Conflict Human Interest Lead Story News
Accusing Burma’s armed forces of “going after activists who dare to expose its abuses”, EarthRights International calls for the release of Arakanese activist Khaing Myo Htun.
A Burmese court finds 33 farmers living next to a Special Economic Zone guilty of criminal trespass, a ruling seen by activists as a blow to land rights in a country with a rising demand for property for industrial use.
Electricity Energy Environment Lead Story Natural resources News
A coalition of 422 civil society and environmental groups are calling on the government to halt all proposed coal and large-scale hydropower projects, citing a raft of negative impacts on vulnerable local communities.
Development Land Lead Story News
Former residents of the area now being used as part of the Thilawa Special Economic Zone say they haven’t been adequately compensated for the loss of their land.
Business Economy Lead Story News
The Thilawa Special Economic Zone is fast becoming a prime destination for foreign investment, but local people say their concerns aren’t being taken seriously.
Business Human Rights Lead Story News
Rights groups criticised the move, which they said would increase the risk of undermining political and economic reforms.
Human Rights Lead Story Mandalay Division Natural resources News
The mining sector in Burma receives flak, with protestors taking to the streets in Wetthay and Phetshay villages in Thabeikkyin, Mandalay.
A new report by ND-Burma has revealed more than 100 cases of human rights violations committed by the Burmese military in the second half of 2013 including torture, rape, extra-judicial killing, land grabs, unlawful arrests and detentions, arbitrary taxation and forced labour.
An influx of foreign investment in Burma’s extractive industries is likely to fuel human rights abuses and environmental degradation across the country, a new report warned on Wednesday
Burma has the worst record on natural resource governance in the entire world, according to a new international study, which activists on Thursday described as a “warning” to global investors eyeing oil and gas deals in the country
A number of lucrative energy contracts are likely to be handed to Western firms in April, when the Burmese government is set to open a long-awaited bidding round for some two dozen off-shore oil and gas tenders
For sanctions against natural resource investment in Burma to be lifted without any transparency provisions is inherently misguided
Thai-backed venture in southeastern region would be Burma’s first sustainable energy project, but majority of produce destined for Thailand
Burmese authorities offer compensation for Shan villagers forced off their land to make way for the China-backed Shwe gas pipeline
French company Total already runs the Yadana gas project but says it will wait for signs of reform before it expands operations there
Global media paints a despondent picture of Burma despite government attempts to shore up its image, nation branding index finds
China pushes ahead with construction of oil and gas project despite ongoing fighting and displacement in northern Burma
Work to begin on major nickel mine in northern Burma but environmentalists warn that lack of regulation will result in toxic consequences
Beijing reportedly looking to encourage speedier construction of the Shwe pipeline with a sweetner of $6 million for Burmese hospitals
Majority of increase targeted at companies with a stake in the Shwe pipeline, as campaigners criticise lack of ethical consideration
Leading Burmese industry federation announces staff reshuffle as it prepares to open an office in Beijing, cementing Chinese business relations
State-owned pension fund’s investments in companies operating in Burma could make it complicit in ‘grave unethical actions’, report claims
President Sarkozy told US diplomat in 2007 that he had considered disinvesting from Burma before he was dissuaded by advisors
Thai and Indian citizens are growing increasingly intolerant of environmentally destructive mega-projects – so their governments are moving them to Burma
Affiliate of Japanese car giant sells stake in joint venture with Burmese junta and becomes first Asian company to withdraw over human rights
China announces construction of an oil refinery in Yunnan province at end point of Beijing-backed trans-Burma oil and gas pipeline
Seoul buys into first onshore gas block in Burma as Korean minister hails ‘new era’ in relations with a country ‘trying to change into a free democracy’
For the benefit of transitional justice, Burmese citizens and future governments have a right to know which foreign companies are propping up the junta
Rights groups claim that absense of secrecy clause in contracts for Total and Chevron mean their dealings with the Burmese junta can go public
Campaigners remain adamant that EU sanctions need to be strengthened in order to block European companies such as Total from operating in Burma
