Canada is to support UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma

Canadian Friends of Burma has learned that the Government of Canada is to support a UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma, according to a spokesperson to the Canadian Foreign Minister.

“Canada supports both the UN Special Rapporteur’s work on human rights abuses in Burma, and the idea of a UN Commission of Inquiry into human rights abuses by the Burmese regime,” said Ms. Catherine Loubier, a spokesperson, quoting Minister Lawrence Cannon […]

Supporting civilians that face ongoing military attacks

The Burma Army continues to launch deliberate military attacks that target civilians and undermine humanitarian conditions in upland areas of Karen State, according to the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), which today released the report Self-protection under strain: Targeting of civilians and local responses in northern Karen State. Drawing on over 212 interviews and 85 field documents submitted by KHRG field researchers since January 2009, the report makes clear that civilians contending with attacks need increased humanitarian support. This support must be designed to strengthen local communities existing capacities for protection of human rights […]

New report reveals ‘The Hidden Impact of Burma’s Arbitrary and Corrupt Taxation’

The Network for Human Rights Documentation-Burma (ND-Burma) released its first report, “We have to give them so much that our stomachs are empty of food: The Hidden Impact of Burma’s Arbitrary and Corrupt Taxation.” Based on 342 interviews, the report reveals how widespread, arbitrary taxation damages the country’s economy, exacerbates poverty, and contributes to the ongoing and systematic violation of the people’s most basic right to an adequate standard of living, housing, and education […]

ASIAN Election Monitoring Organizations question unfair practices in the Burma Electoral process

From it’s position as a regional election observation group which supports the process of democratization through a free and fair electoral process, the Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) considers it important to make its position clear in the larger interest of democracy in Burma. First and foremost, it must be made clear that election observation is possible only if the conditions provided are free and fair and are in sync with the international principles guiding a democratic electoral process.

In this context ANFREL and other election monitoring organizations within the ASEAN and also those that share similar concerns in Asia have called for a review of the election regulations, orders and practices on electoral contests, which pertains to respecting the basic rights of parties, candidates and voters […]

New Democrats call for UN commission of inquiry on Burma

Canada should add its support for the establishment of a UN Commission of Inquiry into alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by the military regime in Burma, says New Democrat Leader Jack Layton (Toronto-Danforth).

“Canadians have spoken out against human rights violations in Burma – from political repression and forced displacement of civilians to sexual violence, torture and murder,” said Layton. “Violating human rights has been used systematically and with impunity by the Burmese junta and it’s time to establish a UN Commission of Inquiry” […]

Media Advisory: Launch of ND-Burma’s Report “The Hidden Impact of Burma’s Arbitrary and Corrupt Taxation”

The Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) will hold a press conference to launch its new report “The Hidden Impact of Burma’s Arbitrary and Corrupt Taxation.” ND Burma, through meticulous research and documentation, reveals the military regime’s corrupt and cruel system of taxation and the devastating impact this has on the people of Burma […]

Liberals call on the Conservative government to support a United Nations Commission of Inquiry on the human rights situation in Burma

The Liberal Party is calling on the Conservative government to support an international call for a special United Nations Commission of Inquiry into allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Burmese junta […]

Dossier of torture cases submitted to U.N. experts

The Asian Legal Resource Centre on Wednesday submitted a special dossier to a group of United Nations human rights experts on recent cases of extreme, prolonged torture by police officers in Burma.

The 66-page dossier, entitled “Recent complaints of extreme torture and arbitrary detention in Myanmar (Burma)”, details the cases of Phyo Wai Aung, Nyi Nyi Htun and Than Myint Aung at the hands of special units attached to the Rangoon Divisional Police Headquarters and Aungthapyay Interrogation Camp, also in Rangoon […]

NUPGE presses Ottawa on Burma rights campaign

‘The record of horrific human rights abuses by the military government of Burma is lengthy.’ – James Clancy.

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) is urging the Harper government to support the
call for a United Nations (UN) commission of inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma.[…]

Burmese Political Leader’s case taken to International Court

The case of Ko Mya Aye, a leading pro-democracy leader incarcerated in Burma, now calling itself Myanmar, has been taken to court at the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention by the Burma Justice Committee.[…]