Report on the Human Rights Situation (January – December 2012)

By Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma • March 1, 2013

The annual report of Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) documented the human rights situation in Burma from December 2011-January 2013. The report provides information on human rights violations (HRVs) over this period and highlights pressing issues and trends taking place in Burma. The annual report covers human rights violations in 16 categories over all 14 states.

Unsurprisingly, the highest incidences of abuse occurred in ethnic nationality areas that remain in open conflict with the Burma Army, the Tatmawdaw, or are the grounds for controversial development projects. Shan, Karen, and Chin States reported 91, 57, and 37 cases of serious human rights abuse respectively throughout the year. These areas, like other ethnic regions, are largely closed off to tourists and locals from Burma, making it difficult to understand the scale of the problem. In addition, this secrecy allows the military-backed government to commit violations of human rights with impunity.

Download the report here.