Rohingya Crisis: Burma’s government accused of whitewash – Vatican Radio
Vatican Radio reports that human rights groups have accused Burma’s government of trying to cover up abuses against Rohingya civilians in Rakhine State.
In an interview with Vatican Radio, the Executive Director of the Burma Campaign UK, Anna Roberts said, “the fact that this [the Burmese government’s own] commission has no independence or credibility just underlines the need for an independent investigation, one that should be led by the UN.”
Families of Kachin Teachers still waiting for justice – Burma News International
Burma News International reports on Burma Campaign UK’s petition to the British government to do more to help stop the rape of ethnic women in conflict divided Burma.
BNI quotes Zoya Phan, campaigns manager at Burma Campaign UK: “The British government should … stop training the Burmese Army until they take concrete action to end impunity for rape, and take other steps to prevent rape.”
Families of Kachin Teachers still waiting for justice – Karen News
Karen News reports that Burma Campaign UK delivered a petition to the British government to do more to help stop the rape of ethnic women in conflict divided Burma, and quotes Zoya Phan, the campaigns manager for Burma Campaign UK: “It has been two years now since the two Kachin teachers were brutally raped and killed by the Burmese military and there is still no justice”.
Calls for justice on anniversary of teachers’ murders – Myanmar Times
Two years after the murders, and one year after the National League for Democracy promised to bring the perpetrators to justice, the bereaved families of two Kachin teachers are no closer to knowing who raped and killed their daughters. At memorial services in Yangon, Muse and Myitkyina yesterday, civil society organisations and community leaders expressed disappointment about the continued lack of attention to the case.
This report from the Myanmar Times quotes Zoya Phan, campaigns manager at Burma Campaign UK: “Given the fact that the NLD-led government has taken no steps to end impunity for sexual violence in conflict, it is time for the international community to act on this.”
Kachin Teachers petition calls for action – The Irrawaddy
Two years on, an investigation into the brutal rape and murder of two Kachin schoolteachers in Kutkai Township has stalled due to continued war, says the Irrawaddy in its report on a memorial service held today.
Calls for justice for the two victims continue. The Burma Campaign UK delivered a petition signed by more than 3,200 people to the UK government, calling on them “to do more to help stop rape and sexual violence in Burma”.
Parliament debates human rights in Burma
Paul Scully MP, Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Democracy in Burma, tabled an urgent question in the House of Commons today on human rights in Burma.
Paul Scully called for an independent international investigation into state-sponsored attacks on Rohingya Muslim civilians in Rakhine state, and urged the Foreign Secretary to raise the the situation in Rakhine, Kachin and northern Shan states when he visits Burma this weekend.
New policy needed on Myanmar military
Mizzima News from Myanmar reports on Burma Campaign UK’s new briefing paper on Burma’s military.
“With human rights violations by the Burmese military increasing to a level we haven’t seen for around a decade, it’s clear new strategies are needed,” said Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “It’s time for a debate on ways pressure can be applied on the military to stop violating international law.”
Lords debate Burma’s treatment of Rohingya
In today’s House of Lords debate on the treatment of the Rohingya in Burma, Baroness Kinnock quoted Anna Roberts of the Burma Campaign UK, who called the report of the presidential commission of inquiry a “farce” and said “it is time for the UK to support the establishment of a genuinely independent UN Commission of Inquiry”.
The world mustn’t look away – Rushanara Ali
Rushanara Ali MP, Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Burma, writes on the the violent campaign against Rohingya Muslims and the urgent need for full humanitarian aid and access to Rakhine state.
Children killed – whole villages arrested – will you help?
The Burmese Army is committing horrific human rights abuses in Kachin and Shan States. We don’t live in a country where our children can be bombed while out playing, but this is happening in Burma.
Please send a message to the head of the Burmese Army and to Aung San Suu Kyi supporting local communities who are demanding an end to these attacks.
