May 02, 2013 (English Version)

Communities Torn Apart as Anti-Muslim Violence Tears Apart Communities Near Rangoon — Special Report

Local Buddhist leader warns of possible coup if violence continues to spread to other regions, ripping apart previously peaceful villages. Read More

Activist Sentenced to 3 Months in Prison for Defaming Police

Burmese social activist Nay Myo Zin was sentenced to three months in prison on charges of defaming the Irrawaddy Division police force. Read More

Burma’s Journalists Chip Away at Restrictive Publishing Bill

Journalists are making inroads in negotiations with the government over a controversial bill that critics warn could otherwise reverse fragile gains in Burma’s press freedom. Read More

Wa Rebels Caught Up in Regional Chess Match

As the Burmese military fights against ethnic rebels in Shan State, the relationship between Beijing and Naypyidaw is being put to the test. Read More

Religious Freedom in Burma Among the Worst in the World: US Report

Burma is among the world’s worst violators of religious freedom, as Christian and Muslim minorities, and some Buddhist monks face persecution, a US commission says. Read More

Press Freedom, With Limits

Burma’s journalism scene is opening up, but after speaking with reporters in Rangoon, media watchdog Shawn Crispin sees cause for concern. Read More

Chinese Incursion Leaves India on Verge of Crisis

Indian officials say Chinese soldiers have refused to move back over the so-called Line of Actual Control that divides Indian-ruled territory from Chinese-run land. Read More

Pope Condemns Bangladesh Working Conditions as ‘Slave Labor’

Pope Francis condemns the conditions of workers who died in the Bangladesh factory collapse as “slave labor,” calling the unbridled quest for profits “against God.” Read More

North Korea Sentences American to 15 Years’ Labor

An American is sentenced to 15 years of labor for crimes against the state, a development further complicating already strained ties between Pyongyang and Washington. Read More

Sheik Salman Elected President of Asian Football

Sheik Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain won a landslide victory to be elected president of the Asian Football Confederation on Thursday, replacing longtime rival Mohamed bin Hammam. A half hour later, he also won the vote for the vacant seat on FIFA’s executive committee, inflicting defeat on Qatar World Cup organizing chief Hassan [...] Read More

Arakan Report Fails to Address Key Issues: UN Rapporteur

The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma Tomas Ojea Quintana has expressed concern over the government’s report on sectarian violence in Arakan State, which was released on Monday. He said it contained “many worthwhile recommendations,” but failed to recommend amending the controversial 1982 Citizenship Law, which renders the Muslim Rohingyas stateless. It neither [...] Read More

Number of Displaced in Burma Rises to 450,000: Report

Internal conflict and communal violence displaced a further 166,000 people in Burma in 2012, bringing the total number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country to “at least 450,000 people,” according to a global report released by the Internal Displaced Monitoring Centre. The group said inter-communal violence in Arakan State displaced 125,000 people, while [...] Read More

Burma to Host Intl. Human Rights Film Festival

Burma is gearing up for an international film festival on human rights, with the inaugural event kicking off next month in Rangoon and continuing with a screening roadshow around the country. The “Human Rights Human Dignity” film festival will run from June 15-19 in Rangoon, with free screenings of documentaries, animations and short films at [...] Read More

10 More Burmese Papers Get License to Go Daily

Burma’s government has given 10 more private daily publications permission to hit the newsstands, state media reported on Wednesday, bumping the total number of daily private papers in the country to 24. The 10 new dailies include National Time Daily, Daily Eleven News, Myanma Freedom Daily, The Nagani Daily, Dana Business Daily, Warazein Daily, Newswatch [...] Read More