Human Rights Situation in Burma/Myanmar – A Briefing Paper by Progressive Voice and FORUM-ASIA
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Transcript of Human Rights Situation in Burma/Myanmar – A Briefing Paper by Progressive Voice and FORUM-ASIA
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Thispublicationisjointlyproducedby:
ProgressiveVoice
ProgressiveVoiceisaparticipatoryrights-basedpolicyresearchandadvocacyorganizationrootedincivilsociety,thatmaintainsstrongnetworksandrelationshipswithgrassrootsorganizationsandcommunity-basedorganizationsthroughoutMyanmar.ProgressiveVoicewasbornoutofBurmaPartnership,anetworkoforganizationsthroughouttheAsia-Pacificregion,advocatingforand
mobilizingamovementfordemocracyandhumanrightsinMyanmarthatwasestablishedin2006.
Contact:
Website:http://progressivevoicemyanmar.org/Mediainquiries:[email protected]:[email protected]
and
AsianForumforHumanRightsandDevelopment(FORUM-ASIA)
FORUM-ASIAisaBangkok-basedregionalhumanrightsgroupwith58memberorganisationsin19countriesacrossAsia.FORUM-ASIAaddresseskeyareasofhumanrightsviolationsintheregion,
includingfreedomsofexpressions,assemblyandassociation,humanrightsdefenders,anddemocratisation.
Contact:
Website:www.forum-asia.org
Mediainquiries:[email protected](Geneva,Switzerland):[email protected]
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ContentsINTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................4CONFLICT-RELATEDHUMANRIGHTSVIOLATIONS.............................................................5ViolationsbytheBurma/MyanmarArmyinnorthernRakhine,northernShan,andKachinStates..............................................................................................5NorthernRakhineState.................................................................................5KachinandNorthernShanStates..................................................................7SexualandGender-BasedViolence...............................................................8
DisplacementandHumanitarianAccessinConflictAreas................................9NorthernRakhineState.................................................................................9KachinandNorthernShanStates................................................................10
FUNDAMENTALFREEDOMSANDDEMOCRATICSPACE......................................................11FreedomofExpression,AssemblyandAssociation.........................................11PoliticalPrisonersandHumanRightsDefenders.............................................12Women,PeaceandSecurity............................................................................13PeaceProcess...............................................................................................14
FreedomofReligion.........................................................................................15Economic,Social,andCulturalRights..............................................................16LandRights...................................................................................................16NaturalResources........................................................................................17AccesstoEducation/Health.........................................................................17
MyanmarNationalHumanRightsCommission(MNHRC)...............................18SUMMARYANDRECOMMENDATIONS...........................................................................19
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IntroductionThispaperevaluateshowtheBurma/MyanmarGovernmenthasfaredinthepastyearinaddressinghumanrightsissuesinthecontextofrecommendationsbytheUnitedNations.Oneyearago,the31stsessionoftheUNHumanRightsCouncil(HRC)cameatacrucialjunctureinthecountry’shistoryasthenewlyelectedNationalLeagueforDemocracy(NLD)-ledgovernmentwasabouttotakecharge.Thesessionsawthecountry’sUPRadoption,areportbytheUNSpecialRapporteuronMyanmarYangheeLee,andCouncilresolution31/24onthecountry.Laterintheyear,atthe32ndHRCsession,theUNHighCommissionerforHumanRights,ZeidRa'adAlHussein,releasedareportonRohingyaandminorities,whichwasfollowedbyanupdatedreportandsetofrecommendationsbytheSpecialRapporteurtothe71stsessionoftheGeneralAssembly.Movingintothe34thsessionoftheCouncil,howmuchhaschanged?Aftertenmonthsinoffice,theNLDhasstruggledtousherinamorecomprehensivepeaceagreementbetweentheBurma/MyanmarArmy(Tatmadaw)andthecountry’snumerousethnicarmedorganizations(EAOs).Thefirstofthenowbiannual21stCenturyPanglongConferencewasheldinAugust2016,thoughitwasmuchmoresymbolicthansubstantive.2016alsosawintensifiedconflictinseveralethnicareas,resultingindisproportionatesecuritylockdownsandhumanrightsviolationsbytheBurma/MyanmarArmy,allofwhichhavealsoservedtounderminethetrust-buildingthatiscentraltonationalreconciliationandpeace.Mostnotably,asthe34thsessionoftheCouncilopens,Burma/MyanmarfindsitselfmiredinseriousandgraveallegationsofpossiblecrimesagainsthumanitycommittedbysecurityforcesinnorthernRakhineagainsttheRohingyaminority.Theoverallhumanrightssituationacrossthecountrycontinuestobeprecariouswithdemocraticspaceandruleoflawstillseverelycurtailed.IntheSpecialRapporteur’swords,thegovernment’sresponsetothecountry’shumanrightsproblemscontinuestobe“todefend,dismiss,anddeny.”1Whilesomeprogresshasbeenmade,suchaswiththerepealofseverallawspreviouslyusedtorepresspoliticaldissidents,legislativeandpolicyinconsistencywithinternationalstandardsremainspervasive.Furthermore,theimplementationofostensiblyprogressivelawsandpoliciesiscontinuallybesetbyadiscriminatoryculturetowardethnicandreligiousminoritiesandthegovernment’sambitioustargetsfordevelopment,whilemilitaryimpunitycontinuestobeentrenchedunderthestill-unchanged,military-drafted2008Constitution.Thispaperisdividedbroadlyintotwoparts,thefirstdealingwithinternationalhumanitarianlawandhumanrightslawviolationsinthecontextofconflict,andthesecondwithfundamentalfreedoms.
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Conflict-RelatedHumanRightsViolationsInrecentmonths,intensifiedconflictinthenorthernRakhine,ShanandKachinStateshasleftlittleroomforoptimismforthefutureofnationalreconciliationandpeace.Mostnotably,attacksonborderpolicepostsinnorthernRakhineStateinOctoberandNovember2016,reportedlybyRohingyamilitants,ledtoadisproportionatesecuritylockdownandmilitaryretaliationthathasdisplacedtensofthousandsofinnocentciviliansandobstructedhumanitarianaccesstoareasalreadyincriticalcondition.IntensifiedclashesbetweentheBurma/MyanmarArmyandtheEAOs,especiallyintheKachinandShanStates,havealsoledtowidespreaddisplacementandresourceblockages.InDecember2016,aBurma/MyanmarArmyoffensivetocaptureaKachinIndependenceArmy(KIA)outpostinKachinState’sWaingmawTownshipevictedthousandsofinternallydisplacedpersons(IDPs).Withconflictasthebackdrop,membersoftheBurma/MyanmarArmyhavecommittedrape,forcedlabor,looting,extrajudicialkillingsandtorture,amongothercrimes.Thepersistenceandexacerbationofunchecked,systematic,state-sanctionedhumanrightsviolations,committedbytheBurma/MyanmarArmyinethnicregionsoverthecourseofseveralyearsrevealthattheseviolationsverylikelyconstitutecrimesagainsthumanityandwarcrimes.
ViolationsbytheBurma/MyanmarArmyinnorthernRakhine,northernShan,andKachinStates
HumanRightsConcern/Issue GovernmentResponse UNRecommendationsNorthernRakhineStateThehumanrightssituationofresidentsoftheRakhineState,particularlythatoftheRohingya,deterioratedsignificantlyaftertheattackonborderpoliceoutpostsinMaungdawTownshipbysuspectedRohingyamilitantson9October2016.AflashreportreleasedinFebruary2017bytheOfficeoftheHighCommissionerforHumanRights(OHCHR)detailssubsequentmassgang-rape,killings,includingofyoungchildrenandbabies,bytheBurma/MyanmarArmy.2Thereport,basedoninterviewswithRohingyaswhohavefledtoBangladeshfollowingtheattacks,revealsthesystematicnatureofthecrimescommittedbytheBurma/MyanmarArmy.3Since9October,atleast20clasheshaveoccurredbetweensecurityforcesandsuspectedRohingyamilitantattackersinnorthernRakhine,4includingoneinNovember2016thatledtoover30deaths.5AccordingtoUNofficials,thedeathtollintheaftermathofthesecurityresponse“likelyexceeded1,000,”a
Thegovernment,while“deeplyconcerned”bytheallegationsmadebytheUNandcivilsociety,8hasdeniedthatsecurityforceshadcarriedoutsuchviolationsandhasrequestedmoreevidencefromtheUNregardingitsallegations.9TheinterimreportreleasedinJanuary2017bytheInvestigationCommissionofMaungdaw—formedinDecember2016inresponsetotheattacks—deniedtheexistenceofreligiouspersecutionandthe“sufficientevidence”forthewidespreadrapereportedbythemedia.10FollowingthereleaseoftheOHCHRflashreportinFebruary2017,thegovernmentannouncedthatitwouldinvestigatetheallegationsviathesameCommission.11ThecredibilityoftheCommissionisbeliedbyitsmembership,whichincludesformerArmyGeneralandnotorioushardliner,MyintSwe,aswellasmembersofthesecurityforce.
HighCommissioner/RelevantSpecialAdvisorsInresponsetotheOHCHRflashreport,theHighCommissionerforHumanRightscalledfor“atleast”acommissionofinquiryandpossiblereferraltotheInternationalCriminalCourt.14AdamaDieng,theUNSpecialAdvisoronthePreventionofGenocide,urgedforaninvestigationtobeconductedbyatrulyindependentandimpartialbodythatincludesinternationalobservers.15SpecialRapporteurBroadly,theSpecialRapporteurcallsfor“prompt,independentandimpartialinvestigations”intoallegedhumanrightsviolationsinconflictareas,andthepunishmentandprosecutionofallperpetrators.16ShespecificallyurgesforaUN-mandatedCommissionofInquirytoinvestigate“thesystematic,structural,andinstitutionaldiscriminationinpolicy,lawandpractice”againsttheRohingyaandotherminoritiesinRakhineState,focusingonincidentsofviolencefrom2012and2014inadditiontoOctober2016.17
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numberthatdwarvesthegovernmentestimationof“fewerthan100.”6TheindiscriminatenatureandscaleofthesecurityresponseunfairlypunishedtheentireRohingyapopulationinnorthernRakhinefortheactionsofafew,andthedeplorableandsystematicconductofthesecurityforcesinnorthernRakhinemayhaveamountedtocrimesagainsthumanity.Therecenteventsdescribedabovemustbecouchedinthecontextofwidespreadviolationsoftherightstolife,libertyandsecurityoftheRohingyabytheBurma/MyanmarArmythathavebeenwell-documentedsincetheoutbreakofviolenceinthestatein2012.InhisreporttotheHRCinJune2016,theHighCommissionerhighlights“consistentallegationsoftortureandill-treatment,includingcasesofseverebeating,burningbycigarettes,burningofbeards,forcedlabor,sexualhumiliationandabuse,thedenialofmedicaltreatment,degradingconditionsofdetentionanddeathsincustody.”7
Withtheintenttocomprehensivelyaddress“rootcauses”tothesituationinRakhine,thegovernmentestablishedtheCentralCommitteeonImplementationofPeace,StabilityandDevelopmentofRakhineStateinMay2016withStateCounsellorDawAungSanSuuKyiherselfatthehelm.InAugustthesameyearthegovernmentestablishedtheAdvisoryCommitteeonRakhineStatechairedbyformerUNSecretaryGeneralKofiAnnan.12TheAdvisoryCommitteeplanstoreleaseitsfirstreportbeforeAugust2017,13butitmustbenotedthattheCommitteedoesnothaveanyRohingyamembersanditsmandatedoesnotincludeinvestigatinghumanrightsabuses.
WhiletheSpecialRapporteurnotesthepoliticalsensitivityofconstitutionalreformatthispointofBurma/Myanmar’stransition,shereiteratesthattherobustoperationofruleoflaw,necessarytoholdthearmedforcesaccountabletoallegedcrimes,dependsonreformofthe2008Constitution.18SheurgesthegovernmenttoinitiateaprocessofconsultationwithallstakeholdersonthereviewandamendmentoftheConstitutionbyMarch2018.19UPRTheneedtocombatmilitaryimpunityisemphasizedbyseveralstates,includingtheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIrelandandSaudiArabia,whoarebothcurrentHRCmembers.20Perthe“accepted”UPRrecommendationproposedbyGreece,21Burma/Myanmarshouldalsorestructureitslocalpoliceforces,asithasthusfarfailedtoplaytheroleoftheimpartialarbiterinconflictsinvolvingtheBurma/MyanmarArmy.
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KachinandNorthernShanStatesTheShanHumanRightsFoundation(SHRF),alocalorganizationthatdocumentshumanrightsviolations,detailslooting,extrajudicialkillings,arbitraryarrest,torture,forcedlaborbytheBurma/MyanmarArmyinShanState.22Morethanhalfofthehumanrightsviolationsrecordedin2016bytheNetworkforHumanRightsDocumentation-Burma(ND-Burma),anetworkoflocalorganizationsworkingonattaininggovernmentredressforvictimsofhumanrightsviolations,werefoundinShanState,withmostbeingcommittedbytheBurma/MyanmarArmy.23ThoughthenumberofhumanrightsviolationsrecordedinKachinStateislower,thisnumberverylikelydoesnotreflectthetruenumberofviolationsasmilitaryblockadeshavemadedocumentationdifficult.Reportsfromlocalaidorganizationshavelistedfrequentarbitraryarrestsandtortureofvillagers,especiallythosesuspectedofcontactwiththeKachinIndependenceArmy(KIA).24FromNovember2015toOctober2016,theKachinWomen’sAssociationofThailand(KWAT)documented21casesoftortureinsixtownshipsinKachinandnorthernShanStatesbytheBurma/MyanmarArmythatdescribed“villagerstiedup,blindfolded,kicked,hitwithguns,hadbamboorolledontheirshins,and…stabbedwithknives.”25
DuringtheSpecialRapporteur’smostrecentfact-findingmissiontothecountryinJanuary2017,shewasdeniedaccessbythegovernmenttoLaiza,thecenteroftheKIA-controlledterritory,andHpakant,thecoreofKachinState’sjademiningenterprisedueto“securityconcerns.”26InJuly2016,sevenBurma/MyanmarArmysoldiersweresentencedforkillingciviliansinShanState.27Laterintheyear,asoldierwassentencedtotwoyears’imprisonmentforkillingaKachinstudent.28However,itmustbenotedthatthesecasesarerareandexceptionalandneitherresolutionwasideal—bothcasesweretriedinmilitarycourts,andlegalexpertssaythatthesentenceperiodforthesoldierinthelattercaseistoolow.29InJanuary2017,theBurma/MyanmarArmyfinallyconfirmedthedetentionoftwoethnicKachinpastorssuspectedofhelpingjournalistsreportonmilitaryabusesinnorthernShanState,aftertheywereforciblydisappearedinDecember2016.30Itmustbenotedhoweverthatactionsweretakenonlyafterenormousinternationalpressure,andbothmenarestillindetentionandfacinghealthconcerns.31
SpecialRapporteurTheSpecialRapporteurcallsforthecasesofmilitarymemberswhoperpetrateseriouscrimesagainstcivilianstobesystematicallytransferredtociviliancourtsbyMarch2018.32Mostnotably,shecallsforan“urgentdiscussion”attheHRCtoaddressthehumanrightsviolationsoccurringinescalatingconflictareasinKachinandnorthernShanStates.33
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SexualandGender-BasedViolenceSexualviolenceisrampantacrossthecountrybutisparticularlysoinconflictareasorareasofincreasedmilitarization,withunderreportingprevalentduetoconcernsofsocialstigmatization.34Ofthe101femaleRohingyarefugeesinBangladeshinterviewedbytheOHCHR,52%reportedhavingsurvivedsexualviolence,includingrape.Mostofthewomenrapedsufferedgangrapefromuptoeightofficers,andseveraldetailedthephysicalconsequencesthatarosefromtherape,includingprolongedvaginalbleeding,insomnia,depression,andfainting.35AFebruary2017reportbytheKaladanPress,aRohingyanewsagencyfoundedbyRohingyaexilesinBangladesh,bringsthisnumberupto“atleast70.”36AreportbytheWomen’sLeagueofBurma,agroupofthirteenwomen’sorganizationsrepresentingdifferentethnicareasinBurma/Myanmar,detailsover90casesofstate-sponsoredsexualviolenceoverthepastsixyears,almostallcommittedbyBurma/MyanmarArmyinareasofongoingarmedconflictinKachinandShanStates.Onlyfiveofthesecasesweretriedinciviliancourts,showingthatsecurityforcescontinuetoescapeaccountability.37From2005to2016,therehasbeenatleast33separatereportsonviolenceagainstwomencommittedbytheBurma/MyanmarArmypublishedby11women’sorganizations.38
Thegovernmentcontinuestodenyallegationsofrapeorotherformsofsexualviolence.DawAungSanSuuKyi,whoin2011calledrapeinBurma/Myanmarasaweaponofwar,hasfailedtoexplicitlycondemntheBurma/MyanmarArmyfortheirallegedabuses,pledgingonlyinsofarastakingaction“wherethereisclearevidenceofabusesandviolations.”39Worryingly,recentstatementsfromthegovernment-mandatedInvestigationCommissionofMaungdawinmid-February2017saythatsofarithasn’tfoundenoughevidencetocorroboratetheharrowingOHCHRflashreport.40Whilefreshcrimesarebeingcommitted,therehasbeennoprogressintheseekingjusticeforcasesofsexualviolence,includingthosecommittedunderthepreviousgovernment.The2015caseofthetwoKachinteacherswhosufferedbrutalrapeandmurderbytheBurma/MyanmarArmyinnorthernShanStateremainunresolved.41TheKaladanPressrevealsthecontinuedofficialcover-upofatrocities,withvillagersforcedbytheBurma/MyanmarArmytroopstoproclaimoncamerathatitwasRohingyamilitantswhohadcommittedabusesagainstthem.42
SpecialRapporteurBroadly,theSpecialRapporteururgesthatthegovernmenttakesmoreeffectivemeasurestopreventandrespondtoallformsofsexualandgender-basedviolence,includinginconflict.ByMarch2018,thegovernmentshouldtakeconcretestepstodevelopaprogramofcomprehensivesupportforvictimsofsexualandgender-basedviolenceinconflict,includingaccesstojustice,healthandpsychologicalcare,andsocioeconomicsupport.AlsobyMarch2018,thegovernmentshouldtakeconcretestepstocreateasystemforthecollectionofdisaggregateddataofallformsofgender-basedviolence.43UPRAlbania,acurrentHRCmember,urgesBurma/Myanmartoundertakeappropriatemeasurestocombatandpreventsexualviolencecommittedbymilitarypersonnelandpoliceofficersagainstyounggirls.44TheUnitedKingdomofGreatBritainandNorthernIreland,alsoacurrentHRCmembers,urgesthecountrytoincludesexualviolenceinconflictinthePreventionandProtectionofViolenceAgainstWomenBill.45
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DisplacementandHumanitarianAccessinConflictAreas
HumanRightsConcern/Issue GovernmentResponse UNRecommendationsNorthernRakhineStateDisplacementinnorthernRakhinehasbeendrivenbyanescalationinhostilitiesclosetodisplacementcampsandincivilianareas,ofteninvolvingaerialbombardments.Thisdisplacementhasbeencausedbyterrorinducedby“clearanceoperations”bytheBurma/MyanmarArmyinresponsetotheOctober2016attacks.46BasedonthemostrecentavailabledatafromtheUNOfficefortheCoordinationofHumanitarianAffairs(OCHA)atleast92,000people,largelyRohingyas,fledtheirhomesinnorthernRakhinesincetheattacks,withapproximately69,000fleeingtoBangladesh.Anestimated23,000peopleremaininternallydisplaced,althoughmostoftheethnicRakhineandMropeopledisplacedhavereturnedtotheirvillages.47
Theprocessforaidconvoystoreachconflictareashasbecomemoreburdensomeunderthenewgovernment.AstheSpecialRapporteurnotedinherreporttotheGeneralAssemblyinAugust2016,whilepreviousrequestsforaccesstoconflictareasweresenttotheNationalDefenseandSecurityCouncil,suchrequestwerenowevaluatedbytheMinistryofHomeAffairs,requiringfinalclearancefromtheCommander-in-Chiefhimself.48InnorthernRakhine,afterathree-monthinterruptioninmostUNandrelatedaiddeliveries,thegovernmenthasallowedanincrementalresumptionofsomeactivities,includingdistributionoffoodandotherreliefitems,butwithnationalstaffonly.Healthservices,suchasthoseprovidedbyNGOclinics,remainpatchyandhumanitarianstaffreportlowpatientattendance.AsoflateJanuary2017,internationalstaffstillfacesevererestrictionstomovement,andhumanitarianorganizationshavenotyetbeenallowedtoresumeprotectionactivities.49WhileBurma/Myanmar’snewlyappointedNationalSecurityAdvisorclaimsthattheclearanceoperationshaveceased,amilitaryspokespersondeniedsuchclaims,sayingthat“Wewillnotstopclearanceoperations.Therewillberegularsecurityoperations.”50
SpecialRapporteurThegovernmentshouldensure“regular,independentandpredictableaccess”toallthoseneedinghumanitarianassistance.Substantively,thiswouldrequirerelaxingtravelrestrictions.Freeflowofinformationshouldalsobeallowed,asonlythencanacomprehensiveassessmentoftheneedsonthegroundbemade.TheSpecialRapporteurhadoriginallycalledforthistobeachievedbyMarch2017.51InhermostrecentreporttotheHRC,sheemphasizestheneedfor“immediate”accessintheRakhineStateandcallsforthegovernmenttoundertakeaneedsassessmentforthesituationintheState.ByOctober2017,thegovernmentshouldliftthecurfeworderandrestrictionsonfreedomofmovementintheRakhineState,52acallshehadoriginallyurgedtobecompletedbyMarch2017.53UPRPertheUnitedKingdomofBritainandNorthernIslandandSaudiArabia,bothcurrentHRCmembers,theBurma/Myanmargovernmentmustallowaccesstohumanitarianaidtoallgroupsthatneedit,includingthoseinternallydisplacedinRakhineState.54AssuggestedbyTurkey,thegovernmentshouldalsostrivetoensurethesafeandvoluntaryreturnofIDPstotheirplaceoforigin.55
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KachinandNorthernShanStatesTheintensifiedassaultsbytheBurma/MyanmarArmyintheShanandKachinStatesarelikelyeffortstopressurenon-signatoryEAOsintosigningthenationwideceasefireagreement(NCA)aheadofthenextroundofpeacetalksinMarch2017.SincearmedconflictbetweentheKIAandtheBurma/MyanmarArmyinKachinStateintensifiedinDecember2016,nearly7,000peoplehavefledthearea,56including4,000whoattemptedtocrossthebordertoChinaaftertheBurma/MyanmarArmylaunchedanoffensivetocaptureKIAoutpostsinJanuary2017.57Asof26January2017,fightingbetweentheBurma/MyanmarArmyandEAOsinnorthernShanStatedisplacedafurther4,000.58Withever-fluidfrontlines,civiliansonthemoveacrossKachinandnorthernShanStatesfaceanincreasedriskposedbylandminesandotherremnantexplosives.59Securitylockdownsandongoingarmedconflicthaveledtowidespreadhealth,food,educationandassistancesuspensions.Overall,humanitarianaccesstoconflictareasinBurma/Myanmarcontinuetobepoliticizedandlimited,andaccordingtoanUNOCHAspokesperson,itiscurrentlyworsethanatanypointinthepastfewyears.60
Government-controlledareasinShanandKachinstateshaveusuallyreliedheavilyonlocal-andcommunity-basedhumanitarianaidorganizationstodeliverassistancebuteventheyarenowreportingobstaclesinoperations.Furthermore,despitetheincreaseinfighting,thegovernmentpersistswithitspolicythatdisplacedpeopleshouldcrossactivefrontlinestoreceiveaidatdesignatedpointsingovernment-controlledterritory,puttingthematgreaterriskofharmfromlandminesandremnantexplosives.61DawAungSanSuuKyiwaiteduntilFebruary2017todirectlyacknowledgethedeterioratingsecurityenvironmentinKachinState,withherOfficedonating300millionkyats($222,000USD)incashassistancetothosedisplaced.62Eventhen,thestatemediarefrainedfromassigningblameforthesituation,statingthatIDPshadbeenforcedtofleedueto“securityreasonsinKachinState.”63Priortothis,thegovernmenthadsimplydeniedtheexistenceofsomeIDPcampsandIDPs.AstheSpecialRapporteurhighlightedinherend-of-missionstatementon20January,2017,thestategovernmentoutrightdismissedherwhenshebroughtupKachinState’sZaiAwngCamp.64Overall,thegovernment’saidresponseisopaque,laggingandinsufficient.
SpecialRapporteurByMarch2018,thegovernmentshoulddevelopastrategyandtimelineforcomprehensiveminemappingandremoval,aswellassystematicmineriskandeducationactivitiesforcommunitiesinaffectedareas.65
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FundamentalFreedomsandDemocraticSpaceWhilesomerepressivelawsandprovisionshavebeenrepealedoramendedbytheNLD-ledgovernment,fundamentalfreedomsofexpression,assemblyandassociationcontinuetobecurtailedandthestatehasoftenallowedeconomicintereststoprevailoverprotectionofitscitizenry.Discriminationagainstethnicandreligiousminoritiespersists,oftenservingasanobstacletomeaningfulimplementationoradoptionofprogressivelegislation.Furthermore,thecurrentlegislativeandpolicymakingprocessinBurma/Myanmarremainsopaque,withoutasystematicprocessforpublicconsultationondraftlaws,amendments,orpolicies.
FreedomofExpression,AssemblyandAssociation
HumanRightsConcern/Issue GovernmentResponse UNRecommendationsWhiletherehasnotbeenthesamescaleandfrequencyofarrests,problematicprovisionsinthePeacefulProcessionandPeacefulAssemblyLaw,thePenalCode,theElectronicTransactionsLaw,theUnlawfulAssociationsLaw,andtheTelecommunicationsLawcontinuetobeusedtosilencecivilsocietyactors,journalists,ethnicminoritiesandhumanrightsdefenders.Asof20January2017,over40peoplewerefacingprosecutionfordefamationunder66(d)oftheTelecommunicationsLaw.66Theexistenceandvisiblepracticeofusingtheselawstosuppressdissenthasledtowidespreadself-censorshipamongmediaandcivilsocietyacrossthecountry.InNovember2016,long-timeMyanmarTimesreporterFionaMacGregorwasfired,67likelyforhercoverageofvictimsofethnicconflictsandwomen’sissues.68Thepracticeofbringingmultiplechargesacrossdifferenttownshipsforthesameoffence,orofbringingchargesforoffencesallegedlycommittedinthepast,continues.TheSpecialRapporteurhasalsoexpressedconcernoverthemonitoringandsurveillanceofcivilsocietyactorsandhumanrightsdefenders,aswellastheirplacementongovernment“blacklists”.69TheJanuary2017assassinationofconstitutionallegalexpertUKoNi,whohadreferredtothe2088military-draftedconstitutionasundemocraticandwas
Thegovernmentrepealedthe1975StateProtectionActandthe1950EmergencyProvisionsAct,bothtoolsprimarilyusedtosuppresspoliticaldissidentsandactivists,inMayandOctober2016respectively.71ImprovementstothePeacefulAssemblyandPeacefulProcessionLawof2011includetheremovaloftherequirementforpriorpermissionbeforeorganizingapublicdemonstration,requiringinsteadthatnotificationbegiven48hoursinadvance.Shortcomingsremain,however,includingtheretentionofcriminalpenalties,suchasforfailuretoprovideadvancenotification,andthelackofrecognitionforspontaneousassemblies.72Thegovernmentisalsointheprocessofreviewingcertainrepressivelaws,anddraftingothers,includingarighttoinformationbill.73However,becausethelegalprocessisopaqueanddevoidofadequateengagementwithcivilsocietyitisdifficulttoassessorascertaintheprogressonthesereviewsanddrafts.
SpecialRapporteurTheSpecialRapporteurreiteratespreviouscallsforthegovernmenttoceaseimmediatelythearbitraryarrestandprosecutionofthoseexercisingfundamentalfreedomsincludingthatofassembly,associationandexpression.Shealsomadeabroadcalltostop,investigateandredresssystematicallyanythreats,actsofintimidationorharassmentagainstmediaandcivilsocietyactors,74whichshehadcalledtobecompletedbyMarch2017.75TheSpecialRapporteurspecificallycalledforanindependentinvestigationwithinternationalassistanceintothekillingofUKoNi.76RegardingthePeacefulProcessionandAssemblyLaw,theSpecialRapporteurrecommendstheremovalof“undulyburdensome”provisions,includingtherequirementthatinformationaboutspeakers,theagendaandslogansused,beprovidedinadvance.77SherecommendsthatthegovernmentamendorrepealbyOctober2017,section18ofthePeacefulAssemblyandPeacefulProcessionLawandsection505(b)ofthePenalCode,anddropallchargescurrentlybeingbroughtagainstindividualsundertheseprovisions.Shealsorecommendsthatthegovernmentensurethatmultiplechargesarenotbroughtagainstindividualsforthesameoffence.Shespecificallyurgesthepromptpromulgationofarighttoinformationbill.78
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PoliticalPrisonersandHumanRightsDefenders
advisingDawAungSanSuuKyionconstitutionalamendments,isaparticularlystarkreminderofthelimitationsondemocraticspaceinthecountry.70
InhervisitstotheBurma/Myanmar,theSpecialRapporteurhasaskedthegovernmenttoensurethatthepeoplethatshespeakswithdoesnotfacereprisals.79Broadly,onallfundamentalfreedoms,theSpecialRapporteurrecommendsthatthegovernmentundertakeacomprehensivereviewoflegislationandlegalprovisionsthatlimitsuchfreedomsandcontraveneinternationalstandards,withcleartargetsfortheconclusionofthereview.UPRItalycallsonthegovernmentto“ensurethatthosewholegitimatelyexercisetheirrightstofreedomofexpressionandpeacefulassemblybenotsubjecttoreprisals.”80
HumanRightsConcern/Issue GovernmentResponse UNRecommendationsAsmentionedintheprevioussection,theUnlawfulAssociationLawandtheTelecommunicationsLawcontinuetobeusedastoolstoarrestanddetainpoliticalactivistsandhumanrightsdefenders.ThereleaseofallpoliticalprisonerswashighlightedbytheSpecialRapporteurasarecommendationtoachievewithintheNLD’sfirst100days.AsofJanuary2017,accordingtotheAssistanceAssociationforPoliticalPrisoners,alocalorganizationthatsupportsanddocumentspoliticalprisoners,thereare86politicalprisonersservingprisonsentences,and164awaitingtrial.81TheSpecialRapporteurnotedtheinadequateprisonconditionsinthecountryinherend-of-missionreportinJanuary2017.Asshereported,prisonsarenotequippedwithanindependentcomplainantsystem,and
Eversincetakingpower,AungSanSuuKyihaspledgedtoprioritizethereleaseofpoliticalprisoners.By17April2016,196prisonerswerereleased,including69studentsarrestedforprotestingtheNationalEducationLawinMarch2015.Apresidentialorderfrom16April,2016statedthatthereleaseswereintendedtobringaboutnationalreconciliation.86ThescrappingoftheEmergencyProvisionsAct,asdescribedtheabovesection,isapositivemove.Parliamenthasalsoapprovedtoabolishtherequirementtoreportovernightguestsinthe2012WardandVillageTractAdministrationLaw,whichwasnotoriousforitsmisusebytheformermilitaryregimetokeeptabsondissidents.87ThecurrentParliamentincludesover100formerpoliticalprisonersandhuman
SpecialRapporteurBeforeOctober2017,theSpecialRapporteurcallsforthereleaseofallpoliticalprisonersandtheprovisionofadequatecompensationandsupportforthem,includingpsychologicalsupportandemploymenttrainingafterrelease.ShehadoriginallysetabenchmarkforMarch2017.91Shealsocallsforacomprehensivereviewofallcases,andfortheformaldefinitionoftheterm“politicalprisoner”,basedonbroadandpublicconsultationwithallrelevantstakeholders,includingtheMinistryofHomeAffairsandtheMyanmarNationalHumanRightsCommission(MHHRC).92ByOctober2017,shecallsforthegovernmenttoundertakeacomprehensivereviewofallcases,basedonbroadandpublicconsultationswithallrelevantstakeholdersinviewofthediscrepanciesinthenumberofremainingpoliticalprisoners.
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Women,PeaceandSecurity
shacklesareusedasadditionalformsofpunishmentatsomehardlaborcamps.82WhiletheNLD-ledGovernmenthasreleasedatleast200politicalprisoners,governmentsupportandcompensationfortheseprisonersremainsnon-existent.83Manyofthereleasedarealsoclassifiedas“ex-criminals,”impedingtheiracquisitionoflegaldocumentslikepassportsandprofessionallicenses.Furthermore,mostofthepoliticalprisonersreleasedreceivedapresidentialcommutationoftheirsentencesundersection401oftheCriminalProcedureCode,whichgivesthePresidentbroadpowertoreturnindividualstoprisonifaconditionoftheirreleaseisnotsatisfied.84Amongthemanypendingpolitically-motivatedcasesofhumanrightsdefendersisthecaseofKhinKhinKyaw,amemberoftheUnionLawyers’&Paralegals’Association(formerlytheMyanmarLawyersNetwork)whoisfacingchargesundersection228ofthePenalCodeforfilingalegalmotiontoholdhigh-rankingofficialsresponsiblefortheiruseofexcessiveforceonstudentsprotestingtheNationalEducationLawincentralMyanmar’sBagoRegioninMarch2015.85Hercasecanbeconcludedin2017iffurtherdelaysdonotoccur.Hercasehighlightsthecontinuinglackofjudicialindependenceandunduedelaysthatcontraveneinternationalfairtrialstandards.
rightsdefenders.88InDecember2016,theMyanmarNationalHumanRightsCommission(MNHRC)andthePrisonsDepartmentjointlyinitiatedaprogramtoprovidehumanrightstrainingtoprisonofficials.89Butfundamentalproblemspersist.InJune2016,theMinistryofHomeAffairsdeniedanattemptbyagroupofformerpoliticalprisonerstodefine“politicalprisoner,”arguingthatdoingsowouldviolatetheconstitution.90
AlsobyMarch2018,shecallsforanoverarchingprisonlawinlinewithinternationalstandards,particularlyinrelationtotheminimumstandardsofaccommodationandaccesstohealthfacilities.ShecallsforthegovernmenttoratifytheInternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(ICCPR)byMarch2018.UPRTheBurma/MyanmarGovernmentshouldalsoratifytheInternationalConventionfortheProtectionofAllPersonsfromEnforcedDisappearance,theICCPR,andtheConventionagainstTorture,peritsacceptedrecommendationsfromthemostrecentUPRcycle.93
HumanRightsConcern/Issue GovernmentResponse UNRecommendationsBurma/Myanmardoesnothaveaspecificlawprotectingwomen’srights,andcurrentlypracticestheoutdatedPenalCode,whichdescribesoffensesandpenaltiesagainstwomeningenericterms.94ThecountryratifiedtheConventionontheEliminationofAllFormsofDiscriminationagainstWomen(CEDAW)in1997.CEDAWActionMyanmar,representing16localwomen’sgroups,releasedastatementtoCEDAWon4July2016describing“deeply
InDecember2016,thegovernmentreformedtheMyanmarNationalCommitteeforWomen’sAffairs(MNCWA),andsince2013hasbeenintheprocessofdraftinga19-chapterPreventionofViolenceAgainstWomenLawinconsultationwithwomen’sorganizations,theUN,andcivilsocietygroups.CivilsocietygroupswerehowevernotawareofanyorganizationalreformoftheMNCWA,andconsultationsforthenewlawwerenot
SpecialRapporteurRegardingthedraftPreventionofViolenceagainstWomenLaw,theSpecialRapporteur,inherAugust2016report,callsfortheretentionofspecificprovisionstoincreasecompliancewithCEDAW,includingacomprehensivedefinitionofrape,andprovisionsagainstrapeandotherformsofsexualviolencecommittedbythemilitary,policeanduniformedpersonnelintimesofconflict.TheLawshouldalsoaddressallformsofgender-basedviolence,
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rooteddiscrimination”and“entrenchedpatriarchy”inthecountry.Inaddition,theorganizationhighlightedthelackofaccountabilityforwomenseekingreparationsforviolationsanddiscrimination,alongwiththeirconsistentexclusionfrompoliticallife,includingthecurrentpeaceprocess.95
broadandinclusive,withwomenfromethnicandreligiousminoritiesexcluded.Thelaw,whichseekstocriminalizedomesticandeconomicviolence,andpsychological,sexualandphysicalabuseinlinewithinternationalstandards,96wasthesubjectofaparliamentarydiscussioninlateJanuary2017.OneprevailingobstacleisfromMaBaTha,97whoopposestheamendmentstothefourRaceandReligionProtectionLawsthatarenecessarytoensureharmonywiththeproposedlegislationonthepreventionofviolenceagainstwomen.InJuly2016,despitetheoverwhelmingevidencefromcivilsocietyorganizationsthathighlightsdiscriminationagainstwomeninBurma,thegovernmentdelegationtoCEDAW,ledbyUMaungWai,stated,“Duetonon-discriminatorytraditions,womendonotfacesocialbarriersineducation,jobsandcareeradvancement.”98UMaungWaisupportedhisstatementbydeclaringthattheparticipationofwomeninparliamenthasincreasedto13.5percentfrom4.4percentin2012.99
includingdomesticviolenceandmaritalrape,andprovideforadequatecriminalpenalties,includingthoseagainstthemilitary.ByOctober2017,thegovernmentshouldenactalawonthepreventionofviolenceagainstwomenthatiscompliantwithinternationallawandinlinewiththegovernment’sresponsibilitiesasapartyofCEDAW.UPRNumerouscountries,includingAustria,SwedenandtheUnitedKingdom,urgeBurma/Myanmartoadoptalegaldefinitionofdiscriminationalongwithalegalframeworkthatfullyprotectsagainstgender-baseddiscriminationandviolence.100Conventions/ResolutionsPeroneofUNCEDAW’s56recommendationsfrom2016,Burma/Myanmarmustremoveoramenddiscriminatorylaws,includingtheinterfaithlaws.
PeaceProcessSince2012,womenhavebeenunder-representedinthecountry’speaceefforts,andonmostpeaceprocesscommitteesandgovernmentbodies,womenhavebeenexcluded.
Theparticipationofwomeninthepeaceprocessstillappearstobeseverelylimited.ThenewlycreatedNationalReconciliationandPeaceCenter,despitebeingchairedbyDawAungSanSuuKyiherself,onlyoneofthe11membersisfemale.101Only8ofthe75membersoftheWorkingCommitteesundertheUnionPeaceDialogueJointCommittee(UPDJC)arefemale.102
SpecialRapporteurTheBurma/MyanmarGovernmentshouldincludeatleasta30percentrepresentationofwomenatalllevels,includingindelegations,andparticularlyinleadershiproles.Shealsocallsforabroadgenderedperspectivetobeintegratedintopoliticaldialogues.103TheSpecialRapporteurhadoriginallycalledforthistobeachievedbyMarch2017.104Conventions/ResolutionsAsaUNmemberstate,Burma/MyanmarmustalsoensurethatitisimplementingandmonitoringprogressonUNSecurityCouncilResolution1325bydevelopingaNationalActionPlan.Underthisresolution,Burma/Myanmarisrequiredtomaintain“increasedrepresentationofwomenatall
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FreedomofReligion
decision-makinglevelsinnational,regionalandinternationalinstitutionsandmechanismsfortheprevention,management,andresolutionofconflict.”105
HumanRightsConcern/Issue GovernmentResponse UNRecommendationsTheAssociationfortheProtectionofRaceandReligion,alsoknownasMaBaTha,continuestofuelreligioustensionsbypromotinghatespeech,andmaintainssignificantpoliticalleverage,inpartduetoitstiestotheformergovernment.ThegroupisparticularlyvocalaboutrejectingreformtotheProtectionofRaceandReligionLaws(2015),whichdiscriminatesagainstnon-Buddhists.ReligioustensionfueledbyMaBaThaoccasionallyresultsinactsofcommunalviolence.Forinstance,inJune2016,aBuddhistmobfromBagoRegionattackedaMuslimmananddestroyedhishouse.106Inaseparateincidentshortlyafter,aBuddhistmobinKachinStatetorchedaMuslimprayerhall.107Thecountry’sChristianpopulationisalsosubjectedtopersecution.InApril2016,aninfluentialBuddhistmonk,MyaingKyeeNgu,stokedreligioustensionsbybuildingpagodasnearchurchesandmosquespromptingconcernfromlocal,non-Buddhistreligiouscommunities.108
Whilenumerousleaders,includingDawAungSanSuuKyi,theMinisterforReligiousAffairsandCulture,aswelltheCommander-in-Chiefhavespokenagainstreligiousextremism,theBurma/MyanmarGovernment,hasnotyetannouncedhowitwillreviewtheProtectionofRaceandReligionlaws.109TheStateSanghaMahaNayakaCommittee(alsoknownasMaHaNa),anationalbodyofseniormonksoverseeingmattersoftheBuddhistfaith,hasdeclaredtheMaBaThaasa“notlawful”organization,therebyreducingitslegitimacy.110InJuly2016,thegovernmentcreatedtheEmergencyManagementCentralCommittee,taskedwithpreventingandmitigatinginterreligiousviolence.Rightsgroups,however,remainwaryofthemediaandprotest-counteringteamscreatedunderthemandateoftheCommittee.111
SpecialRapporteurTheSpecialRapporteurspecificallynamedthefourProtectionofRaceandReligionLaws,whichpromoteunequalrightsfornon-Buddhists,asapieceofdiscriminatorylegislationthatthegovernmentshouldrepealbeforeOctober2017.112Originally,shehadsuggestedadeadlineofMarch2017.113Tocultivateaculturethatpromotesinterfaithandintercommunaldialogue,theSpecialRapporteurrecommendseducationalcampaignsthatdeconstructdiscriminatorystereotypes.SherecommendsthatthisbedoneMarch2018.114TheSpecialRapporteurhasurgedthegovernmenttopubliclycondemnallactsofincitementtodiscrimination,hostilityandviolenceagainstminorities.ByOctober2017,thegovernmentshouldtakeconcretestepstoimplementacomprehensivesetofmeasurestocombatandpreventactsofincitementtodiscrimination,hostilityandviolenceagainstminorities,includingananti-discriminationlaworpolicy.115UPRTheUnitedStatesofAmerica,acurrentHRCmemberstate,andnumerousothercountriesechotheSpecialRapporteurintheUPR,urgingBurma/Myanmartorepealdiscriminatorylegislation.116Burma/Myanmarshouldcriminalizeseriousandextremeinstancesofincitementtohatred,andincreaseitseffortstocounterhatespeechandincitementtoviolence,assuggestedbyNewZealand.117
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Economic,Social,andCulturalRights
HumanRightsConcern/Issue GovernmentResponse UNRecommendationsLandRightsLanddisputesremainamajornationalproblem,withrisingdiscontentoverdisplacementforplantationagriculture,resourceextractionandinfrastructureprojects,oftenwithoutproperandmeaningfulconsultation,duediligence,oradequatecompensationforaffectedcommunities.Economicliberalization,combinedwiththesigningofbilateralceasefireagreementswithsomeethnicarmedorganizations,hasopenedaccesstoareaspreviouslybeyondthereachofBurma/MyanmarArmyforces,militarycronies,thegovernmentandforeigninvestors.Thishastheaddedeffectofcontributingtoincreasedtensions,particularlyinconflictzones,inwhichnaturalresourcesplayaroleinautonomyandcontrol.118AreportreleasedinJanuary2017bytheThanlwinCitizenEmpowermentProgramconcludesthatcurrentlegislationinBurma/Myanmarlegalizesunfairlandconfiscations,penalizessmall-scalefarmersanddiscriminatesagainstwomenowning,sellingorinheritingland.119Thegroupadvocatesforreviewandamendmentofthreemainlawsandpoliciesoverseeingthesector—theFarmlandLaw,theVacant,FallowandVirginLandsManagementLaw,andtheNationalLandUsePolicy.120TheNationalLandUsePolicy,adoptedin2016isintendedtoserveasthebasisforthedevelopmentandenactmentofanationallandlawthatwouldharmonizeandimproveuponexistinglandlaws.121Whilegenerallywellreceivedbycivilsociety,122itisravagedbyvaguelanguageandnoteworthygapslikesilenceontheongoingproblemoflandconcentration.123
InMay2016,theBurma/MyanmarGovernmentformedtheCentralReviewCommitteeonConfiscatedFarmlandsandOtherLands,taskedwithmonitoringhandlingoflanddisputesbystateanddivisionalgovernmentsandenablingthereturnoflandtodispossessedfarmers.124Whilethecommitteeoriginallyvowedtosettlealllandgrabbingcaseswithinsixmonths,125disputecasesarestillongoing.AsofNovember2016,only33ofthe2,056casessubmittedhavebeenresolved.126Concernsremainoverthecredibilityofthebody,asseveralindividualsworkingfortownship-andregion-levelcommitteeswereinvolvedinforcedlandseizuresunderpreviousgovernments,thussuggestingapossibleconflictofinterest.127ProposedamendmentstothetwomainlandlawswereannouncedtobeunderwayinFebruary2017,althoughspecificdetailswerenotprovided.128Inasimilarvein,theparliamentarycommissionchargedwithtargetinglegislationforreformhasidentifiedtheNationalLandUsePolicyasoneinlineforredress.129
SpecialRapporteurBeforeMarch2018,theSpecialRapporteurrecommendsthatthegovernmentdraftanoverarchinglandlawthatcomplieswithinternationalstandards,andbyOctober2017streamlinethecomplaintsprocedureforaddressinglanddisputes.130Thegovernmentshouldensurethatenvironmentalimpactassessmentproceduresareconsistentlyimplementedandenforced.ByOctober2017,theSpecialRapporteururgesthegovernmenttoratifytheInternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights(ICESCR).UPRAssuggestedbyGermanyandtheCzechRepublic,Burma/Myanmarmustcontinueofferingredressforthosewhohavehadtheirlandillegallyorarbitrarilyseizedunderpastgovernments,includingadequatecompensation.131Manycountries,includingEgypt,Switzerland,Portugal,Brazil,Ghana,andGermany,alsocallontheBurma/MyanmarGovernmenttoimmediatelyratifytheICESCR,whichitsignedinJuly2015.132
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NaturalResourcesExtractiveindustriesinBurma/Myanmaralsoposehealthandenvironmentalrisks.ProtestsareongoingovertheLetpadaungCopperMineinSagaingRegion,withthemostrecentoccurringinFebruary2017.133A2017AmnestyInternationalReporthighlightsthelackofenvironmentalriskassessmentperformedbythemineoperator,aswellastheirlackofconsultationwiththeaffectedcommunities,andcallsforasuspensionofthemineuntilallenvironmentalandhumanrightsconcernsareadequatelyinvestigatedandsafeguardsareputinplacetopreventfurtherabuse.134InFebruary2017,anotherninepeoplewerekilledbyacollapsingslagheapatKachinState’snotoriousHpakantjademines,135thesamesiteinwhichover100workerswerekilledduetounsafeworkingconditionsinNovember2015.Accidentslikethisoftenoccurduetothelackofenvironmentalsafeguardsputintoplacebysiteoperators.Additionalenvironmentalanddisplacementconcernshavearisenoversixproposedhydropowerprojects136ontheSalweenRiverspanningtheShan,Kayah,andKarenStates,andovertheplannedSpecialEconomicZones(SEZs),Dawei,Thilawa,andKyaukPhyu.137AreportreleasedFebruary2017bytheInternationalCommissionofJuristsconcludesthatBurma/Myanmar’slegalframeworkforSEZsdoesnotconformtothecountry’sobligationstointernationallaw,andcallsforamoratoriumonSEZdevelopmentuntilsuchaframeworkisadopted.138
TheBurma/MyanmarGovernment’sresponsetoextractivelandprojectsismixedandpatchy.ItcontinuestodeferonthedecisiontoproceedwiththehighlycontroversialMyitsoneDam,pendingfurtherresearchbytheAyeyarwadyRiverCommission.139ButinOctober2016,theMinistryofIndustryrenewedtheoperatinglicenseoftheMoeGyoacidfactorywhichprocessescopperfortheLetpadaungandSabetaungandKyisintaung(S&K)mines,despiteadecisionbytheSalyingyimunicipalitynottorenewthefactory’slicensependinganenvironmentandhealthimpactassessment.140Burma/MyanmarisnowfacingpossiblesuspensionfromtheExtractiveIndustriesTransparencyInitiativeBoard(EITI),giventhatthecurrentgovernmenthasyettoreformthemulti-stakeholdergroupnecessarytosubmititssecondcountryreportbytheMarch2017deadline.141
SpecialRapporteurByOctober2017,thegovernmentshouldalsoensureparticipatory,inclusive,andmeaningfulconsultationonalldevelopmentprojects,andconsiderallcommentsreceived.142Itshouldalsoconsideramoratoriumonalllarger-scaleprojectsuntilthisisachieved.143TheSpecialRapporteuralsoencouragesthatallnegotiationsoninvestmentprojectsbetweenBurma/MyanmarandforeignbusinessinvestorsapplythePrinciplesforResponsibleContracts,andallpartiesinvolvedabidebytheUNGuidingPrinciplesonBusinessandHumanRights.144Thegovernmentshouldtakeconcretestepstoreview,byMarch2018,legislation,regulationsandagreementsgoverningextractiveindustriesandmajordevelopmentprojectstoensuretheyincludetransparencyrequirementsandenvironmental,socialandhumanrightsprotection.Inaddition,itshouldensurethatbyOctober2017,allenvironmentalimpactassessmentproceduresareconsistentlyimplementedandenforced,andthatallinformationregardingsuchareaccessible.145
AccesstoEducation/HealthAccesstoadequatehealthcareandeducationcontinuestobeanissueacrossthecountry,especiallyforthoseinruralandconflict-affectedareas,andfortheinternallydisplaced.146InRakhineState,accesstoemergencymedicaltreatmentrequiresanonerousreferralprocess,andoftenseveralhours’travelandapoliceescort.Rakhinealsohasoneofthelowestliteracyratesinthecountry.147
ThegovernmenthasincreasedthebudgetoftheMinistriesofEducationandofSocialWelfare,ResettlementandRelief,amovethattheSpecialRapporteurwelcomedinhermostrecentreporttotheHRC.148Howeveritisunclearwhetherthefundswillbesufficientlyallocatedtothecommunitiesmostinneed.InDecember2016andFebruary2017respectivelythegovernmentadopted
SpecialRapporteurByOctober2017,thegovernmentshouldensureaccesstoadequatehealth,educationandotherbasicservicesforall,particularlyinRakhineState,aprioritythattheSpecialRapporteurhadrecommendedbedonebeforeMarch2017.TheSpecialRapporteururgesthatgovernmentincrementallyincreasetheageofcompulsoryeducationfrom10toatleast14years.151
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MyanmarNationalHumanRightsCommission(MNHRC)
theNationalHealthPlanwiththeultimategoalofachievinguniversalcoverageby2030,149andreleasedthecountry’sfirstnationaleducationplan.150
UPRPeranacceptedrecommendationproposedbyNigeria,acurrentmemberoftheHRC,thegovernmentshould“promoteandprotecttheenjoymentoffundamentalfreedomsandrightsofitscitizensintheareasofeducationandhealth…withoutdiscrimination.”152
HumanRightsIssue/Concern GovernmentResponse UNRecommendationsAsofAugust2016,theGlobalAllianceofNationalHumanRightsInstitutions(GANHRI)hasgiventheMNHRCastatusof“B”,whichdenotes“notfullyincompliancewiththeParisPrinciples.”153InherAugust2016reporttotheGeneralAssembly,theSpecialRapporteurrecognizedthecommission’scontinuedpromotionalandawareness-raisingactivities,includingaworkshoponminorityrightsco-organizedwiththeOHCHRinJune2016.However,concernsremainabouttheCommission’sselectionandappointmentprocess,financialindependence,andlackoffemalerepresentation.154TheSubcommitteeonAccreditationofGANHRIhasurgedtheCommissionto“interpretitsmandateinabroad,liberalandpurposivemanner,”andto“protectthehumanrightsofall,includingtherightsofRohingyaandotherminoritygroups.”155TheCommissioncontinuestosufferfromaseverelackofpublicconfidence.InJune2016,acoalitionof40NGOswrotetothePresidentcallingforgreatertransparencyandcooperationwithNGOs,andsuggestingthatsomemembersoftheCommissionbeelectedandnominatedbythepublic.156InSeptember2016,followingrevelationsthatmembersoftheMNHRCmishandledanunderagedomesticworkertorturecase,142civilsocietyorganizationssignedanopenlettertothePresidentcallingforreformofthebodyinaccordancewiththeParisPrinciples.157
TheCommissionhascontinueditsprisonvisitsandrecentlyaddressedissuesrelatedtolaborrights,forcedevictionsofsquatters,andtheallegedmurderoftwoindividualsbyamilitaryofficerinMonStateandtheallegedrapeandmurderoftwoKachinteachersbyBurma/MyanmarArmymembersinnorthernShanState.Despitethesepositivedevelopments,theCommissionremainsselectiveandinadequateinitsuptakeofcases,failing,forinstance,tointerveneinthesituationinthenorthernRakhineState.On6October2016,fourmembersoftheMNHRCresignedafterpublicbacklashovertheirmishandlingofunderagedomesticworkertorturecase,acasethathighlightsthesluggishnessandbiasthatmiresthebody.158WhilemembersofthebodyhavenotedtheMNHRClawinlimitingtheirabilitiestoadequatelyinvestigatehumanrightsabuses,thegovernmenthasbeenopaqueintheirreformofthelaw.
SpecialRapporteurTheSpecialRapporteurencouragesthefullimplementationoftherecommendationsmadebytheGANHRI,urgingtheCommissionto“actasanindependentandobjectivehumanrightsadvocateandnottoshyawayfromissuesdeemedsensitivetotheGovernment.”159UPRPertheacceptedrecommendationsbyseveralcountries,includingcurrentHRCmemberEgypt,Burma/MyanmarshouldcontinuetostrengthenitsnationalhumanrightsinstitutionsinlinewiththeParisPrinciples,whichmeansgrantingtheMNHRCautonomyandindependence.160
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RecommendationsTothegovernmentofBurma/MyanmarTheBurma/MyanmarGovernmenthasclearlyfailedtoadequatelyimplementthekeyrecommendationsproposedbytheSpecialRapporteurasprioritiestobeaddressedbyMarch2017.InherlatestreporttheSpecialRapporteurlaysoutclearrecommendationsanddetailedbenchmarkswithtimelines.Wesupportthese,andinadditiontotheUNrecommendationsprovidedabove,furtheremphasizethattheBurma/Myanmargovernmentshould:
• Supportindependentinternationalinvestigationintoallegedhumanrightsviolationsinallareasofescalatingconflictandincreasingmilitarization,includingnorthernRakhineState.Inthisregard,thegovernmentshouldurgentlysupportthecallmadebytheSpecialRapporteurandtheHighCommissionerforHumanRightsforanestablishmentofaUN-mandatedcommissionofinquiryorasimilarbody;
• SupporttheestablishmentofafullymandatedOHCHRcountryoffice;
• ImplementthebenchmarkssetoutbytheSpecialRapporteurinhermostrecentreporttotheCouncil(A/HRC/34/67),previousresolutionsonMyanmarpassedbytheCouncil,andallUPRrecommendations,atminimumthosethathavebeenacceptedbytheBurma/MyanmarGovernment.
TotheUNHumanRightsCouncilTheCouncilshouldpassaresolutionunderagendaitem4renewingthemandateoftheSpecialRapporteur.TheresolutionshouldalsoasinpastyearscallfortheestablishmentofafullymandatedcountryofficeofOHCHRinsidethecountry.Theresolutionshouldfurtherincludethefollowingelements:Conflictandgrosshumanrightsviolations:Humanitarianaccess:TheCouncilshouldurgethegovernmenttoensurethatsecurityoperationsarehaltedinallconflictareas,includingtheliftingofthecurfeworderinnorthernRakhineState.IndependentInternationalInvestigation:BoththeUNHighCommissionerforHumanRightsandtheUNSpecialRapporteurhavecalledforthecreationofacommissionofinquirytolookintograveallegationsofgrosshumanrightsabuses.CouncilmembersshouldurgentlysupporttheestablishmentofaUN-mandatedcommissionofinquiryorasimilarbodytoinvestigatesuchallegationsinallareasofescalatingconflictandincreasingmilitarization,includingthenorthernRakhineState.OHCHRandtheHighCommissionerforHumanRightshavefoundindicationsoftheverylikelycommissionofcrimesagainsthumanity.ThisshouldbereflectedandtheCouncilshouldbeexplicitinreferringtocrimesagainsthumanityinitscallsforinvestigations.WomenPeaceandSecurity:TheCouncilshouldreferinspecifictotheGeneralAssemblyresolution13/25initsresolutiononthecountry.Institutionalizeddiscrimination:Raceandreligionlaws:TheCouncilresolutionshouldnamethefourraceandreligionlawsaspiecesoflegislationtorepealoramend,astheiramendmentiscrucialforthedraftingandpromulgationofotherlawsaimedattacklingdiscrimination,includingthedraftpreventionofviolenceagainstwomenbill.Ruleoflawandfundamentalfreedoms:
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Constitutionalreform:TheCouncil’sresolutionshouldemphasizeontheneedforconstitutionalreformandtothisendaprocessofconsultationwithallrelevantstakeholdersonamendingthe2008Constitution.TheConstitutioninitscurrentformistheprimaryimpedimenttothefailureofruleoflawinthecountry.Repealoramendmentofrestrictivelaws:InadditiontotheUnlawfulAssembliesActandtheCitizenshipActtheresolutionshouldalsocallforthereformingofPeacefulProcessionandPeacefulAssemblyLaw,theElectronicTransactionsLaw,theUnlawfulAssociationsLaw,andtheTelecommunicationsLaw,thePenalCode,andthefourraceandreligionlaws.
1"EndOfMissionStatementBySpecialRapporteurOnTheSituationOfHumanRightsInMyanmar".2017.Ohchr.Org.http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21107&LangID=E.2InterviewsWithRohingyasFleeingFromMyanmarSince9October2016.2017.UnitedNationsHumanRightsOfficeoftheHighCommissioner.http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/MM/FlashReport3Feb2017.pdf.3Ibid.4TheIrrawaddy,.2017."TwoSoldiersInjuredInArakanStateClash".https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/two-soldiers-injured-arakan-state-clash.html.5TheGuardian,.2017."MyanmarViolence:DozensKilledAsArmyClashesWithRohingyaInRakhineState".https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/nov/14/myanmar-rohingya-violence-dozens-killed-army-clashes.6Slodkowski,Antonio.2017."Exclusive:MoreThan1,000FearedKilledInMyanmarArmyCrackdownOnRohingya-U.N.Officials".Reuters.http://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-rohingya-idUSKBN15N1TJ.7UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,SituationofhumanrightsofRohingyaMuslimsandotherminoritiesinMyanmar:ReportoftheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforHumanRights,A/HRC/32/18(28June2016),availablefromhttp://undocs.org/A/HRC/32/18.8Glauert,Rik.2017."Govt‘DeeplyConcerned’ByUNReportOfArakanStateHumanRightsAbuses".TheIrrawaddy.https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/govt-deeply-concerned-un-report-arakan-state-human-rights-abuses.html.9NaingZaw,Htet.2017."BurmaGovernmentAsksUNForMoreEvidenceOnHumanRightsClaims".TheIrrawaddy.https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/burma-government-asks-un-for-more-evidence-on-human-rights-claims.html.10InterimReportOfTheInvestigationCommissionOnMaungtaw.2017.TheRepublicoftheUnionofMyanmar.http://www.president-office.gov.mm/en/?q=issues/rakhine-state-affairs/id-7076.11TheMinistryofForeignAffairs,.2017.MinistryOfInformation.http://www.moi.gov.mm/moi:eng/?q=news/9/02/2017/id-9870.12AmnestyInternational,.2017.AmnestyInternationalAnnualReport2016/17.Myanmar.https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/asia-and-the-pacific/myanmar/report-myanmar/.13TheMinistryofForeignAffairs,.2017.MinistryOfInformation.http://www.moi.gov.mm/moi:eng/?q=news/9/02/2017/id-9870.14"UNHumanRights-Asia".2017.Facebook.Com.https://www.facebook.com/UNHumanRightsAsia/videos/915323971903980/.15"ViolenceInMyanmar'sRakhineStateCouldAmountToCrimesAgainstHumanity–UNSpecialAdviser".2017.UNNewsCentre.http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56117.16UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx.17Ibid.18UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.19UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx20"UPRInfo'sDatabaseOnUPRRecommendations".2017.UPRInfo.https://www.upr-info.org/database/.21Ibid.22"Looting,ArbitraryArrest,Torture,ForcedLabourByBurmaArmyInMuse,NorthernShanState".2017.Shanhumanrights.Org.http://www.shanhumanrights.org/eng/index.php/316-looting-arbitrary-arrest-torture-forced-labour-by-burma-army-in-muse-northern-shan-state.23NetworkforHumanRightsDocumentationBurma,.2016.ReportOnTheHumanRightsSituationInBurmaJanuary-December2016.http://kachinwomen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/2016reporteng.pdf.
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24Ibid.25AFarCryFromPeace:OngoingBurmaArmyOffensivesAndAbusesInNorthernBurmaUnderTheNLDGovernment.2016.KachinWomen'sAssociationThailand.http://kachinwomen.com/far-cry-from-peace-ongoing-burma-army-offensives-abuses-northern-burma-under-nld-government/.26"EndOfMissionStatementBySpecialRapporteurOnTheSituationOfHumanRightsInMyanmar".2017.Ohchr.Org.http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21107&LangID=E.27Lone,Wa.2017."InRareMove,MyanmarMilitaryAdmitsSoldiersKilledFiveVillagers".Reuters.http://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-military-massacre-idUSKCN10016W.28Nyein,Nyein.2017."BurmaArmySoldierSentencedToTwoYearsOverStudent’SDeath".TheIrrawaddy.https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/burma-army-soldier-sentenced-to-two-years-over-students-death.html.29Ibid.30WENG,LAWIandRIKGLAUERT.2017."MissingKachinPastorsConfirmedDetainedByBurmaArmy".TheIrrawaddy.https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/missing-kachin-pastors-confirmed-detained-by-burma-army.html.31Ibid.32UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx.33Ibid.34Kelly,Nicola.2017."Kachin'sCivilians:FromViolenceToHopelessness".Aljazeera.http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/07/kachin-civilians-violence-hopelessness-160731122826184.html.35InterviewsWithRohingyasFleeingFromMyanmarSince9October2016.2017.UnitedNationsHumanRightsOfficeoftheHighCommissioner.http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/MM/FlashReport3Feb2017.pdf.36KaladanPressNetwork,.2017."WitnessToHorrorRohingyaWomenSpeakOutAboutMyanmarArmyRapeAndOtherAtrocitiesInMaungdaw".https://kaladanpress.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/witness-to-horro_english-final.pdf.37Women'sLeagueofBurma,.2017.PressReleaseOnNewBriefingPaperCallsForAnEndToInstitutionalizedImpunityForState-SponsoredSexualViolenceInBurma.http://womenofburma.org/press-release-on-new-briefing-paper-calls-for-an-end-to-institutionalized-impunity-for-state-sponsored-sexual-violence-in-burma-2/.38KarenWomenOrganisation.2016."KWOMessage:On-GoingUseOfRapeByBurmaArmy".KarenWomenOrganisation.https://karenwomen.org/2016/12/05/kwo-message-on-going-use-of-rape-by-burma-army/.39Nebehay,Stephanie.2017."Myanmar'sSuuKyiVowsToInvestigateCrimesAgainstRohingya-U.N.'SZeid".Reuters.http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-myanmar-rohingya-un-idUKKBN15I165.40MyanmarInvestigationCommissionSaysitCannotVerifyUNReportonRakhineViolence."February14,2017.RadioFreeAsia.http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmar-investigation-commission-says-it-cannot-verify-un-report-on-rakhine-violence-02142017144854.html.41“FamiliesofKachinTeachersRapedandMurderedStillWaitingforJustice:UKPetitionCallsonBritishGovernmenttoTakeAction.”KarenNews.January22nd2017.http://karennews.org/2017/01/families-of-kachin-teachers-raped-and-murdered-still-waiting-for-justice-uk-petition-calls-on-british-government-to-take-action.html/.42“WitnesstohorrorRohingyawomenspeakoutaboutMyanmarArmyrapeandotheratrocitiesinMaungdaw.”KaladanPressNetwork.February2017.https://kaladanpress.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/witness-to-horro_english-final.pdf.43UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx44"UPRInfo'sDatabaseOnUPRRecommendations".2017.UPRInfo.https://www.upr-info.org/database/.45Ibid.46“BurmaSaysSecurityOperationinTroubledArakanHasEnded.”TheIrrawaddy.16February2017.https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/burma-says-security-operation-troubled-arakan-ended.html.47“Atleast92,000peopledisplacedafterOctoberattacksonpolicepostsinnorthernRakhine.”OCHAHumanitarianBulletin.October2016-January2017.http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Myanmar%20Humanitarian%20Bulletin-%20October%202016-Jan%202017.pdf.48UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.49“Atleast92,000peopledisplacedafterOctoberattacksonpolicepostsinnorthernRakhine.”OCHAHumanitarianBulletin.October2016-January2017.http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Myanmar%20Humanitarian%20Bulletin-%20October%202016-Jan%202017.pdf.50“HaveBurmaArmyOperationsinNorthernArakanStateReallyEnded?”TheIrrawaddy.25February2017.https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/have-burma-army-operations-in-northern-arakan-state-really-ended.html.
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51UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.52UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx.53UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.54"UPRInfo'sDatabaseOnUPRRecommendations".2017.UPRInfo.https://www.upr-info.org/database/.55Ibid.56“Atleast92,000peopledisplacedafterOctoberattacksonpolicepostsinnorthernRakhine.”OCHAHumanitarianBulletin.October2016-January2017.http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Myanmar%20Humanitarian%20Bulletin-%20October%202016-Jan%202017.pdf.57“ChinaDeniesTurningBackKachinRefugees.”TheIrrawaddy.18January2017.https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/china-denies-turning-back-kachin-refugees.html.58“Atleast92,000peopledisplacedafterOctoberattacksonpolicepostsinnorthernRakhine.”OCHAHumanitarianBulletin.October2016-January2017.http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Myanmar%20Humanitarian%20Bulletin-%20October%202016-Jan%202017.pdf.59Ibid.60“UNBlockedFromDeliveringAidtoKachinRefugees.”TheIrrawaddy.21December2016.http://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/un-blocked-from-delivering-aid-to-kachin-refugees.html.61“Atleast92,000peopledisplacedafterOctoberattacksonpolicepostsinnorthernRakhine.”OCHAHumanitarianBulletin.October2016-January2017.http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Myanmar%20Humanitarian%20Bulletin-%20October%202016-Jan%202017.pdf.62“SuuKyi’sofficedonatestoKachinIDPsinrarenodtoconflict.”DVB.3February2017http://www.dvb.no/news/suu-kyis-office-donates-kachin-idps-rare-nod-conflict/73929.63“StateCounsellorpresentscashassistancetodisplacedpersons.”TheGlobalNewLightofMyanmar.2February2017http://www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com/state-counsellor-presents-cash-assistance-to-displaced-persons/64"EndOfMissionStatementBySpecialRapporteurOnTheSituationOfHumanRightsInMyanmar".2017.Ohchr.Org.http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21107&LangID=E.65UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx.66"EndOfMissionStatementBySpecialRapporteurOnTheSituationOfHumanRightsInMyanmar".2017.Ohchr.Org.http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21107&LangID=E.67“MonthlyChronologyofNovember2016andCurrentPoliticalPrisonerslist.”AssistanceAssociationforPoliticalPrisoners.1November2016.http://aappb.org/2016/12/monthly-chronology-of-november-2016-and-current-political-prisoners-list/.68“TheMuzzlingoftheMyanmarTimes.”TheMyanmarTimes.27February2017.http://frontiermyanmar.net/en/the-muzzling-of-the-myanmar-times.69UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.70“BrazenKillingofMyanmarLawyerCameAfterHeSparredWithMilitary.”TheNewYorkTimes.2February2017.https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/02/world/asia/myanmar-ko-ni-lawyer-constitution-military.html.71“Hluttawsrevokeoppressivestateprotectionlaw.”TheMyanmarTimes.26May2016.http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/nay-pyi-taw/20512-hluttaws-revoke-oppressive-state-protection-law.html.72UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.73“InMyanmar,‘righttoknow’legislationleftlagging.”TheMyanmarTimes.18November2016.http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/yangon/23756-in-myanmar-right-to-know-legislation-left-lagging.html.74UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx.
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75UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.76UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx.77UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.78Ibid.79EndOfMissionStatementBySpecialRapporteurOnTheSituationOfHumanRightsInMyanmar".2017.Ohchr.Org.http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21107&LangID=E.80"UPRInfo'sDatabaseOnUPRRecommendations".2017.UPRInfo.https://www.upr-info.org/database/.81“AAPPJanuary2017Chronology,”AssistanceAssociationforPoliticalPrisoners(Burma),lastmodifiedFebruary14,2017,http://aappb.org/2017/02/aapp-b-monthly-chronology-of-jan-2017-and-current-political-prisoners-list/.82“EndofMissionStatementbySpecialRapporteurontheSituationofHumanRightsinMyanmar,”OfficeoftheHighCommissionerforHumanRights,lastmodifiedJanuary20,2017,http://www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=21107&LangID=E.83“AfterReleaseIHadtoRestartMyLifeFromtheBeginning:TheExperiencesofEx-politicalPrisonersinBurmaandChallengestoReintegration,”AssistanceAssociationforPoliticalPrisonersandtheFormerPoliticalPrisonersSociety,lastmodifiedMay25,2016,http://www.burmapartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Report-eng.pdf.84UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.85“Myanmar:DropChargesAgainstHumanRightsLawyerKhinKhinKyaw,”FortifyRights,lastmodifiedOctober14,2015,http://www.fortifyrights.org/publication-20151014.html.86UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.87“ParliamentApprovesAmendedWard,VillageTractLaw,”MyanmarTimes,lastmodifiedNovember22,2016,http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/nay-pyi-taw/23815-parliament-approves-amended-ward-village-tract-law.html.88UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.89“PrisonOfficialstobeOfferedHumanRightsTraining,”MyanmarTimes,lastmodifiedDecember13,2016,http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/yangon/24169-prison-officials-to-be-offered-human-rights-training.html.90“PoliticalPrisonersGroupPushesNLDtoDoMore,”MyanmarTimes,lastmodifiedJuly19,2016,http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/21451-political-prisoners-group-pushes-nld-to-do-more.html.91UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.92UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.93"UPRInfo'sDatabaseOnUPRRecommendations".2017.UPRInfo.https://www.upr-info.org/database/.94“Women’sRightsBilltogotoParliamentin2017,”TheIrrawaddy,lastmodifiedDecember8,2016,http://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/womens-rights-bill-to-go-to-parliament-in-2017.html.95“CEDAWDiscussesSituationofWomeninthePhilippines,MyanmarandFranceWithCivilSocietyRepresentatives,”OfficeoftheHighCommissionerforHumanRights,lastmodifiedJuly4,2016,http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=20238&LangID=E.96“DraftLawCouldSeeMenJailedforDeceitfulPromisesofMarriage,”MyanmarTimes,lastmodifiedJanuary3,2017,http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/24386-draft-law-could-see-men-jailed-for-deceitful-promises-of-marriage.html.97“MaBaThaResistsReformstoRaceandReligionLaws,”TheIrrawaddy,lastmodifiedJanuary27,2017,https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/ma-ba-tha-resists-reforms-to-race-and-religion-laws.html.98“‘WomenDoNotFaceSocialBarriers’,MyanmarCEDAWDelegationTellsExpertsinGeneva”,MyanmarTimes,lastmodifiedJuly11,2016,http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/21299-women-do-not-face-social-barriers-myanmar-cedaw-delegation-tells-experts-in-geneva.html.99Ibid.
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100"UPRInfo'sDatabaseOnUPRRecommendations".2017.UPRInfo.https://www.upr-info.org/database/.101“NationalReconciliationandPeaceCenterformed,”TheRepublicoftheUnionofMyanmarMinistryofInformation,lastmodifiedJuly12,2016,http://www.moi.gov.mm/moi:eng/?q=announcement/12/07/2016/id-7666.102“RepublicoftheUnionofMyanmarUnionPeaceDialogueJointCommittee,”TheRepublicoftheUnionofMyanmarPresidentOffice,http://www.president-office.gov.mm/en/?q=briefing-room/notifications/2017/02/17/id-7287.103UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx.104UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.105http://www.securitycouncilreport.org/atf/cf/%7B65BFCF9B-6D27-4E9C-8CD3-CF6E4FF96FF9%7D/WPS%20SRES1325%20.pdf.106“ResidentsFlee,PoliceMoveinAfterMobViolenceTargetsMuslimsinBagoVillage,”MyanmarTimes,lastmodifiedJune27,2016,http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/21055-residents-flee-police-move-in-after-mob-violence-targets-muslims-in-bago-village.html.107“AggressiveBuddhistMobTorchesMuslimPrayerHallinHpakantTownship,”ArakanTimes,lastmodifiedJuly2,2016,http://www.arakantimes.org/2016/07/02/aggressive-buddhist-mob-torches-muslim-prayer-hall-in-hpakant-township/.108“ConcernasMyanmarBuddhistMonkBuildsStupasatChristian,MuslimSites,”RadioFreeAsia,lastmodifiedApril27,2016,http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmar-buddhists-04272016170904.html.109“Government’sFirst100DaysFailtoImpressOnHumanRights,FIDH,lastmodifiedJuly10,2016,https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/burma/government-s-first-100-days-fail-to-impress-on-human-rights.110“State-BackedMonks’CouncilDecriesMaBaThaas‘Unlawful’,”TheIrrawaddy,lastmodifiedJuly13,2016,http://www.irrawaddy.com/factiva/state-backed-monks-council-decries-ma-ba-tha-as-unlawful.html.111“TaskForceLaunchedtoStemReligiousViolence,”MyanmarTimes,lastmodifiedJuly18,2016http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/21426-task-force-launched-to-stem-religious-violence.html.112UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx.113UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.114UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx.115Ibid.116"UPRInfo'sDatabaseOnUPRRecommendations".2017.UPRInfo.https://www.upr-info.org/database/.117Ibid.118“TheMeaningofLandinMyanmar,”TransnationalInstitute,lastmodifiedNovember22,2015,https://www.tni.org/files/publication-downloads/tni_primer-burma-digitaal.pdf.119“ReportUrgesReviewOfLandLawstoProtectSmall-ScaleFarmers,”MyanmarTimes,January18,2017,http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/yangon/24585-report-urges-review-of-land-laws-to-protect-small-scale-farmers.html.120Ibid.121“NationalLandUsePolicy”TheRepublicoftheUnionofMyanmar,lastmodifiedJanuary2016,http://extwprlegs1.fao.org/docs/pdf/mya152783.pdf.122“TheFarmerBecomestheCriminal:LandConfiscationinBurma’sKarenState,”HumanRightsWatch,November2016,https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/report_pdf/burma1116_web_0.pdf.123“Assessmentof6thDraftoftheNationalLandUsePolicy(NLUP),”TransnationalInstitute,lastmodifiedJune2015,https://www.tni.org/files/publication-downloads/nlup-6-key_points.pdf.124“ReturnofSeizedLandaTopNLDPriority:DeputyAgricultureMinister,”TheIrrawaddy,lastmodifiedMay12,2016,http://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/return-of-seized-land-a-top-nld-priority-deputy-agriculture-minister.html.125“GovtCommitteetoSettleAllLandGrabCasesinSixMonths,”TheIrrawaddy,lastmodifiedJuly1,2016,http://www.irrawaddy.com/burma/govt-committee-to-settle-all-land-grab-cases-in-six-months.html.126“VPAddressesLandGrabIssuestoCentralCommittee,”GlobalNewLightofMyanmar,November2,2016,http://www.globalnewlightofmyanmar.com/vp-addresses-land-grab-issues-to-central-committee/.127“CommitteeforSolvingLandDisputesAccusedofConflictofInterest,”MyanmarTimes,lastmodifiedSeptember28,2016,http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/nay-pyi-taw/22765-committee-for-solving-land-disputes-accused-of-conflict-of-interest.html.
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128“TwoLawsToBeAmendedToSolveLandDisputes,”MyanmarTimes,lastmodifiedFebruary14,2017,http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/nay-pyi-taw/24943-two-laws-to-be-amended-to-solve-land-disputes.html.129“ParliamentaryCommissionAdvisesOverhaulOfNationalLandUsePolicy,”MyanmarTimes,lastmodifiedDecember1,2016,http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/nay-pyi-taw/23986-parliamentary-commission-advises-overhaul-of-national-land-use-policy.html.130UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.131"UPRInfo'sDatabaseOnUPRRecommendations".2017.UPRInfo.https://www.upr-info.org/database/.132Ibid.133“LocalProtestersBlockRoadtoLetpadaungCopperMine,”TheIrrawaddy,lastmodifiedFebruary22,2017,https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/local-protesters-block-road-to-letpadaung-copper-mine.html.134“Myanmar:MountainOfTrouble:HumanRightsAbusesContinueAtMyanmar’sLetpadaungMine”AmnestyInternational,lastmodifiedFebruary10,2017,https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/asa16/5564/2017/en/.135“NineJadeScavengersDieinLandslideatHpakantMine,”RadioFreeAsia,lastmodifiedhttp://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/nine-jade-scavengers-die-in-landslide-at-hpakant-mine-02102017160050.html.136“CSSUSlamGovtPlanstoDamtheSalween,”KarenNews,lastmodifiedSeptember2,2016,http://karennews.org/2016/09/cssu-slam-govt-plans-to-dam-the-salween.html/.137“ResponsibleInvestmentinKyaukPhyuSpecialEconomicZone,”MyanmarTimes,lastmodifiedFebruary23,2017,http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/opinion/25067-responsible-investment-in-kyauk-phyu-special-economic-zone.html.138“Myanmar:AmendSpecialEconomicZonesLawToProtectHumanRights–NewICJReport,”InternationalCommissionofJurists,lastmodifiedFebruary27,2017,https://www.icj.org/myanmar-amend-special-economic-zones-law-to-protect-human-rights-new-icj-report/.139“LongerWaitForFinalWordonMyitsoneDamProject,”MyanmarTimes,lastmodifiedFebruary8,2017,http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/24860-longer-wait-for-final-word-on-myitsone-dam-project.html.140“Myanmar2016/2017,”AmnestyInternational,https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/asia-and-the-pacific/myanmar/report-myanmar.141“EITIConsideringMyanmar’sLast-MinuteRequestForExtension,”FrontierMyanmar,lastmodifiedFebruary15,2017,http://frontiermyanmar.net/en/eiti-considering-myanmars-last-minute-request-for-extension.142UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx.143UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.144UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx.145Ibid.146“EndofMissionStatementbytheSpecialRapporteurontheSituationofHumanRightsinMyanmar,”UnitedNationsInformationCentreYangon,July1,2016,http://yangon.sites.unicnetwork.org/2016/07/01/end-of-mission-statement-by-the-special-rapporteur-on-the-situation-of-human-rights-in-myanmar/.147UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,SituationofhumanrightsofRohingyaMuslimsandotherminoritiesinMyanmar:ReportoftheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforHumanRights,A/HRC/32/18(28June2016),availablefromhttp://undocs.org/A/HRC/32/18.148UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx.149“MyanmarNationalHealthPlan2017-2021,”lastmodifiedDecember15,2016,http://www.3mdg.org/sites/3mdg.org/files/publication_docs/myanmar_national_health_plan_fourpager_13dec_1.pdf.150“Burma’sNationalEducationPlanFocusesonLifelongLearning,”TheIrrawaddy,lastmodifiedFebruary24,2017,https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/burmas-national-education-plan-focuses-lifelong-learning.html.151UnitedNations,HumanRightsCouncil,ReportoftheSpecialRapporteuronthesituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar,A/HRC/34/67(1March2017),availablefromhttp://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/RegularSessions/Session34/Pages/ListReports.aspx.152"UPRInfo'sDatabaseOnUPRRecommendations".2017.UPRInfo.https://www.upr-info.org/database/.153“ChartoftheStatusofNationalInstitutions,”GlobalAllianceofNationalHumanRightsInstitutions,lastmodifiedAugust5,2016,http://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/NHRI/ChartStatusNHRIs.pdf.
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154UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.155Ibid.156“TheFightforYourRights,”FrontierMyanmar,lastmodifiedSeptember13,2016,http://frontiermyanmar.net/en/the-fight-for-your-rights.157“OpenLettertoPresidentRegardingMyanmarNationalHumanRightsCommissionReform,”BurmaPartnership,lastmodifiedSeptember28,2016,http://www.burmapartnership.org/2016/09/26837/.158“MyanmarNationalHumanRightsCommissionersResigninMaidAbuseScandal,”RadioFreeAsia,lastmodifiedOctober10,2016,http://www.rfa.org/english/news/myanmar/myanmar-national-human-rights-commissioners-10062016153158.html.159UnitedNations,GeneralAssemblySituationofhumanrightsinMyanmar:NotebytheSecretary-General,A/71/361(29August2016),availablefromhttps://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N16/272/60/PDF/N1627260.pdf?OpenElement.160"UPRInfo'sDatabaseOnUPRRecommendations".2017.UPRInfo.https://www.upr-info.org/database/.
