Humanitarian Aid not Political Maneuvering

This year’s monsoon rains have hit Burma harder than most years in the country’s history, leading to the worst natural disaster since Cyclone Nargis in 2008. So far, nearly 100 people have died from the severe flooding caused by heavy rains and flash floods and over one million people have been affected in all but two of Burma’s 14 states and regions since June 2015. Approximately 1.2 million acres of rice fields have been destroyed including large parts of Burma’s “rice bowl,” the Irrawaddy Delta, and nearly 14,000 educational institutions have been temporarily shut down due to this natural disaster […]

Statement of Civil Society Organizations on the Current Severe Flooding in Myanmar

Eleven States and Regions of Myanmar are encountering inundation and deluges with millions of people facing flooding distress. The floods, that began two weeks ago, have affected hundreds of thousands of people in Sagaing, Bago and Ayeyarwaddy Divisions as well as in Kachin, Chin and Arakan States, and these areas are urgently in need of emergency relief and aid. Dozens of people have perished in the floods and more than eight hundred thousand acres of farmland are submerged, according to numerous reports […]

Responding To Boat People Crisis in Southeast Asia – Special Meeting in Bangkok Must Formulate a Long-Term and Sustainable Solution

(Bangkok, 28 May 2015) – On 29th May, 17 countries will come together in Bangkok for the “Special Meeting on Irregular Migration in the Indian Ocean” hosted by the Thai Government […]

International NGOs Urge Ban Ki-moon To Negotiate Aid Access To Rakhine State, Myanmar (Burma)

Thirty seven international humanitarian aid and advocacy organisations have written today to the United Nations Secretary-General, urging him to give his “personal attention” to the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine State, Myanmar (Burma) and to take “a personal lead” in negotiating for humanitarian access to all areas of Rakhine State […]

Humanitarian Crisis Affecting Rohingya Muslims is the Product of Genocide

London, 16 May 2015: Persecution of the Rohingya minority by the Myanmar government amounts to genocide, according to field research from the International State Crime Initiative (ISCI), based at Queen Mary University of London […]

ASEAN Parliamentarians Condemn Indonesia’s Treatment of Migrants

JAKARTA, 13 May 2015 – ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) today criticized Indonesia’s approach to dealing with the influx of migrants in the midst of an escalating regional refugee crisis […]

Thailand: Mass Graves of Rohingya Found in Trafficking Camp

(New York) – The discovery of more than 30 bodies in a human trafficking camp should prompt Thai authorities to authorize an independent, United Nations-assisted investigation, commit to publish its findings, and bring those responsible to justice, including any government officials involved, Human Rights Watch said today […]

Burma: Rights Heading in Wrong Direction

(Bangkok, January 29, 2015) – Burma’s human rights situation declined in 2014, setting back progress made since the reform process began three years ago, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2015. Donors and influential governments have done little to pressure the army and government to keep reforms on track.

Arakan Rohingya Union Warmly Welcomes the Release of Rohingya Community Leader, Dr. U Tun Aung

Arakan Rohingya Union warmly welcomes the release of Rohingya physician and community leader, Dr. U Tun Aung, after a prolonged period of unjust imprisonment by the Government of Myanmar.

Dr. U Tun Aung was arrested by the Buddhist Rakhine police following the violence against Rohingya by the Buddhist Rakhine mobs in Maungdaw, Arakan State, in June of 2012, on false allegation of inciting the riots. On the contrary, Dr. U Tun Aung was trying to intervene and stop the violence as per the request of the authorities. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison that was grossly unfair and racially motivated […]

Myanmar: Freedom for All Prisoners of Conscience Must Follow Activist’s Release

The release of peaceful activist Dr Tun Aung, jailed simply for trying to prevent communal violence, is a positive step, but authorities in Myanmar should also free the dozens of other prisoners of conscience still behind bars, Amnesty International said […]