Network Calls For Myanmar and Thailand Governments to Acknowledge Responsibility and Address Significant Problems in Dawei SEZ Before New Concessions are Granted

Ahead of the 25th ASEAN Summit, the Dawei Development Association (DDA) and affected communities call ontheMyanmar and Thailand governments to acknowledge their responsibilities to address the significant problems caused by the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ)and related projects;to guarantee transparency, disclosing any information relating to the project and to Italian-Thai Development Plc. […]

Afraid to Go Home: Recent Violent Conflict and Human Rights Abuses in Karen State

Introduction

The following report was prepared by Karen Rivers Watch (KRW), a coalition of six Karen organizations focused on the environment, women, youth, human rights and development issues. More information about KRW is provided on page 14.

This report is based on field interviews with local villagers and leaders of Karen armed groups, as well as media coverage of the recent conflict. It describes events that led to recent armed conflict between the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and the combined force of the Burmese Army (BA) and Border Guard Force (BGF) in Karen State. Next, the report gives a detailed account of clashes that occurred along the Salween River in Hpa-an and Hpapun (Mutraw) districts. […]

Demanding Justice for Migrant Arakanese Youths, Demonstration in Front of Thai Consulate in New York

Around 30 Burmese nationals, most of them are Arakanese , staged a demonstration in front of Thai Consulate in New York on Friday demanding justice to two Arakanese migrant workers, who were detained in Thailand in a murder case there, said Ko Khaing Ba Khine, one of the organizers of the event in America.

The demonstrators, who assembled in front of the Consulate General of Thailand for two hours beginning on 2 pm, urged the Thai government in Bangkok to scrutinize the case fairly, where the two Arakanese youths have been accused of murdering two British citizens namely David Miller (25 years old) and Hannah Witheridge (23) […]

Protesters Call for Fair Trial of Myanmar Suspects in Murder of British Tourists

A small crowd of protesters took to the streets of Yangon on the occasion of the Thai premier’s visit to demonstrate on behalf of the two Myanmar migrant workers accused of murdering two British tourists on the Thai holiday island of Koh Tao.

Nay Myo Zin, a former military captain and political prisoner organized the demonstration in front of Yangon City Hall between 8 and 9 am October 10 to call for a free and fair trial by the Thai authorities of Myanmar nationals Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 21 […]

Statement on Repatriation of Refugees from the Thai–Myanmar Border

The Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), a growing network of 194 organizations and individuals from 26 countries, expresses its grave concern over the recent announcement by the Royal Thai Government regarding the repatriation of refugees living on the Thai – Myanmar border back to Myanmar (Burma). While the announcement does not specify a particular date for repatriation, the intent of the announcement does raise serious humanitarian concerns […]

Thai Industry Commits to Support Bail Out

On Wed. 18th June at 9am, British migrant rights activist Andy Hall,
who campaigns to improve conditions for migrant workers in Thailand,
will be escorted from Bangna police station, Bangna district, Bangkok
by police officers to meet officials at the Prakanong Public Prosecutors Office, Bangkok to learn the public prosecutor?s decision whether the latest criminal charges filed against him by Natural Fruit Co. Ltd. will be ordered prosecuted at Prakanong district court […]

Woman and Children Injured by Mortar Shelling on Thai-Burma Border: WLB Urges the Thai Government to Ensure the Protection of Civilians Fleeing Conflict

A mother and two young boys seeking refuge in Thailand have been seriously injured by shrapnel from mortars that landed across the Thai-Burma border on Sunday 30 January. The three injured are refugees from Karen State, Burma; they had been hiding in the jungle in Thailand, near to the border, to avoid having to return to their villages inside the conflict zone […]