Category: Pacific

“The loss of autonomy and the imposition of direct rule by the Government in New Delhi suggests the people of Jammu and Kashmir no longer have their own government and have lost power to legislate or amend laws in the region to ensure the protection of their rights as minorities”, Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on minority issues, and Ahmed… Read More

Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews said in a statement that he is “terrified” that violence could break out, as additional soldiers have been deployed in towns and cities, including the commercial hub Yangon, where demonstrations are planned, following reports that a “secretive trial” of State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint began on Tuesday.  “In the past, such… Read More

In a conversation with the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Soe Win, Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener “reinforced that the right of peaceful assembly must fully be respected and that demonstrators are not subjected to reprisals”, UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters at a regular press briefing on Monday.  “She has conveyed to the Myanmar military that the world is… Read More

The blaze erupted after small arms fire ignited fuel trucks parked at a customs depot at the Islam Qala border point, resulting in multiple explosions, IOM said in a news release on Monday. The crossing, located about 120 kilometres (75 miles) from Herat city, is a major transit point between Afghanistan and Iran. At least 40 people died in the… Read More

“This trend, combined with the absence of claims of responsibility, has generated a climate of fear among the population”, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a news release, announcing the findings from its latest report.  The violence, the Mission said, resulted in contraction of the human rights and media space, with many professionals exercising self-censorship in their… Read More

In a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, the UN chief called on the military and police of Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, to ensure that the right of peaceful assembly is “fully respected” and demonstrators are “not subjected to reprisals”.   It’s as if the generals have declared war on the people of Myanmar: late night raids;… Read More

Six years ago, Thitiwatt Sirasjtakorn learned that he was HIV positive, a point in his life when he struggled to understand what this meant and had almost given up on life. However, this is where his story begins. Mr. Sirasjtakorn managed to overcome stigma and discrimination and decided to publicly disclose his HIV-positive status on social media and educate people… Read More

Punitive actions against those responsible must not harm Myanmar’s vulnerable communities, and also ensure that assistance to fight the coronavirus pandemic and humanitarian support can continue, Deputy UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada al-Nashif and Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews said.  ‘World watching with horror’  In a detailed account of the unfolding situation following the military takeover on 1 February,… Read More

There are unconfirmed media reports that at least one individual, a woman, was shot in the head during protests on Tuesday. She is said to be in critical condition at a hospital in Yangon.   Security forces have a moral and legal obligation to defy any unlawful orders to use excessive force against peaceful protesters in #Myanmar. All in the… Read More

“I call on the security forces to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression”, Ola Almgren, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Myanmar, said in a news release.   The @UN in Myanmar is alarmed by reports of the use of force against demonstrators. “I call on the Security Forces… Read More