MYANMAR/ BURMA

“This is Burma. It is quite unlike any place you know about.”

-Kipling

Not much is known on the history of Burma before colonialism; warring kingdoms and very Buddhist.

Traditional Asian culture, not western at all.

monks are loved and respected above anyone else

Traditional village lifestyles.

By 1885 Britain controlled ALL of Burma.

Monks, protested against the British.

WWII Japanese controlled.

1948 independence was gained.

Military coup, overthrow, in 1962 to promote communism. an organized action by the armed forces of a country meant to

overthrow and replace its government.

Military enforced martial law and promised to hold elections in 1989.

Military led by SLORC State Law and Order Restoration Council

Opposition to SLORC led by Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD).

SLORC changed name to Myanmar.

National election in 1990 Suu Kyi won 85% of the votes.

Suu Kyi who was put on house arrest and SLORC kept control.

LIFE UNDER MILITARY RULE One of the most repressive and abusive

governments.

Estimated 800,000 people are in forced labor.

Forced labor, human trafficking, child labor, censorship, propaganda, military use of sexual violence.

Rumor of ethnic cleansing on minority groups.

2007 monk led protest to overthrow the government. Military responded with violence.

Estimated 2,100 political prison

November 2010, Suu Kyi released from house arrest after 20 years.

2010 elections held to replace military junta

Elections considered neither free nor fair

¼ of parliamentary seats automatically go to the military.

Active duty military men resigned to run for office giving the military majority of seats.

March 2012 more democratic reforms: Re-election of contested seats. Suy Kyii won a parliamentary seat!