Human Rights Commission Recognises Kachin Abuses

Burma’s national human rights commission (MNHRC) has accused the army of committing serious abuses against civilians in Kachin state, in the wake of a five-day mission of inquiry to the conflict-torn region […]

Too Much Too Soon: US Lifting of Sanctions Risks Perpetuation of Human Rights Violations

On June 14, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, speaking at the annual ILO conference in Geneva, warned the international community against dealing with the Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), “The Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise … with which all foreign participation in the energy sector takes place through joint venture arrangements, lacks both transparency and accountability at present.”

Despite this warning, on July 11, the US issued an executive order allowing American companies to invest in Burma’s oil and gas sector, and specifically with MOGE, “Today, the United States is easing restrictions to allow U.S. companies to responsibly do business in Burma.”

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s concerns with MOGE stem from the fact that it is a military controlled, state enterprise that has long been associated with some of the gravest human rights abuses documented in Burma, predominantly in ethnic nationality areas where the country’s natural resources are concentrated […]

UK Government Report: Human Rights Abuses Continue In Burma

The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office published its Human Rights and Democracy report for 2011 on July 10th. The report highlights on-going serious human rights abuses in Burma, despite some welcome reforms, stating in its introduction: “2011 was marked by some unexpected and positive political developments in Burma, although significant long-term challenges remained” […]

Business as Usual for Burma

With the gold-rush for Burma’s plentiful resources already on us, the New Myanmar Investment Summit that was held in Rangoon last week was an opportunity for Thein Sein’s government to show the world that Burma is indeed ready for a rapid increase of foreign investment. In a televised speech President Thein Sein announced that a new foreign investment law will be enacted soon. The same week, news emerged that foreign companies will be granted a five-year tax holiday and will be allowed 100% ownership in certain sectors, though not including energy. The reality, however, is that Burma is far from ready, and warnings have already been sounded.

One such warning was issued by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in a speech for the International Labour Organisation in Geneva, “The Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise [MOGE] … with which all foreign participation in the energy sector takes place through joint venture arrangements, lacks both transparency and accountability at present.” Previous investment in the oil and gas sectors has resulted in increased militarization around projects leading to human rights abuses such as land confiscation, forced displacement, torture, rape, and even killings. That MOGE, the same entity that was directly responsible for these violations, will now be dealing with any foreign investors in the oil and gas sectors has not been a deterrent. Nine overseas firms from Asia and Europe signed exploration deals with the state owned company since March. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s warnings, it appears, will not be heeded by resource hungry energy firms desperate to capitalize on Burma’s opening, regardless of any moral concerns […]

Tensions Between Ethnic and Religious Minorities Threaten Myanmar’s Democratic Transition

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, warned today that the escalating violence in the Rakhine state, that has been triggered by conflicts between Buddhist and Muslim communities, represents […]

Kachin People Highlight Crisis and Call for an End to Conflict in Burma’s Kachin State

Kachin representatives exposed the dire situation in Kachin State ahead of tomorrow’s anniversary of one year of renewed fighting between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army. Members of Kachin civil society and exile media spoke about the 75,000 persons who have been displaced by the fighting and continue to face a humanitarian crisis with virtually no access to assistance from local or international organizations […]

The War in Kachin State: A Year of More Displacement and Human Rights Abuses

In the past year, the Tatmadaw has deployed nearly 25% of its battalions to Kachin State, escalating its war with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and bringing further suffering to civilian populations in Kachin State and Northern Shan State.

Tatmadaw soldiers have constantly targeted civilians in Kachin State and Northern Shan States as part of their military operations against the KIA. Human rights abuses have included extrajudicial killings, rape of women, arbitrary arrests, torture, forced displacement, the use of human shields, forced labor, and the confiscation and destruction of property. All of these systematic abuses would be considered war crimes and/or crimes against humanity under international law […]

Ongoing Impunity: Continued Burma Army Atrocities against the Kachin People

This report provides an update of atrocities committed by the Burma Army against civilians since it broke its 17-year ceasefire with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) one year ago. It highlights the particular suffering of women during the conflict, who have been forced to be porters, used as sex slaves, gang-raped and killed […]

Support for Rights of the Child and Human Rights in Myanmar

Foreign Minister Bob Carr today announced a new $3 million package of Australian assistance for human rights initiatives in Myanmar. Senator Carr said the package would assist the Government of Myanmar to meet human rights commitments […]

MYANMAR: Myanmar at Risk of Land-Grabbing Epidemic

In a written statement during its September 2011 session, the Asian Legal Resource Centre alerted the Human Rights Council to the dangers posed to the rights of people in Myanmar by the convergence of military, business and administrative interests […]