Burma Campaign UK
Burma Campaign UK is calling on Tony Blair to disclose what his involvement is with President Thein Sein of Burma. Tony Blair has visited Burma on around three occasions, and is believed to be providing some kind of advisory role to the President. However, for the past year he has been refusing to disclose exactly …
Burma Campaign UK today launches a campaign calling on British Foreign Secretary William Hague to personally intervene to secure the release of jailed DVB journalist, Zaw Pe. Zaw Pe is a video journalist working for the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB). In August 2012 Zaw Pe and another man, Win Myint Hlaing, whose son is …
The Burmese government’s ongoing persecution of ethnic minorities, detentions of political prisoners, and recalcitrance on constitutional reform mandate renewal of sanctions (Washington, D.C.) – Today, the U.S. Campaign for Burma (USCB), along with 28 other human rights organizations, called on President Obama to continue the national emergency with respect to Burma. The national emergency provides …
1. We believe that current faith–based political activities, including the arguments against interfaith marriage currently taking place in the country, are not in accordance with the objectives of the peaceful coexistence of all faiths and the prevention of extreme violence and conflict, but are instead events and ideas designed to distract the public before the …
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned Burma of possible international consequences if they continue to “tolerate impunity” for human rights abuses against the Rohingya. Speaking at a meeting of the Partnership Group on Myanmar in New York on 25th April, the Secretary General stated: “In the pursuit of the human rights agenda, any impression …
Foreign Office Minister Hugo Swire MP has backed ‘a comprehensive and transparent mechanism’ to review cases of political prisoners in Burma. He voiced his support in a letter responding to letters from the public about political prisoners in Burma. Burma Campaign UK has been asking supporters to write to the British government, calling on British …
Burma Campaign UK today urged President Thein Sein to immediately release Nay Myo Zin, Win Cho and all remaining political prisoners, and to fully repeal Article 18 of the Peaceful Procession and Peaceful Assembly Law. Nay Myo Zin and Win Cho are former political prisoners who have been jailed again for their peaceful activities. On …
Statement by the Women’s League of Burma The Women’s League of Burma welcomes a new report by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that calls for Burma’s government to investigate crimes of sexual violence, and highlights the need for constitutional reform to bring the military in Burma under civilian oversight. The Secretary-General’s new annual report on …
Burma Campaign UK has filed an official complaint with the Information Commissioner regarding the failure of the British Ministry of Defence to properly respond to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request regarding training being given to the Burmese Army. The Information Commissioner’s Office is the UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights. Burma …
As the United Nations Security Council prepares to hold a debate on sexual violence in conflict on Friday 25th April, the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on the government of Burma to fully investigate crimes of sexual violence, and work with the United Nations to protect and assist survivors. Since 2012, the …
Burma Campaign UK is deeply sad to learn of the death of U Win Tin. U Win Tin was a hero of Burma’s democracy movement. He was never intimidated, never lost hope, and never stopped working for a genuinely democratic Burma. U Win Tin was a journalist who challenged censorship and campaigned for media freedom. …
Burma Campaign UK today publishes a new Briefing Paper, ‘Rape and Sexual Violence by the Burmese Army’, which details how the Burmese Army has used rape and sexual violence with impunity for decades, and reports of rape and sexual violence have continued since Thein Sein became President and reforms began. Burma Campaign UK is calling …
Burma Campaign UK welcomes the new quarterly human rights update on Burma published today by the British Foreign Office. The update summarises human rights developments in Burma for the months of January-March 2014. Burma Campaign UK has strongly criticised past quarterly updates for giving misleading and false information, and downplaying serious human rights abuses in …
Burma Campaign UK is calling on Justine Greening, Secretary of State for International Development, to conduct an inquiry into the decision making process which led to the Department for International Development (DFID) giving the government of Burma £10m ($16m) of British aid money for Burma’s controversial census. Many organisations in Burma, and outside Burma, including …
Press Release from Shan Human Rights Foundation A villager distributing invitations to his son’s ordination ceremony was beaten, stabbed and robbed by Burma Army troops of LIB 515 in Tang Yan Township, northern Shan State on 23rd March 2014. On that day, Sai Sarng, age 46, from Murng Kao, Tang Yan township, had gone to …
Burma Campaign UK today launches a new poster campaign to highlight how the British government’s new soft engagement policy on Burma is failing to deliver human rights improvements. The first poster in the series highlights how Thein Sein broke his promise while visiting the UK last year to release all political prisoners by the end …
Burma Campaign UK today called on the United Nations, the Department for International Development (DFID) and other donors to Burma’s census to withdraw their political, technical and financial support in order to avoid further endorsement of discriminatory policies against the Rohingya being applied in the census. The United Nations Population Fund and international donors went …
A delegation of women from Burma spoke in the British Parliament today about ongoing human rights abuses, aid, and the political situation in Burma. (Picture attached) The delegation of three women are on a ten day visit to the UK. The delegation consists of Jessica Nhkum from Kachin Women’s Association Thailand, Rosalinn Zahau from Chin …
Statement by Members of the European Burma Network A year on from anti-Muslim violence in Meiktila, members of the European Burma Network express their deep concern that not only does hate-speech remain largely unchallenged within Burma, but prejudicial laws proposed by those promoting hatred against Muslims have been endorsed by the President, and are likely …
Members and observers of the European Burma Network call upon the government of Burma, the United Nations Population Fund, and international donors, to postpone the upcoming census on Burma. We believe that carrying out the census at the current time will exacerbate ethnic and religious tensions in the country. Carrying out a census can provide …
Aunty Pamela, a 67 year old refugee from Burma now living in the UK, today jumped out of a 2 mile high plane to raise funds for Burma Campaign UK. The sponsored jump has so far raised more than £2,600. Donations can be made here. Aunty Pamela was a nurse in Burma and helped students …
Media Release From Myaung Byo Villagers The Heinda mining project, located in Myitta Township, Dawei District in Tanintharyi Region, operated by Myanmar Pongpipat company Ltd. has had many negative social and economic impacts on our community. Myaung Byo village was relocated to the current place by the government in 1983. After that, the government gave …
PRESS STATEMENT ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR RIVERS AND AGAINST DAMS By Burma Rivers Network (33538) ethnic signatories and (131) civil society and political parties in Burma call for immediate halt to dams on the Salween River (33538) people from Shan, Karenni, Karen and Mon State and (131) civil society and political parties in …
Press release by Karenni Civil Society Network (KCSN) on March 14, 2014 on International Rivers Day The Karenni Civil Society Network (KCSN) urges the Burmese government and companies from neighbouring countries to immediately suspend their plans to build hydropower dams on the Salween and other rivers in Burma. KCSN has learned that there are at …