The Political Persecution and Re-imprisonment of U Gambira 2016

U Gambira (born 19 June 1979), is a former Buddhist monk, activist and a leader of the All-Burma Monks’ Alliance, a group which helped lead the 2007 protests against Burma’s military government […]

Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar

In the present report, submitted to the Human Rights Council pursuant to its resolution 28/23, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Yanghee Lee, examines the developments in Myanmar since her reports to the Council, in March 2015 (A/HRC/28/72) and to the General Assembly, in October 2015 (A/70/412) […]

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners: February Summary of the Current Situation

This month, 19 political activists were arrested in total, nine individuals were sentenced and one was released. Eleven political prisoners are reported to be in bad health. Also this month, 45 new charges were piled on activists […]

Human Rights situation in Burma/Myanmar

The year 2015 will be remembered as a momentous year for Burma/Myanmar as the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, clinched an emphatic victory in the 8 November polls. However, the main challenges that impede a full and genuine democratic transition remain.

Open Letter to Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the UN Human Rights Council

Dear Excellencies,

We write to you regarding Burma/Myanmar as civil society groups working on the ground in the country. We strongly urge you to continue the UN Human Rights Council resolution on Burma/Myanmar and as in past years extend the mandate of the Special Rapporteur under Item 4 of the Council’s agenda. At this important juncture in the country’s history, we request the Council and the Special Rapporteur to work towards establishing clearly benchmarked guidelines that will act as a road map for the future of human rights in Burma/Myanmar […]

Myanmar: Annual Report Country Entry 2016

Authorities failed to address rising religious intolerance and incitement to discrimination and violence against Muslims, allowing hardline Buddhist nationalist groups to grow in power and influence ahead of the November general elections […]

Facing 377 Discrimination and Human Rights Abuses Against Transgender

Following military coups in 1962 and 1988, multiple military regimes have ruled over Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). Widespread human rights abuses conducted by police and military against the general public and ethnic minorities are well known and documented […]

The Need for Peace and Inclusion

The peoples of Myanmar have long desired a platform for inclusive peace and dialogue where the vital issues of politics, economics, welfare and human rights for all can be discussed together, fully and in a spirit of national reconcilitation and cooperation. Thus any initiative towards peace and dialogue is always welcome […]

Medical Crisis for Political Prisoners of Letpadan Case

There has been a significant deterioration in the health and well-being of 53 students and supporters who have been detained without bail for nine months at Thayawaddy prison. Their criminal trial has now dragged on for nine months. If convicted, they could face up to ten years in prison […]

No Women, No Peace: Gender Equality, Conflict and Peace in Myanmar

This briefing explores the gender dimensions and gender impact of conflict in Myanmar. Such information is relatively scarce, and there has long been a need for a deeper understanding of the intersections of gender, ethnicity and other identities in peace-building and democratisation […]