Companies acquired concessions amounting to the size of a small European country, while rural residents of Southeast Asia’s Mekong region saw their landholdings shrink or disappear over the past two decades, according to researchers.
Burmese human rights lawyer Robert San Aung described Moe Yan Naing’s incarceration for 129 days without family visits as “not in line with the law”.
Prominent human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has joined the legal team representing two Reuters reporters jailed in Burma, who are accused of possessing secret government papers, her office said on Thursday.
The son of Burma’s former sports minister Tint San is also charged for possessing uniforms and logos of the Burmese military and police force.
A draft bill to amend the controversial article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law has been submitted to the Upper House.
Several prominent voices claim the arrest of the three Burmese reporters was unlawful or unconstitutional.
Arakan Lead Story News Rohingya
The United Nations on Tuesday appointed an Indian human rights lawyer and two other experts to a fact-finding mission investigating alleged killings, rape and torture by security forces against Rohingya Muslims in Burma’s Arakan State.
Foreign Affairs Human Rights Lead Story News
There has been no new wave of killings prompted by the Philippines’ war on drugs, and reports to the contrary are “alternative facts,” an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte tells the UN Human Rights Council.
Foreign Affairs Lead Story News
A prominent Thai human rights lawyer faces a prison term of up to 150 years if convicted on 10 counts of royal defamation under Thailand’s harsh royal insult law, a legal watchdog says.
Burma’s police blamed “extremist patriotism” for the murder of respected human rights lawyer Ko Ni.
Analysis ASEAN Contributor International Relations Lead Story
Last year was one of rising terrorist activity for Southeast Asia, and 2017 could bring more of the same if steps are not taken to enhance counter-terrorism measures in the region.
Arakan Lead Story News Rohingya Women's Issues
Rights advocates have criticised the State Counsellor’s Office after it put out a press release and Facebook post last week that appeared aimed at discrediting the accounts of two women in northern Arakan State who alleged that they had been raped.
Conflict IDPs Kachin Lead Story Military News
A recent offensive by the Burmese military in Kachin State, seizing the Kachin Independence Army’s Gidon mountain outpost, has exacerbated the dire conditions for displaced people living in the area as northern Burma enters its coldest stretch of the year.
Arakan Human Rights Lead Story News Rohingya
The United Nations is getting daily reports of rapes and killings of the Rohingya minority in Burma’s Arakan State and independent monitors are being barred from investigating, the UN human rights office said on Friday.
Burma’s Social Welfare Department is issuing hotline phone numbers in response to reports of rampant sexual crimes against minors.
Hla Phone, who was accused of posting insulting images and comments on Facebook, was found guilty of violating Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law.
Lead Story News Technology & Science Women's Issues
As Internet and mobile phone use surge, more women are experiencing abusive online posting of intimate private photos without their consent.
Human Trafficking Lead Story News Rohingya
Two other defendants in the case were found guilty of illegally bringing aliens into Thailand and sentenced to a year in prison.
Analysis Contributor Lead Story News Opinion
In August, Burma’s newly elected government overhauled the senior figures heading the administrative framework for governing Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Union Vice-President Henry Van Thio replaces former president Thein Sein[…]
The case against Hla Phone, who is accused of posting insulting images of Burma’s military chief and former president Thein Sein on Facebook, is based on a controversial telecommunications law.
The group’s secretary said their aim is to assist and represent anyone – regardless of their religion – in connection with incidents or alleged crimes which may have religious pretexts.
A police officer said that of 71 protesters detained, 51 had been charged and taken to Yamethin Prison near the capital after they refused to be split up from fellow demonstrators.
During the first hearing, Robert San Aung tried to get bail for his client on health grounds, as there is no proper psychiatric healthcare in prison, but the request was refused by the judge.
Analysis Contributor Ethnic issues Lead Story News Rohingya
As the incoming head of state, the moral and political responsibility to end the slow genocide in Burma will fall squarely on Suu Kyi’s shoulders.
Analysis Contributor Human Rights Lead Story News Politics
Writing for DVB for the 27th anniversary of the 8-8-88 uprising, rights activist Khin Ohmar assesses whether Burma has really reformed.
2015 Elections Lead Story News Politics
There are signs that the USDP’s thuggish enforcers may disrupt November’s election or threaten violence against pro-democracy supporters.
Analysis Contributor Lead Story News Opinion Peace Process
The military finds itself in a tight spot, while the ethnic groups’ prove their integrity by going back to the negotiation table, says lawyer Aung Htoo.
Lead Story Migrants Issues News Rohingya
Official settlements should be created, says Pol-Gen Somyot, while policy chief says issue is “international responsibility”.
Human Trafficking Lead Story News Rohingya
“The crackdown has yet to uproot all trafficking networks,” said human rights lawyer Surapong Kongchantuk from the Lawyers Council of Thailand.
In Burma, it is a crime to fail to inform authorities of overnight guests. Authorities exercise sweeping powers to conduct spot inspections or raids to enforce this.
