Burma
The human rights situation in Burma is critical. Since the military coup in 1962, the country has been run by a military junta, which has transformed one of the richest countries in Southeast Asia into an internationally isolated state on the edge of poverty. In 1988, the military brutally suppressed nation-wide democratic demonstrations. Thousands of people were arrested or went into exile, and thousands more joined guerilla armies in the border areas. It is estimated that more than 1 800 political prisoners are being detained in Burmese prisons. Society is under the control of the secret police, and any opposition activity or simple criticism of the government can result in long-term imprisonment or even a life sentence.
In spite of this repression, the National League for Democracy (the leading opposition party), as well as various underground student movements, individual dissidents and independent journalists are still active. In recent years, small civic initiatives aimed at solving serious social problems have been established as well. Last autumn a wave of peaceful demonstrations lead by Buddhist monks were showing the critical social situation in the country and gave clear sign that the Burmese military junta cannot solve this situation and instead violently suppressed the protests.
The junta was not able to react to the 2008 spring’s humanitarian crisis caused by the Cyclone Nargis either not allowing international humanitarian aid organizations in the country and leaving thousands of people without food and housing. Due to the authoritarian regime it is very difficult to provide any assistance in Burma which would not be controlled by the state. Democracy assistance in Burma is done mainly through organizations residing in exile which have contact inside Burma and are able under very difficult security conditions do trainings in Burma, supply equipment to activists, bring international visitors to support Burmese democrats.
EPD projects in Burma:
SUPPORT TO HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND FAMILIES OF POLITICAL PRISONERS (with People in Need, Czech Republic)
FOREIGN AFFAIRS TRAINING PROGRAM (with Educational Initiatives, Thailand)
Other articles about Burma on the EPD website