Young monks in Mandalay

The repressive regime in Burma has continued to take small baby steps toward providing their citizens with the freedoms that we take for granted, with the most recent being the unblocking of a number of previously banned foreign news websites, including Youtube, BBC, Reuters, The Bangkok Post, Straits Times, Radio Free Asia, Irrawaddy and Democratic Voice of Burma. While these steps have been welcomed, just a few months ago the internet café regulations had been tightened, so it is clear that the days of a free media are still some way off in the future.

The country remain firmly in the hands of the ruling generals, who have also had the Burmese army step up its military offensive against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in northern Shan states. The army has also deliberately targeted civilians in the offensive, with reports of killings, torture and sexual violence being committed by Burmese troops.  Over 25,000 people have been displaced in the past four months, with many taking shelter in makeshift camps along the Kachin-China border. Unfortunately, little news of this conflict makes its way into the western media, but if you would like to read more details about the events taking place in this beautiful country, please take a look at: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/lastmonth