On Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s 67th Birthday: Philippine Activists Call to End Humanitarian Crisis in Kachin State and Sectarian-violence Between Buddhists and Muslims in Arakan

“The recent humanitarian crisis in Kachin state and the worsening sectarian violence in Arakan clearly illustrate that despite the perceived democratic reforms, human rights violations continue to thrive in Burma. Today, we offer this birthday candle for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi […]

Joint Statement on Current Political Situation and Peace Processes

On June 4 and 5, 2012, about 80 people from various community-based organizations, including women’s, youth, environment, community development, media, health, education, literature and culture groups, migrant workers groups, as well as monks and farmers from Shan State held a forum to discuss the current political situation in Shan State, especially the ongoing peace negotiation process […]

Burma’s Inequalities Must be Addressed Through National Reconciliation and Broad Reforms

The past week has brought shocking news of sectarian tensions erupting in violence in Arakan State, while 9 June marked one year since armed conflict broke out in Kachin State, ending a 17-year long ceasefire agreement between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). These problems highlight the urgent need for national reconciliation across political, ethnic and religious lines, and comprehensive reforms that address deep inequalities in Burma.

On 8 June, the Kachin Women’s Association – Thailand (KWAT) released a new report at a press conference with other Kachin organizations to highlight the ongoing armed conflict and human rights abuses. KWAT’s report documents how in the last year, the people of Kachin State have faced arbitrary arrest, torture, forced labor, rape and sexual violence at the hands of the Burma Army who continue to commit these crimes with impunity. Among the most horrendous accounts are those of women being gang-raped, tortured and used as sexual slaves by Burma Army soldiers […]

Kachin People Highlight Crisis and Call for an End to Conflict in Burma’s Kachin State

Kachin representatives exposed the dire situation in Kachin State ahead of tomorrow’s anniversary of one year of renewed fighting between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army. Members of Kachin civil society and exile media spoke about the 75,000 persons who have been displaced by the fighting and continue to face a humanitarian crisis with virtually no access to assistance from local or international organizations […]

CSW Calls on Burma Army to Stop Attacks on Kachin and Begin a Peace Process After One Year of War

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) today urges Burma’s President Thein Sein and the country’s army to stop military offensives in Kachin State, and initiate a political dialogue and peace process with the ethnic armed group, the Kachin Independence Organisation […]

The War in Kachin State: A Year of More Displacement and Human Rights Abuses

In the past year, the Tatmadaw has deployed nearly 25% of its battalions to Kachin State, escalating its war with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and bringing further suffering to civilian populations in Kachin State and Northern Shan State.

Tatmadaw soldiers have constantly targeted civilians in Kachin State and Northern Shan States as part of their military operations against the KIA. Human rights abuses have included extrajudicial killings, rape of women, arbitrary arrests, torture, forced displacement, the use of human shields, forced labor, and the confiscation and destruction of property. All of these systematic abuses would be considered war crimes and/or crimes against humanity under international law […]

Kachin and Supporters Protest at Embassy in Bangkok; Deliver Letter to President Thein Sein

Around 40 people staged a protest at the Burmese Embassy in Bangkok today to criticize the ongoing armed conflict and humanitarian crisis in Kachin State. The protesters, members of the Kachin community in Bangkok and representatives from the Overseas National Students of Burma, read out a statement and the text of a letter addressed to President Thein Sein calling for an end to the crisis situation […]

Urgent Appeal to End the Humanitarian Crisis in Kachin State

Mr. President:

While we appreciate the efforts the current government is making towards establishing peace in Myanmar, it has now been one full year since the fighting in Kachin State began. With this letter we, the undersigned civil society and community-based organizations from Myanmar, urge you to immediately put an end to the humanitarian crisis that is now happening in our homeland […]

Revisiting Human Rights in Myanmar

On 23 May 2012, Amnesty International concluded its first official visit to Myanmar since 2003. This report illustrates Amnesty’s general impressions of the current human rights situation, and looks at five specific topics: political imprisonment, rule of law, ethnic minorities, accountability, and economic, social and cultural rights.

Catalyst for Conflict

Foreign investments are causing increasing conflict and abuses in northern Burma despite recent ceasefire agreements and talk of reform in the country, according to a briefing paper released by the Ta’ang Students and Youth Organization […]