Burma: Rapist of Child Convicted, But Inadequate Sentence Imposed

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is pleased to inform you that a man accused of repeatedly raping a teenage girl in Burma has, despite his efforts to destroy the case, been convicted. However, the court has imposed an inadequate sentence upon him, and activists in the country are calling for a stiffer punishment to serve as a warning to others that sexual violence against girls and women will not be tolerated […]

A Prominent Woman Activist Jailed For Leading A Peaceful Protest

Burma Campaign UK today urged Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire MP to call in the Burmese ambassador to Britain to question him regarding why people are still being arrested under the right to protest law in Burma. Burma Campaign UK also urged the Foreign Office Minister to demand the military-backed government to secure the immediate release of Naw Ohn Hla and to repeal all the repressive laws which put political prisoners in jail […]

Burma: Human Rights Defender Ms Naw Ohn Hla Sentenced to Two Years in Prison with Hard Labour

On 29 August 2013, human rights defender Ms Naw Ohn Hla was found guilty of disturbing public tranquillity under Section 505(b) of the Burmese Penal Code and sentenced to two years in prison with hard labour. She had been arrested on 13 August 2013 during a peaceful protest. Naw Ohn Hla has been an active human rights defender for decades and has been instrumental in calling for the suspension of the Letpadaung mining project as it is harming the environment […]

The Women’s Initiative Network for Peace (WIN-Peace) Calls for the Immediate Release of Naw Ohn Hla and Other Women Activists at Monywa, and for an End to Judicial Harassment of Women Activists around Myanmar

The Women’s Initiative Network for Peace (WIN-Peace) calls for the immediate release of Naw Ohn Hla and nine other women who were arrested following a peaceful protest against the Letpadaung copper mine in Monywa, Sagaing Region, on 13 August 2013. WIN-Peace also calls for an end to the judicial harassment […]

Myanmar: Act Now to Prevent Recruitment of Child Soldiers, Following New SC Recommendations

The Myanmar government must act now to implement the recent recommendations issued by the UN Security Council Working Group on children and armed conflict (UNSCWG) to end the recruitment and use of children as soldiers, Child Soldiers International said today. On 16 August 2013, the UNSCWG released its conclusions on children and armed conflict in Myanmar, urging the Myanmar government to take specific measures to protect children from unlawful recruitment by the Myanmar military and armed groups, and thereby live up to its commitments to bring a definitive end to underage recruitment in the country […]

BMA Press Release on Latest Anti-Muslim Violence in Burma

President U Thein Sein promised on his recent visit to the UK and France that there would be no tolerance for religious extremism and sectarian violence in Burma. Unfortunately, a number of serious incidents have taken place in recent days which raise questions about the government’s ability to prevent and take action against sectarian violence […]

Situation of Inter-Communal Violence in Myanmar is Perilous, Warn ASEAN Legislators

Myanmar is on the precipice of widespread inter-communal conflict and the authorities must immediately implement a comprehensive strategy that protects victims, holds perpetrators of violence accountable for their actions and also deals with the underlying tensions that are fueling conflicts between Buddhist and Muslim communities, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) said today […]

PHR Documents Systematic Patterns of Anti-Muslim Violence in Burma

New Report Shows Government’s Failure to Protect Muslims From Widespread Attacks

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) today released a report documenting the recent wave of violence against Muslims throughout Burma, whose government has created a culture of impunity for the violators and has failed to protect the Muslim minority.

The report details a number of serious human rights violations that have taken place over the last two years, which have resulted in the displacement of nearly 250,000 people and the destruction of more than 10,000 homes, scores of mosques, and a dozen monasteries […]

Myanmar Civil Society Meeting Legislature on Proposed Association Draft Law

The representatives of 281 civil society organizations, community based organizations and networks from upper and lower Myanmar held the meeting with Hluttaw representatives on August 15 in Nyapyitaw regarding the proposed Association Draft Law. This is the outcome of the Myanmar civil society organizations’ efforts reaching out to the Legislature and raising […]

The Women’s League of Burma Condemns the Violent Handling and Arrest of Peaceful Women Activists in Monywa

The Women’s League of Burma strongly condemns the violent handling and arrest of Naw Ohn Hla and nine other women who were staging a peaceful protest against the Letpadaung copper mine in Monywa on August 13 […]