Famine Fear in Chin State, Burma

Up to 100,000 people in the south of Chin State, the poorest state in Burma, face starvation in renewed food shortages. [more]

Jan, 26 | Comment

Members of The Best Friend about their release from prison

On Friday 13 January of this year, many (political) prisoners were released by the Burmese authorities. Among them Ma Thanda Tun and Ko Nyo. They were arrested by Special Branch police in August 2009 in Mandalay and accused of having traveled to Thailand (Mae Sot) to meet with members of an “outlawed organization”. [more]

Jan, 23 | Comment

Ashin Virathu “If the Sangha Council will work for the monks, I will wear my robe again.”

The famous monk Ashin Virathu has been released from prison in Mandalay recently after spending nine years behind bars. He has since refused to wear his monk robe and is still wearing his prisoner uniform as a form of protest instead. [more]

Jan, 21 | Comment

Shwe Nya Wah Sayadaw ordered to leave his monastery

The Maha Nayaka Sangha Council today ordered Shwe Nya Wah Sayadaw to leave his monastery within one month. Ashin Gambira, Ashin Issariya (aka Daung Dsaw) and several monks protested against this decision. [more]

Jan, 19 | Comment

Ashin Gambira Rebuilding Meggin Monastery – “We want to see real change”

Since their release from prison late last week, Ashin Gambira and Ashin Issariya (aka Daung Dsaw) have moved in to Meggin Monsatery in Rangoon. They plan to rebuild and reopen this monastery that was destroyed by the Burmese regime following the Saffron Revolution of 2007. Both monks are now joined by the abbot of the monastery, Ashin Win Deka. [more]

Jan, 18 | Comment

“I will continue the struggle for our people’s freedom”: An interview with Ashin Zaw Latt

Ashin Law Latt

Ashin Zaw Latt, a prominent Mon Buddhist monk, was arrested by the Burmese authorities on January 7, 2010. He was incarcerated as a political prisoner after launching a poster campaign in Mon State encouraging people to oppose the 2010 elections. The military regime sentenced him to 15 years in prison, but he was released on January 13 as part of the government’s amnesty for 651 political prisoners. He is currently 30 years old, and hails from Mudon Village, Chaungzone Township, Mon State.

[more]

Jan, 17 | Comment

Official Statement on 13 January Amnesty

The Best Friend warmly welcomes the release of political prisoners, including many of our friends such as U Gambira, U Ghosita, and U Kheminda, and members of The Best Friend including Ma Thanda Tun and Ko Nyo, as a significant step forward. However, we still have to continue the struggle for complete and irreversible democratic progress, and we ask the international community to continue to support genuine democratization in Burma. [more]

Jan, 14 | Comment

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