Burma Campaign UK
At the UNISON trade union conference this week, Burma Campaign UK is asking trade union members to support the campaign to repeal repressive laws in Burma. Doug Janke, Head of Development, on BCUK’s stall
Peace activists Ma Pwint Phyu Latt and Ko Zaw Zaw Latt were among 259 prisoners released from jail today, following a presidential amnesty announced to coincide with the opening of fresh peace talks in Nay Pyi Taw. Burma Campaign UK has campaigned for their release and calls for the release of all political prisoners. Like …
A new report documents physical evidence of atrocities committed against the Rohingya by the Burmese Army. “Burned, Stabbed and Shot – Physical Evidence of Atrocities Committed against the Rohingya” is published by the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK. Watch YouTube video
Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK, writing for the Democratic Voice of Burma, calls for a transparent policy from the NLD-led government about how it operates the visa ban list: “A year into the NLD government’s term in office, there is no excuse for still banning human rights and democracy activists from their own country …
As Aung San Suu Kyi tours Europe this week, she faces criticism for being unable to bring all ethnic armed groups together for peace negotiations in Burma, and for publicly announcing she would not “take sides” in the conflict in Rakhine State. Zoya Phan, campaign manager for Burma Campaign UK, told the Irrawaddy “Europe needs …
As Min Aung Hlaing returns from his visit to Europe, the Washington Post reports that Burma Campaign UK condemned the governments of Germany and Austria for inviting him. The Post quotes Burma Campaign UK’s statement: “Min Aung Hlaing is the biggest obstacle to improving human rights, democratic reform, peace, modernisation, and improving health and education …
In an article for Mizzima News from Myanmar, Burma Campaign UK’s Director Mark Farmaner said history was made this Thingyan New Year, but it largely went unnoticed. For the first time in decades a prisoner amnesty was announced, but none of those released were political prisoners. Almost 200 political prisoners were left in jail, some …
National and international NGOs, including Burma Campaign UK, have issued a joint statement to mark the third anniversary of U Win Tin’s death. They call for the immediate release of all political prisoners and the establishment of an “independent and effective” prisoner review mechanism to bring about an end to arbitrary arrests and detentions. Read …
Politicians and activists around the world wore blue shirts today to commemorate renowned journalist and politician U Win Tin and all political prisoners still held in Burma’s jails. The event this year falls on the three-year anniversary of U Win Tin’s death. Read the Irrawaddy report
At the UN Security Council’s first ‘thematic’ debate on human rights this Tuesday, Burma rejoined the ranks of Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria as the USA’s least favourite human rights violators. Read Coconuts Yangon report
Anna Roberts, Executive Director and Doug Janke, Head of Development at Burma Campaign UK, at NASUWT’s conference in Manchester this weekend, with thanks to NASUWT for great support.
BCUK Director Mark Farmaner writes in Huffington Post: “Min Aung Hlaing is the biggest obstacle to improving human rights, democratic reform, peace, modernisation, and improving health and education in Burma.Yet somehow, he largely escapes direct criticism.” Read Huffington Post article
“Unrecognised Leaders, Tomorrow’s Hope: Raising the Voices of Forgotten Youth” is a documentary film by Burma Link, the Karen Student Network Group and the Karen Youth Organisation. The documentary calls for inclusion of displaced ethnic youth on the Thailand-Burma border in political processes and recognition of refugee education certificates. Watch on YouTube – English version …
Aung San Suu Kyi has denied there is ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya Muslim minority, despite widespread reports of abuses. In an exclusive interview with Fergal Keane of the BBC, Burma’s State Counsellor acknowledged problems in Rakhine state, but said ethnic cleansing was “too strong” a term to use. Watch BBC interview
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and director Karim Shah travelled to Burma to investigate whether its fledgling democracy is already under attack. Their report was shown on Channel 4 today. Watch the Channel 4 programme
Wai Hnin Pwint Thon, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK, spoke today on women’s rights at an event in Parliament hosted by Catherine West MP, Shadow Foreign Minister, to mark International Women’s Day.
Burma’s ethnic Rohingya Muslims are fleeing for their lives, says Human Rights Watch. A UN flash report found it’s very likely that crimes against humanity were committed in October and November. Only an independent international investigation will be able to uncover the truth. Human Rights Watch video
On International Women’s Day, join us and stand with the women of Burma to end rape and sexual violence. Take action here
Mark Farmaner, Director of Burma Campaign UK, has been refused a visa to enter Myanmar by its embassy in Bangkok. “No reason was given but embassy staff told the agency I went through that I would not be given a visa anywhere,” he told Mizzima. Read Mizzima article
Myanmar immigration officials in Bangkok have refused a visa to Burma Campaign UK’s Director, Mark Farmaner. He told Frontier Myanmar “There needs to be clear and transparent criteria for people being on the blacklist and that shouldn’t include banning people because they speak out on human rights or criticise the government or military.” Read Frontier …
Burma Link, Karen Student Network Group and Karen Youth Organisation today launched a documentary, “Unrecognised Leaders, Tomorrow’s Hope: Raising the Voices of Forgotten Youth.” The documentary calls for inclusion of displaced ethnic youth on the Thailand-Burma border in political processes and recognition of refugee education certificates. Read press release
FCO Under Secretary of State Alok Sharma MP confirmed to Parliament today that the Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, raised the plight of the Rohingya with Aung San Suu Kyi and the generals on his recent trip to Burma. Mr Sharma was answering questions from Yasmin Qureishi MP and Catherine West MP, Shadow Foreign Office Minister. …
The Foreign Office minister Baroness Anelay confirmed to Parliament today that the UK government will advocate the renewal of the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Burma at the Human Rights Council in February and March. Read answer to written question
Writing for the Democratic Voice of Burma, Burma Campaign UK’s Campaigns Officer Wai Hnin Pwint Thon asks why Lahpai Gam and other political prisoners remain in jail. Wai Hnin calls for a reformed, credible and independent Prisoners of Conscience Affairs Committee to achieve the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Burma. Read DVB …