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Civil Society to Hold Public Hearing and Seminar on Human Rights Abuses in Burma

By Burma Partnership  •  November 2, 2011

Civil society organizations from Burma and the ASEAN region will be holding a public hearing on human rights abuses and a seminar on the human rights situation in Burma. These back-to-back events come one year after Burma’s elections in 2010 and less than two weeks before ASEAN is expected to announce a decision on Burma’s bid to chair the regional bloc in 2014.

The public hearing will provide evidence of human rights abuses currently taking place in Burma that constitute violations of Burma’s international treaty obligations and may rise to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The hearing will include video and in person testimonies from victims and witnesses about their experiences with rape, torture, forced labor, forced relocation and landmines. At the conclusion of the hearing, a panel of experts will provide their findings, which will be submitted to ASEAN and AICHR.

Panel of Experts:

• Dr. Decha Tangseefa (Lecturer in Political Science, Thammasat University, Thailand)
• Ms. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel (Former member of the House of Representatives, the Philippines)
• Mr. Nurkholis (Vice Chairperson of Indonesia National Commission on Human Rights/ Komnasham)

In the afternoon seminar, the panel of experts will present their findings from the public hearing and individuals from Burma will provide an overview of the crimes currently taking place in the country. There will then be a discussion of the way forward for Burma and an exploration of the steps that need to be taken for Burma to transition to a democracy that is respectful of fundamental human rights.

Speakers will include:

• Panel of Experts led by Mr. Nurkholis
• Saw Kweh Say (Human Rights Activist from the Karen Community)
• Nyi Nyi Aung (Former political prisoner from Burma)
• Khin Ohmar (Coordinator Burma Partnership and Task Force on ASEAN Burma)
• Mr. Agus Widjojo (National Institute for Democratic Governance)
• Ms. Eva Sundari (Member of Indonesia House of Representative and President of AIPMC)

The events will be held on Monday, 7 November 2011.

Time: 09.00 – 12.30 (Public Hearing) and 14.00 – 16.00 (Seminar)

Venue: Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman, Kav. 86
Jakarta Pusat – Indonesia

These events are co-organized by SAPA Working Group on ASEAN, Task Force on ASEAN and Burma, Burma Partnership, KontraS and Solidaritas Indonesia for ASEAN People.

For RSVP or any queries, please contact:
Ms. Khin Ohmar – Coordinator, Burma Partnership and the Task Force on ASEAN and Burma:[email protected] or +66818840772 / +628111770165
Ms. Swastiti – SEAPC/ FORUM-ASIA (email: [email protected]  / mobile: +628159509504).

To make appointments to interview the panel of experts or speakers from Burma, please contact:
Ms. Jessica Stevens – Media and Communication Officer, Burma Partnership: [email protected] or +66884307032 / +628111770483

Tags: Burma Partnership, Crimes against humanity, Human Rights, KontraS, Public Hearing, Solidaritas Indonesia for ASEAN People, Solidarity for Asian People's Advocacy, Task Force on ASEAN and Burma

This post is in: Press Release

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