Burma Partnership

2010 Elections

“The showcase election planned by the military regime makes a mockery of the freedom sought by our people and would make military dictatorship permanent.” — U Win Tin, member of the Central Executive Committee and a founder of the National League for Democracy. Read more.

ASEAN

Since the Association of South-East Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Charter came into force at the end of 2008, Burma has been in serious breach of several fundamental principles relating to democracy, human rights, and regional peace and security. ASEAN cannot continue a policy of economic engagement with Burma’s military regime without a parallel responsibility for critical political engagement. It must recognize the necessity of political dialogue and national reconciliation before the regime cements its power in the upcoming elections. Read more.

Crimes Against Humanity

For decades the military regime has violently oppressed Burma’s ethnic communities with systematic crimes including forced relocation, forced labour, sexual violence, extrajudicial killings, torture, and the recruitment of child soldiers. Ongoing documentation provides evidence that these widespread and systematic human rights abuses constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity. Impunity reigns in Burma, and has been institutionalized by the military-written 2008 Constitution, which provides blanket immunity to the regime and sanctions the continuance of war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially against ethnic civilians. Read more.

Environmental and Economic Justice

Large-scale development projects such as oil pipelines, roads, ports, and dams are destroying Burma’s natural environment and threatening communities’ traditional livelihoods. These projects lead to forced displacement of entire villages and other human rights abuses, while lining the pockets of generals and international corporations. Read more.

Spotlight