Myanmar/Rakhine Commission: “Positive Starting Point but Government Must Address Impunity”

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, today welcomed some forward thinking recommendations from the Rakhine Investigation Commission report. However, he expressed concerns over the lack of recommendations to address impunity and ensure investigations into credible allegations of widespread and systematic human rights violations targeting the Muslim community in Rakhine State […]

Myanmar Must Look Beyond ‘Flawed’ Report to Stop Cycle of Buddhist-Muslim Violence

Recommendations in a government-backed report investigating last year’s devastating violence in Myanmar fail to effectively tackle discrimination against Rohingya Muslims and could trigger more human rights abuses, Amnesty International said.

The government-appointed Rakhine Commission this week issued a briefing on its investigation into violence between Buddhist and Muslim communities in Rakhine state, western Myanmar, which first erupted in June 2012 […]

Executive Summary and Recommendations of the Final Report

The Inquiry Commission on the Sectarian Violence in Rakhine State submitted it’s final report to President Thein Sein on 22 April. Read the executive summary and recommendations from the report here.

Burma: End ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ of Rohingya Muslims

Unpunished Crimes Against Humanity, Humanitarian Crisis in Arakan State

Burmese authorities and members of Arakanese groups have committed crimes against humanity in a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims in Arakan State since June 2012, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today […]

“All You Can Do is Pray”: Crimes Against Humanity and Ethnic Cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in Burma’s Arakan State

Crimes Against Humanity and Ethnic Cleansing of Rohingya Muslims in Burma’s Arakan State

This 153-page report describes the role of the Burmese government and local authorities in the forcible displacement of more than 125,000 Rohingya and other Muslims and the ongoing humanitarian crisis […]

Hundreds Protest Pipeline in Burma’s Rakhine State

Hundreds of residents protested Thursday against a China-backed petroleum pipeline project in western Burma’s Rakhine state over inadequate compensation and demands that the project developer provide better transportation infrastructure and higher salaries for local workers.

Around 400 people gathered to protest the Shwe Gas Project in Maday Island off the coast of Kyaukpyu town in the Bay of Bengal, also complaining that the project had polluted rivers which fishermen in the area had depended on for their catch […]

Anti-Muslim Violence in Central Burma

A tense calm prevails after deadly religious violence hit Central Burma in March, with anti-Muslim attacks reported in four townships in Mandalay Division and eight townships in Pegu Division. According to official figures, the violence in Meikhtila, Mandalay Division, killed 44 people and displaced over 12,800. As of 9 April, over 8,400 people remain displaced […]

Burma Briefing: Burma’s Treatment of the Rohingya and International Law

This briefing paper examines Burma’s treatment of the Rohingya in the context of international law, treaty obligations, and international guidelines and norms. It examines two particular areas; the general treatment of the Rohingya before the violence which erupted in June 2012, and the response of the government of Burma during and after the violence began […]

Burma’s Rohingya Treatment Violates International Law

Burma’s treatment of the ethnic Rohingya of Burma violates at least eight international laws, treaty obligations and international human rights guidelines.

The findings come in a new briefing paper published today by Burma Campaign UK: ‘Burma’s Treatment of the Rohingya and International Law’ […]

Burma: Rohingya Muslims Face Aid Crisis

Fears of Long-Term Segregation of Displaced Population 

The Burmese government is systematically restricting humanitarian aid and imposing discriminatory policies on Rohingya Muslims in Arakan State, Human Rights Watch said today. The government should permit unfettered access to humanitarian agencies to provide assistance to Muslim populations, end segregated areas, and put forward a plan for those displaced to return to their homes […]