BURMA: A LAND OF FEAR

Burma is ruled by an illegitimate military dictatorship - one of the most tyrannical the modern era has seen. A regime that refuses any democratisation of the political system, that systematically violates the most fundamental human rights, and that oppresses and exploits its population. It is a regime engaged in the perpetuation of relentless misery. Burma has been ruled by dictatorship since 1962. The regime that rules Burma today, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) came to power in 1988 following the brutal repression of a popular uprising. In response to hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets calling for democracy, the military opened fire, killing thousands. While the exact number will never be known, it is estimated that as many as 5,000 people were killed. Following international pressure the regime held an election in 1990; Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy won an overwhelming 82% of the seats. However, the regime never honoured the result, disregarding the vote and strengthened its grip on power.
Today, two decades later, the people of Burma still strive for democracy. In September 2007 monks led a peaceful popular uprising across the country; thousands of civilians took to the streets calling for change. The regime responded with bullets, killing dozens, possibly hundreds and arresting thousands. In May 2008 the brutality of the regime was demonstrated once more as they blocked international aid from reaching the 2.4 million survivors of Cyclone Nargis.
Today Burma is ruled by a regime that:
Rules through fear. The regime uses rape as a weapon of war against ethnic women and children.
Prioritises guns over human development. Burma is the only country in Asia whose defence budget is greater than that of health and education combined.
Has no respect for Human Rights. Severe human rights abuses are routinely committed by the Burmese regime, including murder, torture, rape, detention without trial and massive forced relocations.
Arrests and tortures its critics. Today there are nearly 2,000 political prisoners in Burma. Many are routinely tortured. Burma’s democracy leader, Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has been under arrest for over 12 years.
Systematically uses forced labour. Men, women and children are routinely forced to work for the army and in construction projects – often imposed with the threat of physical abuse, beatings, torture, rape and murder.
Uses more child soldiers than any other country in the world. There are at least 70,000 child soldiers today in Burma.
Terrorises its own people. The regime’s campaign of terror against any opposition and minority groups has created an estimated one and a half million internally displaced people.
Pursues policies of Ethnic Cleansing. Over the past twelve years, 3,000 villages have been destroyed in Eastern Burma by the ruling military regime.