ND-Burma Releases Periodic Report on the Human Rights Situation in Burma

The Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) today released its latest Periodic Report documenting human rights violations in Burma from January to July of this year.

Over this period, ND-Burma has documented a total of 352 human rights violations. In the areas where cases were gathered, forced labor, confiscation or destruction of property, torture and inhumane or degrading treatment are among the most prevalent human rights violations […]

Human Rights Council holds General Debate on Human Rights Situations that require the Council’s attention

[…]JEAN-BAPTISTE MATTEI (France) In Burma, 1,200 prisoners were still not liberated. Human rights were still systematically violated and France expressed its support for the Special Rapporteur’s recommendation to establish an international commission of inquiry.[…]

6 – 12 September: Impunity Prevails after Two Youths Killed in Pegu

On 4 September, two youths were shot execution style in Pegu, north-east of Rangoon. The incident took place shortly after midnight when the youths were involved in a minor traffic accident with a motorbike carrying two military officers. One eye-witness reported, “After arguing with local youngsters, about 10 soldiers, including officers, came back to the town with arms, looking for the young men they had had problems with. The soldiers found them near a local teashop and shot them after more arguing.” The youths were identified as Aung Thu Hein, 22, and Soe Paing Zaw, 18.[…]

Impunity Prevails after Two Youths Killed in Pegu

On 4 September, two youths were shot execution style in Pegu, north-east of Rangoon. The incident took place shortly after midnight when the youths were involved in a minor traffic accident with a motorbike carrying two military officers. One eye-witness reported, “After arguing with local youngsters, about 10 soldiers, including officers, came back to the town with arms, looking for the young men they had had problems with. The soldiers found them near a local teashop and shot them after more arguing.” The youths were identified as Aung Thu Hein, 22, and Soe Paing Zaw, 18.[…]

Supporting local responses to extractive abuse: Commentary on the ND-Burma report Hidden Impact

Eighteen years of KHRG field research indicates that regular extractive abuses by the SPDC Army and NSAGs threaten local livelihoods and are a fundamental human rights concern for villagers throughout eastern Burma. These abuses appear to be the product of the established SPDC Army and NSAG practice of supporting military units via extraction of significant material and labour resources from the local civilian population, enforced by implicit or explicit threats of violence. These findings were recently affirmed by ND-Burma, which last week released a report documenting the prevalence and impact of arbitrary taxation for communities across Burma. This commentary is designed to support ND-Burma’s report […]

The Hidden Impact of Burma’s Arbitrary and Corrupt Taxation

[…]The system of taxation and extortion impacts on the people of Burma’s basic human rights by violating their right to an adequate standard of living, right to development, property rights, right to education and in the forced labour they are subjected to. The report aims to inform the international community about these practices committed by the regime and the immense negative impact it creates on the people of Burma. It also urges accountability and change.[…]

AAFA applauds House passage of Burma import ban renewal

The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) applauded the U.S. House of Representatives for voting to renew the total ban on imports from Burma under the Burmese Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003. The affirmative voice vote came on the heels of a key vote letter AAFA sent to every member of the House urging for swift passage of the measure[…]

Myanmar: UN Special Rapporteur calls for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyi

GENEVA – Statement by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana:

“I urge the Government of Myanmar to heed the call of an independent United Nations human rights body to immediately release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention recently adopted its sixth ‘Opinion’ on Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, which has been made public.[…]

Freedom House Reveals the World’s Worst Human Rights Abusers

Freedom House today released Worst of the Worst 2010: The World’s Most Repressive Societies, its annual report identifying the world’s most flagrant human rights abusers, at a side panel during the 14th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

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.[…]