USDP’s manipulations to win in elections
September 10, 2010
The Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), which was formed from a so-called civilian social service organization, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), and plans to win in the 2010 national election by any means. The USDP is composed of retired military commanders from the current military regime, who stepped down to take up the guise of civilian leaders, and lower ranking SPDC members. Read more
Ceasefire Concern, Security tightened in Gas Pipeline Areas
August 5, 2010
HURFOM: The situation in the southern part of Mon State has become increasingly unstable as senior SPDC military leadership has applied pressure to the New Mon State Party (NMSP) to reduce its armed wing, the Mon National Liberation Army (MNLA), into becoming a subservient border guard force or militia force. Tension increased within the NMSP after an April 22nd meeting in which a top SPDC commander invoked, for the 1st time since its formation, terms suggesting the “return to a pre-ceasefire relationship”. Read more
Generals’ Road Map to Power after the Elections
July 5, 2010
Although the regime is allowing non-regime sponsored political parties to form for the 2010 elections, the Generals already have their grip on power through its main power base political party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). All the leaders in this new party are SPDC generals, and is based from a well-known regime controlled social organization, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), which claims it has 20 million members countrywide. Read more
2010 Elections with Non-Politicians Candidates
May 26, 2010
Burma’s long-standing problems can be traced to its genuine political clashes between the country’s military rulers and its democratic opposition parties, and these same military rulers and the country’s ethnic minority . However, the military regime, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) does not want to solve Burma’s political problems, but instead wishes to continue maintaining its power in the upcoming 2010 elections. 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
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
New Conflicts in Mon Areas Signal Instability in 2010
February 5, 2010
Recently, after a conflict between the troops of the Burmese Army (BA) and a Mon splinter group in the southern part of Ye and Yebyu Townships, many newly displaced individuals have had to flee from their homes. At the same time, the Mon villagers still in the region are restricted in their movements and blocked inside their homes. Read more
Farmers in Mon State are in Trouble
January 4, 2010
Election preparations round off a year of abuses against farmers in Mon territory
January 3, 2010
Introduction:
As preparations by the Burmese State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) for the elections slated for 2010 mount, an increasing amount of pressure will be placed on already burdened rural agricultural communities in Mudon, Thanbyuzayat, Ye and Kyaikmayaw Townships. As previously noted in HURFOM’s October and November election reports, these preparations have targeted rural communities with the intention of securing political dominance in advance of the government’s announcement of the 2010 electoral rules. In taking farmers and community members from their time sensitive-cultivation and harvests of rice crops that are critical for community survival and economy, these preparations have place an excessive burden on agricultural populations. Download report as PDF [ 328 KB] Read more