Popular participation rights: reports of violations in Burma

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Description: A number of Burma reports and press releases. Unfortunately, some of the most important reports from the early '90s are missing (not even mentioned as available in hard copy)
Source/publisher: Human Rights Watch
Date of entry/update: 2003-06-03
Grouping: Websites/Multiple Documents
Language: English
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Individual Documents

Topic: Health, Protection and Human Rights
Topic: Health, Protection and Human Rights
Description: "Move by the National Union Government towards a Federal Union Army will see a more formal conflict develop. OVERVIEW Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG), established by opponents of army rule, declared on 05 May that it would establish a “People’s Defence Force” as protection against government violent attacks towards its members. The statement noted that this was a prelude to establishing a Federal Union Army “in order to terminate the 70-year-long civil war.” The Tatmadaw also responded with heavy weapons after reports that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) shot down a military helicopter in the vicinity of Konelaw village, Moemauk Township, Kachin State on 4 May. The risk of deterioration within Myanmar was highlighted by Zhang Jun, the Chinese Ambassador to the UN, in one of China’s strongest statements yet, when he warned that further violence in Myanmar could lead to “civil war”. ANALYSIS We predicted in our previous alert (27 Apr: Myanmar Border Area Clashes) that any further violence either along the Thai border area or between the Tatmadaw and the militia units (in this instance the Karen National Union - KNU) would likely escalate. Violent episodes are intensifying: on 4 May bomb blasts were reported in Myaing Township on 4 May, as were further clashes in Chin state, near the border with India, between the Chinland Defence Force (CDF) and Myanmar troops. The move by the NUG towards a Federal Union Army is highly likely in response to these clashes and would build a coordinated force against the Tatmadaw. Indeed, local sources have reported that units have been training “in the jungle” for several months and that militias have been using illegal arms traders to build up supplies of weapons. PREDICTION The move by the NGU to establish a Federal Union Army, along with the intensifying number of incidents, and the UN Chinese Ambassador’s comments points to the high probability that a more formal civil war phase is imminent. Cross border illicit arms trading will see a major increase, whilst the Tatmadaw will likely receive more military support from China, and possibly India; both have geopolitical interests in supporting the Myanmar government. Both militia units and the “People’s Defence Force/Federal Union Army” are likely to receive illicit aid from countries opposed to either India or China. The numbers of IDPs within the country, and refugees seeking shelter on the Thai/Indian border is likely to increase, leading to the possibility of further spread of COVID-19 within the country and region – as Myanmar appears to heading into a third wave of the virus, with no effective vaccine deployment in place. MITIGATION Organisations should carefully consider whether to deploy staff within 10 miles of the border areas – especially the China/Myanmar border region. Vary routes into and out of projects as often as possible. All staff should remove themselves from social media (if internet still available), remove satellite dishes from homes (if outside of main cities), and where possible, organisations should ensure that staff have a removable hard drive, and emphasize strict IT safeguarding protocols. Reinforce use of PPE and checking in protocols..."
Source/publisher: Insecurity Insight via "Reliefweb" (New York)
2021-05-05
Date of entry/update: 2021-05-10
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
Format : pdf
Size: 299.32 KB
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Description: ''Two years since Myanmar’s most prominent constitutional and human rights lawyer Ko Ni was assassinated in broad daylight and still there is no justice in sight. The lack of closure is all the more telling considering Ko Ni had high-level ties to the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party and was working from behind the scenes to amend a constitution that gives disproportionate political and administrative powers to the military. Ko Ni was shot and killed on January 29, 2017 while leaving a terminal building at Yangon’s international airport upon his return from a trip overseas. Kyi Lin, the gunman, was captured at the scene after a struggle in which he also shot and killed a taxi driver, Nay Win, who heroically ran after the assailant. Ko Ni’s burial in accordance with Muslim rituals, was carried out within 24 hours of his death. At his funeral, the road to the Muslim cemetery in Yangon’s North Okkalapa suburb was lined with cars, minivans and buses as thousands of people came to pay their last respects....''
Source/publisher: Asia Times
2019-01-29
Date of entry/update: 2019-01-31
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: ''“This brazen killing of a prominent democracy advocate demands a rigorous State response to show this type of crime will be fully punished,” said Frederick Rawski, the ICJ’s Director for Asia and the Pacific. Despite an official investigation and reports of more than 100 court hearings, nobody has been held accountable for U Ko Ni’s death – criminally or otherwise – and the circumstances have not yet been satisfactorily explained. “Myanmar simply cannot satisfy its international law obligations without conducting an impartial and independent investigation that is free of military influence. Such an investigation is a pre-requisite for conducting an effective prosecution in a fair trial setting,” added Rawski. U Ko Ni was well known as a vocal advocate for human rights and democratic reform in Myanmar. As an adviser to the National Legal of Democracy party, he was involved in creating the position of State Counselor, which formalized a leadership role for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, despite a constitutional provision barring her from the Presidency...''
Source/publisher: International Commission of Jurists (ICJ)
2019-01-29
Date of entry/update: 2019-01-31
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: Executive Summary: "In May 2008, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) held a referendum in which citizens of Burma were asked to vote on a new national constitution for the country. This report provides an overview of that process and offers a detailed assessment of the conduct of the referendum within Kachin State, and northern Shan State. Based on that assessment, this report concludes that the referendum was a sham ? the Kachin State Referendum Commission clearly intended to ensure the approval of the draft constitution regardless of public sentiment. Officials engineered victory through the pervasive abuse of voters? basic rights and engaged in widespread fraud. In short, the May 2008 referendum is not a legitimate measure of citizens? consent to be governed, but rather a reflection of the government?s determination to impose its rule regardless of public sentiment. As the fourth ?step” in the ?Road Map to Democracy”, the conduct of the referendum is illustrative of ?Disciplined Democracy” and bodes poorly for the promised elections in 2010. The Institute for Political Analysis and Documentation (IPAD) has produced this report in order to raise the public?s awareness about the illegitimate character of the referendum. IPAD is an independent policy research and training center devoted to Burma. Founded in January 2008, IPAD promotes democracy, human rights and accountable governance through a range of initiatives including political analysis, human rights documentation, and grassroots roots training initiatives."...N.B. A Google search found no website or publications other than "No Real Choice" by IPAD, which in the press release states that: "IPAD promotes democracy, and accountable governance in Burma through a range of initiatives including political analysis, human rights assessments, and grassroots roots training initiatives."
Source/publisher: Institute for Political Analysis and Documentation (IPAD)
2009-05-08
Date of entry/update: 2009-05-08
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English, Burmese
Format : pdf pdf pdf
Size: 1.31 MB 804.06 KB 122.38 KB
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Description: Am 10. Mai wird Burmas Bevölkerung an die Urne gerufen, um über die neue Verfassung abzustimmen. Dabei legt die burmesische Militärjunta ein kleines Lehrstück vor, wie Demokratie bei einer Volksabstimmung zur Farce wird. Politische Gefangene; referendum 2008; political prisoners
Creator/author: Christine Pluess, Arbeitskreis Tourismus & Entwicklung
Source/publisher: Fairunterwegs
2008-04-29
Date of entry/update: 2008-05-03
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: German, Deutsch
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Description: By The Irrawaddy "The regime in Rangoon has proven the naysayers right once again. The May 30 clash in Upper Burma, and the crackdown that followed, should remind the junta?s apologists and other optimists hoping for a happy ending to the country?s political drama that national reconciliation in Burma is a long, long way away. The events on Black Friday demonstrate clearly it?s time for the international community to take action against Burma. Failing to act ignores the suffering of the Burmese people and acknowledges the junta?s ultimate victory—a triumph scored by attrition rather than a knockout blow. The script is familiar. Suu Kyi is detained by the regime. Advocates for democracy in Burma call for her release. The generals hold firm, defying international condemnation, then give in a little. Suu Kyi is finally freed and the world applauds. International opinion is successfully manipulated. Asean, Japan and some nations in the West express appreciation for the concession and begin speaking of the junta?s democratic will. Rangoon?s victory is rewarded with more trade and more aid. Meanwhile, the opposition remains stonewalled..."
Source/publisher: "The Irrawaddy" Vol. 11, No. 5
2003-06-00
Date of entry/update: 2003-09-18
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
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Description: OVERVIEW; RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL FREEDOM; INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION; NATIONAL PARTICIPATION; LOCAL PARTICIPATION; WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION IN OPPOSITION MOVEMENTS; CONSEQUENCES OF POLITICAL ACTIVITY; WOMEN'S POLITICAL ACTIVITIES IN EXILE; WOMEN IN BURMA'S POLITICAL FUTURE; FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS.
Creator/author: Brenda Belak
Source/publisher: Images Asia
2002-01-00
Date of entry/update: 2003-06-03
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language: English
Format : pdf
Size: 825.12 KB
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