“In this June 6, 2009 photo, a Myanmar student artist practices her skills at an art studio in Yangon, Myanmar. As members of a small but vibrant community, Myanmar artists are determined to forge a space for creative arts despite the restrictions in a country where the ruling military junta has an iron grip over free expression. Any signs of government criticism or political or sexual content can force an art show’s closure and land an artist in jail.” Image via the Associated Press.
Here’s today’s Burma-related news on the eve of the sentencing of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma’s Prime Minister-elect and Nobel Peace laureate who has spent 14 of the last 20 years under house arrest:
Reuters reports that John Yettaw, the American whose swim to Suu Kyi’s home resulted in the current sham military trial, is back in Insein Prison after a brief hospitalization.
The Associated Press speculates that the verdicts in the trial may be delayed again.
The Irrawaddy says that the junta is reportedly divided over how to sentence Suu Kyi, which may explain the possible delay.
In a commentary for The Irrawaddy, Yeni argues that “Burma’s future hangs on the Suu Kyi trial verdict.”
The Agence France-Presse reports that “the United States called Friday for the unconditional release of Myanmar democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and urged the country’s military rulers to begin a process of national reconciliation.”
The Wall Street Journal writes that Burmese dissidents are considering concessions.
In a similar story, the Washington Post reports that those opposed to the junta are “wary of confrontation.”
Mizzima reports on the Asian leaders who condemn Suu Kyi’s continued detention.
The AP reports that exiled opposition leaders recently met at the U.N.
The AP also reports on artists in Burma, who have to be careful because “any signs of government criticism or political or sexual content can force an art show’s closure and land an artist in jail.”
The Strait Times reports on an anti-junta rally in Tokyo on the anniversary of 8.8.88.
The Brisbane Times reports on another in Britain.
The AP reports that security was tight in Burma during the anniversary.
“In this June 6, 2009 photo, a Myanmar student artist practices her skills at an art studio in Yangon, Myanmar. As members of a small but vibrant community, Myanmar artists are determined to forge a space for creative arts despite the restrictions in a country where the ruling military junta has an iron grip over free expression. Any signs of government criticism or political or sexual content can force an art show’s closure and land an artist in jail.” Image via the Associated Press.
