This Perspective discusses the following new study published in PLoS Medicine: Mullany LC, Lee CI, Yone L, Paw P, Oo EKS, et al. (2008) "Access to essential maternal health interventions and human rights violations among vulnerable communities in eastern Burma". PLoS Med 5(12): e242. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.0050242 Luke Mullany and colleagues examine access to essential maternal health interventions and human rights violations within vulnerable communities in eastern Burma.