Burma Briefing No. 42
The commentary briefing paper argues that the international community has yet to develop a strategy for effectively promoting human rights under the new political structure in Burma, which now has two power bases, the military, and the National League for Democracy led government. Neither of which is respecting human rights.
While Aung San Suu Kyi has been widely criticised over her stance over the latest Rohingya crisis, the military, who are actually committing most human rights violations, have not been subject to the same level of criticism and scrutiny by many observers and commentators. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing enjoyed a red-carpet tour of Europe, including visiting military equipment factories, while his soldiers committed what experts say may be crimes against humanity.
Current international and domestic approaches have failed to persuade the military to stop committing human rights violations and stop blocking further democratic reform. The hardline position of the military also threatens Burma’s peace process.