Official Name

Union of Myanmar

Population

43,373,958

The Government

Though officially a military junta, Burma is commonly said to be under military dictatorship. Sr. Gen. Than Shwe rules the country and prohibited the democratically elected government from taking power. Though Burma has no known outside enemies, it maintains an army of 500,000 including a large number of child soldiers. This army brutally suppresses all opposition, and instils fear into its people.

The Economy

Though Burma has a wealth of natural resources, poor policies, strict government regulations, corruption, and instability has resulted in Burma consistently being among the poorest countries in the world. This is true despite the fact that under British rule, Burma was one of the richest countries in Southeast Asia.

The EU and US, among others have blocked trade with Burma in an effort to prevent the government from commandeering the proceeds. Burma still trades with other major economies, notably China and India. Within its own country, the Junta has wreaked havoc on its economy and its people’s livelihoods. When the military enters a village, they often destroy all rice fields and farm lands, to prevent its inhabitants from returning. The combination of mismanagement by its own government, and external pressures, has been detrimental to Burma’s economy.

What about the opposition?

In 1990 Burma held democratic elections, which resulted in Aung San Suu Kyi being elected prime minister. However, the military prevented her from taking power, imprisoning her and then placing her under house arrest, where she remains today.

Though the UN recently issued a petition for the Junta to release Aung San Suu Kyi, their call was not heeded and in May her house arrest was extended. Though she is the most notable member of the opposition, Aung San Suu Kyi is not the only one oppressed by the government. It is estimated that there are thousands of political prisoners in Burma.

The government owns almost all media outlets and heavily censors its content. By controlling the media the Junta has removed yet another mechanism for accountability. Ethnic minority groups are often the loudest opposition to the government, and therefore suffer the worst fate. They are suppressed, forced into labour, have their villages destroyed, and often flee to neighbouring countries to escape.

Other Issues

Burma has a dismal human rights record and is a main source of human trafficking of men, women, and children to East and Southeast Asia for forced labour and sexual exploitation. The military routinely uses sexual violence as a means of control, including systematic rape. Minority groups are routinely attacked and forced to flee to avoid torture or death.

Continue to Burma Today