Thai government and UDD to carry out negotiations; PM Vejjajiva rejects UDD’s demand to dissolve the Parliament; Myanmar dismisses the report of UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation;
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    • In order to reduce the current political tensions in Thailand, the government and the United Front for Democracy against dictatorship (UDD) have agreed to carry preliminary negotiations. The UDD reportedly rejected the names of Sathit Wongnongtoey, PM’s Office Minister and Korbsak Sabhavasu, Secretary General respectively, to represent the government in the talks. It instead was demanding direct talks with PM Vejjajiva. The UDD has also made it clear that the only solution to the current tension lies in the dissolution of the House and the holding of a new election.1 PM Vejjajiva however has rejected UDD’s demand to dissolve the Parliament.

    Authorities in Burma released a US-based human rights activist Kyaw Zaw Lwin, also known as Nyi Nyi Aung from prison. Lwin was arrested in September 2009 and was handed a three-year imprisonment sentence on charges of fraud and forgery.2

    Myanmar strongly condemned the report filed by Tomas Quintana, UN Special Rapporteur on the prevailing human rights situation in the country. Qunitana stated that some of the human rights violations can be classified as crimes against humanity and should warrant further inquiries. Burma’s Ambassador to Geneva alleged that Quintana’s report contained “unfounded allegations” from “unverifiable sources” and added that his recommendations “violate the right of a sovereign state.”3

    In other developments, Myanmar’s largest guerrilla army, the Karen National Union, warned that with national elections getting closer, there was a huge possibility of renewed conflict between armed groups currently observing a ceasefire and the authotities.4

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