Welcoming the Release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and Genuine National Reconciliation
December 3, 2010
Along with the people in Burma and international community, the Mon people and Human Rights Foundation of Monland (HURFOM) are glad to see that Burma’s democracy leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, was released on November 13.
Many people expect she can make a change for Burma, as she also officially spoke about building up a ‘national reconciliation’. But since the regime change after November 7 was not significant, whether she can move forward or deal with the regime in getting genuine national reconciliation remains a question. Read more
The New Civil War and Human Rights after Elections
November 3, 2010
People all over in Burma always have expectations for peace in Burma, because they do not want to suffer more from political oppression, economic deterioration, human rights abuses, etc. But they are very unlucky because their unwanted and undesired new government, formed by military commanders and the leaders from Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), will not make much change. The change will be just like an old wine in a new bottle, meaning there will be a new government but with the old guard and old policies. Read more
Who will be responsible for past human rights violations?
October 6, 2010
After the November 2010 elections, whether the people like it or not, a new government, with heads of both active and retired military commanders, will be formed and power will be transferred within the inner circle of the military leaders.
In many countries, where there have been past serious violations of human rights, there have always been commissions on truth and reconciliation formed to inquire about these past human rights violations in order to avoid the possibility of similar mistakes in the future. Read more
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