U.S. Government Must Ensure U.S. Investors Abide by Reporting Requirements

27 Organizations Express Strong Concern about Serious Informational Gaps in Reports from U.S. Companies Investing in Burma

(Washington, D.C.) — Today, August  12,  2013, twenty-seven  organizations  submitted  a  detailed  letter  to  President  Obama  expressing  concern  over  U.S.  companies  avoiding  making  full disclosures on their investment activities in the reports submitted as a requirement for investors in  Burma.  The  joint  letter  requested  the  U.S.  Administration  to  take  the  necessary  steps  to establish a precedent of thorough and high-quality reporting by U.S. companies […]

Burma: Joint Letter to President Obama on Reporting Requirements

We are writing to express our concerns regarding the first public reports from U.S. companies under the Burma Responsible Investment Reporting Requirements (“Reporting Requirements”). We commend the companies that have complied with the July deadline for timely reporting but are concerned that the reports exhibit serious […]

On Labour Organisations in Myanmar

When Myanmar’s new Labour Organisation Law was promulgated in October 2011 it brought to an end a period of nearly 50 years during which independent workers’ organisations had been effectively prohibited. Amidst the more open political climate of reform-era Myanmar, labour-related organisations and workers’ unions have proliferated. The result is that some 500 organisations took part in the recent ILO-organised Labour Organisations Conference held in Yangon from 30 April to 1 May 2013 […]

Video: In Race to Develop Myanmar, Government Grabs Farmland for Factories

Myanmar’s government has entered into a major development agreement with a consortium of Japanese companies to build tech, food and textile factories. For many, this means more jobs, trade and revenue. But to make room, some farmers are being evicted and losing their livelihood […]

Burma’s Extractive and Environmental Governance in Need of Overhaul

A new report released by Shwe Gas Movement today reveals glaring weaknesses in Burma’s legal framework regarding the extractive industries, resulting in human rights abuses, environmental damage and poor revenue distribution. A panel of experts was convened today to present the findings of the report […]

First U.S. Companies Release Reports on Investments in Myanmar

A handful of U.S. companies released public reports on their investments in Myanmar last week, as required by the State Department and other agencies administering the U.S. sanctions regime. The reporting companies are involved in offshore oil and gas activities, as well as passive investments in a Singapore-based company doing significant business in Myanmar. More reports from U.S. companies, including from Coca-Cola, are expected towards the end of the year […]

Burma’s Plans to Expand Mawchi Tin Mines Risk Derailing Karenni Peace Process

The Burmese government’s plans to expand the Mawchi tin mines are in violation of its latest ceasefire agreement with the Karenni National Progress Party (KNPP) and should be stopped immediately.

In the past few months, new roads and housing have been built by a Chinese company, in preparation for large-scale expansion of the Mawchi mines around Saethongon village. The villagers were told last year they must leave their homes when the expansion begins but have been given no other information […]

Kachin Organizations and Civil Society Groups Urge the United States Government to Renew the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act

We, Kachin civilians and activists from 30 organizations are calling on President Obama, Speaker Boehner and Majority Leader Reid to renew the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act, which will expire at the end of July 2013.

It is urgently needed to maintain pressure on the Burmese government to stop its policies of military aggression, and to begin a political dialogue to end the civil war in Burma […]

Burma: Telecom Winners Should Safeguard Users

Burma’s new telecom license winners should make a public commitment to strong human rights policies and broad transparency measures, Human Rights Watch said. Firms should say how they plan to protect users from illegal surveillance and censorship, given the current lack of legal human rights protections […]

Land Loss Resident in Dawei to Sue ITD

The Dawei Watch Group has said that a local resident is planning to sue the Italian-Thai Construction Company (ITD) for losses incurred when the Thai firm built a highway through his land in Yay Phyu Township.

Win Lwin Oo says he lost two acres of farmland because of the highway construction which leads from the Dawei Special Economic Zone in Tanintharyi Region to Kanchanaburi in Thailand […]