We, the undersigned international human rights organizations, are concerned that the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) has yet to take the necessary steps to ensure that the process of drafting the ASEAN Human Rights Declaration (AHRD) is transparent and fully consultative with civil society organizations in the ASEAN region.

In a joint statement released on April 8th (full text below), over 130 local, national and regional civil society organizations across the ASEAN region called on AICHR to implement the following steps:

Purpose of the current report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Disinvestment in health, coupled with widespread poverty, corruption, and the dearth of skilled personnel have resulted in the collapse of Burma's health system. Today, Burma's health indicators by official figures are among the worst in the region.

I. OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY OF THE BACK PACK HEALTH WORKER TEAM

In 2006, the BPHWT extended health care into the Shan and Lahu areas, which increased the number of BPHWT teams from 70 to 76. Currently, there are over 300 people working for the BPHWT, including 284 health workers in Burma, Leading Group and Executive Board members and office staff.