Curb Your Burma Enthusiasm

Economic development without political protections will damage the fragile human rights situation.

By Khin Ohmar

The giddy promise of investment and re-engagement with Burma is blinding the West, as well as its Asian neighbors, to the realities of the once-pariah nation.

For many Burmese, the concept of development has long been associated with corruption, human rights abuses, a lack of local ownership and environmental degradation. Before the world hurries to participate in the imminent gold rush in this resource-rich country, impartial observers need to be sure that impediments to sound, ethical development have been eradicated. But I fear that it is too late […]

Extreme Measures: Torture and Ill Treatment in Burma since the 2010 Elections

This report documents the Government of Burma’s torture and ill treatment against its own people since the 2010 elections. This report demonstrates that the Burmese government continues to commit these abuses despite being bound to international human rights treaties and norms. Furthermore, the lack of domestic legislation prohibiting torture, the absence of an independent judiciary, and an ineffective Human Rights Commission contribute to a climate where torture and ill treatment are perpetrated with impunity […]

ND-Burma Launches Report Documenting Torture and Ill Treatment in Burma Since the 2010 Elections

The Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) released a new report in Bangkok today, documenting the Government of Burma’s use of torture and ill treatment against its own people since the November 2010 elections.

“The international community has been applauding the government for recent gestures towards change; essentially they are praising the government for continuing to violate the fundamental rights of the people of Burma,” said Twan Zaw from All Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress […]

ASEAN Human Rights Declaration Cannot Move Forward Without Genuine Consultation of Civil Society

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) today called on ASEAN to delay the putting of its draft declaration on human rights before the foreign ministers of members states next month pending a fully inclusive, meaningful and transparent consultation of civil society and other stakeholders […]

Forced Labour Still Prevails: An Overview of Forced Labour Practices in North Arakan, Burma

This report by the Arakan Project offers an overview of forced labour practices in Northern Arakan/Rakhine State of Burma/Myanmar over a 6-month period – from November 2011 to May 2012 […]

US Suspends Economic Sanctions Without Meeting Human Rights Benchmarks

The economic sanctions of the US on Burma were originally adopted because of the disregard for democratic principles and grave human right violations committed by the Burmese government. These violations continue but the pressure for the Burmese government to stop them is now removed […]

Launch of “Uncertain Ground: Landmine Use in Eastern Burma”

Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) today released a major new report documenting the continued challenges posed by widespread use of landmines in eastern Burma and called for urgent humanitarian mine action that addresses the priorities and concerns […]

Uncertain Ground: Landmine Use in Eastern Burma

This report focuses on field information received between January and December 2011. Key updates relating to the use of landmines in 2012 were also included, however due to the sheer volume of information that KHRG regularly receives, all field information received since the beginning of 2012 has […]

US/Burma: Don’t Lift Sanctions Too Soon

Safeguards Needed Before Allowing Investment, Financial Services

The US government should not ease sanctions on business activities in Burma until adequate safeguards are in place to prevent new investment from fueling human rights abuses. A US presidential order imposing a ban on investment and financial services in Burma is scheduled to expire on May 20, 2012, unless it is renewed or revised […]

International Community’s Premature Rewards Fail to Address Armed Conflict and Human Rights Violations in Burma

This briefer looks at the April by-elections, new laws that fail to protect the people, ongoing armed conflict, problematic development, sanctions, and offers recommendations to the international community and guidelines for investment in Burma […]