Oral Statement Delivered by Ms. Mariana Duarte on Behalf of Conectas Direitos Humanos at UPR Plenary on Burma

Mr. President, Conectas Direitos Humanos, on behalf of the Burma Forum on the Universal Periodic Review (BF-UPR), wishes to draw the Council’s attention to the deteriorating status and well-being of women in Burma/Myanmar, in particular due to the lack of political participation and scarce humanitarian assistance. Also, systematic and widespread sexual violence is being perpetrated against ethnic women by the Burmese army […]

Burma: Government’s rejection of human rights recommendations demonstrates no intention for real change

The Burmese government’s contempt for internationally recognised human rights will be on display yet again tomorrow as the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva considers the outcome report[1] of Burma’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) which took place in January 2011 ဟ…“

Press Briefing by Senator John McCain

Thank you for being here this morning, and I want to thank our Chargé and the U.S. Embassy for all of their support. It is a true pleasure for me to return to this country after 15 years. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world, full of decent, amazing people who inspire me every day. It is wonderful to be back.

Over the past two days, I have had a chance to meet with senior leaders in the new civilian government, including both speakers of parliament and the First Vice President. I have met with political opposition and ethnic minority leaders, both in and out of the government […]

Depayin Massacre Remembered Amid UN Special Rapporteur’s Call for Commission of Inquiry

During a press conference held in Bangkok on 23 May 2011, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burma, Tomás Ojea Quintana, said that the continued treatment and conditions of ethnic groups in the country’s border areas were seriously restricting the government’s intended transition to democracy. He called, once again, for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate serious human rights violations, stating that this could be a step towards national reconciliation. On this trip, Quintana focused on the issue of economic, social and cultural rights, specifically referencing the lack of opportunities in education and employment for young people. Quintana’s statement came at the end of a fact-finding mission that was mandated by the United Nations Human Rights Council to assess any progress in Burma since the 2010 elections in its ‘intended’ transition to democracy. Information gathered through this mission will be used to inform Quintana’s report to the General Assembly later in 2010 […]

Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar

This is the final day of my mission to Thailand which began on 16 May 2011. I visited Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Bangkok this time in my efforts to gather information about the situation inside Myanmar where I have not been able to visit. This information is important for preparation of my next report to the UN General Assembly later this year […]

CRC Shadow Report Burma: The Plight of Children Under Military Rule in Burma

The Child Rights Forum of Burma (CRFB) is submitting the following report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child for its review of Burma. Children in Burma face numerous challenges to their survival and development. […]

ALTSEAN Burma, Info Birmanie, FIDH and LDH Ask the EU to Support the Establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity in Burma Now

ALTSEAN Burma, the International Federation for Human Rights, Info-Birmanie and the French League for Human Rights are deeply concerned by the continued failure of the European Union to publicly support a UN Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into credible and serious allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma […]

Resolution 16/24 – Situation of human rights in Myanmar

The full text of the United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution that calls for the release of political prisoners, freedom of information and association, an independent judiciary and political reconciliation, and also extends the mandate of UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma, Tomás Ojea Quintana.

Burma’s Military Regime Refuses to Address Human Rights Abuses at UN Human Rights Council

Last week, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, held an interactive dialogue with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) following the submission of his progress report to the United Nations General Assembly. Quintana painted a stark picture of Burma’s human rights situation, including the deprivation of social, economic, and cultural rights. Burma’s military regime representatives were once again unwilling to face facts and address widespread human rights violations, credible allegations of crimes against humanity, and criticisms of current political reforms […]

Quintana’s Report Illustrates Military Regime’s Failure to Promote and Protect Human Rights; Calls for Commission of Inquiry into Abuses

On 7 March 2011, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma, Tomás Ojea Quintana, submitted his progress report to the UN General Assembly. The information in the report reinforces Quintana’s recent assertion that “[d]espite the promise of a transition [in Burma], the human rights situation remains grave.”

The report notes that 2,189 prisoners of conscience remain in detention in Burma as of January 2011. Freedom of expression is still curtailed. Armed conflict between the military regime and ethnic armed resistance groups has continued since the November 2010 elections, and tensions remain high. Quintana notes that reports of ceasefire groups re-arming in anticipation of resumption of armed conflict. Rohingyas continue to flee persecution.

Burma’s military regime flatly denies abuses and refuses to take the necessary steps to promote and protect the basic human rights of Burma’s citizens […]