11 Nov 10 | Index Index, minipost
The latest appeal by Aung San Suu Kyi against her house arrest has been rejected by Burma’s top court. There is still hope that she will be released because her current detention order expires this weekend. Her youngest son has been permitted a visa to enter the country, leading to speculation he will be allowed to see his mother for the first time in 10 years. However, Suu Kyi’s lawyer has said she would not accept a release with conditions set to inhibit her political activity.
18 Jun 10 | Magazine, News and features
Burmese pro-democracy campaigner Aung San Suu Kyi marks her 65th birthday today, under house arrest in Rangoon. Here, we republish an article she wrote in honour of her father Aung San, which first appeared in the January 1992 edition of Index on Censorship magazine.
Read “Freedom from fear” here
10 Mar 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
Burma’s junta has set out laws governing the general election promised later this year, the new rules underline fears the vote is intended to consolidate military power under a democratic façade. The country’s state-run newspapers today published the election commission law, the first of five pieces of legislation which were formally passed on Monday. Under its terms, the military Government will appoint a five-person commission responsible for supervising the election, ensuring it keeps control over proceedings. “This demonstrates that the generals will dominate the entire process,” said Mark Farmaner of Burma Campaign UK. “If this election were a football match the generals would be playing in both teams, as well as being the referee.” No date has been announced for the election, and it seems unlikely that the junta will meet the condition that major Western governments regard as the minimum for a fair election – the release from custody of democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.
15 Feb 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
Burma’s junta has released the co-founder of the National League for Democracy, Tin Oo after nearly seven years in detention. Tin, who established the League with Aung San Suu Kyi, has been granted freedom shortly before a UN envoy is due to visit Burma to evaluate the regime’s progress on human rights. His release has prompted hopes that Aung San Suu Kyi will also be free.
