Rights violations persist despite changes in Burma

05 March 2013 (CG): Civilians, especially in ethnic areas, still face human rights abuses and violations although Burma has seen rapid changes toward democracy, a report by ND-Burma revealed.

The report, which covered the period from December 2011 till January 2013, said human rights violations continue to occur largely unabated.

While government reforms, it said, are evident on the surface, the underlying human rights situation remains bleak in all 16 of ND-Burma’s categories and in each state.

It also stressed killing, land confiscation, forced labor, child soldiers, forced relocation, torture and ill treatment have all persisted in 2012.

The report documented a total of 310 incidents, with 91, 57, and 37 cases of human rights violations being reported in Shan, Karen and Chin States respectively.

Salai Lian Bawi Thang said: “Our report’s evidences clearly confirmed that the people are still suffering from the hands of the authorities. This must be stopped.”

Findings compiled by ND-Burma show that human rights violations not only remain a daily reality for the people of Burma, but that the abuses perpetrated by the military-backed government of Burma are systematic and widespread.

“Among several indicators, the condition of human rights is the key to judging the degree of changes in Burma,” added Salai Lian Bawi Thang.

Unsurprisingly, the highest incidences of abuse occurred in ethnic areas that remain in open conflict with the Burma Army, the Tatmawdaw, or are the grounds for controversial development projects, according to the report.

Last year, a total of 67 cases related to land confiscation and destruction of property were reported in connection with development projects.

Formed in 2004, the Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) is committed to providing a way for Burma human rights organizations to collaborate on the human rights documentation process.