Laphai Gam Detention Illegal Says United Nations

The United Nations Working Group On Arbitrary Detention has issued a ruling that the Burmese government’s detention of Kachin farmer Laphai Gam is arbitrary, and demanded his immediate release. Burma Campaign UK took his case to the United Nations for review last year […]

Fresh Violence in Arakan State Belies Government’s Disingenuous Assurances to UN Human Rights Council

A resurgence of inter-communal violence in Arakan State on 1 and 2 October has left six Muslims dead and dozens of homes destroyed, with mobs setting fire to houses in several villages in Sandoway Township just hours before President Thein Sein was due to arrive for an official visit to the beleaguered region. Calm has now been restored, but suspicions and tension remain between Muslims and Buddhists, while nearly 500 people have been left homeless and many others reportedly injured or missing.

What differentiates this latest outbreak of violence from previous ones is that this time the ethnic Rohingya, who bore the brunt of the violence in June and October 2012, were not on the receiving end. Rather, according to local NLD representative Win Laing, “They are Kaman [Muslims], they are ethnic nationals—not outsiders.” Yet, despite evidence to the contrary, namely that the victims were of a different ethnicity this time and that Buddhist gangs initiated the violence, the government line is that so-called illegal Muslim immigrants – or Rohingya – are to blame for the violence. “Bengali people wanted to create violence now,” claimed Win Myaing, Arakan State government spokesperson […]

Burma Refuses To Sign Sexual Violence Declaration

On Tuesday 24th September 115 countries signed a new declaration of commitment to end sexual violence in conflict. Despite high level lobbying by the British government, the government of Burma failed to support the declaration.

The declaration of commitment to end sexual violence in conflict was launched by British Foreign Secretary William Hague and Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, at the United Nations in New York […]

UN Myanmar Expert: Fatal Shooting of Rohingya Women the Latest Example of Impunity

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana, today said that the fatal shooting last week of three Rohingya women participating in a peaceful protest in Rakhine State is the latest shocking example of how law enforcement officials operate with complete impunity there […]

Presentation on Recent Developments on Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) Complaints Handling, Investigations and Cooperation with the Special Procedures of the United Nations

A presentation by Win Mra on developments with the MNHRC in 2012, as well as how protection works through the MNHRC’s complaints handling mechanism and the difficulties that are impeding the progress in this aspect […]

UN Expert Urges Myanmar to Act on Local Regulations Targeting Rohingya Muslims in Rakhine State

Myanmar must respond unambiguously to the revival of a local order limiting the number of children that Rohingya Muslims can have to two, or face fines and prison sentences under section 188 of the Myanmar Penal Code. The call comes from the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Tomás Ojea Quintana […]

Briefing for the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict Regarding the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers in Burma (Myanmar) and Implementation of the Joint Action Plan

Human Rights Watch has monitored the human rights situation in Burma (Myanmar) for 25 years, including violations against children affected by armed conflict. We have conducted two in-depth investigations of recruitment and use of child soldiers by both government forces and non-state armed groups, publishing our findings in My Gun was as Tall as Me: Child Soldiers in Burma in 2002 […]

Statement by Vijay Nambiar on Violence in Meiktila Township

The Special Adviser of the Secretary-General, who reached Yangon this evening, expressed deep sorrow at the tragic loss of lives and destruction in Meiktila township in Mandalay division. While firm action by the authorities was needed to prevent further loss of life […]

Thailand: Don’t Deport Rohingya ‘Boat People’

The Thai government should immediately halt its plan to deport 73 ethnic Rohingya back to Burma, Human Rights Watch said today. Thai authorities should allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN refugee agency […]

AIPMC Calls on Thai Authorities to Grant UN Access to Rohingya Immigrants

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) today called on Thai authorities to give United Nations refugee agencies unhindered access to Rohingya boat migrants. Thai authorities should suspend plans to deport at least 73 Rohingya migrants back to Myanmar […]