ND Burma
ND-Burma formed in 2004 in order to provide a way for Burma human rights organizations to collaborate on the human rights documentation process. The 13 ND-Burma member organizations seek to collectively use the truth of what communities in Burma have endured to advocate for justice for victims. ND-Burma trains local organizations in human rights documentation; coordinates members’ input into a common database using Martus, a secure open-source software; and engages in joint-advocacy campaigns.
Recent Posts
- Successfully Conducted a Workshop on Nepal’s Transitional Justice (TJ) with Experts from Nepal.
- East Timor war crimes case against Min Aung Hlaing reaches next stage
- War Crimes Case Against Myanmar Dictator Moves Forward in Timor-Leste
- Open letter from Myanmar, regional and international civil society organizations to ASEAN to End Myanmar Military’s Violence, Advance Accountability and Operationalize Cross-border Humanitarian Aid
- Press Release – Rights-Based Reform: ASEAN Five Years on from the 5-Point Consensus
New report: pristine valley on Kachin-China border under threat from Naypyidaw’s export-oriented dam plans
/in Member statementsNew report: pristine valley on Kachin-China border under threat from Naypyidaw’s export-oriented dam plans
A new report launched today exposes how the stunningly beautiful, biodiverse Ngo Chang Hka valley — ancestral home to over 4,500 indigenous people on the eastern Kachin State-China border — is under threat from a cascade of four dams, which are among 50 large hydropower projects planned by the Burmese government, mainly for export.
“Saving the Ngo Chang Hka Valley” by the Kachin Development Networking Group (KDNG), details secretive plans by China’s YEIG International Energy Cooperation and Development Corporation to dam the Ngo Chang Hka – a tributary of the N’Mai, one of the headwaters of the Irrawaddy – to produce 1,200 megawatts of electricity. This is part of Burma’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy target to increase national hydropower capacity from about 3,000 to 45,000 megawatts by 2030.
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Saving the Ngo Chang Hka Valley
/in ND-Burma Members' ReportsHistory of the Ngo Chang Hka region
The Ngo Chang Hka flows through the mountain valleys of the eastern edge of Kachin State and into the N’Mai Hka. The N’Mai Hka continues southward and joins the Mali Hka at the Myitsone confluence to form Burma’s great Irrawaddy River. The borderlands of the Ngo Chang Hka form part of the eastern Himalayan ecoregion, a place of globally outstanding biodiversity and ancient human settlements.
Records indicate that the Lhao Vo and Lachid peoples first settled along the lower and middle reaches of the Ngo Chang River roughly 2,000 years ago, while the Ngo Chang people, who trace their ancestry back to the Lachid, journeyed further upstream where they established settlements roughly 1,200 years ago. Lisu settlers later arrived in the area. These communities were traditionally ruled by hereditary chieftains or Duwas.
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Latest Burma Army war crimes in Kachin State highlight urgent need to end military-to-military ties with Burma
/in Member statementsLatest Burma Army war crimes in Kachin State highlight urgent need to end military-to-military ties with Burma
On August 11, 2017, hundreds of Burma Army troops entered Kasung village, in Mogaung township of Kachin State, shooting indiscriminately at civilians. One villager was killed, at least two injured, and over 1,000 IDPs were forced to seek shelter in Namti and Lambraw Yang villages.
The attack was part of a new Burma Army operation to drive out Kachin troops from the hills north of Namti. Over 600 troops from three battalions, IB 29, LIB 381 and 384, have been deployed into the area since early August.
ND-Burma update finds continued impunity for human rights violations
/in Periodic ReportND-Burma update on the human rights situation finds continued impunity for abuses
15 August 2017
For Immediate Press Release
Press release in Burmese
ND-Burma update on the human rights situation – English
ND-Burma update on the human rights situation – Burmese
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Press release by Kachin CSOs
/in Member statementsPress release by Kachin CSOs
Appeal for the immediate release of Kachin farmer Nlam Bawk Naw, arbitrarily arrested on the Ledo Road by the Burma Army on June 20, 2017
Kachin CSOs are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Kachin farmer Nlam Bawk Naw, who was arbitrarily arrested by Burma Army troops on the Ledo Road in eastern Hpakant township on June 20, 2017.
On that day, at about 3 pm, there had been an armed clash between the Burma Army and the Kachin Independence Army along the Ledo Road east of Kamaing. Shortly after the fighting, 50-year-old farmer Nlam Bawk Naw, who had been drinking alcohol, was walking from his house to a row of restaurants in the middle of Lawah village, which lies on the Ledo Road.
When Nlam Bawk Naw was about 100 feet from the restaurants, several restaurant owners and other villagers witnessed a group of Burma Army soldiers stopping him, hitting him in the head with rifle butts, punching and kicking him. He was seen being led away, his hands tied behind him, towards the temple compound at the entrance to Lawah village, where the Burma Army troops were camping. Early the next morning, the troops left the village, and Nlam Bawk Naw has not been seen since.
The column involved was comprised of troops from IB 86, 297 and 298. However, enquiries with these battalions have yielded no result. On June 20, two of Nlam Bawk Naw’s daughters went with the Lawah village headman to the military camp of IB 298 at Jahtu Zup to ask after their father, but were not allowed into the camp.
On July 24, 2017, Nlam Bawk Naw’s eldest daughter wrote a formal appeal to the Kachin Chief Minister and Northern Regional Commander asking them to locate and release her father. Copies were sent to the State Counsellor and the head of the Myanmar Human Rights Commission. There has been no reply.
Nlam Bawk Naw is a widower with five children. “Since our mother passed away, we have depended on our father,” said his eldest daughter Kaw Mai. “We are so afraid something bad has happened to him. I can’t bear to think about it. Our whole family does not feel safe.”
Kachin CSOs have grave fears for the safety of Nlam Bawk Naw, and call urgently for his immediate and unconditional release.
Media Contacts;
Moon Nay Li (Thailand) +66 85 523 3791
San Htoi ( Thailand) +66 939 621 908
Mr. Gum San Nsang (US) +1 443 4158 683
ND-Burma July Justice newsletter
/in Justice NewslettersSeeking Justice in Burma
July 2017
UN human rights envoy tells of ongoing human rights violations
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar said in her End of Mission statement that the situation in Shan state is worsening, with an escalation of conflict and increased reports of human rights violations. Her findings are supported by ND-Burma’s documentation over the last six months, the results of which will be released soon.
The Rapporteur also lamented the fact that the current government is employing the same tactics used by the previous government to block independent observers of rights violations.
Justice centres providing free legal advice open in Mandalay and Taunggyi
Justice centers providing free legal advice to citizens have opened in Mandalay and Taunggyi. Two justice centers already exist in Yangon and Mawlamyine. The centres are funded by the European Union and managed by the British Council and the International Bridges to Justice NGO.
Fellowship scheme launched for former political prisoners
International NGOs FHI360 and USAID launched a joint programme to provide former political prisoners with fellowship opportunities in news media and civil society organizations.
Former political prisoners often have trouble finding work after their release due to stigmatisation and psychological trauma.This scheme is a good example of the kind of transitional justice programmes that should be being delivered by the government.
ND-Burma member the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) is one of the 19 civil society organizations involved in the scheme.
Parliament discusses reform of 66(d)
The Parliament has been debating amendments to 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law, which has repeatedly been used to jail journalists and critics of the military and government. This is a welcome move as updating Burma’s outdated and undemocratic laws is vital to build a just state, but military MPs have been arguing against any change to the law.
July also saw the continued deployment of 66(d) against journalists. Myanmar Now Chief Editor Ko Swe Win was arrested at Yangon airport in relation to a 66(d) complaint filed by a Ma Ba Tha supporter in March. He has been released on bail for now.
The trial of three journalists arrested under Article 17(1) of the Unlawful Association Act also began this month. 17(1) is frequently used to arrest ethnic nationality civilians by accusing them of supporting ethnic armed organizations.
Farmland returned to original owners in Mandalay and Sagaing
In Mandalay region, The government returned 300 acres of farmland that had been confiscated by the ruling generals in 1977. 2,000 acres of farmland had originally been seized and 1,000 acres returned intermittently since 2016. The government says 600 acres of land are being retained to build a hospital.
In Sagaing region over 700 acres of farmland were returned to the original owners.