France supports a Commission of Inquiry

FIDH, Human Rights Watch, Info-Birmanie and French Human Rights League demand the set-up of an international commission of inquiry

They welcome France’s statement and urge the EU to support this initiative at the UN General Assembly[…]

Letter to Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara calling for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry

Dear Foreign Minister,
We write to you regarding the serious human rights situation in Burma. We urge Japan to publicly support the establishment of an International Commission of Inquiry for Burma and to support an annual Burma resolution of the upcoming autumn session of the UN General Assembly which includes a support for a United Nations Commission of Inquiry.[…]

Philippines: Press For Justice in Burma

The Philippine government should publicly support the establishment of an international Commission of Inquiry for Burma, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to President Benigno Aquino III.[…]

Burma: Escalate International Pressure Ahead of November 7 Polls

Elections a Blueprint for Continued Military Rule

(New York) – The national elections announced by Burma’s military government for November 7 are designed to further entrench military rule with a civilian facade, Human Rights Watch said today. The United Nations, the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and concerned governments should seize Burma’s announcement of the first elections in more than 20 years to exert greater scrutiny over a deeply flawed process and press for the release of more than 2,000 political prisoners […]

Burma: EU Should Endorse International War Crimes Inquiry

Raise Commission of Inquiry in UN Resolution on Burma

(Brussels) – European Union member states should publicly support the establishment of an international Commission of Inquiry into war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in September, Human Rights Watch said in a to EU foreign ministers today […]

India: Press Burmese Leader on Human Rights

India should emphasize respect for human rights during the state visit by Burma’s Senior General Than Shwe, Human Rights Watch said today. Economic and security interests should not displace concerns about protecting the Burmese people’s fundamental freedoms […]

Burma: Military Party Guaranteed to Dominate Elections

Merger of Two Junta-Backed Groups Undercuts Genuine Participation

The merging of Burma’s largest government-controlled social welfare organization into the army’s recently formed political party is clear evidence that the planned 2010 elections will not be legitimate, Human Rights Watch said today […]

Burma: Chinese Premier’s Visit Should Spotlight Rights – Flawed Elections Likely to Erode Security

During his June 2 visit, China’s premier Wen Jiabao should take up human rights concerns in Burma, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to the premier. Human rights abuses in Burma impact on the region’s long-term security, and China is an influential actor as Burma’s first elections in 20 years approach.[…]

Burma: 20 years after 1990 elections, democracy still denied repressive laws mark preparation for 2010 polls

On the twentieth anniversary of Burma’s historic 1990 elections, the Burmese military government shows no signs of relaxing its stranglehold on power, Human Rights Watch said today.

Elections planned for 2010, the first in 20 years, appear designed to enshrine military rule with a civilian face, Human Rights Watch said.[…]

After Cyclone, Repress Impedes Civil Society and Aid

Humanitarian Space Across Country Again Narrowing Ahead of 2010 Polls

The Burmese government continues to deny basic freedoms and place undue restrictions on aid agencies despite significant gains in rehabilitating areas devastated by Cyclone Nargis two years ago, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today […]