Burma’s 2010 Elections: A Comprehensive Report

A report released by the Burma Fund UN Office for the opening of Burma’s first Parliament, documents the widespread political repression and human rights abuses marring the electoral process in the country’s first elections in more than 20 years. It shows that none of the fundamental requirements for free and fair elections exist in Burma, and instead of heralding in positive change, the elections brought about a deepening of Burma’s human rights crisis […]

World Report 2011: Burma

Burma’s human rights situation remained dire in 2010, even after the country’s first multiparty elections in 20 years. The ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) continued to systematically deny all basic freedoms to citizens and sharply constrained political participation. The rights of freedom of expression, association, assembly, and media remained severely curtailed. The government took no significant steps during the year to release more than 2,100 political prisoners being held, except for the November 13 release of Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi […]

Burma Faces First-ever Review of Human Right Record at UN

Burma’s human rights record will come under scrutiny at the United Nations in the country’s first Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on 27 January […]

ASEAN, UN, asked to support refugees fleeing armed conflict in Burma: This shows the bankruptcy of junta’s 2010 polls, activists say

“There is no doubt in our mind that this decades-old armed conflict in Burma can only be resolved by forcing the junta to democratize. The Burmese junta historically is even fuelling the conflict between armed groups. This continued armed conflict simply exposes the bankruptcy of junta’s 2010 elections.”

Thus said Egoy Bans, spokesperson of the Free Burma Coalition-Philippines in reaction to the armed conflict that sparked recently near the Thai-Burma borders as a result of an increasing tension between the Burma’s military regime, The State Peace and Development Council and ethnic armed groups […]

It’s time ASEAN and the UN step up to the task: Investigate abuses, reject election and support Aung San Suu Kyi, urges AIPMC

The release of Aung San Suu Kyi offers new hope for Myanmar. But her release does not solve any of the fundamental problems in the country. The world must continue to work for the freedom of the people of Myanmar.

Another 2,200 political prisoners remain behind bars. Last week’s election reignited ethnic tensions and triggered fresh fighting along the Thai-Myanmar border. Any return to fighting increases the risk of fresh human rights abuses primarily targeting the country’s ethnic nationalities and of new waves of refugees being forced to leave their homes for safety […]

Situation of human rights in Myanmar (A.65.367)

Report by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon covering the period from 26 August 2009 to 25 August 2010.

Burma Dashes Asean and UN Hopes of Disaster Cooperation

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the United Nations are trying to put a brave face on their joint efforts over the past two years to coax the Burmese government into accepting international aid and allowing unfettered access to areas hit by natural disasters.

Many analysts believe, however, that there is no long-term commitment on the part of the Burmese leaders to change their inward looking mentality and obsessive fear of foreigners […]

Dossier of torture cases submitted to U.N. experts

The Asian Legal Resource Centre on Wednesday submitted a special dossier to a group of United Nations human rights experts on recent cases of extreme, prolonged torture by police officers in Burma.

The 66-page dossier, entitled “Recent complaints of extreme torture and arbitrary detention in Myanmar (Burma)”, details the cases of Phyo Wai Aung, Nyi Nyi Htun and Than Myint Aung at the hands of special units attached to the Rangoon Divisional Police Headquarters and Aungthapyay Interrogation Camp, also in Rangoon […]