Statement No. (8/2015) Visit to Mandalay, Naung Cho, Thi Paw and Lashio Township Prisons and Work Stations

A team from the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission comprising of commission members U Zaw Win, U Nyunt Swe and Daw Mya Mya accompanied by Dr.Zay Yar Soe, assistant director and Daw Shwe Yee San from the commission office visited the prisons and detention centers of Mandalay, Naung Cho, Thi Paw and Lashio Township on 8th June 2015 […]

ACSC/APF 2014 Post Conference Report

Preface

As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Myanmar accepted the gavel that symbolizes the ASEAN presidency. This was a historic moment since this is the first time Myanmar has taken the Chair since it became a member of ASEAN. As Chair, Myanmar is responsible for hosting many important regional forums and events during 2014.

The ASEAN Civil Society Conference (ACSC), also known as the ASEAN Peoples’ Forum (APF), is held independently by the ASEAN Chair country in advance of, and parallel to, the official ASEAN Summit, which is attended by ASEAN and regional leaders. The first ACSC/APF took place in Malaysia in 2005. Since then it has taken place in the Philippines (2006), Singapore (2007), Thailand (2009), Vietnam (2010), Indonesia (2011), Cambodia (2012), Brunei (2013) and this year in Myanmar (2014). The 10th ACSC/APF took place on 21 – 23 March 2014 at the Myanmar Convention Center in Yangon, Myanmar.

Opium Cultivation Bounces Back: TNI Report Shows Dramatic Failure of ASEAN’s ‘Drug Free’ Strategy

Bouncing Back – Relapse in the Golden Triangle, a new in-depth report by the Transnational Institute (TNI) launched in Yangon, Burma/Myanmar, on Monday June 2, highlights the profound changes in the illicit drugs market in the Golden Triangle – Burma, Thailand and Laos – and neighbouring India and China over the past five years. The report outlines the causes and consequences of a doubling of opium cultivation after a decade of decline. It argues that repressive drug control policies have failed to reduce consumption and production and instead led to more dangerous forms of drug use, growing human rights abuses and impoverishment. It finally highlights the workable alternatives that offer a better prospect for addressing drug-related problems in Southeast Asia. […]

MSF Concerned about the Fate of Thousands of Patients in Myanmar after Being Ordered to Cease Activities

AMSTERDAM – Médecins Sans Frontières Holland (MSF) has been ordered by the Union Government of Myanmar to cease all activities in the country. MSF is deeply shocked by this unilateral decision and extremely concerned about the fate of tens of thousands of patients currently under our care across the country […]

Violence and Threats Block Access to Medical Care in Rakhine State

In the past few days MSF teams, working together with the government and other international and national humanitarian organizations, have assessed the medical needs of thousands of people newly displaced by violence near the city of Sittwe and the surrounding townships. These joint teams provided some food, water, and emergency health assistance, but the displaced people remain extremely vulnerable due to the loss of their homes and other resources.

“The Military Regime’s Merciless Act of Making the People Living with HIV/AIDS in Burma Helpless and Homeless Denounced”

The U.S. Campaign for Burma (USCB), a Washington DC-based organization campaigning for freedom, justice and democracy in the Southeast Asian country of Burma, denounced today the military regime for its threat to drive out the people living with HIV/AIDS from the shelter provided to them by members of the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Daw Aung San Suu Kyi […]