PHUKET: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should make improving the human rights situation in Burma (Myanmar) a top priority during his visit to the country this week, Human Rights Watch said today.
Abe's three-day visit, which begins today, will be the first by a Japanese leader to Burma in 36 years. Dozens of major Japanese corporations will accompany the prime minister.
Despite important changes in Burma, key human rights pledges by Burmese leaders remain unrealised, Human Rights Watch said.
These include granting full humanitarian access to ethnic conflict areas, releasing all remaining political prisoners, amending abusive laws, and allowing the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to establish offices in the country.
''As Burma's biggest aid donor and a major investor, Japan can play a critical role by pressing harder for human rights reforms and protections,'' said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
''Aid and investment in Burma should not ignore needed reforms in the rule of law, transparency, and accountability.''
Japan is the largest aid donor to Burma, having extended US$500 million in the last year for concessional loans, and US$200 million in grant aid and technical assistance for agricultural development, health, and disaster preparedness.
Abe is expected to announce a 50 percent increase in Overseas Development Assistance during his visit, and a major program to revamp Burma's postal system.
Under the 1991 'Four Principles of ODA' and the ODA Charter of 1992, Japan has pledged to pay full attention to democracy, basic human rights, and freedoms in its aid decisions.
The Japanese government should ensure that investments and development projects do not contribute to land seizures and forced displacement throughout Burma, Human Rights Watch said.
For instance, international telecommunications companies risk being linked to human rights abuses if they enter the Burmese market before adequate protections are in place.
The Burmese government has not yet created a legal framework for the telecommunications sector that respects basic human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and privacy.
Two Japanese companies are participating in the tender process for two nationwide telecommunications licenses that Burma's government will award in June.
''Japan has significant leverage to push the Burmese government in the right direction and pursue rights-respecting development that places public participation at its core,'' Adams said.
''Japan's leaders should make sure that implementation of their aid projects match the rights rhetoric around them.''
Human Rights Watch called on Japan to ensure that its companies invest responsibly and transparently to avoid contributing to human rights abuses.
Japanese companies should be required to respect human rights and take concrete steps - known as ''human rights due diligence'' - to prevent and address any rights abuses.
The Japanese government should also mandate public reporting on investment in Burma, in line with United States requirements that were finalised on May 23.
''Japan should frontload human rights concerns during the political and economic transition in Burma,'' Adams said.
''Development projects in Burma have frequently been synonymous with abuses such as forced labor, land evictions, and denial of basic rights, and Japan should use its leverage to ensure these abuses end.''
Abe's three-day visit, which begins today, will be the first by a Japanese leader to Burma in 36 years. Dozens of major Japanese corporations will accompany the prime minister.
Despite important changes in Burma, key human rights pledges by Burmese leaders remain unrealised, Human Rights Watch said.
These include granting full humanitarian access to ethnic conflict areas, releasing all remaining political prisoners, amending abusive laws, and allowing the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to establish offices in the country.
''As Burma's biggest aid donor and a major investor, Japan can play a critical role by pressing harder for human rights reforms and protections,'' said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
''Aid and investment in Burma should not ignore needed reforms in the rule of law, transparency, and accountability.''
Japan is the largest aid donor to Burma, having extended US$500 million in the last year for concessional loans, and US$200 million in grant aid and technical assistance for agricultural development, health, and disaster preparedness.
Abe is expected to announce a 50 percent increase in Overseas Development Assistance during his visit, and a major program to revamp Burma's postal system.
Under the 1991 'Four Principles of ODA' and the ODA Charter of 1992, Japan has pledged to pay full attention to democracy, basic human rights, and freedoms in its aid decisions.
The Japanese government should ensure that investments and development projects do not contribute to land seizures and forced displacement throughout Burma, Human Rights Watch said.
For instance, international telecommunications companies risk being linked to human rights abuses if they enter the Burmese market before adequate protections are in place.
The Burmese government has not yet created a legal framework for the telecommunications sector that respects basic human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and privacy.
Two Japanese companies are participating in the tender process for two nationwide telecommunications licenses that Burma's government will award in June.
''Japan has significant leverage to push the Burmese government in the right direction and pursue rights-respecting development that places public participation at its core,'' Adams said.
''Japan's leaders should make sure that implementation of their aid projects match the rights rhetoric around them.''
Human Rights Watch called on Japan to ensure that its companies invest responsibly and transparently to avoid contributing to human rights abuses.
Japanese companies should be required to respect human rights and take concrete steps - known as ''human rights due diligence'' - to prevent and address any rights abuses.
The Japanese government should also mandate public reporting on investment in Burma, in line with United States requirements that were finalised on May 23.
''Japan should frontload human rights concerns during the political and economic transition in Burma,'' Adams said.
''Development projects in Burma have frequently been synonymous with abuses such as forced labor, land evictions, and denial of basic rights, and Japan should use its leverage to ensure these abuses end.''
I worked in Myanmar from 2001-2010. The Japanese & Chinese have always been a big presence there. Even though a Japanese photographer was killed in the 'monk demonstrations some years back, it did not provoke more than a mild rebuke from the Japanese government. To be honest, I don't believe the Japanese, or for that matter the Chinese, give a fig for human rights. Money talks louder than environmental or human rights issues & they will do what best suits their countries' needs.
Posted by Logic on May 24, 2013 14:16