Background

Systematic human rights abuses and conflict in Burma have been problematic for decades. This map seeks to show how even in the past year, during periods of so called "reform" that these serious issues have been ongoing in Burma's ethnic areas. Even though the civilian government has been working on ceasefire negotiations with some ethnic armed groups, the military has continued to act at will. Moreover, in June of 2011 a 17-year long ceasefire was broken in Kachin areas and conflict has been ongoing in Northern Burma. President Thein Sein has repeatedly ordered the military to stop attacks, but fighting and violence against civilians has not stopped. 

Find Out More Here: http://uscampaignforburma.org/crimesagainsthumanityinburma/

--- "Modern Burmese history has been marked by decades of military rule, widespread human rights violations, and armed conflict. Since 1962, the Burmese military has repressed political opposition—whether in the country’s urban areas where political parties are most active or rural areas where ethnic nationality groups predominate. 

Human rights abuses by the military regime in both conflict and non-conflict zones have been commonplace, with attacks primarily aimed at students, political opponents, and ethnic nationalities. The rights abuses range from the suppression of civil and political rights, such as freedom of expression and assembly, to arbitrary detentions and problems associated with the lack of an independent judiciary. Violent abuses, such as extrajudicial killings, torture, and disappearances, along with epidemic levels of forced labor and discriminatory practices against women and ethnic nationalities have also been historically widespread."

- The International Human Rights Clinic at Havard Law School "Crimes in Burma"

Click here to read the report and especially read more about the history of ethnic conflict in Burma.

--- "At the same time as Thein Sein’s government is engaging in public relations maneuvers designed to make it appear that reform is taking place, its army is perpetrating atrocities against the Kachin people on a widespread and systematic basis. Seven months after the November 2010 elections and four months after the convening of parliament which, in the words of the ruling generals, “completed the country’s transition to a multiparty democracy,” the regime launched a new war in Kachin State and Northern Shan State. After a seventeen year ceasefire, the renewed conflict has brought rampant human rights abuses by the Burma Army including, rape, torture, the use of human minesweepers and the forced displacement of entire villages.

Human rights abuses in Burma are prevalent because of the culture of impunity put in place at the highest levels of government. The Burmese regime continuously fails to investigate human rights abuses committed by its military and instead categorically denies the possibility that abuses are taking place. Attempts to seek justice for the crimes committed against the Kachin people have resulted in responses ranging from “we do not take responsibility for any landmine injuries” to “the higher authorities will not listen to your complaint."

- Kachin Women's Association Thailand "Burma's Covered up War: Atrocities Against the Kachin People"

---Why are abuses continuing despite all the talks of reform in Burma? The 2008 Constitution is a major factor:

"Even by its own standards the constitution fails. Some objectives of constitutional reform cluster around the unity of the  nation and the state (by recognizing the diversity of its people).  It is unlikely that many groups in the country (ethnic minorities, democratically inclined Burmans, and Buddhists and followers of other religions) would wish to participate in  these so-called reforms. The territorial restructuring of the state will not produce autonomy and self-government that would satisfy ethnic groups who have long struggled for adequate recognition of their culture and land rights. The special place envisaged for Buddhism and the Myanmar language seeks to continue the exclusion of minorities…

The exemption of the military from any democratic and judicial principles, while playing a critical role in the political process, will mean that the most important organization in the country, with its tentacles in every institution and region of the state, will bring anti-democratic practices at the heart of government. The civilian authority and forces have no control over the military; on the contrary the military will control civilian forces."

- Yash Ghai Constitutional Expert on report on Burma's Constitution: