Dynamics of political transition in Myanmar: Impediments and alternative futures

Abstract

Political transition to democracy is hampered by human rights abuses by the military junta against ethnic minorities that constitute a third of the country's population. Human rights violations are unprecedented in terms of human suffering, extra judicial killings, torture, forced labour and displacement, rape and rapine. The situation has further deteriorated due to a bloody conflict between the armed opposition groups from ethnic minority states and central authorities. Armed opposition groups are demanding a greater autonomy, which the military government has been denying. Although the military government signed over a dozen cease-fires with armed groups, there has been no real progress to reach a permanent political solution. As a result, human rights abuses are on the increase, especially in Shan, Kayin (Karen), Kayah (Karenni), and Mon minority states where the military junta's army is engaged in counter-insurgency operations against armed groups.

Citation

Jain, B.M. (2008), "Dynamics of political transition in Myanmar: Impediments and alternative futures", Chatterji, M. and Jain, B.M. (Ed.) Conflict and Peace in South Asia (Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development, Vol. 5), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 203-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1572-8323(08)05013-3