Special Economic Zones in Myanmar and the State Duty to Protect Human rights

Myanmar’s 2014 Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Law does not conform to the State’s international law obligations to protect human rights. The legal framework for SEZs in Myanmar does not establish clear procedures and lines of responsibility and accountability. This has contributed to human rights violations and abuses at Myanmar’s three SEZ sites in Dawei, Kyauk Phyu and Thilawa.

Civil society groups have documented human rights violations by the State and human rights abuses by companies resulting from a lack of meaningful consultation, inadequate compensation and limited access to remedies for persons displaced in the development of SEZs in Dawei and Thilawa. People living on land acquired for these SEZs were displaced without proper planning for involuntary resettlement and before an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was undertaken. This report finds similar problems occurring during preparations for the development of an SEZ in Kyauk Phyu, Rakhine State.

Download the report in English HERE.