Editing Myanmar (section)

===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>