New Government Fails to Pursue Promised Reforms

(New York, January 23, 2012) – The human rights situation in Thailand deteriorated in 2011 as the government failed to address impunity for human rights abuses by security forces, Human Rights Watch said today in its World Report 2012. The government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, which took power after winning the general election in July, has largely failed to fulfill its pledges to make human rights a priority.

Dialogue Planned for January 12 in Hanoi

(New York, January 11, 2012) – The European Union should press Vietnam to release all political prisoners and to carry out concrete improvements in freedom of expression, assembly, association, and religion during a dialogue in Hanoi on January 12, 2012, Human Rights Watch said today in a memo to the EU.

Tens of Thousands Still Isolated From Assistance, Abuses Continue

(New York, December 21, 2011) – The Burmese government should make a long-term commitment with humanitarian agencies to provide relief to Burma’s war-torn Kachin state, Human Rights Watch said today. Since June 2011, an estimated 50,000 ethnic Kachin have been displaced due to fighting between the Burmese army and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and many are in great need of humanitarian assistance.

20-Year Prison Sentence for Four Text Messages

(New York, December 3, 2011) – A Thai court’s sentencing of a 61-year-old man to 20 years in prison for sending four text messages illustrates the misuse by successive Thai governments of laws intended to protect the monarchy, Human Rights Watch said today. Thailand’s lese majeste laws should be amended to prevent unnecessary restrictions on freedom of expression.