New report highlights need for sound environment and development policy framework in post-election Burma

Bangkok, Thailand: A new report highlights how Burma lacks any meaningful frameworks on environmental protection and sustainable development that would enable citizens to take part in decision-making about their country’s development, despite a recent transition to a military-dominated parliamentary political system. Land tenure remains weak and there are no safeguards in place to protect farmers, according to the groundbreaking report by the Burma Environment Working Group (BEWG), which is the first ever to take aim at Burma’s environment as a whole.

Mr. Chalermchai Sri-on, the Minister of Labour, on 26 Jan commented on the results of his trip to Myanmar between 22nd to 24th January 2010 to meet Mr Mong Min, the Deputy Minister ofForeign Affairs for Myanmar. The Minister said the trip was intended to discuss the existing nationality verification process (NV) for alien workers that has been proceeding slowly,particularly as a result of border closures.

Burma’s largest coal mine and coal-fired power plant, located thirteen miles from Burma’s famous Inle Lake in Shan State, are polluting waterways, threatening the health of local populations, and displacing villages, according to a report released on 20 Jan.

Photojournalist Sithu Zeya was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment on 21 December for taking photos of the scene of an explosion at a traditional water festival pavilion near a Rangoon lake in April this year, his lawyer said.