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| Southeast Asia |
| An Eye in the Sky on Burma |
| 2007-09-30 |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 AAAS took the incident reports and combed over commercially available satellite images of around 2,000 sq. km of the country, searching for before and after pictures that would visually confirm what the human rights groups were telling them. The satellites can see objects as small as 60 cm across, and in 31 out of 70 attempts, researchers were able find physical evidence — village houses that had disappeared, the sudden appearance of military camps — that corresponded with the reports. "As these attacks take place, there's often denial from the military government," says Bromley. "If you can put together an image of the aftermath of an attack, it discredits that denial." This is an absolutely outstanding example of high technology being used to combat tyranny and crimes against humanity. Much like Zimbabwe, Burma is yet another example of massive human rights abuses being cloaked by secretive despots. I would cheerfully contribute to a campaign whereby single-purpose satellite cell phones are air-dropped into conflict areas like this so that confirming reports can reach the outside world. Actually, I'm surprised that Time is even reporting on this. I suppose that they must feel a rather urgent need to preserve at least some minute vestige of their reportorial integrity. Too bad that this same level of observation and publicity is not being applied to Chinese pollution, Islamic population displacements and the usual nefarious activities of those who treat our world as their own personal litter box. |
| Posted by: Zenster 2007-09-30 02:35 |