Human Rights Watch said in a submission to the World Bank Group released on October 6 that Myanmar’s reform process remains tenuous, and serious problems remain, particularly as the 2015 elections approach. The rights group claims key issues of concern include rights violations against ethnic minorities, widespread land grabs, and systematic corruption.

The World Bank Group cautiously re-engaged with the Myanmar government in 2012 and is developing a more comprehensive partnership framework for the next five years.

“The World Bank should be taking stock of the human rights situation in Burma as the 2015 elections approach,” said Ms Jessica Evans, senior international financial institutions researcher at Human Rights Watch.

“The elections could be a milestone in Burma’s reform efforts or a major setback, and the bank will need to set the best path for engagement.”

The international rights group said World Bank Group President Jim Kim should highlight ongoing problems of discrimination and abuses against ethnic minorities, land and labour rights, access to justice, and corruption when he meets with Myanmar finance officials during the World Bank-International Monetary Fund annual meetings in Washington, DC, on October 10-12.

The World Bank Group is piloting a new process for country engagement in Myanmar, first identifying major challenges to sustainable, inclusive development. The next step is to work with the government on a strategy to address the challenges. For this new process to be meaningful, the bank should not ignore controversial issues such as human rights, Human Rights Watch said.