BURMA:

THE EYE IN THE SKY THAT WATCHES THE BURMESE JUNTA:

One of the sidebars to the recent events in Burma was the news that the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) had been able to use satellite imaging to document some of the ongoing human rights abuses in that country. This was carried out by the AAAS Science and Human Rights Program in association with various organizations concerned about human rights in Burma. Satellite images were provided by two private firms, GeoEye Inc. and DigitalGlobe. The Science and Human Rights program has previously used such technology to document government atrocities in Zimbabwe and Darfur. This data analysis focused on the eastern regions of Burma where the military has had a longstanding genocidal policy of attempting to clear the area of various ethnic minorities. The AAAS found substantial evidence of village destruction, military activities, forced relocation and refugee migration to neighbouring Thailand. Read THIS PRESS RELEASE for the full story as well as a link to the full (17Mb-shudder) report in pdf format. There are also links to previous reports on Darfur and Zimbabwe.

It is at least a small comfort that satellite technology means that it has become harder and harder for governments to hide their atrocities.