The government has continued to arrest activists and protesters although it has fulfilled some of the public’s demands, a recent report by the Human Rights Records Network (Myanmar) has said.
The government has continued to arrest activists and protesters although it has fulfilled some of the public’s demands, a recent report by the Human Rights Records Network (Myanmar) has said.
The report says Myanmar still has political prisoners in jail and more activists detained in 2014 under laws such as the 1908 Unlawful Association Act and the Emergency Provisions Act – despite President Thein Sein pledging to release all political prisoners by the end of 2013.
There have been many cases of land grabs for joint-venture development projects and by military officials during President Thein Sein’s time in office and a number of cases have not been dealt with properly despite people lodging formal complaints about their land being seized, the report said.
The seizure of people’s land has increased the number of homeless citizens, who have had to move away from their original homes to resettle in other parts of the country. This had caused more poverty, drug dealing and unfair arrests throughout the country.
The rights network urged the government to take quick action on the issue to reduce the abuse of people’s rights.
The report, which covered the human rights situation for the six months from January to June this year, also noted activities and reports by organisations such as the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners, Mon State Human Rights Association, Palaung Women’s Association and Kachin Women’s Association (Thailand).
It said there was strong proof to verify about 103 instances of human rights abuse around the country over the first half of the year.
