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Suspect over fire in battalion tortured

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 00:07

(Mizzima) – A person has been arrested and is allegedly being tortured in the notorious Insein prison, on suspicion of involvement in a fire in the Garrison Engineering (GE) Battalion in Rangoon Division’s Hleku Township, according to sources.

Military junta authorities arrested a suspect, Zaw Latt (22), on March 28, in connection with a fire, which broke out in the office of GE Battalion (963) in Hleku Township’s Min Kone village on the same day.

Child Soldiers Still Common in Burma: UN Report

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 00:06

(The Irrawaddy) WASHINGTON — The Burmese military regime’s army and nine other armed groups are still recruiting child soldiers, according to the latest Annual Report of the UN Secretary-General to the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict, released on Wednesday.

The report accuses both the Burmese junta and an array of armed ethnic groups, including ceasefire groups and active anti-government forces, of continuing to engage in the practice of recruiting child soldiers.

Police arrest opposition members during prayers

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 00:05

(DVB)–Two opposition party members have been arrested whilst praying for the release of political prisoners in Burma, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

During a National League for Democracy weekly prayer meeting yesterday in Rangoon’s Twante township, police arrested the township’s vice chairman Chit Pe and chief organizer Maung Soe Wai.

Civilians in crossfire running out of food

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 00:05

(DVB)–Civilians living in close proximity to the ongoing battle between Karen rebels and government troops are running low on food, says a senior official in the Karen group.

The latest flare-up between the Karen National Liberation Army, the armed wing of opposition group Karen National Union, and government troops began on 17 April.

Expansion of military forces citizens off land

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 00:04

(DVB)–Fertile farmland is being confiscated by the government and converted to army barracks, outposts and training sites as Burma’s military increases in size, says a report released today on land confiscation in Burma.

Forced land confiscation without compensation has caused widespread problems throughout the country, says ‘Holding our Ground’, which focuses on Arakan State, Mon State and the Pa-O region of southern Shan State.

Police refuse to arrest attackers of opposition members

Tuesday, 18 August 2009 00:03

(DVB)–Police have told opposition party members who were attacked by a mob led by a government official that their assailants will not be arrested because government authorities have not permissed them to do so.

Two members of the National League for Democracy’s youth wing were attacked on 18 April whilst on their way to a religious new year ceremony in Rangoon’s Twente township.