Ko Htay Kywe’s Speech in Geneva

Ko Htay Kywe, a former political prisoner and leader of the 88 Generation Students, gave this speech on the human rights situation in Myanmar at a diplomatic briefing in Geneva, Switzerland on 1 March. He called for the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar to continue to encourage the government to carry out systematic reforms to establish rule of law. He also called for the ongoing mandate of the Special Rapporteur as well as the opening of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Myanmar.

Burma Still Requires the UN Human Rights Council’s Attention

This week 22 organizations from Burma released a statement calling on the 22nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to maintain its resolution on the situation of human rights in Burma under item 4 as “Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention” and to renew the full mandate of the Special Rapporteur Tomás Ojea Quintana. Serious human rights challenges that require the Council’s attention remain as the events of this week illustrate.

Border Security Forces in Arakan State allegedly raped 13 young Rohingya women. This highlights the serious remaining issues of the rampant culture of impunity for security forces and the Burma Army and the decades-long discrimination against the Rohingya organized and perpetuated by the government.

In Kachin State, despite ceasefire talks, fighting continued this week making more and more victims on the civilian side […]

Civil Society Calls on UN Human Rights Council to Address Serious Human Rights Challenges in Burma/Myanmar

Civil society organizations from Burma/Myanmar are urging the United Nations Human Rights Council 22nd session to address the serious human rights violations that are challenging the country’s reform process. Today, 22 organizations released a statement […]