A little background on Burma

I thought I would provide a little background information on the current political situation in Burma for those of you who had never heard of the country before last September (not uncommon). The information is largely stolen from a recent travelogue of a former traveling companion of mine, Tom Grundy. Thanks, Tom!

Between 1987-88, the long-suffering Burmese people grew tired of their incompetent and arrogant military government and packed the streets in huge pro-democracy demonstrations. It was prophesized that Myanmar would finally become a free country on the auspicious date of 8/8/88 – instead, the state brutally came down on its own people, resulting in over 3000 deaths in 3 months. The socialist system was replaced with a capitalist one, the government doubled the size of the army (currently 400,000 strong) and called an election in 1990. The democrats won by 82% but were never allowed to take power; their leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, was placed under house arrest, where she remains today.

Since 1988, the widespread use of forced and child labor has been systematic – the UN rightly calls this a 'crime against humanity'. Rape is used as a weapon of war against ethnic groups - women and children. At least 1,300 political prisoners are currently in detention, many of whom are routinely tortured (as the 'fieriest' corner of the British Empire, the junta inherited a large prison capacity). 1 in 10 babies die before their fifth birthday and there are more child soldiers (70,000) than any other country in the world. Nearly half the government budget is spent on the military, and just 19p per person per year invested in health. Over 60% of Burmese people live in extreme poverty, on less than 60p a day. Censorship is rife and people are afraid to speak out for fear of torture and detention. In an effort to clean up its image internationally, it hired a Washington DC public relations firm to help 're-brand' its despicable activities. It went on to launch 'Visit Myanmar Year 1996' after employing forced labour to build up its tourism infrastructure.

As we recently saw, it is suspected that thousands more peaceful protesters, led by monks - held in great reverence and respect in the communities they serve - were beaten or killed whilst standing up for their rights again last September.

Now after Cyclone Nargis 100,000 citizens are dead with many more likely to lose their lives as the government refuses foreign aid in order to keep the doors of their country closed.