• Burma: Ban Should Press for Lasting Reforms
    Press release
    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?
    Commentary
    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
    Letter
    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
    Letter
    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.
  • Aid Sent to Civilians in Burma's Kachin State
    Impact
    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.
  • Asean Didn't Reform Burma
    Commentary
    Apr 11, 2012

    Mr. Razak's theory of change insults just about everyone involved in Burma's recent transitions: new leaders undertaking the changes, the political opposition who labored for years to undermine military rule and nations outside Asia who relentlessly pressured Burma to reform.  

  • The Burma Road to 2015
    Commentary
    Apr 6, 2012

     Recent by-elections mark significant progress, but international community should revise sanctions gradually to support reforms. 

  • EU: Ease Burma Sanctions Gradually to Match Progress
    Press release
    Apr 4, 2012

    Recent by-elections and other progress in Burma should be matched by some positive steps from the European Union, but not the wholesale withdrawal of sanctions.

  • Burma: Open Letter to EU Foreign Ministers and EU High Representative
    Letter
    Apr 4, 2012

    We write to you regarding recent developments in Burma and the forthcoming EU foreign ministers debate on reviewing the Common Position on Burma on April 23. 

  • Letting Burma Back In
    Commentary
    Mar 31, 2012
    Experts debate whether the role of sanctions was successful in opening up Burma. But with the up-coming by-elections and the release of political prisoners, the greater challenge may be how to lift them.