Burma

Over the past decades, the Burmese government has been the primary driver of violence against civilians in Burma due to its continued counter-insurgency campaign against ethnic minority rebels, particularly its 'four-cuts strategy,' an attempt to cut off food, funds, intelligence and recruits from the rebels.

The government’s goal appears to be to hold power at all costs. One feature of this campaign to suppress ethnic rebel groups is primarily active in eastern Burma, along the Thai-Burma border, where the government uses forced labor to build bases from which they attack and burn surrounding villages as well as mining the razed areas to discourage returns. Areas outside of government's control are designated as 'black zones,' where soldiers are able to shoot any person on sight. Government troops are also known to use rape against ethnic minority women as part of a campaign of "Burmanization" through forced pregnancy.
 
The government’s attempts to suppress all dissent within its territory have also resulted in attacks in Shan State along the Chinese border and among the Rohingya region bordering Bangladesh. Since 1988, the ruling Burmese junta has also taken a hard line against pro-democracy protestors, imprisoning more than 2,200 activists, including Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.
 
Learn about our Burma Civilian Radio Network.

Photos: James Whitlow Delano