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London, UK -- In response to a Joint Statement issued by Belgium, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Tunisia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America following the United Nations Security Council Consultation on Myanmar, Burma Human Rights Network calls on these nations to promote consequences for Burma’s failures, rather than more recommendations. The statement details a number of steps they believe Burma could take in regard to upcoming elections, the civil war in Rakhine, the spread of Covid-19, and concerns related to the Rohingya in Burma and in Bangladesh. The statement does not acknowledge all the ways in which Burma is currently doing the exact opposite of what they have recommended, nor does it present any consequences for their continued failure to comply with international law.
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10th September 2020 – London/UK -- Burma Human Rights Network calls on the Burmese authorities to immediately release the leaders of the Rakhine State Student Union, Ko Toe Toe Aung, Ko Kyaw Naing Htay, and Ko Than Naing. The leaders were arrested in front of the State Government Office by officers from the No.1 Police Station of Sittwe on 9th September 2020, at 1 pm local time. The arrest was made during a protest against the on-going civil war which has targeted Rakhine civilians. The protest also called on the Burmese government to lift the internet ban in Rakhine state and Chin state.
“These student leaders were only practicing their rights – freedom of expression and arresting them is clearly a breach of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which Burma is a state party. This was a peaceful protest against the brutal military operations in Rakhine state and the unethical and inhumane internet ban during the Covid-19 pandemic. Free speech and freedom of expression are shockingly undermined by the NLD government. Burma must immediately overturn its policies and behaviours which violate the fundamental human rights of its citizens,” said BHRN’s Executive Director, Kyaw Win.
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London, U. K. -- Burma Human Rights Network calls on the Burmese authorities to immediately overturn the conviction of poet and activist Maung Saungkha. Maung Saungkha was convicted under Section 19 of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law for hanging a banner from an overpass that read, “Is the internet being shut down to hide war crimes and killing people?” The banner referenced the internet blackout in Rakhine and Chin State where the conflict between the Burmese army and the ethnic armed organization, Arakan Army has been ongoing with numerous instances of suspected human rights violations. Maung Saungkha was ordered to pay a fine of Kyat 30,000 ($22.55) or spend 15 days in jail. Maung Saungkha chose the fine.
