Burma: Cyclone disaster relief operation - timeline
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Timeline
- May 2008. Cyclone Nargis strikes the south-west coast of Burma, causing a massive disaster in the low-lying delta of the Irrawaddy River. The military government is reluctant to allow outside observers into the disaster zone to gather evidence on the number of casualties. International criticism mounts over the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC—the military government of Burma)’s sluggish response to the disaster. The foreign minister of France suggests direct intervention regardless of the co-operation of the SPDC.
- April 2008. The SPDC publishes the text of Burma’s new constitution. The document envisages a "genuine and discipline-flourishing multiparty political system", with the military participating in "the leading role in the country’s national politics".
- March 2008. UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari visits Burma in an attempt to persuade the SPDC to open talks with opposition groups. His visit yields no concrete results.
- February 2008. The US treasury announces that it is imposing new financial sanctions on 30 individuals and seven entities connected with the SPDC.
- December 2007. Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, UN human rights rapporteur for Burma, presents a report to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) listing 31 people known to have been killed when the military suppressed a popular uprising led by Buddhist monks in September and October. The UN General Assembly adopts a non-binding resolution condemning violence against peaceful demonstrators in Burma.
- December 2007. The US Senate (the upper house of Congress, the bicameral federal US legislature) votes unanimously to pass a bill amending sanctions legislation from 2003 against Burma by banning the import of Burmese rubies and jade laundered through third countries.
- October 2007. UNHRC strongly condemns the "violent repression of peaceful demonstrators" by the SPDC. The UN Security Council unanimously adopts a non-binding presidential statement on Burma, deploring the use of violence against demonstrators and calling for the release of all political prisoners and detainees.
- September 2007. The military suppresses a widespread uprising triggered by Buddhist monks protesting against commodity price hikes. The shooting dead of a Japanese journalist is widely televised.
- August 2007. The SPDC imposes unannounced steep fuel price rises, provoking a series of small protests.
- June 2007. In a rare departure from its normal policy of public restraint and neutrality, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) condemns the SPDC for human rights abuses that it said caused "immense suffering" to civilians and prisoners.
- May 2007. The SPDC extends the house arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), by 12 months, despite calls for her release from the UN, the EU, the USA, the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), and 59 former heads of government.
- February 2007. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) reaches an understanding with the SPDC under which victims of forced labour would be free to submit complaints to the ILO office in Rangoon with a guarantee that "no retaliatory action" would be taken. The ILO, frustrated by Burma’s failure to eradicate forced labour, had threatened to take the country to the International Court of Justice ( ICJ--the highest judicial tribunal of the UN, also referred to as the World Court) in March.
- January 2007. A draft UN Security Council resolution sponsored by the USA and the UK, calling for Burma to release all political prisoners, is vetoed by China and Russia.
- November 2006. UN under-secretary-general for political affairs Ibrahim Gambari visits Burma and urges the SPDC to release all political prisoners, allow humanitarian organisations to operate freely, and cease hostilities against ethnic minorities.
- May 2006. Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest is renewed, dashing hopes of her release raised by the visit of Ibrahim Gambari.
- April 2006. The SPDC designates four opposition groups, but not the NLD, as terrorist organisations.
- November 2005. The SPDC moves the capital of Burma from Rangoon, situated near the sea and vulnerable to a feared US invasion, to Pyinmana, a more defensible inland location, sheltered by mountains and forests.
- October 2005. A US human rights advocacy group appeals to the UN Security Council to discuss alleged human rights abuses in Burma.
- July 2005. Following EU and US pressure over the SPDC’s failure to restore democracy and its poor human rights record, Burma is forced to forego the chairmanship of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
- February 2005. The SPDC convenes a constitutional convention, which opposition parties boycott after the authorities arrest many opposition leaders.
- November 2004. The SPDC purges allies of deposed Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt.
- October 2004. Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt is ousted on allegations of corruption; the opposition says that he is under house arrest.
- September 2004. The Burmese foreign minister and deputy foreign minister are replaced with army officials.
- July 2004. The constitutional convention adjourns after less than two months, no reason is given; opposition parties are absent from the convention.
- March 2004. UN special envoy Razali Ismail visits Burma, saying that he is convinced that Prime Minister Gen. Khin Nyunt is committed to democracy; Ismail also meets with Aung San Suu Kyi.
- June 2003. The seizure of Aung San Suu Kyi prompts Japan to suspend economic aid; US diplomats surveying the scene of an attack on Suu Kyi’s followers attest to a co-ordinated attack by a government mob.
- May 2003. Aung San Suu Kyi is seized in a clash between government and NLD forces.
- September 2002. Four members of former dictator Ne Win’s family are sentenced to death for plotting to overthrow the government.
- August 2002. Aung San Suu Kyi calls for the release of political prisoners.
- May 2002. Aung San Suu Kyi is released from house arrest; she continues calls for a tourism moratorium and the implementation of democracy.
- March 2002. The SPDC says that it has foiled a coup attempt, and blames family members of former dictator Ne Win.
- February 2002. The UN human rights envoy visits Burma; the ILO plans to set up office in Burma to eradicate forced labour.
- October 2001. The SPDC declares martial law in wake of religious riots.
- June 2001. The SPDC releases 28 NLD members from prison.
- January 2001. The SPDC holds talks with Aung San Suu Kyi in a move spurred by the desire to attract foreign investment; further arrests of opposition officials are reported.
- September 2000. Aung San Suu Kyi is placed under house arrest for a second time.
- June 2000. The army allegedly massacres villagers in Shan state; the ILO votes to adopt measures if Burma does not cease the practice of forced labour.
- July 1998. A stand-off occurs between Aung San Suu Kyi and the military regime after Suu Kyi calls for the reinstatement of the legislative balance that reflected the results of the annulled elections in 1990.
- December 1997. The composition of the new government is announced.
- November 1997. The ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) is dissolved and the SPDC formed; the new government is still led by the country’s top four military commanders
- June 1997. A leading NLD member dies in prison, having been arrested for organising the demonstrations of 1990.
- June 1996. SLORC passes a law prohibiting any activities that disrupt efforts to draw up a new constitution. Any organisation found guilty of violating the law would be banned.
- May 1996. In a SLORC crackdown, 260 NLD members are arrested.
- July 1995. The release of Aung San Suu Kyi is announced; the unexpected move prompts Japan to resume aid to Burma.
- April 1993. The constitutional convention adjourns; many of the opposition reject the military’s proposed role in government.
- December 1991. SLORC expels Aung San Suu Kyi from the NLD.
- October 1991. Aung San Suu Kyi wins the Nobel Peace Prize, for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights.
- May 1990. The NLD is elected to power, the party supported by SLORC gains just 20 per cent of the vote; SLORC does not recognise the results of the elections.
- January 1990. Aung San Suu Kyi is banned from participation in the elections.
- July 1989. Aung San Suu Kyi is put under house arrest as Burma’s leaders declare martial law.
- 1988. The activities of insurgent groups leads to an anti-government uprising, prompting a military takeover.
- May 1976. Renewed student unrest breaks out; communist and rebel activities persist in Eastern Burma.
- March 1962. Ne Win overthrows the government of U Nu and arrests the former leadership; the military council announces the formation of a new government.
- March 1952. The government battles communist and Karen insurgents.
- December 1947. Burma adopts a new constitution. The UK recognises Burmese independence under the Anglo-Burmese treaty. The transfer of power takes place on Jan. 4, 1948
