Burma: Satellite Images Detail Destruction in Meiktila

Investigations, Accountability Needed to Deter Future Attacks

The Burmese government should thoroughly investigate and hold accountable those who incited and committed deadly violence in Meiktila in central Burma from March 20 to 22, 2013. Decisive government action to combat impunity, end discrimination, and promote tolerance among religious groups is needed to end the tide of attacks against Muslim communities […]

Satellite-Based Damage Assessment for City of Meiktila, Mandalay Region, Burma

A total of 828 destroyed and 35 severely damaged buildings were identified within the city of Meiktila (Meiktila township, Mandalay Region, Burma) likely caused by arson attacks reportedly occurring between March 20 -22, 2013. Damages are spatially concentrated within multiple areas of near total destruction measuring approximately 24.5 hectares in total area […]

Burma: Rohingya Muslims Face Aid Crisis

Fears of Long-Term Segregation of Displaced Population 

The Burmese government is systematically restricting humanitarian aid and imposing discriminatory policies on Rohingya Muslims in Arakan State, Human Rights Watch said today. The government should permit unfettered access to humanitarian agencies to provide assistance to Muslim populations, end segregated areas, and put forward a plan for those displaced to return to their homes […]

Human Rights Council: Maintain Scrutiny of Burma

International Pressure Needed on Minority Rights, Political Prisoners, Laws

The United Nations Human Rights Council should retain its current level of scrutiny of Burma’s still poor human rights situation, Human Rights Watch said today. The draft resolution on Burma for the council’s present session should continue the mandate […]

EU: Press Burma’s President on Rights Reforms

Visiting Leader Should Endorse UN Presence, Grant Full Humanitarian Access

European Union leaders should press Burmese President Thein Sein on adopting key rights reforms during his visit this week to Brussels, Human Rights Watch said today. Thein Sein is set to meet a top-tier roster of leaders on March 5, including Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament; José Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission; Herman Van Rompuy, president of the European Council; Catherine Ashton, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy; and others […]

World Report 2013: Burma

Burma’s human rights situation remained poor in 2012 despite noteworthy actions by the government toward political reform. In April, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party won 43 of 44 seats it contested in a parliamentary by-election; the parliament consists of 224 seats in the upper house and 440 in the lower house, the majority of which remain under the control of military representatives or former military officers

President Thein Sein welcomed back exiles during the year, and released nearly 400 political prisoners in five general prisoner amnesties, although several hundred are believed to remain in prison. Freed political prisoners face persecution, including restrictions on travel and education, and lack adequate psychosocial support. Activists who peacefully demonstrated in Rangoon in September have been charged […]

Burma: Rights Abuses Endanger Reform

Government’s Commitments to Change Falling Short

Burma’s human rights situation remained poor in 2012, despite some noteworthy actions by the government to adopt rights-respecting reforms, Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2013 released today […]

Burma: Halt Indiscriminate Attacks in Kachin State

The Burmese army appears to have indiscriminately shelled the town of Laiza in northern Burma’s Kachin State in violation of the laws of war, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch urged the government to allow humanitarian agencies access to tens of thousands of ethnic Kachin displaced […]

Burma: Drop Charges Against Peaceful Protesters

End Protest Denials; Amend Law on Assembly for International Standards

Authorities in Burma should drop charges against activists who participated in peaceful protests against government policies, Human Rights Watch said today. Nine peace activists now face criminal charges for demonstrating in Rangoon without a permit on September 21, 2012, International Peace Day. Anti-mining protesters and land rights activists elsewhere in Burma have also been subject to intimidation and prosecution […]

Thailand: Don’t Deport Rohingya ‘Boat People’

The Thai government should immediately halt its plan to deport 73 ethnic Rohingya back to Burma, Human Rights Watch said today. Thai authorities should allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN refugee agency […]