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Burma Burma: Donor States Must Monitor Aid Burmese Military Should Not Be Relied Upon Countries delivering relief aid to Burma should insist on monitoring to ensure aid reaches the cyclone victims most in need and to prevent the military government from seizing it, Human Rights Watch said today. Simply dropping aid off at Rangoon airport under the control of the abusive and ill-equipped Burmese military will not necessarily help victims of the cyclone. Some supplies have already been diverted, Human Rights Watch said, adding that humanitarian aid deliveries need to be independently monitored to ensure that assistance is given to those most in need. May 14, 2008 Press Release Also available in 
Printer friendly version Roadmap to Autocracy: Burma’s Referendum is a Sham By Kanae Doi, Japan Consultant for Human Rights Watch Published in JanJanNews Nothing about the process of drafting this constitution or the conditions under which the referendum is being held is remotely democratic—not least the fact that the purpose of the referendum is to ensure ongoing military rule. May 12, 2008 Commentary Also available in
Printer friendly version Burma: China Should Push to Get Aid in India, ASEAN Also Need to Push Generals to Accept International Help China, India, Thailand and other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should work to convince Burma’s government to lift restrictions on international assistance so aid can reach survivors of Cyclone Nargis, Human Rights Watch said today. May 10, 2008 Press Release Printer friendly version Burma: Postpone Referendum to Save Lives Let International Aid in for Cyclone Survivors The Burmese government should postpone the constitutional referendum scheduled for May 10, 2008 and focus on relieving the horrendous human suffering from Cyclone Nargis, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch urged the Burmese government to stop blocking aid efforts and lift restrictions on international aid agencies so they can respond immediately to help survivors. May 8, 2008 Press Release Printer friendly version Burma’s referendum of the absurd By David Mathieson, Burma consultant for Human Rights Watch Published in New Statesman Despite the terrible cyclone death toll, Burma's military junta is pushing ahead with its spurious constitutional referendum May 8, 2008 Commentary Printer friendly version Burma: Referendum Is a Sham Governments Should not Endorse Vote on New Constitution Burma’s May 10 referendum on a new constitution is a sham process aimed at entrenching the military, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today. May 1, 2008 Press Release Also available in 
Printer friendly version Vote to Nowhere The May 2008 Constitutional Referendum in Burma
HRW Index No.: 1-56432-314-5 May 1, 2008 Report Download PDF, 377 KB, 65 pgs Purchase online Read Press Release Coercion and Intimidation of Child Soldiers to Participate in Violence Child soldiers are often compelled by their commanders to engage in combat operations, participate in human rights abuses against civilians, and carry out punishments against fellow soldiers under threat of severe punishment or execution. In this backgrounder, Human Rights Watch describes methods of coercion and intimidation used against child soldiers serving in armed conflicts in Angola, Burma, Colombia, Liberia, Nepal, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. April 16, 2008 Background Briefing Thailand: Migrants’ Deaths Spotlight Exploitation Government Should End Discriminatory Policies and Improve Protection The suffocation deaths on April 10 of 54 Burmese migrants is a somber wake-up call that should prompt Thai authorities to end discriminatory policies and improve protection for migrants, Human Rights Watch said today. April 11, 2008 Press Release Printer friendly version South Africa: Lead UN to Action on Somalia, Darfur and Burma Use Security Council Presidency to Save Lives South Africa should use its Security Council presidency in April 2008 to make significant progress on human rights crises in Somalia, Darfur and Burma, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to South Africa’s minister of foreign affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, and members of the United Nations Security Council. “The Security Council should be signaling hope to civilians in crisis, but so far it has failed the people of Darfur, Burma and Somalia,” said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. “South Africa should lead the Security Council in a major new international effort to end horrible abuses in these places and save lives.” March 31, 2008 Press Release Printer friendly version South Africa: Lead UN to Action on Somalia, Darfur and Burma During Security Council Presidency Letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Africa March 28, 2008 Letter Printer friendly version Off the radar By Steve Crawshaw, United Nations Advocacy Director Published in Guardian Unlimited Burma stands at a turning point: 2008 could be the year of change for the better. But that will not happen unless powerful players - at the security council and in the region - make clear that the time for waiting is over. After decades of repressive rule, the Burmese people deserve no less. March 18, 2008 Commentary Printer friendly version Burma: Heed UN Advisor on Constitutional Reform Time for Action, Not More Empty Promises From Military Rulers The Burmese military government should adopt expected calls from UN special advisor Ibrahim Gambari to allow an open and inclusive political process ahead of a planned constitutional referendum in May, Human Rights Watch said today. Gambari arrives in Burma on March 6, 2008. March 5, 2008 Press Release Printer friendly version UN: Rights Council Should Tackle Somalia Crisis Put Spotlight on Burma, Eastern Congo, and Sri Lanka The UN Human Rights Council should draw attention to the neglected human rights crisis in Somalia, Human Rights Watch said today as the council began its first session of this year. The council, meeting in Geneva, should also intensify its engagement on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sri Lanka and Burma, Human Rights Watch said. March 3, 2008 Press Release Printer friendly version Burma: Arrest of Journalists Highlights Junta’s Intolerance China, India Should Press for Release of Political Prisoners Before Referendum The Burmese government’s arrest of two journalists and its decision to extend the detention of a prominent opposition leader demonstrate its continuing contempt for political freedoms despite its preparations for a constitutional referendum in May, Human Rights Watch said today. February 19, 2008 Press Release Printer friendly version Burma: Referendum a Sham Unless Repression Ends Credibility Will Depend on Government Changing Course on Basic Rights Burma’s referendum on a new constitution planned for May should be conducted in an atmosphere of freedom and respect for basic rights, and not as a hollow exercise in the military’s sham political reform process, Human Rights Watch said today. February 11, 2008 Press Release Printer friendly version Letter to Japan Foreign Minister Koumura Human Rights Watch sent this letter to Japan's Foreign Minister, Mr. Masahiko Koumura, regarding the January 16, 2008, Japan-Mekong Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo. January 15, 2008 Letter Also available in
Printer friendly version Japan: Mekong Meeting Should Not Ignore Rights Abuses Human Rights Watch Sends Letter to Foreign Minister Koumura The Japanese government should publicly urge the foreign ministers of Burma, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam attending the Japan-Mekong Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Tokyo on January 16 to address human rights concerns in these Southeast Asian countries, Human Rights Watch said today in a letter to Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura. January 15, 2008 Press Release Also available in
Printer friendly version Crackdown in Burma: Targeted Sanctions Needed Business-Related Recommendations on Burma Human Rights Watch issued a new report in December 2007 documenting the crackdown on popular protests in Burma that began in August. Hundreds of people remain arbitrarily detained. We recommend targeted financial, trade, and investment sanctions, and also make specific recommendations to companies doing business in Burma. January 11, 2008 Background Briefing Printer friendly version Burma’s Gem Trade and Human Rights Abuses Burma produces the vast majority of high-quality rubies on the world market. According to industry estimates, the country accounts for more than 90 percent of the trade by value. It is also the top global producer of jade. Burma’s gem mines are ruled with an iron hand by military authorities and mining companies. Deplorable conditions at the mines reportedly include rampant land confiscation, extortion, forced labor, child labor, environmental pollution and unsafe working conditions for miners. HIV/AIDS, drug-resistant malaria and tuberculosis are increasingly common in mining areas. January 11, 2008 Background Briefing Printer friendly version |
 
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