BURMA – Struggles multiply, after 21 years
17 August 2009 2:08 am

mm_rootsresiliencecover.jpg8 August 2009 marked the 21st
anniversary of the "8888 uprising", also known as "People Power
Uprising", a series of protests by civilians against the military-led
government of Burma. In Bangkok, Thailand, the Thai Action Committee for
Democracy in Burma (TACDB) organised a commemoration, which included a panel
discussion on the election next year.
mm_rootsresiliencecover.jpg8 August 2009 marked the 21st
anniversary of the "8888 uprising", also known as "People Power
Uprising", a series of protests by civilians against the military-led
government of Burma. In Bangkok, Thailand, the Thai Action Committee for
Democracy in Burma (TACDB) organised a commemoration, which included a panel
discussion on the election next year. For details, please click here.

As for this day, 2,190 political
prisoners remain
detained by the military-led State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), according
to the report on 5 August 2009 by the Assistance Association for Political
Prisoners (Burma).

On 4 August the Shan Sapawa Environment Organization released its report
"Roots and Resilience", focusing on Keng Kham, the area where 3,000
Indigenous Shan live in Burma. The Shan are under constant threats by the
Burmese Army and a new dam will soon be built.

Pressure by the army has escalated in recent months.The 7,110 MW Tasang Dam is
the biggest of the five dams planned on the Salween River. Investors for the
project include a Thai and Chinese company. The majority of the power to be
produced by it is expected to be sold to Thailand. To download the complete report, please click here (pdf).