• Human Rights in Burma
    Burma showed signs of change in 2011, but the government still failed to seriously address the dire human rights situation in the country. The new government, comprised mostly of former generals, has released hundreds of political prisoners, enacted laws on forming trade unions and freedom of assembly, eased official media censorship, and amended laws enabling the opposition National League for Democracy to register as a political party. However, ethnic conflict has escalated and the Burmese military continues to commit abuses against civilians such as forced labor, extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, the use of “human shields”, and indiscriminate attacks on civilians.
  • Myanmar's President Thein Sein (R) talks to United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon during their meeting at the Presidential Palace at Naypyitaw on April 30, 2012.
    © 2012 Reuters
    Burma: Ban Should Press for Lasting Reforms
    United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon should emphasize the need for genuine reforms to address Burma’s still dire human rights situation, Human Rights Watch said today. Ban will visit Burma for several days beginning April 29, 2012 to discuss with Burmese officials a range of issues including political reform, development and humanitarian needs, and refugee issues.
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    • Burma: Promises of Reform
      Nov 23 2011 - 15:33

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    Burma: War Crimes Against Convict Porters
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Reports

Burma

  • US/Burma: Don’t Lift Sanctions Too Soon
    May 15, 2012
    The US government should not ease sanctions on business activities in Burma until adequate safeguards are in place to prevent new investment from fueling human rights abuses.
  • Burma: Joint Letter from NGOs to U.S. Administration
    May 15, 2012

    We are writing to request a meeting with you in the next week to share our strong concern regarding Secretary Clinton’s announcement that the U.S. financial services and investment bans on Burma may be lifted in the very near future. 

  • Betraying human rights, ASEAN style
    May 14, 2012

    This past week in Bangkok, the ASEAN Inter-government Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) discussed one of the most important documents drafted by ASEAN since the regional grouping adopted the ASEAN Charter five years ago.  

  • Burma's Reform Is Still on Parole
    May 2, 2012

    In Burma this week, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon urged foreign countries to lift sanctions. At the same time, it was wise of him to keep pushing Burma to release its remaining political prisoners. The fate of these wrongfully imprisoned people, too often overlooked as we celebrate those who have been released, can tell us much about the Burmese government's intentions with regard to reform. 

  • Burma: Ban Should Press for Lasting Reforms
    Apr 28, 2012
    United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon should emphasize the need for genuine reforms to address Burma’s still dire human rights situation, Human Rights Watch said today. Ban will visit Burma for several days beginning April 29, 2012 to discuss with Burmese officials a range of issues including political reform, development and humanitarian needs, and refugee issues.
  • ASEAN’s road to nowhere?
    Apr 26, 2012
    In July, the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Phnom Penh will receive one of the most important documents drafted since the adoption five years ago of the ASEAN Charter.
  • Joint Letter to President Barack Obama Regarding Sanctions on Burma
    Apr 24, 2012

    Our organizations would like to express our concern regarding the Administration’s plans for relaxation of the investment ban and other sanctions on Burma that were announced by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on April 4, 2012.  

  • Letter to Prime Minister Noda on Japan’s Aid Relationship with Burma
    Apr 20, 2012
    We write to you regarding the forthcoming visit of Burmese President Thein Sein to Japan for the Japan-Mekong summit on April 21, 2012. We understand you will discuss possible debt alleviation, humanitarian and development assistance, and ongoing concerns over the human rights situation in Burma.
  • Letter to Senator Carr Re. Australia’s Human Rights Influence in Asia
    Apr 15, 2012
  • Aid Sent to Civilians in Burma's Kachin State
    Apr 11, 2012
    Fighting between the Burmese army and Kachin rebels reignited last June, displacing some 75,000 ethnic Kachin and leaving them in desperate need of food, medicine, and shelter. However, the Burmese government has blocked aid to conflict areas. Five days after Human Rights Watch released a report on the abuses in Kachin state, which borders China, the Burmese government granted the United Nations access to Kachin state’s conflict areas, allowing the United Nations to send in a couple of badly needed convoys of aid containing essential food and supplies.
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