Category: Statement
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U.S. Congress Starlink investigation threatens internet access in Myanmar
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A U.S. Congressional investigation into the use of Starlink by scam centres in Myanmar risks a blunt and disproportionate response that would further undermine the rights of a vulnerable population already suffering from repression, conflict, and poverty.
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Predicting rights violations in Myanmar’s sham elections
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The military’s 2025 election is a pre-scripted exercise in repression, designed to create a façade of legitimacy while violating fundamental human rights. A predictable blueprint of violations is unfolding, from eliminating political opposition and criminalising dissent to weaponising state media. The process will culminate in a fraudulent vote in a climate of fear, with ethnic…
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Are 21,300 child deaths from foreign aid cuts a crime against humanity?
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Of the 13 million excess deaths projected worldwide by 2030 due to the U.S. decision to cut aid, 165,000–200,000 may die in Myanmar alone—among them 21,300 children. This massive, preventable loss of life raises the urgent question: Do foreign aid cuts constitute an international atrocity crime? And if not, why does international law fail to hold donors accountable…
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Nepal, Bangladesh, and the hard road to human rights in Myanmar
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Recent and rapid change among Myanmar’s neighbours has brought a moment of profound hope. In Bangladesh, a youth-led uprising has led to a new government headed by a Nobel laureate civil society leader. In Nepal, a similar youth-driven movement has appointed a bold anti-corruption judge as the first woman to lead an Asian country without…
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Sweden ends development aid to Myanmar, abandoning media and civil society
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Sweden will end all development aid to Myanmar from 2026, following the U.S. government. This includes $2.65 million per year for media and human rights groups. The shock decision, confirmed on 11 September 2025, is a profound blow to Myanmar’s civil society, human rights defenders, and independent media, severing a final and critical lifeline of…
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Fourth draft Sagaing Constitution lacks fundamental rights
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The fourth version of the draft Sagaing Constitution continues to mark a shift toward public participation and transparency in law-making and includes positive changes. However, significant human rights issues remain. Many essential civil and political rights are still missing, and new vague language has been introduced that could enable future violations.
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Military’s earthquake response: a crime against humanity?
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The devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on 28 March has wrought widespread destruction and immense human suffering, made far worse by the military’s response, which may constitute another crime against humanity.
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Facebook whistleblower alleges “careless” management failed Myanmar
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The newly published book Careless People, by Facebook’s former director of public policy Sarah Wynn-Williams, alleges that the company’s management was “deeply unconcerned” about its role in Myanmar, which helped “enable posts that led to horrific sexual violence and genocide” against the Rohingya minority group.
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America cuts $1.1 billion for Myanmar, abandoning democracy and rights
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The United States has cancelled aid contracts, effectively ending all support for Myanmar for the foreseeable future. This includes a predicted $259 million for 2025, with $45 million earmarked for democracy, human rights, and independent media projects.
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Trump freezes $39 million for rights, democracy, and media in Myanmar
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The U.S. Government’s decision to close USAID has frozen $39,547,146 in funds committed to defending freedom in Myanmar over the next three years. It remains unclear when—or if—these essential funds will be reinstated.
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Myanmar’s cyber law a serious threat to privacy, speech, and security
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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…
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Meta/Facebook changes threaten Myanmar’s digital space
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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…
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Myanmar’s human rights challenges for 2025
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International Human Rights Day on 10 December is an opportunity to examine which rights may be at risk in Myanmar in 2025. The evolving dynamics of military oppression, the challenges facing any desired transition, the crackdown on civic space, the precarious position of exiled civil society, and the role of the ICC all hold profound…
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Proposed Thai law threatens Myanmar CSOs and media
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Thailand’s proposed Associations and Foundations Law threatens the survival of Myanmar’s exiled civil society organisations (CSOs) and media by imposing barriers that could force them to cease operations. Already marginalised and working under significant security risks, this law exacerbates vulnerabilities and endangers their critical work.
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President Trump 2.0 implications for human rights in Myanmar
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The recent U.S. election exemplifies the fundamental right to freely choose leaders, but it also signals potential threats to human rights in Myanmar.
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UN Cybercrime Treaty threatens digital rights
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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.
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Military order attempts to control online films
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A directive from the military mandates registration and state screening for all online film broadcasts, severely restricting freedom of expression in Myanmar.
