JUSTICE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS IN BURMA (JHB)

MISSION

  • To bring justice to the citizens of Burma throughout the world by pursuing the establishment of a democracy in Burma that protects basic human freedoms.
  • To bring to justice military junta members in Burma for crimes against humanity and human rights abuses.

OBJECTIVES

  • To bring international judicial, political, and economic pressure on junta members for widespread human rights abuses.
  • To gain the release of all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience held in junta controlled detention centers, resumption of all political party activities without restriction, and the reestablishment of full press freedom.
  • To bring heightened attention to the gravity of the pervasive human rights abuses committed daily by the junta against the citizens of Burma.

STRATEGIES

  • To pursue country specific legal, political, and economic forms of pressure against the junta for crimes against humanity and human rights abuses.
  • To establish a joint Burma/UN criminal tribunal to try the junta members responsible for or complicit in crimes against humanity and human rights abuses.

BACKGROUND

Justice for Human Rights in Burma (JHB) was founded in order to bring democracy and justice to the citizens of Burma.  The stagnation in the progress of democratization and respect for human rights in Burma under the State, Law and Order Restoration Council  (SLORC) and State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) give impetus to JHB’s vigilance in bringing justice to Burma.  Past and presently occurring crimes against humanity perpetrated by the military junta in Burma since 1962 need to be addressed to bring justice to the victims, prevent future atrocities, uphold international human rights law, and set precedents for future governments of a democratic Burma.  JHB recognizes the progress in international human rights law embodied in the United Nations war crimes tribunals, the creation of the International Criminal Court, and the Belgian declaration of universal jurisdiction over crimes against humanity.  JHB strongly supports these movements to protect basic human rights and hold the perpetrators of crimes against humanity accountable.  Suing or indicting the military junta leaders of Burma in national or international courts is a necessary step in the continuous struggle for basic rights and freedoms to which the people of Burma are entitled.  These measures are considerably more momentous given the military junta’s increasingly disastrous mismanagement of Burma’s economy, unremitting human rights violations, environmental strain, cultural repression, and political suppression.  Since 1962, when Ne Win seized power in Burma and instituted the “Burmese Way to Socialism” the rest of the world has witnessed the most prosperous Southeast Asian country decline to Least Developed Country status.  Most of the necessary components of a developing, prospering country are either in serious decline or not present at all in Burma under the military governments.  It has been over a decade since free and fair national elections of 1990 clearly delivered a mandate for democratic change in Burma.  The 1990 elections and the illegitimate governance of Burma by the SPDC must be recognized internationally.  Consolidated international judicial, political, and economic pressure needs to be brought to bear on the military junta of Burma to effect the change sought by the citizens of Burma and lovers of freedom worldwide.

Justice for Human Rights in Burma (JHB) is broad based, international, grassroots democracy and human rights advocacy group with the principal aim of restoring democracy and freedom in Burma.  JHB seeks the cooperation and support of any like-minded organizations and encourages fruitful debate regarding Burma issues.  JHB recognizes the necessity of establishing a united democratic front among all ethnic nationalities and will encourage the realization of this aim. 

Board of Advisors:

·        Dean Kenneth A. Rogers - Chairperson of the Board

·        Dr. Sein Myint

·        Prof. Kanbawza Win

·        Dr. Kyaw Win

·        Dr. Tun Kyaw Nyein

·        Dr. Maung Maung Hla Kyaing

·        U Mya Win

·       U Aung Ko

·          U Moe Thee Zun

·        Dr. Alice Khin Saw Win

·        Dr. Win Naing

·        U Tun Aung Kyaw

·        U Thant Zin Myaing

Board of Directors:                  

·       Joseph Serrani:  Campaign

·       Win Moe:  International Relations

·        Dr Sein Myint:  Strategy and Policy Development

·        Daw Sunda Khin:  Public Relations

·        Ko Tha Kyaw Maung:  Public Relations

·        Ko Thein Aung Kyaw:  Public Relations

·        Ko Myat Soe:  Research and Development

·        Ko Nyo Ohn Myint:  Alliance Relations

·        Ko Maung Maung Than:  Asia Pacific Region

JHB Chapters:

·        United States

  Indiana:  Ko Win Moe

  Washinton DC:  Daw Sunda Khin

·        Australia:  Ko Maung Maung Than

·        Bangladesh:  Ko Khaing Mrat Kyaw

·        Canada:  Dr. Alice Khin Saw Win

·        France:  U Aung Ko

·        Germany:  Ko Aung Thu

·        India:  Ko Soe Myint

·        Jamaica:  Dr. Aung Chun, Dr. Soe Paing

·        Japan:  Dr. Maung Maung Hla Kyaing

·        Malaysia: Ko Minn Kyaw

·       South Africa:  Dr. Thein Win

·        Thailand:  U Sai Win Kyaw

·        Belgium:  Ko Zin Min Htun

·        United Kingdom:  Ko Aung

 (other chapters pending)