacific advocating and mobilizing a movement for promoting freedom, democracy and human rights in Burma. This movement facilitates strategic linkages; coordinates activities; develops and shares its capacity and resources; channels information resources; and promotes dialogue towards unified approaches.
http://apppb.blogspot.com/
Keywords: Burma - Myanmar, Human rights, In Focus, In Focus 2009, In Focus 2009 Week 10, Southeast Asia,
-
the work of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is aimed at improving the welfare of the people in Asia and the Pacific, particularly the 1.9 billion who live on less than $2 a day. Despite many success stories, Asia and the Pacific remains home to two thirds of the world's poor. ADB is a multilateral development financial institution owned by 65 members , 47 from the region and 18 from other parts of the globe. ADB's vision is a region free of poverty. Its mission is to help its developing member countries reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of their citizens.
http://www.adb.org/
Keywords: Burma - Myanmar, Cambodia, Development. Poverty, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Southeast Asia, Thailand, Vietnam,
-
Extensive social and economic information on Burma including basic facts, economic trends, statistical indicators, development projects, recent socio-economic news. Includes information on Asian Development Bank programs in Burma. Some statistical tables and information in PDF format.
http://www.adb.org/Myanmar/default.asp
Keywords: Burma - Myanmar, Development. Poverty, In Focus, In Focus 2009, In Focus 2009 Week 11, In Focus 2009 Week 14, Southeast Asia,
-
This site provides access to the full-text of House of Commons Research paper 04/16 which was published in February 2004. It provides an assessment of the political and human rights situation in Burma (Myanmar). This includes coverage of human rights abuses, the arrest and detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and the reaction of the British government and international community towards the situation.
http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/rp2004/rp04-016.pdf
Keywords: Burma - Myanmar, Human rights, In Focus, In Focus 2008, In Focus 2008 Week 19, Politics and society, Southeast Asia,
-
Burma : mapping the challenges and opportunities for dialogue and reconciliation / Timo Kivimäki & Morten B. Pedersen. - Helsinki : Crisis Management Initiative. Martti Ahtisaari Rapid Reaction Facility, 2008 - 79 p. The Union of Myanmar (Burma) has suffered political and ethnic conflict for more than half a century, which continues to hamper the country’s social, political and economic development. The present report, prepared by the Crisis Management Initiative for the European Commission, seeks to map the conflict landscape, including its history, the actors involved, and the main obstacles and opportunities for dialogue and reconciliation. It assesses the change processes currently underway in the country and considers relevant comparative experiences from similar transitions elsewhere in the world. The final section contains specific recommendations to the EU and its member states, with particular attention to the possible role for a private (track-2) facilitator.
http://www.cmi.fi/images/stories/publications/reports/2008/Burma_report_2008.pdf
Keywords: Burma - Myanmar, Conflict resolution, Conflicts. Terrorism, Finland, In Focus, In Focus 2010, In Focus 2010 Week 46, Nordic Perspective, Publications, Southeast Asia,
-
Taken from the CIA World Factbook, this page provides a social, political, demographic and economic overview of Burma. The guide is divided into several key sections: introduction; geography; people; government; economy; communications; transportation; military; and transnational Issues. The information is updated regularly, and also includes a map and the national flag.
https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/bm.html
Keywords: Burma - Myanmar, Politics and society, Southeast Asia,
-
The BBC speical report on the situation in Burma after the cyclone Nargis with updated news.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/asia_pacific/2008/burma_cyclone/default.stm
Keywords: Burma - Myanmar, In Focus, In Focus 2008, In Focus 2008 Week 24, Natural disasters, Southeast Asia,
.
