Myanmar democracy
- 1. Democratic Movements in Myanmar
- 3. Country Profile • Capital: Nay Pyi Daw • Largest city: Rangoon (Yangon) • National Day: January 4 • Population: 48.8 million • Area: 676,552 sq km (261,218 sq miles) • Major languages: Burmese, indigenous ethnic languages • Major religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Islam • Currency: Kyat
- 4. Burma/Myanmar ,Known as: Golden Land Land of Gems & Land of Immortality
- 5. Nay Pyi Daw (New Capital) Nay pyi daw means "Royal Palace/City", but is also translated as “seat of kings” The administrative capital of Myanmar was officially moved to a greenfield site two miles west of Pyinmana on 6 November 2005. Naypyidaw is approximately 320 kilometers north of Yangon. The capital's official name was announced on Armed Forces Day in March 2006.
- 6. What’s in a name? The ruling military junta changed the country’s name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989. Many of the world’s governments – including New Zealand’s – have since adopted Myanmar as the official name of the country. Other countries, such as Britain and the USA, continue to refer to it as Burma. Burma's democracy movement prefers the 'Burma' because they do not accept the legitimacy of the unelected military regime to change the official name of the country. Internationally, both names are recognized.
- 7. History and Current Government • First Burmese empire --- Pagan Kingdom (849-1287) • Second Burmese empire --- Toungoo Dynasty (1486-1752) • Third Burmese empire Konbaung Dynasty (1753-1885) • War with Britain (1824-1852) - (1st Anglo-Burmese War) • British Lower Burma (1852-1885) – (2nd Anglo-Burmese War) • British Upper Burma (1885-1886) – (3rd Anglo-Burmese War) • British rule in Burma (1886-1948) – ( A province of India) • Nationalist Movement in Burma (after 1886) • Japanese occupation of Burma (1942-1945) --- WW II • Independence from British (Jan 4, 1948)
- 8. History and Current Government • Post-Independence Burma (1948-1962) • Military Era (1962 -1988) (Burmese Way to Socialism: One-party system ) • 8888 Uprising (1988) ( Fight for democracy) Aung San Suu Kyi Than Shwe (The Lady) (The Dictator) • Military Junta (1989-present) Head – Senior General Than Shwe (State Peace and Development Council - SPDC) (Ranked number 6 in the world’s worst dictator list (2007) compiled by Parade Magazine of USA, an improvement from last year’s (2006) list when he was number 3. Opposition Leader: Aung San Suu Kyi ( National League for Democracy – NLD)
- 9. Daughter of Burmese independence leader Gen Aung San. In August 1988, began addressing Burmese people about political change and received large amounts of support. Secretary-general of the National League of Democracy Party, 1988-present. Placed under house arrest from 1989-1995. In 1991, awarded Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought and the Nobel Peace Prize. (Oct 14, 1991) Continues to play major role in Burma’s democratic struggle. Placed under house arrest again from Sept 2000 to May 2002, and currently she is under house arrest again since May 2003. She has received more than 10 honorary doctorates degrees, US presidential medal of freedom(2000) and many other awards.
- 10. The Long Struggle for Democracy The people of Burma are locked in one of the world’s great freedom struggles. Democracy was conceded in 1948 after more than a century of British rule and, although beset by some ethnic strife, survived until an army coup in 1962. Burma has suffered under military dictatorship for the past 46 years.
- 11. In 1988, students, workers, and others launched nationwide protests calling for freedom and democracy. The military responded by gunning down thousands of demonstrators in a massacre worse than the more publicized Tiananmen Square massacre the following year. General Thein Swe has acknowledged that the 1988 demonstrations came close to toppling the military government, and elections were held in 1990 in which Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) won 82% of the seats. But by then the military were firmly back in control.
- 12. Brutal and Corrupt regime Burma is ruled by one of the most brutal and corrupt regimes in the world, responsible for: • The widespread use of forced labour. • Over 1 million people forced from their homes. • At least 2092 political prisoners, many of whom are routinely tortured. • More than 70,000 child soldiers - more than any other country in the world.
- 13. • Rape as a weapon of war against ethnic women and children. • Nearly half the government budget spent on the military and just 23 cents per person per year on health. • One in ten babies die before their fifth birthday.
- 14. Free Political Prisoners “The release of political prisoners is the most important thing for all those who truly wish to bring about change in Burma.” Aung San Suu Kyi - 2002 There are more than 2092 political prisoners in Burma. In the past year more than 900 activists have been arrested, including 13 leading members of the 88 Generation Students’ Group. Political prisoners suffer severe physical and psychological torture, starvation, and serious health problems caused by the prison conditions. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself is Burma’s most famous political prisoner.
- 15. Economic and social life All aspects of life are dominated by the military. Burma is unique in being run for and by a military elite and their families, so that trade and investment directly feed the wealth and power of the armed forces rather than ordinary people. In areas where the junta faces opposition from ethnic groups, it has razed whole villages and forced people to move to areas where it can control more effectively. Landmines are laid in the areas where people used to live. More than 1 million people have had to leave their homes as a result of these policies. About 150,000 live in refugee camps in neighbouring countries, mainly Thailand. All publications are censored. Radio & television is state controlled, and cellphone and internet access is denied to most of the population. Outdoor meetings of more than 5 people are banned. Unions and strikes are outlawed.
- 16. The ruling Junta The ruling generals and the army stand accused of gross human rights abuses particularly against ethnic minorities. “These abuses include censorship, persecution, torture, disappearances, extrajudicial executions, the curtailing of religious freedom and demolition of places of workship, forced relocations, rapes and forced labour”. US State Department 2004 Burma’s 400,000-strong army is the second largest in South East Asia. Almost 50% of the government budget is spent on the military. China is estimated to supply 90% of Burma’s extensive military hardware. With the 10th largest gas reserves in the world, Burma is seen as strategic important energy resource.
- 17. The Ethnic Minorities A peaceful and democratic Burma requires harmony among the country's diverse ethnic groups. The Union of Burma became independent in I948 only after extensive negotiations led by General Aung San, who convinced ethnic minority groups to join the new union. Most of Burma's ethnic minorities inhabit areas along the country's mountainous frontiers. Karen and Shan groups comprise about I0% each, while Akha, Chin, Chinese, Danu, Indian, Kachin, Karenni, Kayan, Kokang, Lahu, Mon, Naga, Palaung, Pao, Rakhine, Rohingya, Tavoyan, and Wa peoples each constitute 5% or less of the population.
- 18. •The principal demands of Burma's ethnic minorities are to gain genuine autonomy for their home areas and to achieve a significant voice in the affairs of the country as a whole. Few demand total independence as their ultimate goal. Since its 1988 coup, the military junta has negotiated cease- fires with most armed ethnic opposition groups and waged fierce assaults against others. •The umbrella organisation for pro-democracy organisations, the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) aims to bring about a federal democracy that guarantees equality to all ethnic groups.
- 19. The Democratic Movement When the ruling generals denied democratic government following the resounding National League for Democracy (NLD) electoral victory in 1990, pro-democracy organizations formed the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB).
- 20. •NCGUB The National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma. •NCUB The National Council of the Union of Burma
- 21. Movements: UN Must Act Forced Labour The FTUB Child Soldiers Foreign Investment in Burma International Boycott The Tourism Boycott Cyclone Nargis Prison for those who help
- 22. MYANMAR Timeline 1947 - Pre-independence leader Aung San and six members of his interim government assassinated by political opponents 1948 - Burma, after more than 100 years of British domination, becomes independent with U Nu as prime minister. 1962 - Military coup led by Gen Ne Win. U Nu imprisoned, economy nationalized and a single-party state formed. 1987 - Student protests in Rangoon after currency devaluation makes 75% of money in circulation worthless.
- 23. 1988 - Student riots force Ne Wins resignation but thousands die during mass demonstrations for democracy in cities and villages throughout Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi, daughter of Aung San, returns to Burma to lead newly formed National League for Democracy (NLD). 1989 - The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) declares martial law, arrests thousands of people, including advocates of democracy and human rights, renames Burma Myanmar, with the capital, Rangoon, becoming Yangon. Aung San Suu Kyi is put under house arrest. 1990 - SLORCO allows the first multi-party elections and NLD wins landslide victory, but the result is ignored by the military. Eight NLD MPs flee to Thai border and set up the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB). .
- 24. 1991 - Aung San Suu Kyi, still under house arrest, is awarded Nobel Peace Prize for her commitment to peaceful change. 1997 - Burma admitted to Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean); SLORC renamed State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). 2003 – Aung San Suu Kyi, who had been released in 2002, is arrested. US bans imports from Burma, freezes assets in US and denies US visas to junta officials. 2004 - New Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt convenes a constitutional convention on new constitution despite boycott by NLD. The convention adjourns in July. 2004 October – SPDC sacks Khin Nyunt and replaces him with hard-liner General Soe Win.
- 25. 2005 February - Constitutional convention resumes, but without the participation of the main opposition and ethnic groups. Talks end in January 2006 with no reports of any clear outcomes. 2007 - Wave of public dissent sparked by fuel price hikes. Military government declares 14 years of constitutional talks complete and closes the National Convention. Pro-democracy demonstrations throughout Burma led by Buddhist monks (the Saffron Revolution) is brutally suppressed. 2008 April - Government publishes proposed new constitution, which allocates a quarter of seats in parliament to the military and bans opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi from holding office. To be put to national referendum on 10 May. 2008 May – Cyclone Nargis hits the low-lying Irrawaddy delta. Some estimates put the death toll as high as 134,000. Referendum proceeds amid humanitarian crisis. Government claims 92% support for draft constitution.