Media Advisory: The Important Role of the Media in Myanmar 2nd Cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR)

One of the key mandates of the UN Human Rights Council is to undertake a Universal Periodic Review (UPR), on the fulfillment of each States human rights obligations and commitments. The UPR is therefore a unique human rights mechanism and an important political process for advancing the realization of human rights on the ground. Myanmar 2^nd Cycle UPR is scheduled to take place on 6 November 2015, when the Myanmar government’s compliance with its human rights obligations will be reviewed by UN Member States at the UN Human Rights Council.

UPR Info, and the Burma-Myanmar UPR Forum, under the leadership of Aung Myo Min, Executive Director of Equality Myanmar, will host a UPR Pre-Session from 2-4 September 2015 in Yangon. On 3 September 2015, Aung Myo Min and Emilie Pradichit, Asia Regional Representative of UPR Info, will moderate a Media Briefing focusing on the Important Role of the Media in Myanmar 2^nd Cycle Universal Periodic Review.  The objective is to stress the importance of the UPR and how the media could support local voices to be heard, help raise awareness and influence on the recommendations coming from local communities to be addressed to the government. Freedom of Opinion and Expression is one of the most challenging human rights issues in Myanmar, and it is critical that journalists themselves seize the opportunity offered by the UPR to address their fundamental right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression.

The media briefing will also include an open dialogue to give local human rights defenders the opportunity to present on the human rights situation in Myanmar. Civil society representatives will provide journalists with evidence-based information and recommendations they would like UN Member States to formulate to the Myanmar government for its 2^nd Cycle UPR, and seek media support to disseminate the recommendations. Following each dialogue, the floor will be opened to journalists to ask the panelists questions. The media briefing will be the starting point for journalists’ engagement and support to the Burma-Myanmar UPR Forum.

It is hoped that the UPR recommendations would form the basis of the next generation of human rights responses for the upcoming government of Myanmar – as the government would be encouraged to develop a national human rights action plan to implement its 2^nd cycle UPR recommendations.

WHERE: Best Western Chinatown Hotel, Ballroom, No 127-137 Anawrahta road, Corner Lanmadaw street, Tatha Township, Yangon, Myanmar

WHEN: 3 September 2015 at 2:00pm to 5:00pm

LANGUAGES:    Simultaneous Translation in English and Burmese languages provided

PANELISTS:

• Dr Ma Thida, PEN Myanmar
• Zaw Moe, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) – AAPP
• Joseph Wah, Equality Myanmar
• Ei Ei Min, Coalition of Indigenous People in Myanmar/Burma
• Naw Eh Thaw, Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG)
• Lway Poe Ngel, Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma)
• Mu Sel, Burma Partnership
• Min Htun, Karen Student Network Group
• Myo Win, SMILE
• Wai Wai Nu, Women Peace Network – Arakan (WPNA)
• New Zin Win, Pyi Gyi Khin
• Ko Aung Kyaw Kyaw, Magwe Farmer Network
• Moan Kaein, Women Leagues’ of Burma (WLB)
• May Sabe Phyu Phyu, Gender Equality Network Myanmar (GEN)
• Ye Yint Nuang, United ACT
• Nay Lin Htike, Color Rainbow

PRESS CONTACTS:

Aung Myo Min, Executive Director, Equality Myanmar, [email protected]; +95 (0) 9448015306

Emilie Pradichit, Asia Regional Representative, [email protected]; +66 (0) 929015345

* Created in 2008 following the inception of the UPR mechanism, UPR Info is the only organization in the world focusing specifically on the UPR process. The organization’s extensive experience in this area is unique as it addresses all human rights issues and all countries without discrimination or politicization. This is the first UPR Pre-Session UPR Info is convening at the country level, complementing UPR Info Pre-Sessions organized in Geneva. The Yangon UPR Pre-Session will also include a diplomatic dialogue to be held on 4 September 2015 at the EU Delegation, bringing together diplomats from local embassies and local human rights defenders to discuss the human rights situation in Myanmar and get support from Recommending States. The Pre-Session offers Member States the opportunity to be informed on the status of implementation of recommendations made during the previous review, while providing space for civil society to influence the process by lobbying several countries at once.

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