Europe shouldn’t buy Myanmar junta’s Suu Kyi ploy – Asia Times
The question for Europe today is not whether Min Aung Hlaing and his lieutenants have changed their ways, argues an opinion piece in the Asia Times. The question is whether Europe has changed its habits.
The EU still has sanctions in place. But sanctions will be ineffectual and meaningless if Europe shifts its diplomacy to acknowledge the generals’ new look.
The UK has a different but related problem. Burma Campaign UK has recently warned that the minister’s statement has echoes of the mistakes Britain made after 2010. By welcoming a move from prison to house arrest for Suu Kyi, London risks giving the generals what they crave: a small reward for a staged gesture.
Burmese Embassy in UK forced to cancel so-called open dialogue event – Mizzima
Burma Campaign UK welcomed news that an ‘open dialogue’ event planned by the Burmese Embassy in London has been cancelled, reports Mizzima.
The Embassy is currently under the control of the Burmese military. The so-called open dialogue event is part of a new public relations offensive by the Burmese military as they desperately seek international recognition after sham elections in late 2025 and early 2026.
A small celebratory protest still went ahead outside the embassy yesterday.
Embassy event in UK cancelled after call for boycott – DVB
Burma Campaign UK welcomed news that a planned “open dialogue” event for diplomats hosted by the Burma Embassy in London had been cancelled, reports the Democratic Voice of Burma.
“This is a humiliation for the military-controlled embassy in London,” Minn Tent Bo, advocacy officer at Burma Campaign UK, said. “It was ridiculous that they ever thought they could get away with holding an open dialogue event when open dialogue is banned in Burma.”
Campaign success: ‘open dialogue’ event cancelled
The planned ‘open dialogue’ propaganda event organised by the Burmese (Myanmar) Embassy in London was cancelled after Burma Campaign UK and Stars of Myanmar Friendship called for the event to be boycotted, organised a protest during the event, and urged Ambassadors likely to be invited not to attend. A small celebratory protest went ahead outside the embassy instead.
Minn Tent Bo, Advocacy Officer at Burma Campaign UK said:
“This is a humiliation for the military-controlled embassy in London. It was ridiculous that they ever thought they could get away with holding an open dialogue event when open dialogue is banned in Burma. We will block any attempt by the embassy to seek legitimacy and we continue to campaign for the military attaché, Captain Soe Aung, to be deported from the UK.”
Minn Tent Bo outside the Burmese embassy
Burma Campaign UK criticised British government statement welcoming transfer of Aung San Suu Kyi to house arrest – Mizzima
Mizzima reports on Burma Campaign UK’s new briefing on the UK decision to welcome the Myanmar junta’s move to transfer Aung San Suu Kyi from prison to house arrest in Naypyidaw.
BCUK says this represents a further softening in the British government’s approach to the Burmese military. It comes on top of a general lack of action to support the people of Burma in their struggle for human rights and democracy, including no new sanctions against the Burmese military since 2024.
Why is the UK government welcoming Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest? – Burma Campaign UK
The British government has welcomed Aung San Suu Kyi being placed under house arrest. The statement stood in stark contrast to western allies, who carefully avoided welcoming Aung San Suu Kyi being placed under house arrest. It is also notable for avoiding using the language political prisoners to describe political prisoners. This is not accidental. It is also a calculated decision that this statement came directly from a Minister, not a spokesperson or the Embassy in Burma (Myanmar).
Burma Campaign UK’s new briefing analyses this further softening in the British government’s approach to the Burmese military, which has echoes of the approach taken after 2010. It appears there is a danger of the mistakes that enabled genocide and the latest coup being made all over again.
Report warns Myanmar’s political transition masks continued military rule – Mizzima
A new report released by Burma Campaign UK says Myanmar’s new civilian government remains dominated by military figures, says Mizzima in a short video on its You Tube TV channel, and in an article on its website. The report, Burma’s Rebranded Military Regime, describes the administration as a rebranded continuation of military rule, not a democratic transition. Real power remains concentrated within the armed forces and allied networks.
Myanmar’s former leader Aung San Suu Kyi moved to house arrest in Naypyidaw – the Guardian
Myanmar’s former leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to house arrest in the capital, more than five years after her government was ousted in a coup, reports the Guardian.
Campaigners accused Myanmar’s military leaders of a cynical PR campaign designed to gain international legitimacy, and of continuing its oppressive rule. “They use political prisoners who should never have been in jail in the first place as public relations pawns,” said Burma Campaign UK. “At the same time, the Burmese military are stepping up airstrikes targeting health facilities and civilians.”
Aung San Suu Kyi moved from prison to house arrest – the Telegraph
Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved from prison to house arrest after more than five years behind bars. The decision to transfer Myanmar’s deposed former leader is viewed as an attempt to end the junta’s international isolation, reports the Telegraph.
Mark Farmaner, the director of Burma Campaign UK, said: “Moving Aung San Suu Kyi isn’t about change or reform – it’s about public relations designed to preserve military rule. No-one should be fooled.”
Is Myanmar’s military winning the civil war? – DW
After five years of war, armed resistance groups still challenge Myanmar’s military across much of the country. But the generals are now stemming losses and reclaiming some territory, reports Germany’s Deutsche Welle.
Aung San Suu Kyi has been moved to house arrest. Burma Campaign UK’s director Mark Farmaner said Aung San Suu Kyi’s transfer “isn’t about change or reform, it’s about public relations designed to preserve military rule. No one should be fooled.”