Catherine Ashton Launches a Program to Help the MNHRC

After decades of internal repression, we see dramatic and hopeful changes taking place in Burma. Here is a democratic transition unfolding in a peaceful, collaborative fashion, –acclaimed by the domestic electorate and the international community. Myanmar […]

Statement of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission on Its Establishment and Its Current Status of Functioning

On 16 March 2012, the Speaker of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, based on the opinion of the Joint Bill Committee that the establishment of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) is not consistent with the Constitution and existing laws […]

Cynical Manipulation of Legal System Prefigures Continued Authoritarianism

Two cases in Burma’s courts that recently have attracted some public attention reveal aspects of a legal system being cynically manipulated, aspects that afford strong guarantees for the continuation of authoritarian practices and mentalities […]

Hluttaw Refuses Human Rights Body Budget

THE Pyidaungsu Hluttaw has refused to approve the government’s budget proposal for the National Human Rights Commission on the grounds its formation did not conform to the constitution […]

Rights Violations ‘Still Occurring’

Government troops have murdered, tortured and raped villagers since fighting broke out against Kachin rebels in the northeast of the country last year, causing around 75,000 civilians to flee their homes, Human Rights Watch says.

In an 83-page report published this week, the New York-based rights group said government soldiers have gunned down civilians, burned villages, raped women, and forced children as young as 14 to work as porters on the front lines.

“We have gathered evidence of violations and send it to the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission, but we have had no reply yet” […]

FM Marty Receives Myanmar Human Rights Delegation

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty M. Natalegawa received Chief of Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHCR) U Win Mra and Chief of Myanmar Women and Children Affairs Committee (WCAC) Mya Oo at his office here on Monday.

The first-ever visit by chiefs of the two Myanmar institutes in Indonesia for a week was intended to follow up the two visits by the Indonesian foreign minister to Myanmar in October and December last year […]

Human Rights Workshop Kicks Off

Workshop on Human Rights Subject for Government Staff and Commission Officials was held in Inya Lake Hotel today, with the sponsorship of Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) in cooperation with of Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (RWI) of University of Lund of Sweden.

The workshop was attended by members of Myanmar National Human Rights Commission […]

Head of HR Commission Rules Out Conflict-Zone Inquiry

The chairman of Burma’s National Human Rights Commission said on Tuesday that it was premature for the newly established body to investigate allegations of human rights abuses in ethnic minority areas.

“The national reconciliation process is political,” said Win Mra, the chairman of the NHRC, speaking at a press conference at Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday afternoon. He added that “to investigate into conflict areas would not be appropriate at this time” […]

Visit to Thailand of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission

Mr. Win Mra, Chairman of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC), accompanied by Mr. Nyunt Swe, Member of the MNHRC, is on a visit to Thailand during 12 – 15 February 2012 as guests of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The objective of this visit is to exchange views on human rights promotion and protection as well as bilateral cooperation. The visit is also part of the MNHRC’s tour to meet with the National Human Rights Commissions in ASEAN member countries […]

Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar

… During the mission, I met with the Minister of Home Affairs, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Border Affairs, the Attorney-General, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Union Election Commission, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs […]