EU: Ending Sanctions Undercuts Burma’s Rights Progress

Pressure Still Needed to Protect Rohingya and Minorities, Release Political Prisoners

The European Union’s premature lifting of all targeted sanctions on Burma means the EU will need a new platform to press the government to improve the country’s still dire human rights situation, Human Rights Watch said today. On April 22, 2013, EU foreign ministers ended decades of EU travel bans and targeted sanctions on Burmese army and government individuals and entities, except its export ban on arms […]

Statement on EU Review of Sanctions on Burma (3/2013)

The United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) urges the European Union (EU) to maintain the current level of sanctions on Burma until the Government of Burma takes further steps to demonstrate its commitment to peace, political reform, and respect for human rights […]

ASEAN Parliamentarians Call on the European Union to Maintain Suspended Sanctions Against Myanmar

The European Union (EU) should renew its suspension of sanctions against Myanmar but stop short of a total lifting of restrictive measures, ASEAN Parliamentarians said today, citing serious human rights concerns and the failure of the Myanmar government to meet EU benchmarks for reform […]

Joint Open Letter on Review of the European Union’s Joint Decision on Burma

Dear Minister,

We are writing to you regarding the upcoming review of the European Union’s joint decision on Burma/Myanmar and to call upon you to support the continuation of the state of suspended sanctions against Burma/Myanmar for an additional year.

While we acknowledge that positive steps have been taken by the government in Burma/Myanmar, we caution that reforms have not led to progress towards national reconciliation. Nor have they sought to stem the ongoing human rights abuses and impunity, which continue to be serious problems in the country […]

G8 Must Not Ignore Sexual Violence In Burma

Burma Campaign UK is deeply concerned that G8 Foreign Ministers meeting today appear to be prioritising trade opportunities with Burma, rather than ending rape and sexual violence committed by Burmese government forces.

The Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) is top of the agenda for G8 Foreign Ministers. However, Burma is not one of the countries included in PSVI. Instead, discussion on Burma will focus on proposals by the Government of Burma for responsible investment […]

Northern Shan Farmers Call for Chinese Pipelines to be Removed from their Lands

Northern Shan farmers are submitting demands to Burma’s government today for China’s giant oil and gas pipelines to be removed from their lands immediately, citing rights abuses, poor construction and safety fears.

Representatives of the 10,000 strong Northern Shan Farmers’ Committee are today delivering their demands to the Shan State Parliament in Taunggyi, urging the removal of the trans-Burma pipelines before they become operational next month […]

Burma Briefing: The European Union Must Not Abandon Human Rights Benchmarks

The European Union is currently reviewing its policy on Burma, including whether to continue with the suspension of EU sanctions, or to lift them altogether. A final decision will be made by the Foreign Affairs Council on 22nd April.

There is no doubt that there have been dramatic changes in Burma in the past two years, and that there is opportunity for further change which must be encouraged. However, European Union members have a tendency to highlight the positives while ignoring some important and harsh realities on the ground. A careful balance needs to be struck between encouragement and continued pressure of various kinds. The European Union is not getting that balance right […]

BURMA: Two Sharply Contrasting Reports on the Struggle for Land at Letpadaung

The Asian Human Rights Commission has since mid-2012 closely followed, documented and reported on the struggle of farmers in the Letpadaung Hills of central Burma against the expansion of a copper mining operation under a military-owned holding company and a partner company from China […]

Burmese Military Stokes War in Northern Shan State to Clear Way for Salween Dam

The Burmese Army has given an ultimatum to the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) to clear its troops from the west bank of the Salween River in an area where Chinese companies are planning a mega dam.

On March 26, the Burmese Northeast Regional Commander ordered SSA-N troops to move out immediately from east of the Tangyan-Mong Kao road or face attack. SSA-N had been permitted to operate in this area under their original 1989 ceasefire agreement as well as under their new 2012 peace agreement […]

First Village Ordered Out for Construction of Dawei Deep Sea Port

A seaside fishing village of over 15 houses was ordered to move out last week to make way for the planned Dawei Deep Sea Port.

Residents of Charkhin Beach village, which has been declared an “illegal” settlement, received an official order on March 20 to move out within three days or face prosecution. However, most of the villagers are refusing to move, as they rely on fishing in the sea as their main livelihood […]