Urgent Appeal to End the Humanitarian Crisis in Kachin State

Mr. President:

While we appreciate the efforts the current government is making towards establishing peace in Myanmar, it has now been one full year since the fighting in Kachin State began. With this letter we, the undersigned civil society and community-based organizations from Myanmar, urge you to immediately put an end to the humanitarian crisis that is now happening in our homeland […]

ND-Burma Launches Report Documenting Torture and Ill Treatment in Burma Since the 2010 Elections

The Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) released a new report in Bangkok today, documenting the Government of Burma’s use of torture and ill treatment against its own people since the November 2010 elections.

“The international community has been applauding the government for recent gestures towards change; essentially they are praising the government for continuing to violate the fundamental rights of the people of Burma,” said Twan Zaw from All Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress […]

ASEAN Human Rights Declaration Cannot Move Forward Without Genuine Consultation of Civil Society

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) today called on ASEAN to delay the putting of its draft declaration on human rights before the foreign ministers of members states next month pending a fully inclusive, meaningful and transparent consultation of civil society and other stakeholders […]

An Open Letter to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi

Dear Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,

We, the Karen Women Organization are deeply heartened to see you travel outside of Burma with the confidence that you will be able to speak freely and return home safely. We understand you are attending and addressing the World Economic Forum in Bangkok and that a visit to the border might be possible. We would like to extend an invitation to you to visit a refugee camp on the Burma border so that our community can share with you our hopes and concerns about returning to Burma […]

Peaceful Protestors Face Violence by Burma’s Police

Peaceful demonstrators calling for a regular supply of electricity in Pyi Township have faced a brutal crackdown by police in Burma.
AAPP firmly condemns the way police have mistreated protestors during non-violent demonstrations against chronic electricity shortages, when 5 protestors were beaten and arrested by 80 policemen on May 24, 2012 […]

Burma: Allow Early Release of 3 Political Prisoners Facing Imminent Threats to Life Due to Critical Health Conditions

The health conditions of 3 political prisoners in Burma have entered a critical stage, with the 3 inmates now facing imminent threats to their life if they continue to be held in adverse prison conditions. To prevent any further declines in their health, AAPP urgently requests the government of Burma to immediately allow Phyo Wai Aung, Sunny also known as San Shar, and Mira Mauth also known as Mayra Math early medical leave from prison on humanitarian grounds […]

Burma: Release Critically Ill Phyo Wai Aung Without Delay

An Open Letter from the Asian Human Rights Commission to the President of Burma, Thein Sein.

Dear Mr. President:

You will be aware that the case of 32-year-old Phyo Wai Aung, accused of involvement in the April 2010 bombing of the Burmese New Year’s water festival in Yangon, has attracted a great deal of attention both in your home country and abroad […]

US Suspends Economic Sanctions Without Meeting Human Rights Benchmarks

The economic sanctions of the US on Burma were originally adopted because of the disregard for democratic principles and grave human right violations committed by the Burmese government. These violations continue but the pressure for the Burmese government to stop them is now removed […]

Launch of “Uncertain Ground: Landmine Use in Eastern Burma”

Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) today released a major new report documenting the continued challenges posed by widespread use of landmines in eastern Burma and called for urgent humanitarian mine action that addresses the priorities and concerns […]

Statement on the Current Reforms in Burma

Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) is cautiously optimistic about the positive developments made by the Burmese government in the past year. While the political reforms and tentative ceasefire agreements bring a degree of hope, the chronic humanitarian crisis facing the ethnic displaced and rural populations has yet to be addressed. MTC urges that assistance to the border regions must continue until there are signs of real change […]