Burma: Photographs by Platon for Human Rights Watch

(October 29, 2010) - Burma is one of the most repressive and closed societies in the world, run by generals since 1962.  Longstanding human rights abuses by the government include silencing of most of civil society, torture in prison, use of child soldiers, forced labor, trafficking of women, and attacks targeting civilians in ethnic minority areas.   The military government has announced that it will hold the first elections in more than 20 years on November 7.  In May 2010, Human Rights Watch took leading portrait photographer Platon to the Thai-Burma border to photograph former political prisoners, civil society leaders, ethnic minority group members, journalists and other people in exile from their country, Burma.   All of those in this portrait portfolio have experienced human rights abuses in Burma and sought refuge in Thailand. Instead of being demoralized and defeated, they have united and use their shared experiences to educate and work for a better future for all of Burma’s people. Although forced into exile, they have not been silenced.