Burma - Background

In 1988, after 26 years of military rule, Burma's people took to the streets in their millions in a nationwide call for democracy. Cities, towns and villages across the country were caught up in the wave of popular, peaceful protest. For the first time in three decades, democracy flourished, as a people denied expression for so long, with all their diverse differences, gave a single clear message - they wanted to be free.

The military responded to the popularity of this uprising for democracy by sending troops out onto the streets, opening fire on the crowds of peaceful protesters. Between 3,000 and 5,000 people were killed, and 10,000 students who had been at the forefront of the movement were forced to flee to the jungle areas bordering Thailand to avoid capture by military units.

In 1990, elections were held. The National League for Democracy (NLD) was swept to victory, winning 82% of the vote. The election results were ignored by the military which banned opposition activities, imprisoned or banished its leaders, and harshly repressed street demonstrations. NLD leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been severely restricted in her movements and contact with her family and has spent long periods under house arrest since 1995.

The military regime, previously known as the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and now known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), has continued to rule the country with increasing brutality since 1990. Burma's military is specifically responsible for:

• Millions of men, women and children in forced labour.

• One and a half million internally displaced people.

• The detention of at least 1800 political prisoners, many of whom are routinely tortured.

• Thousands of refugees who have fled to Thailand, China, India and Bangladesh.

• The production of more illegal opium and heroin than any other country in the world.

• One of the largest armies in Asia although it has no external enemies.

• The closure of Burma's universities for most of the last decade in an attempt to avoid civil unrest.

The stand-off between the SPDC and the NLD continues. Domestic and international efforts to initiate dialogue between them have failed to break the deadlock. The SPDC continues to severely restrict the activities of the NLD and other opposition groups, keeping anyone suspected of opposition to the government under surveillance.

Burma at a Glance

Population: 45,059,000 (1999)
Capital: Rangoon
Peoples: Burmese 69 per cent; Shan 8.5 per cent; Karen 6.2 per cent; Rakhine 4.5 per cent; Mon 2.4 per cent; Chin 2.2 per cent; Kachin 1.4 per cent.
Religions: Buddhist 89.1 per cent, Christian 4-9 per cent, Muslim 3.8 per cent; other 2.2 per cent.
Languages: Burmese (official) and the languages of the ethnic groups.
Public Expenditure: Defence expenditure as % of central government expenditure: 75.5 % (1996)
Social expenditure: (as % of central government expenditure) 18.9 % (1997)

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Last Modified: Sunday, 22-Apr-2007 17:02:47 EST
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