NUP campaign promises immunity from regime abuses

September 2, 2010

HURFOM: While the USDP has thus far dominated most accounts of government support and abuse against civilians prior to the 2010 election, the NUP has also returned to again contest Burma’s national election. The NUP, intending to raise membership and support before going to the polls, has been coercing the support of voters through incentives of protection against current government abuses. This tactic indicates strong ties with government support despite election laws. Read more

Series of extortion and labor demands by SPDC, DKBA and KPF hits Kawkareik Township economy

July 7, 2010

HURFOM, Kawkareik: At least 9 villages in Kawkareik Township, Karen State, have been subject to a barrage of taxation and supply demands from forces belonging to a variety of Burmese government and allied forces in early June. These combined demands have in most instances required villages to pay over 100,000 kyat in the space of days. Additionally in some cases villagers were forced to perform labor without compensation and had to pay individual political support fees to a government party. Read more

USDA election party membership fee causes frustration amongst members

June 8, 2010

Mon State: Township Union Solidarity and Development Associations (USDA) in Mon State have begun charging members a membership fee for raising party funds now that the USDA has reformed as a political party and can no longer officially receive state funding. Read more

Unusual government financial support prompts suspicions amongst residents of effort to buy pro-government vote

June 7, 2010

Mon State: Community members reported to HURFOM that on May 29th and June 1st poor parents who have problems enrolling their children in the local school for this academic year can inform local authorities in Three Pagoda Pass (TPP) town and seek support. Additionally the Burmese authorities arranged to hold an enrollment ceremony that was led by the Township and Burmese military high-ranking officials on June 1st.  Read more

2010 Elections Is Meaningless for the Mon People

May 4, 2010

After reaching the deadline of April 22nd, the New Mon State Party (NMSP) had to make a statement regarding their position on whether to accept pressure to transform their armed force into a militia force under the command of the Burmese army – since then the situation in Mon areas has been unstable.  The troops of the Burmese Army have moved into or close to the 1995 ceasefire designated areas, and hundreds of Mon people have been displaced, escaping from their villages. Read more

Ye Township USDA office use government administration to request family lists from area residents

April 26, 2010

HURFOM,YE TOWNSHIP: In order to obtain the exact lists of the eligible voters, a government backed civilian group, the Union Solidarity and Develop Association  (USDA), which is expected to enrollee as a political party, has used the assistance of the Burmese government Township Peace and Development Council [TPDC] authorities to significantly increased its influence in Ye township. Many local sources have reported that the USDA plans to use this effort as leverage to win the most seats for their members in the new parliament in the anticipated 2010 election.   Read more

Can Ethnic Problems Be Solved After the 2010 Elections?

April 5, 2010

In early March, Burma’s ruling military regime officially announced an “Election Commission Law” and “Political Party Registration Law” and encouraged all political groups in the country to register as political parties in the elections, which will be held before the end of 2010.    Read more

Social Responsibility of Multinational Companies in Burma

March 8, 2010

ASEAN, China and other countries have expectations for Burma’s 2010 elections because these governments’  leaders are concerned about being able to invest in Burma for trade or exploitation of natural resources. Read more

Oil and Water: The Impact of Government salary increases on democratic prospects

March 8, 2010

Introduction:

In early January 2010, the Burmese government State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) announced a nationwide salary increase for all government employees. Under the announcement No. 104/2010, from the SPDC Department of Finance and Customs in Nayphidaw, the pay hike was implemented concurrent with the SPDC’s heavy-handed campaign to secure civilian support during the 2010 election. The pay hike raised the salary of all active members in the government workforce a flat 20,000 kyat per month, regardless of position or rank.Adobe Acrobat PDF Download report as PDF [143 KB] Read more

Community confusion and tension mount after Burmese and Karen army visits demand support

March 5, 2010

HURFOM: Villagers who base in Ye Township and Thanbyuzayat Township are increasingly confused as pressure to act for or against the coming 2010 election mounts, from both the Karen National Union (KNU) and Burmese government State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) troops. Read more

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