Candle4Burma
Candle for The Free Burma Rangers
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The only hope for the suffering people in the Burmese jungle :The Free Burma Rangers
Website: http://www.freeburmarangers.org/
Location: Burma
Members: 12
Latest Activity: Sep 30
The Free Burma Rangers : The only hope for the suffering people in eastern Burma
The teams are to avoid contact with the Burma Army but cannot run if the people cannot run.
Men and women of many ethnic groups and religions are part of the FBR.
There are only three requirements for team members;
1. Love- Each person strives to do this for the love of the people and no one is paid. They still belong to their parent organizations.
2. Ability to read and write- due to the medical, documentation and other skills needed, literacy in at least one language is required.
3. Physical and moral courage- they have to have the physical strength and endurance to be able to walk to crisis areas, and the moral courage to be with people under attack and to stand with them if they cannot flee.
In addition to relief and reporting, other results of the teams' actions are the development of leadership capacity, civil society and the strengthening of inter-ethnic unity.
The FBR has trained over 110 multi-ethnic relief teams and there are 43 full time teams active in the Karen, Karenni, Shan, Arakan and Lahu areas of Burma. The teams have conducted over 350 humanitarian missions of 1-2 months into the war zones of Burma. On average between 1,000-2,000 patients are treated per mission with 2,000 more people helped in some way. Since 1997, the teams have treated over 360,000 patients and helped over 700,000 people.
Vision, Mission, Objectives
VISION:
To free the oppressed and to stand for human dignity, justice and reconciliation in Burma.
MISSION:
To bring help, hope and love to people of all faiths and ethnicities in the war zones of Burma, to shine a light on the actions of the dictators' army, to stand with the oppressed, and to support leaders and organizations committed to liberty, justice and service.
OBJECTIVES:
1) To inspire, train and equip people in Burma to bring positive change through acts of love and service.
2) To provide immediate medical assistance, shelter, food, clothing, educational materials and other humanitarian aid in the war zones and to improve logistics and medical evacuation.
3) To develop the Information Network of Burma that documents, reports and disseminates accounts of human rights violations and provides an early warning system of Burma Army attacks.
4) To provide spiritual and emotional counseling for trauma victims and to support programs for women and children.
5) To train, equip, and sustain indigenous humanitarian relief teams in the field.
History:
The Free Burma Rangers were formed during the Burma Army offensives of 1997, when villages were destroyed, people killed and over 100,000 thousand fled their homes. Over 2 million people are now displaced inside Burma. In the face of the overwhelming force of the dictators' army, the Free Burma Rangers organized with the idea that no one can stop people from giving love and serving each other . During this time the Ethnic Nationalities Seminar at Mae Tha Ra Hta was coordinated and supported by the FBR and the Global Day of Prayer was started. Since 1997 four unity and reconciliation seminars have followed, helping to build trust and coordinated action. Numerous leadership and communications trainings for ethnic and Burman men and women have been conducted, with trainees being sent on relief, communications and unity missions. The FBR has trained over 90 multi-ethnic relief teams and there are 20 full time teams active in the Karen, Karenni, Shan, Arakan and Lahu areas of Burma. The teams have conducted over 300 humanitarian missions of 1-2 months into the war zones of Burma. On average between 1,000-2,000 patients are treated per mission with 2,000 more people helped in some way. Since 1997, the teams have treated over 300,000 patients and helped over 600,000 people.
Relationship with Other Organizations:
The Free Burma Rangers (FBR), coordinate their activities with all relevant organizations and conduct missions in areas where their presence is requested. They operate with the pro-democracy authorities in their operational areas. The teams trained and resourced, belong to the relevant pro-democracy organizations and areas that the teams serve in. "de oppresso liber"
The Free Burma Rangers risk there lives every single day in order to help those who are suffering every day. The Candle4Burma and Burma News have been in contact with them for a while now. The emails we get are almost everytime shocking. We publish there first hand reports from inside Burma on our news website (Burmanews) , and from now on also on Candle4Burma.
We Burma News and Candle4Burma thank Dave and his FBR teams for what they do for the people of Burma and hope they stay safe.
We think those brave man who have served in the FBR and laid down their lives in that service
Roland (Burmanews/Candle4Burma)
The following documentary about the work of the FBR contains very shocking images!!!!
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Comment by Qian Zheng Yi on September 30, 2009 at 8:57pm -
http://www.petitiononline.com/28762/petition.html
Free Saffron Monks
To: Goverments of the World , United Nations High Commissioner of Human Rights Geneva, UN Security Council, Asean,
FREE BURMA PROJECT
Free The Saffron Monks & Nuns From Prison.
Please lend your support for the release of Burma's 220 monks and nuns who remain prisoners of conscience for participating in the peaceful demonstrations of September 2007. The "Saffron Revolution" drew tens of thousands of monks and nuns on to the streets. They chanted the Metta Sutta (loving-kindness), for the well being and merit of all living beings. Monks and nuns implored the SPDC government to act with compassion towards the people suffering under economic hardship and to apologize and reform their actions taken against the monks and the religion. In response, the regime unleashed a violent and unprecedented attack against the demonstrators that continued off the streets and into the monastery grounds.
For a month, the military continued to round up protestors who had participated, raiding 52 monasteries, often at night. Monks were beaten, killed and many more carted off to prison with no regard to their age or standing. Revered abbots in their 80's and 90's and novices as young as five were disrobed and placed into detention centers.
By some estimates, as many as 1,400 Sanghas were rounded up without respect to the procedures of Burmese or International law. Sanghas endured beatings, interrogations, and torture. Many of them disappeared-- sent away to distant prisons where their families and monastic companions lost track of them. Official statistics on the number of monks and nuns who were killed in the uprisings will never be known.
Crematoriums were put into 24-hour operation in the days following the crackdown to burn the bodies of those who were killed on the streets and inside the Monasteries. Unconfirmed reports assert that in order to keep the Sanghas from reaching the hospitals where they could be seen and counted, injured monks and nuns were taken to the crematoriums to be cremated alive.
Awareness and condemnation are vital tools of accountability that we in the International community can take to exert pressure on the regime to free the remaining Saffron Revolution monks and nuns still in prison under conditions that are a form of torture. Please give your support and solidarity to them and to the Burmese people.
Sign our petition to free Burma's Saffron Monks, Nuns, Political Prisoners today!
freeburmaproject@gmail.com
http://www.petitiononline.com/28762/petition.html
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Comment by Qian Zheng Yi on September 21, 2009 at 8:45pm
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Comment by Qian Zheng Yi on September 21, 2009 at 8:37pm
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Comment by Qian Zheng Yi on September 10, 2009 at 4:49am
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Namo Guan Shih Yin Pusa
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Comment by Qian Zheng Yi on August 19, 2009 at 8:44pm
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Comment by Qian Zheng Yi on August 12, 2009 at 8:20pm
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Comment by Qian Zheng Yi on August 6, 2009 at 8:29am
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May they & their work be blessed.
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Comment by mjfaustino arsatelier on January 7, 2009 at 7:58pm
- Hi everyone! Thanks for the invite! mjf
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BNN-ASIAN NEWS
NGOs aid 14 year-old rape victim in Mae Sot
WCRP, Mae Sot: Phyi Thu Saythana and World Vision, two Mae Sot-based NGOs, are providing for the legal services, shelter, and education of a 14-year-old Mon child raped by her stepfather 2 months ago.According to the victim’s family, the crime occurred on August 20th at the victim’s home on a corn plantation near Gawe Pon village, in Mae Ramat district, in the northwestern part of Tak province, northern Thailand. The victim and her family are migrant farmers originally from Thanat Pin Town, Pegu division.
According to Nai Aung Chit, the Phyi Thu Saythana NGO member who served as the victim’s legal advocate for this case, “On the 22nd of August at 12:00 pm, the victim’s relatives contacted our organization. They told us about the crime, and asked us to arrest the man who raped the victim, her stepfather. After learning about this crime, our organization immediately located this man, took him into custody, and turned him over to the Gawe Pon police.”
Nai Aung Chit told WCRP that the crime reportedly happened while the victim’s mother was hospitalized for a week in August, after a stomach operation; the victim was left in her stepfather’s care. The victim informed her mother and extended family of the rape upon her mother’s return. According to the report given by the victim to Phyi Thu Saythana, the revelation sparked a vicious physical confrontation between the victim’s mother and stepfather.
The victim and her mother arrived at the Phyi Thu Saythana safe house on August 24th; on September 1st, Phyi Thu Saythana and World Vision met to discuss the case, and sent the victim to get a medical examination the same day. A nurse who examined the victim at Mae Sot Hospital told NGO that the hospital collected evidence of rape, and documented it in preparation for legal proceedings.
Nai Ko Aung Chit informed WCRP that the victim’s stepfather had to be arrested twice, after initially being taken into custody on August 22nd. After escaping police custody in Gawe Pon village, he was detained again on September 2nd on the corn plantation where he was employed, and sent to Mae Ramat district Court, which handled the case.
Phyi Thu Saythana confirmed for WCRP that on September 10th, the Mae Ramat district Court sentenced the victim’s stepfather to 7 years in prison for rape. His sentence was reduced after the victim’s mother, in an attempt to lessen her husband’s jail-time, took partial responsibility for her daughter’s rape in court. The victim’s mother received a sentence of 4 years in prison.
Nai Aung Chit told WCRP that Phyi Thu Saythana’s mission is to, “help anyone who is facing a terrible situation, we aid them however we can, without favoring Mon, Karen, or any other ethnic group.”
Dao, a World Version member, announced to the victim’s relatives after the trial that her NGO plans to personally oversee the victim’s future development and education. She said, “We will care for her, save for her future’ and continue her education. We want to get papers to adopt her from her mother.”
The victim is now living in World Vision-run housing, where her education has been provided for.
rehmonnya
BNN-PRESS RELEASE
Environmental Abuses Result in Deaths in Kachin State
At the Hpakant Jade Mine in Kachin State Burma mining companies are causing pollution, erosion, and flooding that results in severe health problems, loss of homes and long term environmental damage.Firms from Burma, China and other countries conduct jade mining in this area along the Uru River. Mining is taking place very close to the river and the debris and tailings from the mines are often dumped into the river or stacked high along its banks. It is estimated that around 30 people die each year and hundreds of homes are lost from mudslides and flooding along the Uru River as a direct result of this environmentally irresponsible mining. In addition to the destruction brought about by jade, gold, and ruby mining, teak logging is also rampant and threatens the environment. Apart from our own observations, it was reported by 'Kachin News' that after heavy flooding and mudslides in July of this year, the Burmese military made no effort to offer relief services or help the affected civilians. Villages in this area also have a problem with contaminated water, as the amount of silt in the river is so high.
This area used to be controlled by the Kachin Independence Organization but after signing a cease-fire agreement with the Burma Army in 1994, the regime allowed outside companies to mine this area with no repercussions for environmental abuses. There is widespread drug use around the mining communities, with many sharing needles to inject opiates, leading to blood infections including HIV.
In Hkanti Township, Sagaing Division, Burma, the villagers living in this area suffer from a large number of medical problems including malaria, skin diseases and typhoid. This is primarily a result of the Burmese authorities charging such a high rate for medicine that the villagers cannot afford to buy the necessary treatment. The Burma Army in this area uses the villagers as forced labor for the military and this does not allow the villagers to spend enough time to farm. As a result the people are not able to get enough nutrition or sell their crops and buy medicine.
In addition to gathering information we provided medical care and medication for more than 100 patients in the seven villagers we visited on this mission.
FBR/BNN
At least 76 political prisoners released
(Mae Sot – Thailand)The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
(AAPP) can confirm that so far 76 political prisoners have been released from
15 different prisons in Burma.
The 76 released include 33 members of the National League
for Democracy, including 3 MPs; 15 women; 10 former political prisoners; 4
monks; 4 journalists; 4 members of the 88 Generation Students; and 1 lawyer.
On the evening of September 17, 2009 in Rangoon,
state-run MRTV carried a news bulletin announcing that 7,114 prisoners were to be
released “on humanitarian grounds.”
The list of political prisoners released will be continually
updated at our web site www.aappb.org as AAPP receives more information.
1. Eimt Khaing Oo, Female (Insein prison) – journalist;
Cyclone Nargis volunteer
2. Tin Mya (Insein prison) - National League for Democracy Township chairperson, Former Political
Prisoner
3. Nyi Nyi Min (Buthidaung prison) – NLD member
4. Kyaw Kyaw Thant (Insein prison) – journalist; Cyclone
Nargis volunteer
5. Monywar Aung Shin (a) U Aye Kyu (Insein prison) -
Member of NLD and poet
6. Nine Nine (Insein prison) – NLD MP, Former Political
Prisoner
7. Tin Tin Myint, (Female) (Insein prison) – third year
chemistry student
8. Than Than Htay, (Female) (Insein prison) – student
9. Than Than Sint, (Female) (Insein prison)
10. Thin Min Soe, (Female) (Insein prison) – labour activist
11. Kyi Kyi Min, (Female) (Insein prison) – NLD member
12. Zaw Htet Aung (Kale prison) - student
13. Tin Myo Htut (a) Kyaw Oo (Insein prison) – Generation
Wave; former political prisoner
14. Win Myint (Insein prison) – NLD member
15. Kyaw Maung (Myitkyina prison) – NLD MP
16. Nay Win (Myintkyina prison) – NLD Township Organizer
17. Kyi Lin (Myintkyina prison) – NLD member
18. Soe Wai (a) Than Zaw (Myitkyina prison)
19. Shin Sandaw Batha, Monk (Insein prison) – All Burma
Monks’ Alliance
20. Aung Gyi (Insein prison) - student
21. Mi Mi Sein, (Female) (Insein prison) – NLD Township Joint-Secretary
22. Soe Han (Lashio prison) – lawyer; Chair of the National League for Democracy’s (NLD) legal
advisory body
23. Bo Gyi (Pegu prison)
24. Khin Khin Lay (a) Khin Lay, (Female) (Pegu prison) – NLD member
25. Pe Tin (Pegu prison) – NLD member
26. Tin Myint (Insein prison) – NLD member
27. Cho Mar Htwe, (Female) (Moulmein prison) – NLD member
28. Moe Hlaing (Moulmein prison)
29. Moe Lwin (Moulmein prison) – individual activist
30. Myo Min Lwin (Moulmein prison)
31. Ma Htay (a) San San Myint, (Female) (Insein prison)
32. Thet Oo (Taungoo prison) – Human Rights Defenders and
Promoters member
33. U Pannita (a) Myint Aye (Taungoo prison) – monk; Human
Rights Defenders and Promoters member
34. Zaw Tun (Taungoo prison)
35. Bo Bo (Myingyan prison)
36. Sandar, (Female) (Myingyan prison) – NLD member
37. Pyae Phyo Aung (a) Hnan Mue (Pa-An prison)
38. Wunna Soe (Pa-An prison) – Democratic Party for a New
Society member
39. Ba Chit (Tharawaddy prison) – Ex-captain in the army
40. Aye Min (a) Aye Min Min (Tharawaddy prison) – private
tutor
41. Tin Tun (a) Kyaw Swa (Tharawaddy prison) – UN
Development Program staff (New Era journal distributor)
42. Shwe Thar (a) Tin Win (Tharawaddy prison) – Karen
National Union member
43. Hlaing Aye (Kale prison) - NLD MP, Former Political
Prisoner
44. San Pwint (Kale prison) – NLD member; teacher
45. Thet Zin (a) Maung Zin (Kale prison) – journalist;
former political prisoner; member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions
and the Democratic Party for a New Society
46. Michael Win Kyaw (Kale prison) – 88 Generation Students
member; former political prisoner
47. Nyo Mya (Kale prison) – NLD member
48. Ba Min (Kale prison) – NLD member
49. Aung Gyi @ Aung Thwin (Shwebo prison) – journalist,
former political prisoner, 88 Generation Students
50. Aung Myo (Shwebo prison) – NLD Township Organiser
51. Than Tun (Shwebo prison)
52. Maung Maung Htwe (Shwebo prison)
53. Tin Maung Nyunt (Shwebo prison) – NLD Township
Organiser
54. Tun Tun Oo (a) Nanda Malar (Taungoo prison) – monk
55. Aung Swe (Shwebo prison) - NLD member
56. Khin Maung Thein (Shwebo prison) – NLD member
57. Maw Si (Shwebo prison) – NLD Youth member
58. U Zawana (a) Soe Myint (Taungoo prison) - monk
59. Than Min (a) Tin Tun Aung, (Taungoo prison) – NLD member
60. Tun Oo (a) Ngar Kalar (Taungoo prison)
61. Aung Naing (Insein prison) – NLD member
62. Khin Moe Aye (a) Moe Moe (Female), (Myingyan prison) –
88 Generation Students member; former political prisoner
63. Khaing Kaung Zan, (Thayet prison) – Arakan League for
Democracy in exile member
64. Htay Win (a) Bo Luu, (Thayet prison) – NLD Youth member
65. Thar Cho, (Thayet prison) – NLD Township Organizer
66. Tun Tun Nyein, (Thayet prison) – NLD Youth member
67. Saw Taw Kyi (Thayet prison) – Karen National Union
member
68. Zin Mar Aung (female) (Mandalay prison) – student; NLD member
69. Moe Kyaw Thu (a) Bo Bo (Mandalay prison)
70. Myint Oo (a) Ni Ni (Mandalay prison) – NLD Township organizer; former political
prisoner
71. Tin Mar Swe (female) (Mandalay prison)
72. Yan Naing Min (a) Nan Wai (Mandalay prison) – student; member of the All
Burma Federation of Student Unions, Foreign Affairs Committee
73. Angaelay (Mandalay prison) - student
74. Yan Aung Shwe (Thayet prison) – All Burma Students
Democratic Front member
75. Myint Oo (Thayet prison) – NLD Township Joint Secretary
76. Sandar Min (a) Shwee, (Myaungmya) – 88 Generation
Students, Former Political Prisoner
BNN/AAPP
Dharma
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Bodhicitta
"May I become food and drink in the aeons of famine for those poverty-stricken suffers.
May I be a doctor, medicine and nurse for all sick beings in the world until everyone is cured.
May I become never-ending wish-fulfilling treasures materialising in front of each of them as all the enjoyments they need.
May I be a guide for those who do not have a guide, a leader for those who journey, a boat for those who want to cross over, and all sorts of ships, bridges, beautiful parks for those who desire them, and light for those who need light.
And may I become beds for those who need a rest, and a servant to all who need servants.
May I also become the basic conditions for all sentient beings, such as earth or even the sky, which is indestructible.
May I always be the living conditions for all sentient beings until all sentient beings are enlightened."
Shantideva
Help Organisations
Rangoon, Rakhine state, Shan state en in Kachin state.
Candles for Political Prisoners
Human Rights
VIDEO +18
United Buddhist Network
Naderia is now a member of The United Buddhist Networks
Naderia is now a member of The United Buddhist NetworksBNN-World News
Junta Continues to Suppress Religious Freedom: US
WASHINGTON — The Burmese military junta continues to oppress people on religious grounds and actively promotes Theravada Buddhism, said a US report on religion released on Monday."It systematically restricted efforts by Buddhist clergy to promote human rights and political freedom," the State Department said in its annual International Religious Freedom Report 2009.
"Adherence to Buddhism remains generally a prerequisite for promotion to senior government and military ranks. Anti-Muslim violence continued, as did the close monitoring of Muslims' activities. Restrictions on Christians and other non-Buddhist minority groups also continued throughout the country," the report said.
The report examined how governments in 198 countries and territories protect or fail to protect religious freedom, calling attention to abuse and positive steps taken by many countries to promote freedom and interreligious harmony."
The Burma section of the report noted that many of the Buddhist monks arrested in the violent crackdown that followed the pro-democracy demonstrations of September 2007, including prominent activist monk U Gambira, remain in prison serving long sentences.
Noting that the Burmese military junta systematically restricted efforts by Buddhist clergy to promote human rights and political freedom, the report said the junta actively promoted Theravada Buddhism, particularly among minority ethnic groups.
"Although there were no new reports of forced conversions of non-Buddhists, the government applied pressure on students and poor youth to convert to Buddhism," it said.
This is the first report of the Obama administration on international religious freedom, which becomes in factor in the United States designating countries into various categories. Earlier this year, days before the Bush administration left office, it put Burma along with China, Eritrea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan under the category of "Countries of Particular Concern (CPC)."
Michael H. Posner, the assistant secretary of state for Democracy, Human Rights and Labour, said a new CPC list is expected in the next few months.
"We are eager to at least get it done by January, and I'd like to say sooner. We have the ability throughout the year to make designations or remove countries," he said.
Burma was first designated a CPC in 1999 and most recently was re-designated on Jan. 16, 2009.
irrawaddy
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