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  • Myanmar’s cyber law a serious threat to privacy, speech, and security

    Rather than ensuring cybersecurity, Myanmar’s newly adopted Cyber Security “Law” grants the military sweeping powers to control online spaces, enabling systematic violations of digital rights, including the rights to privacy, freedom of expression, and access to information. This analysis highlights how the law deviates from international human rights standards and threatens privacy, digital security, VPN use, free expression, fair trial, digital rights NGOs, and social media. Read >

    Myanmar’s cyber law a serious threat to privacy, speech, and security

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  • Meta/Facebook changes threaten Myanmar’s digital space 

    Meta/Facebook changes threaten Myanmar’s digital space 

    Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement of significant changes to Meta’s content moderation policies raises serious concerns for Myanmar, where Facebook has both enabled anti-coup dissent and fuelled real-world consequences, including contributing to atrocities against the Rohingya. While fostering free expression is commendable, Meta also has heightened legal and moral responsibilities under international human rights law and its previous commitments to prevent its platforms from enabling harm in high-risk environments like Myanmar. Read >

  • Child rights violations in Myanmar’s conflict

    Child rights violations in Myanmar’s conflict

    Human Rights Myanmar’s submission to the OHCHR highlights the Myanmar military’s grave violations of children’s rights since the 2021 coup. The report documents widespread killings, detention, torture, forced displacement, recruitment of child soldiers, and attacks on education. With over 1.4 million children displaced and millions deprived of basic rights, the submission underscores the urgent need for international action to address crimes against humanity and protect Myanmar’s children. Read >

  • Myanmar’s militarisation of education

    Myanmar’s militarisation of education

    Human Rights Myanmar’s submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education highlights the systematic militarisation of Myanmar’s schools, including military occupations, compulsory training, and student recruitment. These violations undermine children’s rights and safety. Urgent international action is needed to protect education, ensure accountability, and support alternative learning initiatives amidst the ongoing crisis. Read >

We focus on civil and political rights

  • Digital rights
  • Media freedom
  • Freedom of assembly and association
  • Liberty and fair trials
  • Right to life
  • …and more
Find out more about our work
Our approach

Defending Human Rights in Myanmar

We are a civil society organisation researching, analysing, and advocating for change in Myanmar and internationally. More about us >

Defend Civil and Political Rights

Protecting freedom, equality, and democracy in Myanmar.

Advocate for justice

Championing legal reforms to ensure fairness and equal rights.

Monitor human rights

Tracking and reporting violations to hold perpetrators accountable.

Empower communities

Providing resources and support to strengthen human rights initiatives.

Expose abuses

Investigating and revealing injustices to the world through detailed reports.

Promote accountability

Pushing for consequences for those who violate human rights norms.

Previous work

  • The Great Firewall of Myanmar

    The military’s May 2024 VPN block has significantly infringed on digital rights. Human Rights Myanmar’s review of 3 billion Facebook interactions shows a substantial decline in public engagement on Facebook, impacting media, development, and the digital economy. The VPN block, combined with the Facebook ban, may be the largest act of censorship in Myanmar’s turbulent history. Read >

  • Myanmar freedom on the net 2024

    Internet freedom in Myanmar deteriorated again from 2023 to 2024 and the country is now one of the worst in the world alongside China. The military’s VPN block in May 2024 significantly worsened the situation, shifting the country from basic to advanced digital repression. Read >

  • UN Cybercrime Treaty threatens digital rights

    Civil society in ASEAN express deep concerns that the UN Cybercrime Treaty’s broad provisions threaten human rights. The treaty could legitimise extensive state surveillance and transnational repression, compromising digital rights, freedom of expression, and the safety of activists and journalists across the region. Read >

  • Understanding the impact of the military’s VPN blockade

    Our project investigates the far-reaching consequences of Myanmar’s military VPN blockage, revealing how it undermines both individual freedoms and the nation’s socio-economic development. By documenting these impacts, we aim to highlight the urgent need for global action to protect digital rights in repressive regimes. Read >

  • Undermining universal standards from Israel/Gaza to Myanmar

    The Myanmar military has exploited the inconsistent application of international human rights standards, including in regard to Israel/Gaza, to justify its own repressive measures. By drawing parallels between international conflicts and domestic issues, the military aims to legitimise its restrictions on freedom of expression and undermine the credibility of international human rights mechanisms. Read >

  • Military order attempts to control online films

    A directive from the military mandates registration and state screening for all online film broadcasts, severely restricting freedom of expression in Myanmar. Read >

  • Human rights violations experienced by exiled journalists

    The Myanmar military’s systematic human rights abuses have specifically targeted journalists, forcing many into exile while still facing severe risks. This report highlights the ongoing challenges they encounter, drawing on research and interviews, and framed by international human rights standards. Read >

  • Gendered impact of the Myanmar coup on free expression

    The military’s gross and systematic human rights violations have not been gender-neutral. The purpose of this report is to establish the gendered impact of the military coup on women and girls who are challenging the coup and asserting their rights. Read >

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