Special Focus
  • Human Rights in Burma

    Burma’s human rights situation remains poor despite some noteworthy actions by the government toward reform. In April 2012, opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party swept nearly all the seats contested in a parliamentary by-election, but a large majority of seats in Burma’s lower house are controlled by the government party and the military. President Thein Sein welcomed back exiles and released nearly 400 political prisoners, but several hundred prisoners remain behind bars. While some laws have been amended, repressive laws remain. The army targeted civilians in armed conflict with the Kachin minority group. After violence erupted between Arakanese Buddhists and the long-persecuted Rohingya Muslims, state security forces took part in abuses against the Rohingya.

  • Burma: Cyclone Threatens Displaced Muslims
    Burma’s government should take immediate action to evacuate to higher ground tens of thousands of Muslims displaced last year by ethnic cleansing in Arakan State in advance of a tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, Human Rights Watch said today.
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      Nov 23 2011 - 15:33

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Burma

  • Burma: Cyclone Threatens Displaced Muslims
    May 14, 2013
    Burma’s government should take immediate action to evacuate to higher ground tens of thousands of Muslims displaced last year by ethnic cleansing in Arakan State in advance of a tropical cyclone in the Bay of Bengal, Human Rights Watch said today.
  • Burma: China-Led Oil, Gas Projects Spark Arrests
    May 11, 2013
    Authorities in Burma should drop charges against ethnic Arakanese activists who participated in peaceful protests against Chinese-led oil and gas projects, Human Rights Watch said today. Ten activists are scheduled to face criminal charges in court on May 13, 2013, for demonstrating and holding a peaceful march without a permit on April 18 on Maday Island in Burma’s western Arakan State.
  • Blunder in Burma: Scrapping of EU Sanctions Sends Wrong Message
    May 9, 2013
    Although Burma is shrugging off the burden of five decades of military dictatorship, its transition to democracy is still far from complete. Reform remains precarious, and ethnic violence is rife. But in its eagerness to claim a foreign policy success, the EU is turning a blind eye.
  • Myanmar army continues to live in denial over abuses
    May 9, 2013
    Myanmar's rapidly evolving political landscape produced another symbolic event at the recent Armed Forces Day parade.
  • Despite reforms, Myanmar's ethnic violence continues
    May 7, 2013
  • It’s Time for Burma’s President to Act
    May 7, 2013
  • Burma: the EU has been too quick to lift sanctions
    Apr 23, 2013
    William Hague congratulated the Burmese government last week for its role in spearheading "remarkable changes" in the country. But his upbeat assessment and heady optimism are premature, as is the EU's haste to lift all economic sanctions on Burma except for the arms embargo.
  • EU: Ending Sanctions Undercuts Burma’s Rights Progress
    Apr 22, 2013
    The European Union’s premature lifting of all targeted sanctions on Burma means the EU will need a new platform to press the government to improve the country’s still dire human rights situation.
  • Burma: End ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ of Rohingya Muslims
    Apr 22, 2013
    Burmese authorities and members of Arakanese groups have committed crimes against humanity in a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims in Arakan State since June 2012, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today.
  • Burma: Satellite Images Detail Destruction in Meiktila
    Apr 1, 2013
    The Burmese government should thoroughly investigate and hold accountable those who incited and committed deadly violence in Meiktila in central Burma from March 20 to 22, 2013, Human Rights Watch said today. Decisive government action to combat impunity, end discrimination, and promote tolerance among religious groups is needed to end the tide of attacks against Muslim communities.
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