Overview of Human Rights in Burma

The union of Myanmar, also known as Burma, is ruled by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC). This military government is the country’s de facto government. The human rights record in Myanmar, or Burma, is extremely poor and actually worsened in recent years. The SPDC is responsible for many of the human rights abuses committed. 

Notably, citizens do not have the right to change their government. The government restricts, forcibly when deemed necessary, the freedoms of speech, press, assembly, association, movement, and religion. Citizens’ privacy rights are also infringed upon as security forces are known to monitor citizens’ personal conversations and movements. Some people have been forcibly relocated without just cause, compensation for land or property, or legal recourse.

Discrimination against Muslims and other religious and ethnic minorities is almost sanctioned by the government. The government tightly controls the nations’ Muslim population. Trafficking in persons, forced recruitment of child soldiers, and forced labor are all abuses committed in Myanmar or Burma as well. Ethnic armed groups, such as the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), and the Shan State Army-South (SSA), also commit human rights abuses in the region.

Killings, rapes, forced labor and conscription of child soldiers have been reported. Human rights organizations are restricted. Those who work for such organizations often face harassment and threats of violence from the authorities. The country continues to fail to comply with many of the international arena’s human rights norms and laws.

Human Development Index (HDI) Rank:

130th out of 177

Note: Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index that measures the level of well-being of nations in the world. It uses factors such as poverty, literacy, life-expectancy, education, gross domestic product, and purchasing power parity to assess the average achievements in each nation. It has been used in the United Nation’s Human Development Report since 1993.