POST-ELECTION BURMA/MYANMAR: HUMAN RIGHTS DEVELOPMENTS

This short factsheet summarizes human rights developments in Burma/Myanmar since the November 2015 elections, up to January 2016, ahead of the 31st session of the UN Human Rights Council.

It highlights the need for intensified pressure to ensure that the incoming National League for Democracy (NLD) government prioritizes reforms that will bring institutional behavior, policies and legislation into line with international human rights standards. Concerns include ongoing discrimination against the Rohingya population and the influence of extremist nationalist group Ma Ba Tha; the continued detention of political prisoners and the challenge facing an NLD government in ending this; civilian abuse in conflict including torture and rape by the Tatmadaw, which remains unaddressed in the exlusive peace process; and immunity secured for outgoing President Thein Sein as the transition continues.