Thein Sein’s First 100 Days: Words Not Matches By Actions

One hundred days after assuming the presidency in Burma, former General Thein Sein has failed to take any meaningful steps towards political, legal, and economic reforms. Thein Sein’s policies have been a continuation of the State Peace and Development Council’s programs.

This five-page briefer reveals that it was “business as usual” for the Burmese military despite President Thein Sein’s much-promoted image as a “softliner” […]

Urging an End to the Violence in Burma

The United States is concerned by on-going violence in Burma’s northern Kachin State and other regions of the country and calls for a halt to hostilities. The Burmese Army and the Kachin Independence Army began fighting on June 9 and have continued over the past three weeks. We are particularly concerned by the reports of human rights abuses in the area […]

Burma Briefing No. 13: Germany and Burma – Business before human rights

Commentary on an article published on 20th June 2011 in the Financial Times by Markus Loening, Germany’s federal commissioner for human rights policy.

It is rare for a German government official to make a detailed statement on their thinking on Burma policy, and the article is more revealing than perhaps was intended.

Loening’s arguments expose a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation in Burma, the history of EU policy, of the Burmese economy, and of the dictatorship itself […]

Protest Against Ongoing Battle in Kachin State

The ongoing conflict in Kachin State has post a serious threat to thousands of innocent lives as the new Thein Sein government does not care about suffering of the ethnic peoples and have no commitment of democracy and national reconciliation. It still controls the system of government, including the courts and the armed forces […]

Report on the Human Rights Situation in Burma

The periodic report of the Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma), documents the human rights situation in Burma during the period January – March 2011. ND-Burma periodic reports provide up-to-date information on human rights violations (HRVs) and highlight pressing issues and trends within the country […]

Report on the Human Rights Situation in Burma (January – March 2011)

The Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) launches its periodic report online. The findings of this report demonstrate from January through March 2011 ongoing human rights violations committed by the regime and its proxies after the Election and just become new structure […]

Human Rights Experts Call on ASEAN to Support an Investigation into Violations in Burma

The Vice-Chair of the Indonesian National Human Rights Commission, Mr. Nurkholis, today called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to support a UN investigation into business and human rights violations in Burma. Mr. Nurkholis made his statement as a member of the experts panel at regional civil society’s first Public Hearing on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Human Rights in ASEAN held in Jakarta today […]

Potential Camp Closures in Thailand Put Refugees from Burma at Risk

In early April 2011, authorities in Thailand announced their intention to close nine refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border, which would send more than 140,000 refugees back to Burma. That includes 100,000 refugees from Burma who have been officially registered and an estimated 53,000 who have not. This decision has received heavy criticism from local and international human rights groups. The Thai authorities have not indicated when they intend to repatriate the refugees.

The announcement of camp closures comes only 6 months after the fraudulent elections in Burma and the formation of a new parliament composed predominantly of former military officers and those sympathetic to the regime. Since the elections, there has been no opening of political space, conflict in Eastern Burma has intensified and human rights abuses continue throughout the country. Any suggestion that refugees and asylum seekers along the Thai-Burma border could be safely returned to their country in the near future is a complete unreality […]

Community Groups denounce Widespread Atrocities against Civilians as Burmese Regime Breaks Ceasefire in Northern Shan State

Shan community groups strongly denounce the current Burma Army offensive against the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) and atrocities against civilians, including shelling of Buddhist temples, gang-rape and using women as cannon fodder […]

Press Release: Human Rights Violations in Burma’s 2010 Elections

The Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) launches its post-election report, “Human Rights Violations in Burma’s 2010 Elections” online. The findings of this report demonstrate the elections-related human rights violations committed by the regime and its proxies during and just after the Election Day […]