Human Rights Abuses in Burma

Announcement

Please join the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission for a hearing with experts to discuss the egregious and ongoing deterioration of human rights in Burma and how the international community is responding to the dire situation.

The ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) held a referendum to approve its draft constitution in May 2008 and continues its’ plans for elections in 2010 under these new constitutional election law provisions which are deemed undemocratic by international election standards. The new constitution will take full effect when a new parliament is convened following those elections, leavingthe SPDC and military in control of all organs of government.

According to the State Department, Burma’s extremely poor human rights record continued to deteriorate in the past year, with the military regime continuing to perpetuate serious abuses against political opponents. Democracy leaders and ethnic minorities throughout the country face widespread and systematic human rights violations by the Burmese Army, including religious persecution, sexual violence against women, human trafficking, forced labor and forced relocation. Recent reports have exposed evidence of a wide array of abuses perpetrated by the ruling SPDC in their response to Cyclone Nargis. The United States has announced it is reviewing its Burma policy and at the end of April, the European Union will consider whether to renew its sanctions regime as well.

If you have any questions, please contact 202-225-3599.

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