BURMA: Court Issues Landmark Ruling on Death in Police Custody

In a landmark ruling, a court in Burma has rejected the police version of events that led to the death of a man in their custody, and has opened the door to a charge of murder to be brought against the officers involved […]

BURMA: Absurd and Offensive Pretext to Remove Demonstrators Opposed to Mining Project

In the latest turn of events in the struggle against the Letpadaung copper mining project in upper Burma, about which the Asian Human Rights Commission has been campaigning since mid-2012, the government has issued an announcement ordering that demonstrators abandon their protest sites or face criminal action […]

Burma: Release of Detainees Welcome, But Questions Remain

The Asian Human Rights Commission welcomes the release yesterday of a few dozen political detainees in the latest amnesty announced by the government of Burma, as well as the other initiatives contained in an official news release of 18 November 2002, in particular […]

BURMA: Prominent Rights Lawyer’s Licence Reissued

A prominent human rights lawyer who had lost his licence for political reasons among 32 on whose behalf the Asian Human Rights Commission has been campaigning for three years has been informed that he can now again practice law […]

Burma: Continued Use of Military-issued Instructions Denies Rights

Much has been made in recent times of the continued use in Burma of antiquated and anti-human rights laws from the country’s decades of military rule, as well as from the colonial era. While legislators discuss the amendment or revocation of some laws […]

Burma: AHRC Urges Bail for Japanese National, Reinvestigation of Partner’s Death in Custody

The Asian Human Rights Commission on Wednesday called for the release on bail of the partner of a young woman who died in custody in Burma during March, and urged that a new investigation be opened into the officials responsible for her death.

“According to news reports, Namase Motohiko has repeatedly applied for bail because he is suffering from clinical depression and diabetes, but has repeatedly had his requests denied,” Bijo Francis, acting executive director of the Hong Kong-based regional rights group said […]

AHRC Expresses Solidarity with Protesting Farmers

The Asian Human Rights Commission on Wednesday sent a message of support to farmers and their allies gathering for a “people’s conference” to oppose land confiscation and degradation for a copper mining project […]

Take Action: Write to the Government of Burma About the Air Force Officer Tortured and Jailed for 20 years Over Internet Use

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been alerted to the case of an air force officer currently serving a 20-year jail sentence for posting articles online critical of the armed forces. Ne Lynn Dwe was taken by military intelligence […]

Burma: Farmers Rise Up at Land Grab by Army-Owned Company

The Asian Human Rights Commission has followed closely reports in recent weeks of an uprising by farmers against a takeover of a large area of agricultural land in upper Burma by an army-owned company and a private partner. The land grab, in the Letpadan Mountain Range of Sarlingyi Township, Sagaing Region, is of some 7800 acres of fertile land, to make way for copper mining […]

Burma: Lawyer Who Returned Believing Situation Changed Jailed

An Open Letter from the Asian Human Rights Commission to the President of Myanmar/Burma

Dear President

We regret to learn that a lawyer who returned to Myanmar from exile abroad at your behest has been imprisoned on the unjust charges from which he fled in the first place. We urge that the conviction imposed on him be quashed and that he be released from prison immediately […]