Jason Mraz becomes first international star in decades to perform in Burma

Jason Mraz, the American singer, became the first major international entertainer in decades to perform in Burma, with a concert to raise awareness of human trafficking.

Jason Mraz (C) performs during the MTV EXIT Live show, a free concert aimed at raising awareness of human trafficking, in Yangon, Myanmar Photo: EPA

Mraz's 2008 hit "I'm Yours" was the finale for the night-time concert before a crowd of about 50,000 people at the base of the famous hilltop Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon, the country's biggest city.

Local artists, including a hip-hop singer, also played at the event organised by MTV in co-operation with US and Australian government aid agencies and the anti-slavery organisation Walk Free.

Burma breaks reform promise by opening new offensive in Kachin frontline

By Zin Linn Dec 16, 2012

Asian Correspondent 

 

Burma Army strategic warfare against the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) near the Kachin Independence Organization (KIO)’s HQ Liaza this time seems to be a decisive military operation.

A Kachin soldier mans a frontline position, facing off against Burma government troops about 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the KIO headquarters in Laiza, as of Feb. 13, 2012. (AP Photo)

There are fresh reports from Kachin battle-frontline across the Internet as well as social media and the on-line newspapers constantly.  Besides, people throughout the country including non-governmental organizations feel shock that this battle will cause another humanitarian disaster following 100,000 people fled their homes for safety shelter in remote forest during 18-month old war.

According to media reports, there are more than 30,000 IDPs in Burmese government controlled areas and over 60,000 IDPs are currently taking refuge in KIO controlled areas. Several hundreds of civilians continue escaping their native places because they are scared of bullets, bombs, forced labors, rape, torture and other forms of violence.