DOCSLIB.ORG

Burma: Drug Control Progress and Possibilities Dawson, Jenna; Barlow, Daniel

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Burma: Drug Control Progress and Possibilities Dawson, Jenna; Barlow, Daniel www.ssoar.info Burma: Drug Control Progress and Possibilities Dawson, Jenna; Barlow, Daniel Veröffentlichungsversion / Published Version Zeitschriftenartikel / journal article Zur Verfügung gestellt in Kooperation mit / provided in cooperation with: GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies Empfohlene Zitierung / Suggested Citation: Dawson, J., & Barlow, D. (2006). Burma: Drug Control Progress and Possibilities. Südostasien aktuell : journal of current Southeast Asian affairs, 25(1), 7-16. https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-337764 Nutzungsbedingungen: Terms of use: Dieser Text wird unter einer CC BY-NC-ND Lizenz This document is made available under a CC BY-NC-ND Licence (Namensnennung-Nicht-kommerziell-Keine Bearbeitung) zur (Attribution-Non Comercial-NoDerivatives). For more Information Verfügung gestellt. Nähere Auskünfte zu den CC-Lizenzen finden see: Sie hier: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.de “StudieDawson106” — 2006/1/23 — 11:02 — page 7 — #1 SÜDOSTASIEN aktuell 1/2006 7 Studie Burma: Drug Control Progress and Possibilities Jenna Dawson and Daniel Barlow Abstract Burma is the second largest opium producer in the world, and is quickly becoming a hotbed of methamphetamine production. Opium profits have helped to finance conflict within Burma for both the central government and the insurgent ethnic groups; however, with the 1989 ceasefire agreements with the insurgent ethnic groups the drug control context changed dramatically. In April 2002, the Kokang and Wa ethnic leaders, whose regions account for the vast majority of opium poppy cultivation, committed to making their territory opium-free by 2003 and July 2005 respectively. The combined drug control efforts of national and local leaders have shown promis- ing results, as both UN and US opium surveys have confirmed large declines in poppy cultivation. As Burma continues to reduce opium cultivation, it has struggled in recent years with an increase in the production of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS). Com- bating the threats from opium and ATS will require different strategies. Stronger border controls, improved law enforcement and interdiction techniques must complement de- velopment strategies and alternative cropping policies. (manuscript received 31.5.2005, accepted 24.6.2005) Key Words: Burma, Drugs, Regional Security The Authors Daniel Barlow is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Arts in International Policy Stud- ies focusing on emerging security issues, at the Monterey Institute of International Studies. He worked as an intern last year at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Myanmar. He received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Hampden Sydney College. E-Mail: [email protected] Jenna Dawson received her Master of Arts in International Policy Studies from the Mon- terey Institute of International Studies. Her research focused on trade and security. She received a Bachelor of Arts in economics and international relations from the University of Western Ontario and worked at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Dakar, Senegal. E-Mail: [email protected] “StudieDawson106” — 2006/1/23 — 11:02 — page 8 — #2 8 SÜDOSTASIEN aktuell 1/2006 Studie Myanmar: Strategien zur Drogenkontrolle Jenna Dawson und Daniel Barlow Abstract Myanmar ist der zweitgrößte Opiumproduzent der Welt und hat sich zu einer Hochburg der Methamphetaminproduktion entwickelt. Die Gewinne aus der Opiumproduktion halfen sowohl der Zentralregierung als auch den aufständischen ethnischen Gruppen, den Konflikt zu finanzieren. Seit den Waffenstillstandsvereinbarungen 1989 hat sich der Kontext der Drogenkontrolle dramatisch verändert. Im April 2002 versprachen die Führer der Kokang und der Wa, in deren Einflussbereich die überwältigende Mehrheit des Mohnanbaus und der Opiumproduktion stattfindet, ihre Gebiete bis 2003 bzw. 2005 opiumfrei zu bekommen. Die vereinten Anstrengungen nationaler und lokaler Führer bei der Bekämpfung der Drogenproduktion zeigt viel versprechende Ergebnisse; sowohl die Statistiken der UN als auch der USA bestätigten einen starken Rückgang des Opiumanbaus. Während Burma den Anbau von Opium reduziert, erlebte es in den vergangenen Jahren einen Anstieg der Produktion der Amphetamin-Derivate (ATS). Stärkere Grenzkontrollen, verbesserte Rechtsetzung und Untersuchungstechniken müssen die Entwicklung dieser Strategien komplementär ergänzen. (Eingang des Manuskripts 31.5.2005; angenommen 24.6.2005) Key Words: Burma, Drugs, Regional Security Die Autoren Daniel Barlow erhielt den Bachelor of Arts an der Hampden Sydney College. Er absolvierte im Jahre 2004 ein Praktikum im UN Office on Drugs and Crime in Yangon. E-Mail: [email protected] Jenna Dawson erhielt ihren Master of Arts in International Policy Studies vom Monterey Institute of International Studies. Ihre Forschungsschwerpunkte sind Handel und Sicherheit. E-Mail: [email protected] “StudieDawson106” — 2006/1/23 — 11:02 — page 9 — #3 Drug Control 9 Introduction The Union of Myanmar, as Burma1 is now known, is a study of an isolated country that is desperately seeking legitimacy in the eyes of the world. The ruling military junta has given autonomy to several of the ethnic groups that led insurgencies against the government, and together with these ethnic minorities has vowed to crack down on the drug production that runs rampant throughout the Union. Burma, the second largest opium producer in the world, is also quickly becoming a hotbed of methamphetamine production. However, in the last 15 years, mutually reinforcing international, regional and national goals have dramatically changed the drug control policies and possibilities in Burma. While it is commonly reported that political, social and economic conditions in Burma are only deteriorating, we would argue that there has been significant progress in the context of drug control. This issue brief details the background of drug control in Burma, both the opium and amphetamine-type stimulant (ATS) situations, and will discuss how the face of drug production in Burma has changed over the last few years. Finally, several recommendations and a brief discussion of the alternative development projects in the country will be presented. 1 Background: The History of Drug Control in Burma The United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control (UNFDAC), the predecessor to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), began activities in Burma in 1976 (for further information see Lintner 1994). Over the next twelve years, UNFDAC, in collaboration with other UN agencies, initiated a national drug control program that included agriculture-related activities, preventative education, public information, treatment and rehabilitation of addicts. The main emphasis, however, was on law enforcement, narcotics suppression and eradication. Despite UN efforts and bilateral assistance from the US, the opium poppy eradication campaign was only moderately successful. The border areas in which opium cultivation was concentrated were highly contested, and experienced frequent incidents of armed violence as well as military operations. Opium profits financed the conflict for both the central government and the insurgent ethnic groups, and 1 Please note that the geographic names “Myanmar“, “Union of Myanmar“ and “Burma“ will be used interchangeably throughout this paper. “StudieDawson106” — 2006/1/23 — 11:02 — page 10 — #4 10 Jenna Dawson and Daniel Barlow allegiances could be bought and sold for the lucrative income from the sale of narcotics. The drug control context changed with the military hand-over in 1988. The new junta government sought to establish its legitimacy by bringing stability to the re-named “Union of Myanmar“, and to this end pursued ceasefire agreements with the insurgent ethnic groups. From 1988 to 1996, the junta signed 17 cease- fire agreements with the various insurgents, granting them differing degrees of autonomy and self-governance over certain areas of the country. Initially, the ceasefires led to an increase in opium cultivation in the autonomous regions as the newly autonomous groups sought drug profits to help administer their regions. As the ethnic minorities became more integrated into the Union, however, the government was able to assert some degree of control over a policy of phasing out opium production. The first tangible result of this turn of events was the surrender of notorious drug lord Khun Sa and his Mong Tai Army to government forces in 1996. In April 2002, the Kokang and Wa ethnic leaders, whose regions account for the vast majority of opium poppy cultivation, reiterated their commitment to making their territory opium-free by 2003 and July 2005 respectively. This commitment was made as part of a larger 15-year plan instituted by the junta in 1999 to make Myanmar opium-free by 2014. Thus far, the combined drug control efforts of national and local leaders have shown promising results, as both UN and US opium surveys have confirmed a spectacular decline in opium poppy cultivation since 1996. The opium challenge for the coming years will be to maintain the phase-out policy while ensuring its sustainability by providing poppy farmers with alternative sources of income and enhanced development opportunities. As Myanmar continues its encouraging progress on reducing opium culti- vation, it has struggled in recent years with an increase in the production of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS). While ATS production bears some resem- blance to the opium trade by taking advantage
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Myanmar Illicit Timber Trade Report 15
    Non-sales unedited © United Nations, November 2015. All rights reserved, worldwide. The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. This publication has not been formally edited. Cover Page Photo: © Stephen Carmody TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Illegal Timber Trade in Myanmar ................................................................................................. 2 1.2 Illegal Wildlife Trade in Myanmar ................................................................................................. 4 2. RESPONSES TO WILDLIFE AND FOREST CRIME ............................................................................... 6 2.1 Competent Law Enforcement Authorities .................................................................................... 6 2.2 Legal Framework for Investigation and Prosecution .................................................................. 11 2.3 Measuring the Impact of Enforcement Activities ....................................................................... 15 3. UNODC PROGRAMME IN MYANMAR ..........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Responsible and Inclusive Business in Myanmar
    Responsible and Inclusive Business in Myanmar Richard Welford Miriam Zieger Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is provided for general purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate and up to date at the time of publishing, CSR Asia accepts no responsibility for any loss that may arise due to information contained in this publication. © CSR Asia 2013 RESPONSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE BUSINESS IN MYANMAR Responsible and Inclusive Business in Myanmar June 2013 Richard Welford and Miriam Zieger ABOUT CSR ASIA CSRABOUT Asia CSRis the ASIA leading provider of training, research and consultancy services on sustainableCSR Asia business is the practicesleading inprovider Asia. Throughof training, our officesresearch in Beijing,and consultancy Hong Kong, services Kuala on Lumpur,sustainable Shenzhen business and practices Singapore in A sia.and Through our partnerships our offices inin Beijing,Vietnam, Hong Thailand Kong, andKuala BangladeshLumpur, CSRShenzhen Asia buildsand Singaporecapacity an dand promotes our partnerships awareness ofin CSR Vietnam, in order Thailand to advance and sustainableBangladesh development CSR Asia acrossbuilds thecapacity region. and promotes awareness of CSR in order to advance sustainable development across the region. For feedback or more information please contact: OfficeFor feedback or more information please contact:A, 15/F, WingOffice Cheong A, Commercial Building,15/F, 19-Wing25 Cheong Jervois Commercial Building,Street, Sheung19-25 Wan, Jervois Hong KongStreet, Tel:Sheung +852Wan, 3579Hong 8079Kong Tel: +852 3579 8079 $ enquiry@csr -asia.com [email protected] www.csr-asia.com RESPONSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE BUSINESS IN MYANMAR PREFACE I first visited Myanmar over twenty years ago and to this day I remember the warmth of the people and the beauty of the natural environment.
    [Show full text]
  • EIA-Report-State-Of-Corruption.Pdf
    State of Corruption The top-level conspiracy behind the global trade in Myanmar’s stolen teak February 2019 ©EIAimage Forests ©EIAimage WeACKNOWLEDGEMENTS would like to thank ABOUT EIA EIA UK Above: Forests in Myanmar CONTENTS 62-63 Upper Street, Ximporae.This report Ut was aut written fugitis restiand editedut atia We investigate and campaign against Front cover: Logs rotting in an London N1 0NY UK Introduction 4 nobitby the ium Environmental alici bla cone Investigation consequam environmental crime and abuse. MTE logyard in East Dagon, T: +44 (0) 20 7354 7960 Yangon, March 2013 cusAgency. aci oditaquates This document dolorem has volla Our undercover investigations E: [email protected] Myanmar’s Forests 5 vendam,been produced consequo with molor the financial sin net expose transnational wildlife crime, eia-international.org fugitatur,assistance qui of int UKaid, que nihicthe Norwegian tem with a focus on elephants,elephants andpangolins Myanmar’s Forest Governance Failures 8 aspedAgency quei for oditaquatesDevelopment dolorem tigers,and tigers, and forestand forest crimes crimes such such as vollaCooperation vendam, (NORAD) conseqci and oditaquates the EIA US JMG Foundation. The contents illegalas illegal logging logging and and deforestation deforestation for Case Study: dolorem volla vendam, consequo PO Box 53343 of this publication are the sole cashfor cash crops crops like like palm palm oil. oil.We Wework to molor sin net fugitatur, qui int que Washington DC 20009 USA The Shadow President – King of Burma Teak 14 responsibility
    [Show full text]
  • Myanmar Maneuvers How to Break Political-Criminal Alliances in Contexts of Transition
    United Nations University Centre for Policy Research Crime-Conflict Nexus Series: No 9 April 2017 Myanmar Maneuvers How to Break Political-Criminal Alliances in Contexts of Transition Dr. Vanda Felbab-Brown Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution This material has been funded by UK aid from the UK government; however the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. © 2017 United Nations University. All Rights Reserved. ISBN 978-92-808-9040-2 Myanmar Maneuvers How to Break Political-Criminal Alliances in Contexts of Transition 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Myanmar case study analyzes the complex interactions between illegal economies -conflict and peace. Particular em- phasis is placed on understanding the effects of illegal economies on Myanmar’s political transitions since the early 1990s, including the current period, up through the first year of the administration of Aung San Suu Kyi. Described is the evolu- tion of illegal economies in drugs, logging, wildlife trafficking, and gems and minerals as well as land grabbing and crony capitalism, showing how they shaped and were shaped by various political transitions. Also examined was the impact of geopolitics and the regional environment, particularly the role of China, both in shaping domestic political developments in Myanmar and dynamics within illicit economies. For decades, Burma has been one of the world’s epicenters of opiate and methamphetamine production. Cultivation of poppy and production of opium have coincided with five decades of complex and fragmented civil war and counterinsur- gency policies. An early 1990s laissez-faire policy of allowing the insurgencies in designated semi-autonomous regions to trade any products – including drugs, timber, jade, and wildlife -- enabled conflict to subside.
    [Show full text]
  • Burma's Displaced People
    issue 30 April 2008 Burma’s displaced people plus our general articles section and regular contributors: UNHCR, Brookings-Bern, RAISE Initiative, NRC, IDMC and RSC Published by the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford Steve Elliott Steve Forced Migration Review from Forced Migration Review provides a forum for the regular exchange of practical experience, information and the ideas between researchers, refugees and internally displaced people, editors and those who work with them. It is FMR encourages organisations and individuals to share their expertise and experience so that others published in English, Arabic, Spanish might benefit. But how do you share research findings, lessons and examples of good practice when and French by the Refugee Studies any dissemination of information might put you, your staff and your partners – and other local people – Centre, University of Oxford. FMR was at risk? launched in 1998 in partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council. FMR is no stranger to this problem but this issue’s feature section on Burma has, not surprisingly, proven more sensitive in this respect than any other we have worked on. We are therefore all the more grateful to our authors for their contributions and to all those who are helping to disseminate this issue around Editors the world. Marion Couldrey & Maurice Herson Special thanks go to Inge Brees, guest editor for the Burma feature section, whose assistance has been Assistant Editor (Arabic edition) invaluable. We would also like to thank those agencies that have provided funding specifically for this issue: DanChurchAid, DFAIT Canada, International Rescue Committee, UK Department for International Musab Hayatli Development and ZOA Refugee Care.
    [Show full text]
  • Myanmar: a Political Economy Analysis
    Myanmar: A Political Economy Analysis Kristian Stokke, Roman Vakulchuk, Indra Øverland Report commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Publisher: Norwegian Institute of International Affairs Copyright: © Norwegian Institute of International Affairs 2018 ISSN: 1894-650X The report has been commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Any views expressed in this publication are those of the authors. They should not be interpreted as reflecting the views, official policy or position of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. The text may not be printed in part or in full without the permission of the authors. Visiting address: C.J. Hambros plass 2d Address: P.O. Box 8159 Dep. NO-0033 Oslo, Norway Internet: www.nupi.no E-mail: [email protected] Tel: [+ 47] 22 99 40 00 Myanmar: A Political Economy Analysis Kristian Stokke, Roman Vakulchuk, Indra Øverland Report commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2018 Contents Map of Myanmar .................................................................................................................. VI About the report .................................................................................................................. VII Authors ................................................................................................................................. VIII List of acronyms ..................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Burma's Displaced People
    issue 30 April 2008 Burma’s displaced people plus our general articles section and regular contributors: UNHCR, Brookings-Bern, RAISE Initiative, NRC, IDMC and RSC Published by the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford Steve Elliott Steve Forced Migration Review from Forced Migration Review provides a forum for the regular exchange of practical experience, information and the ideas between researchers, refugees and internally displaced people, editors and those who work with them. It is FMR encourages organisations and individuals to share their expertise and experience so that others published in English, Arabic, Spanish might benefit. But how do you share research findings, lessons and examples of good practice when and French by the Refugee Studies any dissemination of information might put you, your staff and your partners – and other local people – Centre, University of Oxford. FMR was at risk? launched in 1998 in partnership with the Norwegian Refugee Council. FMR is no stranger to this problem but this issue’s feature section on Burma has, not surprisingly, proven more sensitive in this respect than any other we have worked on. We are therefore all the more grateful to our authors for their contributions and to all those who are helping to disseminate this issue around Editors the world. Marion Couldrey & Maurice Herson Special thanks go to Inge Brees, guest editor for the Burma feature section, whose assistance has been Assistant Editor (Arabic edition) invaluable. We would also like to thank those agencies that have provided funding specifically for this issue: DanChurchAid, DFAIT Canada, International Rescue Committee, UK Department for International Musab Hayatli Development and ZOA Refugee Care.
    [Show full text]
  • The Features of Transnational Organized Crime
    Feeding the Beast: The Role of Myanmar’s Illicit Economies in Continued State Instability Lizzette Marrero Lizzette completed her Masters of Security Policy Studies from the George Washington University, Elliott School of International Afairs in May 2018, with a concentration in transnational security and U.S. National Security and Defense Programs. She holds two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Texas at Austin in Government and International Relations and Global Studies, a minor in Latin American Studies, and a certifcate in Eastern European and Russian Studies. She serves on the Graduate Admissions Advisory Board at GWU and works as an associate at Vasa Strategies, focusing her eforts on violent extremist movements and confict resolution. ABSTRACT This paper examines the role of Myanmar’s military junta, the Tatmadaw, in the expansive transnational organized crime network of the country. These criminal activities facilitated by the Tatmadaw contribute to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar. Illicit finance fuels the hostile power of the military junta, undermines democracy, and exploits Myanmar’s Muslim community. As acts of violence, genocide, and torture continue to plague the country’s ethnic minorities, this paper seeks to explore the dismantling of organized crime networks as a means of mitigating violence and incentivizing the Tatmadaw to end its reign of terror against the Rohingya and other innocent civilians. This paper will provide a series of policy recommendations that promote transparency and cohesive eforts between the United States government and the National League for Democracy. Ending genocide and empowering democracy in Myanmar requires a new approach that emboldens democratic institutions, undermines illicit activities, and mobilizes the legitimate economy.
    [Show full text]
  • Gender Equality and Women's Rights in Myanmar
    GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN MYANMAR A SITUATION ANALYSIS GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN MYANMAR A SITUATION ANALYSIS Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 IGO license (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 IGO) © 2016 Asian Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund, and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women Asian Development Bank United Nations Development Programme 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City One United Nations Plaza 1550 Metro Manila, Philippines New York, NY 10017 USA Tel +63 2 632 4444; Fax + 63 2 636 2444 Tel +95 1 542910 to 542919; Fax +95 1 545634 & 544531 www.adb.org; openaccess.adb.org www.undp.org United Nations Population Fund United Nations Entity for Gender Equality 605 Third Avenue and the Empowerment of Women New York, NY 10158 USA 220 East 42nd Street Tel + 1-212 297 5000; Fax + 1-212 370-0201 New York, NY 10017 USA http://www.unfpa.org Tel +1 646 781 4400; Fax +1 646 781 4444 www.unwomen.org Some rights reserved. Published in 2016. Printed in the Philippines. ISBN 978-92-9257-340-9 (Print), 978-92-9257-341-6 (e-ISBN) Publication Stock No. RPT167874-2 Cataloging-In-Publication Data Asian Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Population Fund, and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women Gender equality and women’s rights in Myanmar: A situation analysis. Mandaluyong City, Philippines: Asian Development Bank, 2016. 1. Gender equality. 2. Women’s rights. 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Systematic Review of Human Poisoning and Toxic Exposures in Myanmar
    Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 26 January 2021 doi:10.20944/preprints202101.0537.v1 Review Systematic review of human poisoning and toxic exposures in Myanmar Meghan A. Cook 1*, Pardeep S. Jagpal 2, Khin Hnin Pwint 3, Lai Lai San 3, Saint Saint Thein Kyaw 3, Thidar Pyone 4, Win Moh Moh Thit 5 Sally M. Bradberry 2 and Samuel Collins 1, 1 Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Public Health England, Didcot, United King- dom 2 National Poisons Information Service, City Hospital, Birmingham, B18 7QH, United Kingdom 3 National Poisons Control Centre, Department of Medical Research, Republic of the Union of Myanmar 4 Global Public Health, Public Health England, London, UK 5 Global Public Health, Public Health England, Yangon, Myanmar Abstract: The International Health Regulations (2005) promote national capacity in core institutions so countries can better detect, respond to and recover from public health emergencies. In accordance with the ‘all hazards’ approach to public health risk, this systematic review examines poisoning and toxic exposures in Myanmar. A systematic literature search was undertaken to find articles pertaining to poisoning in Myanmar published between 1998 and 2020. A number of poisoning risks are identified in this review including snakebites, heavy metals, drugs of abuse, agrochemi- cals and traditional medicine. Patterns of poisoning presented in the literature diverge from poi- soning priorities reported in other lower-middle income countries in the region. The experience of professionals working in a Yangon-based poison treatment unit indicates that frequently observed poisoning as a result of substances including pharmaceuticals, methanol, and petroleum products were absent from the literature.
    [Show full text]
  • Myanmar: Security Assessment
    May 30, 2007 MYANMAR: SECURITY ASSESSMENT Country Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, is the largest country in Southeast Asia and one of the poorest countries in the world, with an annual growth in gross domestic product of only 2.9 percent. It is bordered by the People’s Republic of China to the north, Laos to the east, Bangladesh to the west, India to the northwest and Thailand to the southeast. Approximately one-third of Myanmar’s border is coastline along the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Its capital changed from Yangon, formerly known as Rangoon, to a site near Pyinmana, a smaller city approximately 200 miles to the north. The country is run by a military junta known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) and is divided into seven divisions and seven states. The states are populated mainly by ethnic minorities while the divisions are home to the Burman, who make up about 68 percent of Myanmar’s population of 50 million. Emerging in recent years from a long period of isolation, Myanmar has begun to encourage tourism and is trying to take a more active role in regional economic and political organizations such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Foreign travelers to Myanmar can anticipate paying far more than locals do for everything from hotel accommodations to domestic airfare to entry into tourist sites. The only holiday in late July is Martyrs’ Day, on July 19, which commemorates the 1947 assassinations of several of the country’s independence leaders by a rival political group.
    [Show full text]
  • Freedom of Religion, the Role of the State, and Interreligious Relations
    Freedom of Religion, the Role of the State, and Interreligious Relations in Myanmar Freedom of Religion, Nyi Nyi Kyaw the Role of the State, This study examines the state of religious freedom and interreligious relations in Myanmar. It looks at the role of the state as a major actor in influencing religious and Interreligious relations in that country and the impact of state policy and practice on different religious denominations. Relations in This study analyses existing legal material on religion, religious freedom, and Myanmar interreligious relations and discusses the social, political, and ethnic dimensions of the constitutional and legal regime. He discusses the rise in religious tensions and examines the impact of technology and the internet on inter-religious relations. Nyi Nyi Kyaw is a post-doctoral research fellow at the Centre for Asian Legal Studies in the National University of Singapore. ISBN 978-955-580-227-7 Printed by Horizon Printing (Pvt) Ltd. Nyi Nyi Kyaw Freedom of Religion, the Role of the State, and Interreligious Relations in Myanmar Nyi Nyi Kyaw International Centre for Ethnic Studies & Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education 2018 Freedom of Religion, the Role of the State, and Interreligious Relations in Myanmar Colombo, 2018 © 2018 International Centre for Ethnic Studies and Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education 2, KynseyTerrace, Colombo 8 Sri Lanka E-mail:[email protected] URL: www.ices.lk: www.equitas.org ISBN 978-955-580-227-7 Copyright to this publication belongs to the International Centre for Ethnic Studies (ICES) and Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education.
    [Show full text]