About the Author

David Calleja

David Calleja is an independent writer based in Melbourne, Australia. You can email him at davidjcalleja@gmail.com

U.S. Delegation in Rangoon Met With Burma’s Ethnic Minority Political Parties as Part of “Fact Finding” Mission

An American delegation that visited Rangoon as part of a fact finding mission was told by one of Burma’s main opposition parties that they refuse to endorse the country’s elections planned for 2010 under the current constitution, which is accused of not guaranteeing any rights for Burma’s ethnic minorities.

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Film Review: Burma VJ

There are very few movies or documentaries that show just how severe life is for civilians in Burma. It is only fitting that a group of committed local Burmese reporters from the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) fill this void by capturing the footage of the 2007 uprising led by monks, otherwise known as the Saffron Revolution.

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“We do not understand why the military is doing this to us”

A prominent Burmese chief monk in exile agreed to share his thoughts with me in writing. To protect his identity, the monk’s name and location are being withheld. He has chosen not to be politically active while in hiding, so that the identities of individuals still wanted by the Burmese military junta over the 1988 Uprising can remain protected. Unfortunately, the junta is oblivious to the concept of forgiveness, and don’t forget anybody who dares to challenge their authority.

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Smoky Mountain Estate – Returning to Steung Meanchey Waste Dump

In the wet season of 2008, David Calleja presented A Garbage Diet. This provided an insight into Steung Meanchey, home to hundreds of residents living on a rubbish dump on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. For his second visit in January 2009 during the dry season, David joins members of the recently formed NGO named CHOICE, speaks with children and captures images of the site marked for closure, leaving residents facing an uncertain future.

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