Thein Sein Should Come Clean On Role In Crushing 88 Uprising

On the 25th anniversary of the pro-democracy uprising in 1988, Burma Campaign UK is calling on President Thein Sein to reveal the exact role he played in suppressing the uprising. Thousands of students and protestors died when the military and security forces crushed the uprising […]

Myanmar: UN Special Rapporteur in Official Visit to Assess Human Rights Situation Countrywide

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, will undertake an official visit to the country from 11 to 21 August 2013. It will include visits to Rakhine State, Kachin State, Shan State, Chin State and Meikhtila in Mandalay Region […]

Burma: Justice for 1988 Massacres

Burma’s President Thein Sein should commit to an independent investigation and fair prosecutions of officials and commanders responsible for the mass killings of pro-democracy protesters 25 years ago. Burma’s friends and donors should make clear that genuine reform in Burma means ensuring justice for victims of the 1988 massacres and other serious human rights violations […]

Update on Progress of Response by Myanmar Civil Society Organizations on Draft Association Law

On 27 July 2013, draft Association Law prepared by Public Affair Management Committee (PAMC) of the People Assembly was published with a notice for the public to study and comment before it is submitted to the parliament for discussion. On 31 July, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from Yangon and Mandalay held workshops in their own […]

Civil Society Recommendations on the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Law

On August 2, 38 civil society organizations, community-based organizations and networks from Burma send to Thura U Shwe Mann, Union Parliament Speaker, recommendations and proposed amendments to the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) draft law in order to ensure the MNHRC’s independence […]

Statement of the Ethnic Nationalities Conference

1. Under the aegis of the UNFC, an Ethnic Nationality Conference was held from July 29 to 31 at a certain place in the liberated area.

2. A total of 122 delegates, representing the UNFC member organizations, 18 resistance organizations, the United Nationality Alliance, 4 political parties of the ethnic nationalities, youth organizations, women organizations, community-based organizations, the overseas ethnic nationality organizations, academics and active individuals […]

Myanmar: UN Expert Welcomes Latest Release of Prisoners of Conscience, but Raises Alarm over Ongoing Arrests

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, has welcomed the latest presidential amnesty on 23 July resulting in the release of 73 prisoners of conscience, while raising concerns over ongoing arrests of activists […]

Parliament Must Delay Deliberation on the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Law

The Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) Law will be discussed in the Upper House of Parliament on Monday 29 July 2013. The draft legislation was published in the state-run newspaper The Mirror on 7 July 2013, giving less than one month for civil society and the public to provide recommendations […]

Burma: Detained Human Rights Defender Mr Kyaw Hla Aung to Appear in Court

On 31 July 2013, human rights defender and community leader Mr Kyaw Hla Aung will appear at the district court in Sittwe to hear charges against him. Kyaw Hla Aung is a human rights defender and community leader who has been working to promote and defend the rights of minority Rohingyas in Arakan state. The human rights defender is a respected community leader having served as a Sittwe district civil court clerk and a former staff member of Medicine Sans Frontiers […]

Burma/Myanmar: KNU/KNLA Commits to the Protection of Children and the Prohibition of Conflict-Related Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

After seven years of dialogue with Geneva Call on international humanitarian norms, a ground-breaking step has been taken by the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army (KNU/KNLA). KNU/KNLA has signed Geneva Call’s Deed of Commitment for the Prohibition of Sexual violence in Situations of Armed Conflict and towards the Elimination of Gender Discrimination and the Deed of Commitment for the Protection of Children from the Effects of Armed Conflict […]