The Wire

Late last year the Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, took a strong stance against the ruling military’s use of forced labour in Burma. The International Labour Organisation has been working with the junta to reduce forced labour, however reports from within the closed nation tell a different story. A pair of human rights advocates travelling within Burma and speaking with villagers — have been brutally beaten and imprisoned. They now reportedly face charges of disturbing public tranquility. And 20 others were detained on Tuesday after going to pray for the release of the nation’s democracy leader.