As ceasefire negotiations and the release of political prisoners add to faith in Burma’s reforms, Douglas Herbert meets Zoya Phan, an exiled Burmese political activist. She still distrusts the Burmese government as it has broken many ceasefire agreements in the past. She also points out that the army is still attacking civilians in other parts of the country.
After half a century of military dictatorship, there are signs of growing democratic openness in Burma. After freeing Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest in 2010, the regime has now released political prisoners and opened a dialogue with separatist guerrillas. Our reporters travelled across the country to find out why one of the most repressive dictatorships in the world is suddenly opening up.
Democratic overtures catch Burma-watchers by surprise, but human rights campaigners say they’re sceptical: many more political prisoners remain behind bars and substantive peace talks with ethnic rebel movements are yet to happen.
Democratic overtures catch Burma-watchers by surprise, but human rights campaigners say they’re sceptical: many more political prisoners remain behind bars and substantive peace talks with ethnic rebel movements are yet to happen.
Fierce clashes have erupted between ethnic minority Karen rebels and government soldiers in the Burmese border town of Myawaddy a day after key polls, forcing thousands to flee into neighbouring Thailand.
Almost 1,800 Karens have found refuge in Thailand since June 3, when the Burmese army began an offensive against the separatists fighters of this ethnic minority. The humanitarian situation is extremely worrying.
Internet users express their anxiety about the state of emergency on the island of Jolo in the Philippines. Also in our daily review of the Web: denouncing the attack on a police academy in Lahore, Pakistan.
Karen rebels 
