A new report released yesterday states that 84 human rights violations were committed last year in Burma, also known as Myanmar.
The Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma) published a periodic report on February 29 that highlights violations perpetrated between January and December 2015 in areas of armed conflict and those included in the ceasefire agreements.
The 16-page report asserts that of the 84 documented cases, torture was the human rights abuse occurring with the highest frequency in the country, with as many as 26 cases, followed by 17 cases of obstruction of freedom of expression or assembly and 11 cases of killings.
“The areas where human rights abuses took place the most were Kachin State and Shan State. They are also the places where torture and killings happen the most,“ said Lway Poe Ngal, Advocacy Officer of ND-Burma, in an interview with MNA.
The spokesperson added that human rights violations also occurred in areas where the nationwide ceasefire agreement (NCA) had been signed, including Karen State and Shan State.
The report stated that the NCA signed in October 2015 brought little peace to country. Armed conflict has in fact increased in areas where ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) did not sign the agreement, including in Kachin State and Arakan State, according to the report.
ND-Burma’s media advisory urged “all stakeholders to respect human rights: the Burma Army and EAOs must respect international law including the Geneva Convention and immediately cease the targeting of civilians, respect their lives, livelihood and properties.”
ND-Burma was founded in 2004 and has 13 members, including the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners – Burma, Burma Issues, Chin Human Rights Organization, Human Rights Foundation of Monland, Kachin Women’s Association – Thailand, and Palaung Women’s Organization.
For ND-Burma’s media advisory and periodic report, click; Report on Human Rights Situation in Burma.
