The Stateless Rohingya Blog

By SAW YAN NAING Activists pray at Botataung pagoda to release political prisoners on Nov. 20, 2011, in Rangoon. (Photo:  More than 1,500 political prisoners remain in Burmese prisons, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners -Burma (AAPP), despite assurances from a government advisor that only 300 “prisoners of conscience” are now behind bars. Based on its most recent figures, AAPP said there are at least 1,572 individuals in Burma who have been arrested and sentenced on political grounds, and are believed to currently be in prison.

By ( Mizzima ) - Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba arrived in Burma on Sunday, as Japan considers resuming official economic development to the country that is struggling to emerge from decades of military rule. Koichiro Gemba, the Japanese foreign affairs minister, right, met with Burmese Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin, who visited Japan in October 2010. Photo: mofa.go.jp Gemba's visit, the first by a Japanese foreign minister since 2002, comes as part of international efforts to engage Burma's new military-backed civilian government. The foreign minister will try to increase the momentum of reforms started by President Thein Sein since he took office nine months ago. In the latest series of diplomatic overtures by major countries, Gemba will underscore Japan's readiness to assist Burma’s transformation into a democratic country and reduce poverty, especially in rural areas, according to an article in the Mainichi Daily News on Sunday. After meeting