Ten Arakanese activists who were sentenced to three months imprisonment...for organizing…[a] protest against the Chinese-backed Shwe oil and gas pipeline, have had their sentences shortened by one month during an appeal hearing...Burmese civil society organizations have documented numerous human rights abuses and negative social impacts along the path of the project, while thousands of villagers have complained of land confiscation without adequate compensation and an increased military presence…Burmese authorities have dealt harshly with local dissent against the unpopular project…[refers to China National Petroleum Corporation]