A growing number of impoverished farmers in the Wa region on the Sino-Burma has been calling on the Wa authorities to allow a return to poppy culture that was suspended almost 3 years ago, according to both official and unofficial sources. “We’ve been pleading with our local officials since August,” said a middle-age elder from Pangyang, some 30 miles west of Panghsang, the Wa capital. “They said they would forward our petition to the Central. No reply has been received so far and we are quite desperate, especially when our relatives in Mawfa (Burma Army controlled Wa territory since 1980, now renamed Markmang aka Metman township) are boasting a good harvest.”

The young Shan monk told me that the first time he came to Thailand he came illegally, to study Pali, the ancient Buddhist script. That was when he was a novice of fourteen. Now, ten years later, he is still studying Theravada Buddhism at one of the temples in Northern Thailand. “I had problems with immigration authorities, and had to return to Burma.” So far, the story was a typical one. Many Shan young men come across the border, seeing Thailand ’s many Wats as their only opportunity to obtain an education, which would be denied them in their home country. When they are deported they either remain in Burma , suffering, or sneak back over the border, finding what work they can, until they are discovered again.

In 2002, the Burma Army chased a group of villagers in Dooplaya District, central Karen State. They caught up to them at night and killed 12 people, 8 of whom were children. We and other organizations reported on this massacre and went to provide relief to others in the area who were also under attack. During the mission we removed the bullet from an eight-year-old boy, Wilbur Htoo, who had survived the massacre by hiding under the dead body of his grandmother and then running away once the Burma Army had gone. His sister, Naw Tha Ku, was severely wounded in the arm, but also escaped along with their father, Saw Ko Nu.

Thanks for your encouragement and your care for the people of Burma. We would like to share this story with you about two pastors who were captured, tortured and their churches burned. They and the people of their villages have not given up. We first came here on a relief mission in 2002 after the Burma Army had killed 12 villagers including 8 children and burned these churches as well as homes.

Here is a brief photo essay from an ongoing relief mission in Dooplaya District, Central Karen State, Burma. In spite of recent attacks by the Burma Army, including the killing and dismembering of villagers, the burnings of homes and a church, people continue to stay in their homeland and help each other. Thank you for all that you do with us to help these people and to share life with them.

On my return to Shanland I met with another leading Lai Tai, Kung Fu student and filmed his art. As always, I met up with Kawn Wan, interviewed him about his views on martial arts and on the future of the Shan people. http://youtube.com/watch?v=cLzpgjSpA5A

I need some help....

Papun District: Villager Killed by Landmine and Teenage Girl Wounded by Landmine as Thousands Remain in Hiding

Nyaunglebin District: Villages Burned Down as the Burma Army Continues its Expansion

Eastern Dooplaya District: DKBA kills villager and villager killed by landmine while being forced to guide for DKBA troops

Karenni State: Burma Army troops capture and kill villager and steal belongings

On April 9th, the Burmese Military regime, the " State Peace and Development Council" announced through decree 4/2008 of its national referendum commission, that it will hold a national referendum on a new, proposed constitution on 10th May 2008. ... ...

We therefore would like to urge cease-fire ethnic nationalities' organizations to encourage their ethnic nationalities and peoples who live in their respective areas to reject the military constitution through casting a "No" vote in the upcoming May 10 national referendum.

The Shan martial art of Lai Tai is nearly unknown outside of Shanland and is not that widely practiced inside of Shan State because of the SPDC prohibitions against Shan culture. Thank God, I met Kawn Wan, the Lai Tai teacher at Loi Tailang. Together, we did some videos and stories to help preserve the art and tell the world about it. I am proud to say, our stories are running in America, the first EVER Shan Lai Tai stories to run in American media.

Having spent most of my life learning to end life, it is a bit of a change learning to save it. “Bakers cover their mistakes with frosting. Carpenters cover their mistakes with paint. Paramedics cover their mistakes with dirt.” The course began with a playing of the Philippine national anthem, followed by a prayer. Being in a Catholic, rather than Buddhist country, it was so refreshing not having to take off my shoes. And, unlike Thailand, I was permitted to point my feet at anyone I wanted and even rub their head. It’s good to be among my own people…sort of my own people.

It is high time for all the 25 armed resistance groups in Myanmar to declare war on the SPDC, all political parties to join hands and all people and monks to put an end to the dictatorship by showing their disproval toward the Constitution. The up-coming general elections 2010 are just a game to cheat the international communities not to put further pressure on the SPDC. By this, a genuine democracy is invisible and impossible.

In traditional Shan society, girls are taught to be demure and subservient to her male counterparts, to brother, uncle, father, grandfather, etc. They are taught to regard the male as superior, to always be polite and show respect to them. This, I feel has contributed to lack of self worth and self confidence in Shan girls. Women play no role in decision-making at the community level. They are expected to marry, serve their husbands, and bear children. In the household, women do most of the cooking, cleaning and childcare tasks; outside the house they also fetch water, plant and collect vegetables.

“Inside Shan State we cannot teach Shan language. And, when youth talk about politics there is retaliation. Even talking about the meaning of democracy, even thinking about the meaning of democracy is dangerous.” Said twenty year old Kawn Wan. After his family was murdered and his village Burned, Kawn Wan completed his education and became a teacher and caretaker of orphans in Shanland, Loi Tailang, Shan State Army (SSA) Headquarters. “You foreigners, when you aren’t happy with something, you go and change it. You protest and fight. But here in Burma, it is impossible for us.” He explained.

The Burma Bulletin is a short month in review of events in Burma, particularly those of interest to the democracy movement and human rights activists. In the March 2008 issue you will find: * SPDC constitutional referendum * Pinheiro slams SPDC * Forced labor still a problem * SPDC spurns Gambari * Thai PM and SPDC cozy up * Economic failure continues * Other Burma news * List of Reports * Much more...

Expressing its deep concern at the situation of human rights in Myanmar, including the violent repression of the peaceful demonstrations of September 2007, and the failure of the Government of Myanmar to investigate and bring to justice the perpetrators of these violations, ...

UN Human Rights Council draft resolution.