Burma - Country of Concern: latest update 30 June 2014

The last three months have seen some positive progress on human rights related legislation, but there remain a number of issues of concern, in particular the dire situation in Rakhine State, and outbreaks of violence in Kachin.

We remain seriously concerned about the situation in Rakhine State. Most international NGOs and humanitarian organisations have returned following the violence in March; however, reports of threats against humanitarian workers continue, and many are facing operational constraints. Health services across Rakhine State have deteriorated since Médecins Sans Frontières were expelled in February, and we continue to call on the government to ensure that access to medical services is available to all communities.

In June, a pilot exercise for Citizenship Verification of the Rohingya began in an internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp in Myebon. The outcome of this is not yet known, but some Rohingya have reportedly taken part in the exercise voluntarily. We have made it clear to the government that they must adhere to international standards when conducting this exercise, urging transparency and consistency across Rakhine State in its application. We have also encouraged the authorities to reach out to both communities to ensure that the process is fully understood by all.

We continue to call on the Burmese government to tackle hate speech. We were concerned by reports of anti-Muslim violence in the city of Magwe in June, following alleged hate speech rallies by extremist Buddhist organisations in the area.

In April, violence broke out in southern Kachin State between the Burmese army and the Kachin Independence Army. Clashes began close to the border between Kachin and Shan States on 10 April, and spread into northern Shan, in what appears to have been the most intense fighting in Burma since January 2013.

Local civil society organisations estimated that over 3,200 people had been displaced as a result of the fighting. Most are now in new IDP camps in Man Win Chi and in Namkhan township. Local humanitarian organisations, including Department for International Development partners, are providing essential supplies for the new IDPs, and will shortly conduct a rapid needs assessment. There have been unverified reports from Kachin civil society groups of human rights violations by Burmese army soldiers during the offensive, including rape, targeting of civilians, and arbitrary arrests.

The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, called his counterpart in April to discuss sexual violence. In June, we welcomed the Burmese government's endorsement of the Declaration of Commitment to End Sexual Violence in Conflict and their participation at the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in London. This was a welcome first step towards recognising and addressing the problem. We are encouraging the Burmese government to follow up its commitment with concrete action, including by strengthening legislation and improving access to justice for survivors. A delegation of Burmese civil society and religious leaders, funded by the UK government, also attended the summit.

On 12 June, the Foreign Secretary, Secretary of State for Defence, Phillip Hammond, and Secretary of State for International Development, Justine Greening, launched the UK government's third National Action Plan on Women, Peace & Security. This sets out our ambition to put women and girls at the centre of all efforts to prevent and resolve conflict, to promote peace and stability, and to prevent and respond to violence. Six priority countries have been identified, including Burma. We are developing an implementation plan, which will be made available to the public later this year.

Following the jailing of Democratic Voice of Burma reporter Zaw Pe in April, our Ambassador discussed his case, and those of other arrested journalists, with Deputy Minister of Information Ye Htut. We welcome reports that Zaw Pe is to be released in July, having had his sentence reduced from one year to three months. Media freedoms are an essential element of a functioning democracy, and it is important that they are protected. The cases of Zaw Pe and many other individuals were also raised during the first EU-Burma Human Rights Dialogue in May.

This period saw progress on several important pieces of human rights related legislation, including the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law, Myanmar National Human Rights Commission Law, and Association Registration Law. The amendments oblige authorities to give specific reasons for refusing applications for public protests, improve the mandate of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission, and remove restrictions on civil society organisations. These are more closely in line with international standards and should lead to some improvements; however, there is still other legislation under consideration, about which we have serious concerns, especially in relation to religious freedom and discrimination. We continue to fund work through Article 19, a London-based international NGO, to develop the capacity of legislators, civil society, media and ministries to amend and draft new legislation relating to freedom of expression.

We remain concerned by proposed legislation on inter-faith marriage, religious conversion and birth control, and are closely following the ongoing discussions. We have raised our concerns with the relevant authorities and continue to urge the Burmese government and parliament to ensure all draft laws are in line with international standards, and make clear that respect for the rights of women and freedom of religion and belief must be guaranteed. The EU also raised its concerns on these areas during the EU-Burma Human Rights Dialogue in May.