Easing of Sanctions on Burmese Imports Does Little to Improve Human Rights There

As expected, the Obama administration today suspended the US ban on imports from Burma, just days before President Obama’s historic visit to that country. Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is disappointed that the decision was not coupled to a requirement for proper […]

Civil Society Rejects Flawed ASEAN Human Rights Declaration

Today, 62 grassroots, national, regional, and international civil society groups are calling upon ASEAN Member States to postpone the adoption of the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration, which is not worthy of its name […]

Letter to President Obama Regarding His Trip to Burma

Dear President Obama: We, the undersigned NGOs, are writing to express our grave concern regarding continuing abuses against ethnic groups in Burma and the implications of your planned trip. By going under current circumstances, you take on a lot of responsibility […]

Urgent International Actions to Protect Rohingya People

Burmese government has not only manifestly failed to protect the Rohingya population but it has also been a primary force behind the persecution and destruction of them. Thus the “responsibility to protect Rohingya” lies with the international community. We, therefore, urge upon the international community, UN, OIC, EU, ASEAN, UK, US and all Burma’s neighbours

Take Action to Free Brang Yung and Lanpai Gam! No Political Prisoners must be Left Behind in Burma’s Jails!

Brang Yung and Lanpai Gam are two Kachin farmers who have been detained illegally and tortured brutally by the military-backed government in Burma. They were arrested in June 2012 and charged under Article 17/1 of the Unlawful Association Act. Their trials are still continuing at Myitkyina court in Kachin State.

Innocent Civilians Remain in Burma’s Jails – Free Brang Yung and Lanpai Gam!

They were arrested in June 2012 and charged under Article 17/1 of the Unlawful Association Act. Their trials are still continuing at Myitkyina court in Kachin State. They were brutally tortured during interrogations; they were repeatedly beaten, forced to drink water mixed with fuel, burnt and forced to have sexual intercourse with each other

Shwe Pipeline Brings Land Confiscation, Militarization and Human Rights Violations to the Ta’ang People

The Ta’ang Students and Youth Organization (TSYO) released a report today called “Pipeline Nightmare” that illustrates how the Shwe Gas and Oil Pipeline project, which will transport oil and gas across Burma to China, has resulted in the confiscation of people’s lands, forced labor, and increased military presence along the pipeline, affecting thousands of people.

Moreover, the report documents cases in 6 target cities and 51 villages of human rights violations committed by the Burmese Army, police and people’s militia, who take responsibility for security of the pipeline […]

World Bank Breaches Own Policy and Ignores Civil Society’s Request for Postponement of Project

On 1 November, the World Bank’s Board of Directors decided to go ahead with a US$80 million Community Driven DevelopmentProject, despite Myanmar civil society organization’s official request to postpone the project until the World Bank holds […]

Joint Statement on Humanitarian Assistance in Rakhine State, Burma

We appreciate the dilemma that this situation presents to donor governments and to humanitarian agencies, but we take the view that there is a humanitarian imperative to provide assistance without further delays. Anything that can be done to ameliorate the conditions in the Rohingya displacement camps must be done as a matter of urgency.

War-Affected Karen Communities Urge Suspension of Mega Development Projects During Peace Process

Villagers at the forum demanded that both the Myanmar government and the Karen National Union (KNU) improve the cease-fire and peace process, and allow the participation of communities and civil society groups in decision-making in order to have sustainable peace and development in the country.