Editing Myanmar (section)

== Government and politics ==
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* [[Min Aung Hlaing]], [[Prime Minister of Myanmar|Prime Minister]] and [[Chairman of the State Administration Council]]
* [[Soe Win (general)|Soe Win]], [[Deputy Prime Minister of Myanmar|Deputy Prime Minister]] and [[Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council]]
* [[Myint Swe]], acting [[President of Myanmar]]
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Myanmar operates ''de jure'' as a [[unitary state|unitary]] [[assembly-independent]] [[republic]] under its [[2008 Constitution of Myanmar|2008 constitution]]. But in February 2021, the civilian government led by [[Aung San Suu Kyi]], was deposed by the [[Tatmadaw]]. In February 2021, [[Myanmar military]] declared a one-year state emergency and First Vice President [[Myint Swe]] became the [[President of Myanmar|Acting President of Myanmar]] and handed the power to the [[Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services]] [[Min Aung Hlaing]] and he assumed the role [[Chairman of the State Administration Council]], then [[Prime Minister of Myanmar|Prime Minister]]. The [[President of Myanmar]] acts as the [[de jure]] [[head of state]] and the [[Chairman of the State Administration Council]] acts as the [[de facto]] [[head of government]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Phillips | first=Kimberley | title=The last thing the Myanmar people need is false hope | website=The Canberra Times | date=20 February 2021 | url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7133580/the-last-thing-the-myanmar-people-need-is-false-hope/ | access-date=23 February 2021 | archive-date=21 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210221102954/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7133580/the-last-thing-the-myanmar-people-need-is-false-hope/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Myanmar-Lower-House-Parliament.jpg|right|thumb|[[Assembly of the Union]] (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw)]]
The constitution of Myanmar, its third since independence, was drafted by its military rulers and published in September 2008. The country is governed as a [[parliamentary system]] with a [[bicameral legislature]] (with an executive [[President of Myanmar|president]] accountable to the legislature), with 25% of the legislators appointed by the military and the rest elected in general elections.

The legislature, called the [[Assembly of the Union]], is bicameral and made up of two houses: The 224-seat upper [[House of Nationalities]] and the 440-seat lower [[House of Representatives (Myanmar)|House of Representatives]]. The upper house consists 168 members who are directly elected and 56 who are appointed by the [[Burmese Armed Forces]]. The lower house consists of 330 members who are directly elected and 110 who are appointed by the armed forces.

=== Political culture ===
The major political parties are the [[National League for Democracy]] and the [[Union Solidarity and Development Party]].

Myanmar's army-drafted constitution was approved in a [[2008 Burmese constitutional referendum|referendum]] in May 2008. The results, 92.4% of the 22 million voters with an official turnout of 99%, are considered suspect by many international observers and by the National League of Democracy with reports of widespread [[Electoral fraud|fraud]], ballot stuffing, and voter intimidation.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-33587120080515 |title=Reuters, Cyclone-hit Myanmar says 92 percent back charter |work=Reuters |date=15 May 2008 |access-date=17 April 2010 |archive-date=10 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110185048/http://in.reuters.com/article/topNews/idINIndia-33587120080515 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[2010 Myanmar general election|elections of 2010]] resulted in a victory for the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party. Various foreign observers questioned the fairness of the elections.<ref name="nyt-un-doubt-fairness-of-election"/><ref>{{cite news |author=Jha, Lalit K |url=http://www2.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=15692 |title=2010 Burmese Election may be Illegitimate: Clinton |work=The Irrawaddy |date=21 May 2009 |access-date=15 May 2013 |archive-date=10 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110164549/http://www2.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=15692 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11707294 |title=Western states dismiss Burma's election |publisher=BBC |date=8 November 2010 |access-date=11 November 2010 |archive-date=11 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111021602/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11707294 |url-status=live }}</ref> One criticism of the election was that only government-sanctioned political parties were allowed to contest in it and the popular [[National League for Democracy]] was declared illegal.<ref name=guardianASSK>{{cite news|last=Tisdall|first=Simon|title=Aung San Suu Kyi has to tread softly&nbsp;– but governments must tell it like it is|date=4 July 2011|work=The Guardian |location=UK|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/jul/04/aung-san-suu-kyi-burmese}}</ref> However, immediately following the elections, the government ended the house arrest of the democracy advocate and leader of the National League for Democracy, [[Aung San Suu Kyi]],<ref>{{cite news|author=Walker, Peter |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/nov/12/aung-san-suu-kyi-burma-release |title=Guardian report on Aung's release from house arrest |work=The Guardian |access-date=1 September 2012 |location=London |date=12 November 2010}}</ref> and her ability to move freely around the country is considered an important test of the military's movement toward more openness.<ref name=guardianASSK />

=== Foreign relations ===
{{main|Foreign relations of Myanmar}}
Though the country's foreign relations, particularly with [[Western nations]], have historically been strained, the situation has markedly improved since the reforms following the 2010 elections. After years of diplomatic isolation and economic and military sanctions,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:SN01182:@@@L&summ2=m& |title=Burma Freedom and Democracy Act of 2003 |publisher=United States Library of Congress |access-date=4 February 2007 |date=4 June 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040125044621/http://www.congress.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108%3ASN01182%3A%40%40%40L&summ2=m& |archive-date=25 January 2004 }}</ref> the United States relaxed curbs on foreign aid to Myanmar in November 2011<ref name="Clinton" /> and announced the resumption of diplomatic relations on 13 January 2012<ref>{{cite news | author1=Myers, Steven Lee |author2=Mydans, Seth | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/14/world/asia/united-states-resumes-diplomatic-relations-with-myanmar.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113174407/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/14/world/asia/united-states-resumes-diplomatic-relations-with-myanmar.html |archive-date=13 January 2012 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | work=The New York Times | title=U.S. to Renew Myanmar Ties in Light of Reforms | date=13 January 2012 |access-date=15 May 2013}}</ref> The [[European Union]] has placed sanctions on Myanmar, including an [[arms embargo]], cessation of [[trade preference]]s, and suspension of all aid with the exception of [[humanitarian aid]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/myanmar/intro/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060725000750/http://ec.europa.eu/comm/external_relations/myanmar/intro/index.htm|archive-date=25 July 2006 |title= The EU's relations with Burma / Myanmar |access-date=13 July 2006 |publisher=European Union}}</ref>

Sanctions imposed by the United States and European countries against the former military government, coupled with boycotts and other direct pressure on corporations by supporters of the democracy movement, have resulted in the withdrawal from the country of most U.S. and many European companies.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8195956.stm |title=Overview of Burma sanctions |publisher=BBC News |access-date=12 November 2011 |date=18 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812181932/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8195956.stm |archive-date=12 August 2011}}</ref> Despite Western isolation, Asian corporations have generally remained willing to continue investing in the country and to initiate new investments, particularly in natural resource extraction. The country has close relations with neighbouring India and China with several Indian and Chinese companies operating in the country. Under India's [[Look East policy (India)|Look East policy]], fields of co-operation between India and Myanmar include [[remote sensing]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=BBAB&d_place=BBAB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=11045BA04AFDFED0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Burma, India to sign accord on use of India's remote sensing satellite data |publisher=NewsLibrary.com |date=9 March 2006 |access-date=17 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501183947/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=BBAB&d_place=BBAB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=11045BA04AFDFED0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=1 May 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> oil and gas exploration,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0426/p04s01-wosc.html |title=India looks to Burma to slake growing thirst for gas |work=The Christian Science Monitor |date=26 April 2006 |access-date=17 April 2010 |archive-date=8 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708035039/http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0426/p04s01-wosc.html |url-status=live }}</ref> information technology,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/04/content_8953269.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111015855/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/04/content_8953269.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 January 2009 |title=Myanmar, India to build IT centres in Myanmar_English_Xinhua |agency=Xinhua News Agency |date=4 August 2008 |access-date=17 April 2010}}</ref> hydropower<ref>{{cite web |url=http://steelguru.com/news/index/2008/08/01/NTY5MDg%3D/India_to_develop_two_hydel_power_projects_in_Myanmar.html |title=India to develop two hydel power projects in Myanmar – 56908 |publisher=Steelguru.com |date=1 August 2008 |access-date=20 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116032246/http://steelguru.com/news/index/2008/08/01/NTY5MDg%3D/India_to_develop_two_hydel_power_projects_in_Myanmar.html |archive-date=16 January 2009}}</ref> and construction of ports and buildings.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/mobile/bbc_news/world/asia_pacific/716/71684/story7168492.shtml |title=India urges Burma reconciliation |publisher=BBC News |date=2 January 2008 |access-date=17 April 2010 |archive-date=2 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202013907/http://news.bbc.co.uk/mobile/bbc_news/world/asia_pacific/716/71684/story7168492.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Myanmar also has close political relations with Vietnam<ref>{{Cite web |last=[[Vietnam News Agency]] |date=17 December 2019 |title=PM calls for stronger Vietnam-Myanmar parliamentary ties |url=https://en.vietnamplus.vn/pm-calls-for-stronger-vietnammyanmar-parliamentary-ties/165624.vnp |access-date=3 April 2023 |website=[[VietnamPlus]] |language=en |archive-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230403185621/https://en.vietnamplus.vn/pm-calls-for-stronger-vietnammyanmar-parliamentary-ties/165624.vnp |url-status=live }}</ref> and Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Michimi Muranushi |date=22 October 2019 |title=Japan's Defense of Myanmar and the Rohingya Genocide |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/japans-defense-myanmar-and-rohingya-genocide |access-date=3 April 2023 |website=[[Middle East Institute]] |language=en |archive-date=20 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320170843/https://www.mei.edu/publications/japans-defense-myanmar-and-rohingya-genocide |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 May 2021 |title=Japan should not follow the Western policy on Myanmar - Diplomat op-ed |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-should-not-follow-western-policy-myanmar-diplomat-op-ed-2021-05-26/ |access-date=3 April 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220803021638/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japan-should-not-follow-western-policy-myanmar-diplomat-op-ed-2021-05-26/ |archive-date=3 August 2022}}</ref>

In May 2013, Thein Sein became the first Myanmar president to visit the [[White House]] in 47 years. President [[Barack Obama]] praised the former general for political and economic reforms and the cessation of tensions between Myanmar and the United States. Political activists objected to the visit because of concerns over human rights abuses in Myanmar, but Obama assured Thein Sein that Myanmar will receive U.S. support. The two governments agreed to sign a [[bilateral trade]] and investment framework agreement on 21 May 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Obama Vows US Support As Myanmar Leader Visits|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185449969|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521150924/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=185449969|archive-date=21 May 2013|publisher=NPR|date=20 May 2013|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>

In June 2013, Myanmar held its first ever summit, the [[World Economic Forum]] on East Asia 2013. A regional spinoff of the annual [[World Economic Forum]] in [[Davos]], Switzerland, the summit was held on 5–7 June and attended by 1,200 participants, including 10 heads of state, 12 ministers and 40 senior directors from around the world.<ref>{{cite web|title={{As written|Pheo|nix}} Voyages appointed travel manager for Myanmar's first major summit|url=http://www.ttgmice.com/article/pheonix-voyages-appointed-travel-manager-for-myanmars-first-major-summit/|publisher=TTGmice|access-date=29 April 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110163809/http://www.ttgmice.com/article/pheonix-voyages-appointed-travel-manager-for-myanmars-first-major-summit/|archive-date=10 November 2013}}</ref>

On 19 January 2025, Reuters reported that [[ASEAN]] had told Myanmar's military government to prioritise ceasefire, "urging the junta to start dialogue and end hostilities immediately" and "to allow unhindered humanitarian access", citing Malaysia's foreign minister [[Mohamad Hasan (politician)|Mohamad Hasan]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Azhar |first=Danial |date=19 January 2025 |title=ASEAN tells Myanmar junta peace, not election, is priority |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysia-takes-asean-mantle-tempers-expectations-myanmar-south-china-sea-2025-01-18/ |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=Reuters}}</ref> The ASEAN chair's statement denounced "the continued acts of violence against civilians and public facilities and urged all parties involved" to "immediately halt indiscriminate violence, exercise utmost restraint, ensure the protection and safety of all civilians and civilian infrastructures, and create a conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian assistance and inclusive national dialogue".<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 January 2025 |title=Press Statement by the Chair of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat |url=https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FINAL-Press-Statement-by-the-Chair-AMM-Retreat-2025.pdf |access-date=21 January 2025 |website=ASEAN}}</ref>

=== Military ===
{{main|Armed forces of Myanmar}}Since the late 1950s, Myanmar's military has had major roles in Myanmar's politics.<ref name=":Han">{{Cite book |last=Han |first=Enze |title=The Ripple Effect: China's Complex Presence in Southeast Asia |date=2024 |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |isbn=978-0-19-769659-0 |location=New York, NY}}</ref>{{Rp|page=23}}[[File:Myanmar Air Force MiG-29 MRD.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Myanmar Air Force]] [[Mikoyan MiG-29]] multirole fighter]]
Myanmar has received extensive military aid from China in the past.<ref>{{cite news |author=Cody, Edward |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/27/AR2007092702382_pf.html |title=Caution by Junta's Asian Neighbors Reflects Their Self-Interest |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=27 September 2007 |access-date=17 April 2010 |archive-date=7 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707052329/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/27/AR2007092702382_pf.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Myanmar has been a member of ASEAN since 1997. Though it gave up its turn to hold the ASEAN chair and host the [[ASEAN Summit]] in 2006, it chaired the forum and hosted the summit in 2014.<ref name="24th-asean-official-website">{{cite news|url=http://www.asean.org/?static_post=24th-asean-summit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416074423/http://www.asean.org/?static_post=24th-asean-summit |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2016 |title=24th ASEAN Summit, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, 10–11 May 2014 |work=ASEAN |date= 4 April 2014|access-date=1 April 2016 }}</ref> In November 2008, Myanmar's political situation with neighbouring Bangladesh became tense as they began searching for natural gas in a disputed block of the Bay of Bengal.<ref name="24th-asean-official-website"/> Controversy surrounding the Rohingya population also remains an issue between Bangladesh and Myanmar.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1966621,00.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220230847/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1966621,00.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=20 February 2010 | magazine=Time | title=For Rohingya in Bangladesh, No Place is Home | date=19 February 2010}}</ref>

Myanmar's armed forces are known as the [[Tatmadaw]], which numbers 488,000. The Tatmadaw comprises the [[Myanmar Army|Army]], the [[Myanmar Navy|Navy]], and the [[Myanmar Air Force|Air Force]]. The country [[List of countries by number of military and paramilitary personnel|ranked twelfth]] in the world for its number of active troops in service.<ref name="NCGUB" /> The military is very influential in Myanmar, with all top cabinet and ministry posts usually held by military officials. Official figures for military spending are not available. Estimates vary widely because of uncertain exchange rates, but Myanmar's military forces' expenses are high.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0607-03.htm |title=World Military Spending Topped US$1&nbsp;trillion in 2004 |access-date=19 July 2006 |last=Starck |first=Peter |date=7 June 2005 |agency=Reuters |publisher=Common Dreams NewsCenter |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060620161837/http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0607-03.htm |archive-date=20 June 2006 }}</ref> Myanmar imports most of its weapons from Russia, Ukraine, China and India.

Myanmar is building a research [[nuclear reactor]] near [[Pyin Oo Lwin]] with help from Russia. It is one of the signatories of the nuclear [[non-proliferation]] pact since 1992 and a member of the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA) since 1957. The military junta had informed the IAEA in September 2000 of its intention to construct the reactor.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=BBC |title=Russia and Burma in Nuclear Deal |date=15 May 2007 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6658713.stm |access-date=28 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070819190144/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6658713.stm |archive-date=19 August 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|work=The Telegraph|title=Nuclear Watchdog asks Burma to Open Up Suspect Sites|date=14 January 2011|last=Moore|first=Malcolm|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/burmamyanmar/8259803/Nuclear-watchdog-asks-Burma-to-open-up-suspect-sites.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/burmamyanmar/8259803/Nuclear-watchdog-asks-Burma-to-open-up-suspect-sites.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=28 September 2011|location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2010 as part of the [[United States diplomatic cables leak|leaked diplomatic cables]], Myanmar was suspected of using North Korean construction teams to build a fortified surface-to-air missile facility.<ref>{{cite news |title=Myanmar 'building nuclear sites' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/12/10/myanmar-building-nuclear-sites |access-date=3 June 2024 |work=Al Jazeera |date=10 December 2010 |language=en |archive-date=3 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240603015912/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2010/12/10/myanmar-building-nuclear-sites |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2019, the United States [[Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance|Bureau of Arms Control]] assessed that Myanmar is not in violation of its obligations under the [[Non-Proliferation Treaty]] but that the Myanmar government had a history of non-transparency on its nuclear programs and aims.<ref name="ACVC">{{cite web|last1=Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance|title=Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Non-Proliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments|url=https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Compliance-Report-2019-August-19-Unclassified-Final.pdf|access-date=2 January 2020|website=2019 Compliance Report|publisher=United States Department of State|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122040233/https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Compliance-Report-2019-August-19-Unclassified-Final.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Until 2005, the [[United Nations General Assembly]] annually adopted a detailed resolution about the situation in Myanmar by consensus.<ref name="UN-5483030">{{UN document |docid=A-54-PV.83 |body=General Assembly |type=Verbotim Report |session=54 |meeting=83 |page=30 |anchor=pg030-bk03 |date=17 December 1999 |meetingtime=10:00 |speakername=The President |access-date=25 September 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{UN document |docid=A-55-PV.81 |body=General Assembly |type=Verbotim Report |session=55 |meeting=81 |page=22 |anchor=pg022-bk01 |date=4 December 2000 |meetingtime=15:00 |speakername=The President |access-date=25 September 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{UN document |docid=A-56-PV.92 |body=General Assembly |type=Verbotim Report |session=56 |meeting=92 |page=7 |anchor=pg007-bk04 |date=24 December 2001 |meetingtime=11:00 |access-date=25 September 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{UN document |docid=A-60-PV.69 |body=General Assembly |type=Verbotim Report |session=60 |meeting=69 |page=19 |anchor=pg019-bk05 |date=23 December 2005 |meetingtime=10:00 |speakername=The President |access-date=25 September 2007 }}</ref> But in 2006 a divided United Nations General Assembly voted through a resolution that strongly called upon the government of Myanmar to end its systematic violations of human rights.<ref>{{UN document |docid=A-61-PV.84 |body=General Assembly |type=Verbotim Report |session=61 |meeting=84 |page=14 |anchor=pg014-bk07 |date=22 December 2006 |meetingtime=10:00 |access-date=25 September 2007 }}</ref> In January 2007, Russia and China vetoed a draft resolution before the [[United Nations Security Council]]<ref>{{UN document |docid=S-2007-14 |type=Document |body=Security Council |year=2007 |document_number=14 |date=12 January 2007 |access-date=25 September 2007}}</ref> calling on the government of Myanmar to respect human rights and begin a democratic transition. South Africa also voted against the resolution.<ref>{{UN document |docid=S-PV-5619 |body=Security Council |type=Verbotim Report |meeting=5619 |page=3 |anchor=pg003-bk01 |date=12 January 2007 |meetingtime=16:00 |speakername=Mr. Kumalo |speakernation=South Africa |access-date=25 September 2007}}</ref>

=== Human rights and internal conflicts ===
{{main|Human rights in Myanmar|Internal conflict in Myanmar}}
{{undue weight section|date=November 2020}}
[[File:Conflict areas in Myanmar.png|thumb|upright=0.8|Map of conflict zones in Myanmar. [[Administrative divisions of Myanmar|States]] and regions affected by fighting during and after 1995 are highlighted in yellow.]]

There is consensus that the former military regime in Myanmar (1962–2010) was one of the world's most repressive and abusive regimes.<ref>{{cite web |title=The World's Most Repressive Regimes 2013 |url=http://www.middle-east-info.org/gateway/mostrepressiveregimes.pdf |publisher=Freedom House |location=Geneva |year=2003 |pages=vii–7 |quote=Burma continues to be ruled by one of the world's most repressive regimes. |access-date=7 November 2010 |archive-date=30 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030032649/http://www.middle-east-info.org/gateway/mostrepressiveregimes.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | title = Are EU Trade Sanctions on Burma Compatible With WTO Law? | journal=Are EU Trade Sanctions on Burma Compatible with WTO Law? | first = Robert | last = Howse |author2=Jared M. Genser | pages = 166 ff| url = http://students.law.umich.edu/mjil/article-pdfs/v29n2-howse-genser.pdf| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100607153959/http://students.law.umich.edu/mjil/article-pdfs/v29n2-howse-genser.pdf| archive-date = 7 June 2010| access-date =7 November 2010 | quote = repressive and abusive military regime}}</ref> In November 2012, [[Samantha Power]], Barack Obama's Special Assistant to the President on Human Rights, wrote on the White House blog that "Serious human rights abuses against civilians in several regions continue, including against women and children."<ref name=ShanVsGovt /> Members of the United Nations and major international human rights organisations have issued repeated and consistent reports of widespread and systematic human rights violations in Myanmar. The United Nations General Assembly has repeatedly<ref>{{cite web|title=List of UN General Assembly Resolutions on Burma|url=http://www.altsean.org/Research/UN%20Dossier/UNGA.htm|access-date=4 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104120635/http://www.altsean.org/Research/UN%20Dossier/UNGA.htm|archive-date=4 November 2016}}</ref> called on the Burmese military junta to respect human rights and in November 2009 the General Assembly adopted a resolution "strongly condemning the ongoing systematic violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms" and calling on the Burmese military regime "to take urgent measures to put an end to violations of international human rights and humanitarian law."<ref>{{Cite press release|title=UN General Assembly Resolution: Time for Concrete Action|publisher=International Federation for Human Rights|date=20 November 2009|url=http://www.fidh.org/UN-General-Assembly-Resolution-time-for-concrete|access-date=4 January 2010|archive-date=29 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100129215628/http://www.fidh.org/UN-General-Assembly-Resolution-time-for-concrete|url-status=live}}</ref>

International human rights organisations including [[Human Rights Watch]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/09/01/burma9290.htm|title=Statement to the EU Development Committee|date=1 September 2004|author=Adams, Brad|publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]]|access-date=12 July 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060620074005/http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/09/01/burma9290.htm|archive-date=20 June 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Amnesty International]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://report2009.amnesty.org/en/regions/asia-pacific/myanmar|title=Amnesty International 2009 Report on Human Rights in Myanmar|access-date=4 January 2010 |author=Adams, Brad|publisher=[[Amnesty International]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090912013419/http://report2009.amnesty.org/en/regions/asia-pacific/myanmar|archive-date=12 September 2009}}</ref> have repeatedly documented and condemned widespread human rights violations in Myanmar. The ''Freedom in the World 2011'' report by [[Freedom House]] notes, "The military junta has&nbsp;... suppressed nearly all basic rights; and committed human rights abuses with impunity." In July 2013, the [[Assistance Association for Political Prisoners]] indicated that there were approximately 100 political prisoners being held in Burmese prisons.<ref name="mmtimes1">{{cite news|date=24 July 2013|title=Myanmar set to release some 70 prisoners|newspaper=The Myanmar Times|url=http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/7577-myanmar-set-to-release-some-70-prisoners.html|access-date=24 July 2013|archive-date=2 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102003228/http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/7577-myanmar-set-to-release-some-70-prisoners.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="irrawaddy1">{{cite news|last=Weng|first=Lawi|date=24 July 2013|title=Burma Govt Releases 73 Political Prisoners|url=http://www.irrawaddy.org/burma/burma-govt-releases-73-political-prisoners.html|access-date=24 July 2013|archive-date=30 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030200045/http://www.irrawaddy.org/burma/burma-govt-releases-73-political-prisoners.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Myanmar: Final push on political prisoners needed|url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/50659a382.html|access-date=19 March 2013|date=27 September 2012|archive-date=18 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218083935/http://www.refworld.org/docid/50659a382.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Burma Frees 56 Political Prisoners|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/burma-frees-fifty-six-political-prisoners-day-after-sanctions-dropped/1647578.html|access-date=26 April 2013|publisher=Voice of America|date=22 April 2013|archive-date=26 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426052937/http://www.voanews.com/content/burma-frees-fifty-six-political-prisoners-day-after-sanctions-dropped/1647578.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Evidence gathered by a British researcher was published in 2005 regarding the extermination or "Burmisation" of certain ethnic minorities, such as the [[Karen people|Karen]], [[Karenni people|Karenni]] and [[Shan people|Shan]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Guardia |first=Anton La |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/Myanmarmyanmar/1492726/Myanmar%27s-%27slow-genocide%27-is-revealed-through-the-eyes-of-its-child-victims.html |title=Myanmar's 'slow genocide' is revealed through the eyes of its child victims |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=24 June 2005 |access-date=20 November 2012 |location=London}}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
[[File:Mae La refugee camp2.jpg|thumb|[[Mae La refugee camp|Mae La camp]], [[Tak Province|Tak]], Thailand, one of the largest of nine [[UNHCR]] camps in Thailand<ref>{{cite web |title=2013 UNHCR country operations profile – Thailand |work=UNHCR |url=http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e489646.html |access-date=15 May 2013 |archive-date=24 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424075211/http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e489646.html |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

Based on the evidence gathered by Amnesty photographs and video of the ongoing armed conflict between the Myanmar military and the [[Arakan Army]] (AA), attacks escalated on civilians in Rakhine State. Ming Yu Hah, [[Amnesty International]]'s Deputy Regional Director for Campaigns said, the [[UN Security Council]] must urgently refer the situation in Myanmar to the [[International Criminal Court]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/myanmar-villages-burned-civilians-injured-rakhine-state-conflict/|title=Myanmar: Villages burned, civilians injured and killed as Rakhine State conflict escalates|access-date=12 October 2020|website=Amnesty International|date=12 October 2020|archive-date=15 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015014929/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2020/10/myanmar-villages-burned-civilians-injured-rakhine-state-conflict/|url-status=live}}</ref> The military is notorious for rampant use of sexual violence.<ref name="UNHR" />

In November 2024, the [[International Criminal Court|ICC]] prosecutor [[Karim Ahmad Khan|Karim A.A. Khan]] KC filed an arrest warrant application of Senior General, Acting President and Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defence Services [[Min Aung Hlaing]] for "criminal responsibility for the crimes against humanity of deportation and persecution of the Rohingya, committed in Myanmar, and in part in Bangladesh".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement of ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC: Application for an arrest warrant in the situation in Bangladesh/Myanmar {{!}} International Criminal Court |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-icc-prosecutor-karim-aa-khan-kc-application-arrest-warrant-situation-bangladesh |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=www.icc-cpi.int |language=en}}</ref>

===Genocide allegations, Organ trading and human trafficking===

Child soldiers have been a major issue in Myanmar,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kieran Guilbert |date=26 June 2018 |title=Exclusive: Women most at risk from traffickers in India, Libya, Myanmar - poll |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-women-dangerous-poll-trafficking-excl-idUSKBN1JM02M |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601031101/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-women-dangerous-poll-trafficking-excl-idUSKBN1JM02M |archive-date=1 June 2022 |access-date=1 June 2022 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref> with reports of children being sold into the military for as little as $40. The Burmese Army and rebel groups have used child soldiers, though some efforts have been made to release them. The UN and other organizations have pressured the government to reform, but progress has been slow.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Frontier |date=2023-10-05 |title=Myanmar's cyber-scam industry limps on amid regional crackdown |url=https://www.frontiermyanmar.net/en/myanmars-cyber-scam-industry-limps-on-amid-regional-crackdown/ |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=Frontier Myanmar |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Burma |url=https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2018/282623.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725003051/https://www.state.gov/j/tip/rls/tiprpt/countries/2018/282623.htm |archive-date=25 July 2018}}</ref>

The military takeover in 2021 worsened poverty in country pushing people to extreme measures like illegal organ trade. Many Myanmar citizens sell their organs online for money, sometimes earning the equivalent of a two-year salary, as financial desperation forces families into a cycle of selling body parts.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rebane |first=Teele |date=2024-08-30 |title=Myanmar's poorest are so desperate they're turning to social media to sell their kidneys |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/30/asia/myanmar-organ-selling-coup-poverty-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=2025-03-28 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref>

The Myanmar government has been alleged to have committed genocide against the Rohingya. The Rohingya people face severe persecution, denied citizenship and basic rights since 1982. Many have been expelled, making them one of the world's most persecuted minorities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2009-02-05 |title=What drives the Rohingya to sea? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7872635.stm |access-date=2025-03-28 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==== Government reforms ====
According to the [[Crisis Group]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/south-east-asia/burma-myanmar/B127-myanmar-major-reform-underway.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202223754/http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/asia/south-east-asia/burma-myanmar/B127-myanmar-major-reform-underway.aspx | archive-date=2 December 2012 | title=Major Reform Underway | publisher=Crisis Group | date=22 September 2011 | access-date=29 August 2011}}</ref> since Myanmar transitioned to a new government in August 2011, the country's human rights record has been improving. Previously giving Myanmar its lowest rating of 7, the 2012 ''Freedom in the World'' report also notes improvement, giving Myanmar a 6 for improvements in civil liberties and political rights, the release of political prisoners, and a loosening of restrictions.<ref>{{cite web|title=Freedom in the World 2012: Burma|url=http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2012/burma-0|publisher=Freedom House|access-date=4 February 2012|archive-date=11 November 2013|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20131111164649/http://www.freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2012/burma-0|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2013, Myanmar improved yet again, receiving a score of 5 in civil liberties and 6 in political freedoms.<ref>{{cite web|title=Burma|url=http://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2013/burma|access-date=22 November 2013|author=Freedom House|year=2013|archive-date=2 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232101/http://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2013/burma|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The government has assembled a [[Myanmar National Human Rights Commission|National Human Rights Commission]] that consists of 15 members from various backgrounds.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201109/3312219.htm?desktop |title=Burma gets rights commission |publisher=Australia Network News |date=7 September 2011 |access-date=29 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926011538/http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201109/3312219.htm?desktop |archive-date=26 September 2011 }}</ref> Several activists in exile, including Thee Lay Thee Anyeint members, have returned to Myanmar after President Thein Sein's invitation to expatriates to return home to work for national development.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mmtimes.com/2011/news/593/news59307.html |title=Anyeint group returns from exile in Thailand |publisher=MM Times |date=19–25 September 2011 |access-date=29 August 2011 |author=Kyaw Hsu |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930085339/http://www.mmtimes.com/2011/news/593/news59307.html |archive-date=30 September 2011 }}</ref> In an address to the United Nations Security Council on 22 September 2011, Myanmar's Foreign Minister [[Wunna Maung Lwin]] confirmed the government's intention to release prisoners in the near future.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/burma-flags-mass-release-of-political-prisoners-20110928-1kx9d.html | title=Burma flags mass release of political prisoners | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | date=29 September 2011 | access-date=29 August 2011 | author=Murdoch, Lindsay | archive-date=30 September 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930155712/http://www.smh.com.au/world/burma-flags-mass-release-of-political-prisoners-20110928-1kx9d.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

The government has also relaxed reporting laws, but these remain highly restrictive.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/2011/09/20/free-press-is-the-key-to-myanmar-reform.htmldawn |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729234619/http://www.dawn.com/2011/09/20/free-press-is-the-key-to-myanmar-reform.htmldawn |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2012 |title=Free press is the key to Myanmar reform |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=20 September 2011 |access-date=29 August 2011 }}</ref> In September 2011, several banned websites, including YouTube, [[Democratic Voice of Burma]] and [[Voice of America]], were unblocked.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/burmese-junta-relaxes-access-to-foreign-websites-2356125.html | title=Burmese junta relaxes access to foreign websites | work=The Independent | location=London | date=17 September 2011 | access-date=29 August 2011 | author=Buncombe, Andrew | archive-date=20 October 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020142656/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/burmese-junta-relaxes-access-to-foreign-websites-2356125.html | url-status=dead }}</ref> A 2011 report by the [[Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations]] found that, while contact with the Myanmar government was constrained by donor restrictions, international humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) see opportunities for effective advocacy with government officials, especially at the local level. At the same time, international NGOs are mindful of the ethical quandary of how to work with the government without bolstering or appeasing it.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120114003421/http://www.hks.harvard.edu/hauser/engage/humanitarianorganizations/research/assets/Myanmar%20Report%20Final%20Version%209-8-11.pdf Working Through Ambiguity: International NGOs in Myanmar]. Soubhik Ronnie Saha The Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations Harvard University September 2011</ref>

Following Thein Sein's first ever visit to the UK and a meeting with Prime Minister [[David Cameron]], the Myanmar president declared that all of his nation's political prisoners will be released by the end of 2013, in addition to a statement of support for the well-being of the Rohingya Muslim community. In a speech at [[Chatham House]], he revealed that "We [Myanmar government] are reviewing all cases. I guarantee to you that by the end of this year, there will be no prisoners of conscience in Myanmar."<ref>{{cite news|title=No more political prisoners: Myanmar|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/no-more-political-prisoners-myanmar/story-fn3dxix6-1226679907770?net_sub_uid=44933799|access-date=16 July 2013|newspaper=The Australian|date=16 July 2013|author=Woodcock, Andrew }}</ref>

Homosexual acts are [[LGBT rights in Myanmar|illegal in Myanmar]] and can be punishable by life imprisonment.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/gay-lesbian-bisexual-relationships-illegal-in-74-countries-a7033666.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title= LGBT relationships are illegal in 74 countries, research finds | work = The Independent| date=17 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=State Sponsored Homophobia 2016: A world survey of sexual orientation laws: criminalisation, protection and recognition|url=http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf|work=[[International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association]]|date=17 May 2016|access-date=9 July 2018|archive-date=2 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902183618/http://ilga.org/downloads/02_ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2016_ENG_WEB_150516.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2016, Myanmar leader [[Aung San Suu Kyi]] was accused of failing to protect Myanmar's [[Islam in Myanmar|Muslim]] minority.<ref>"[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/rohingya-muslims-burma-myanmar-aung-san-suu-kyi-legitimising-genocide-a7439151.html Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi accused of 'legitimising genocide of Rohingya Muslims'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827102057/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/rohingya-muslims-burma-myanmar-aung-san-suu-kyi-legitimising-genocide-a7439151.html |date=27 August 2017 }}". ''The Independent''. 25 November 2016.</ref> Since August 2017 [[Doctors Without Borders]] have treated 113 Rohingya refugee females for sexual assault with all but one describing military assailants.<ref>AP News. (12 December 2017). "Army's rape of Rohingya women sweeping, methodical: AP". [http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/rape-rohingya-women-sweeping-methodical-ap-171211063236832.html Al Jazeera website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212214500/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/12/rape-rohingya-women-sweeping-methodical-ap-171211063236832.html |date=12 December 2017 }}. Retrieved 12 December 2017.</ref>