Uncertain Ground: Landmine Use in Eastern Burma

This report focuses on field information received between January and December 2011. Key updates relating to the use of landmines in 2012 were also included, however due to the sheer volume of information that KHRG regularly receives, all field information received since the beginning of 2012 has […]

Burma: Shifting Gears to Reforms?

The most significant prisoner amnesty ever in Burma saw hundreds of political prisoners released on 13 January 2012. Among them were high profile activists Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Ashin Gambira and many journalists. Starting in mid-2011, the new rulers of Burma […]

10 Most Censored Countries

Shutting out international media and imposing dictatorial controls on domestic coverage, the Horn of Africa nation of Eritrea has emerged as the world’s most censored country, the Committee to Protect Journalists has found in its newly updated analysis of press restrictions around […]

Progress Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar

The recent wave of reforms has had a positive impact on the situation of human rights in Myanmar. The upcoming by-elections on 1 April 2012 will be a key test of how far the Government has progressed in its reform process. There is, however, a risk of backtracking on the progress achieved to date. At this crucial moment in the country’s history, remaining human rights concerns and challenges should be addressed, and justice and accountability measures, as well as measures to ensure access to the truth, should be taken […]

Freedom of Expression and Opinion in Burma: Still a Long Way to Go

There have been a number of positive developments in Burma with respect to the freedom of expression and opinion over the course of 2011 including some reductions in the level of censorship of the press, the loosening of restrictions on access to the Internet, and the recent release of political prisoners. However, while the international community has been focused on these openings, hundreds more individuals remain in prison solely for expressing their opinions and numerous obstacles continue to make it difficult for journalists and ordinary citizens in Burma to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and opinion […]

Burma’s NHRC: An Empty Gesture (updated version)

The international community should not welcome the creation of Burma’s NHRC until it complies with the Paris Principles

On 5 September, Burma’s regime announced that it had established a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) charged with promoting and safeguarding the fundamental rights of citizens in accordance with the 2008 Constitution.

While the creation of a NHRC could be seen as a positive step, it should be welcomed with skepticism […]

Burma’s Democratic Facade: Human Right Abuses Continued

In Burma (also known as Myanmar), the new President Thein Sein (former Gen. Thein Sein) has attempted to move towards democratization or a democratic transition, by establishing a dialogue with pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and allowed her party […]

Crimes in Northern Burma: Results from a Fact-Finding Mission to Kachin State

On 9 June 2011, civil war broke out in northern Burma between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), ending a 17-year long ceasefire agreement. This report presents data collected from a Partners investigation in southern Kachin State, Burma in October 2011 […]

Report on the Human Rights Situation in Burma – January to September 2011

The periodic report of the Network for Human Rights Documentation–Burma (ND-Burma) documents the human rights situation in Burma during the period January–September 2011. The ND-Burma periodic reports provide up-to-date information on human rights violations (HRVs) and highlight pressing issues and trends within the country. The information gathered covers 16 categories of human rights violations (HRVs), documented in all 14 states and regions across Burma […]

Burma’s Continuing Human Rights Challenges

One year ago Burma conducted tightly controlled elections that transferred power from a ruling military council to a nominally civilian government in which the president and senior government officials are all former generals. In 2011 the new government has taken a number […]