Why Care About Burma?

Many people in the West view the coup and its violent aftermath in Myanmar (Burma) as taking place in some far-off, exotic land that has little bearing on our own lives. Yet we believe there are, nonetheless, many reasons why we might see its relevance to us in the faraway, relative peace and safety of our lives:

·      If you have a meditation practice. Did you know that most contemporary forms of vipassana meditation, as well as the “mindfulness movement,” have their roots in Burma? Moreover, insight meditation and Engaged Buddhism have been an important element in resisting the military’s tyranny.

·      If you love hip hop and punk music. These genres have long spoken out against oppression and state power, and today, Burmese rappers and punks are putting themselves in harm’s way by writing tracks opposing the military regime.

·      If you are concerned about China and Russia. Both countries back the military regime in Burma, so a defeat of the current Burmese dictator would be seen as a defeat as well for the regional influence of these superpowers.

·      If you support LGBTQ+ rights. It has never been safe to be gay in Myanmar, but under the military dictatorship, it’s more dangerous than ever. Conversely, the democracy movement has welcomed the gay community, making them feel inclusive for the first time ever in Myanmar’s history.

·      If you were outraged at the Rohingya genocide. The National Unity Government (NUG), the democratic opposition, has pledged that all Rohingya will have a home in their future nation.

·      If you demand equality for women. Burmese women have been especially at risk since the military took over, as soldiers regularly perpetuate sexual violence. At the same time, Burmese women are very much at the forefront of the revolution, and in the process rewriting the script of traditional gender roles.

·      If you oppose any form of tyranny. The Myanmar military is one of the most oppressive and violent in the world. And yet, against all odds and with nearly no international support, the Burmese people have risen up and continue to resist by any means necessary.

·      If you believe in democracy. In Southeast Asia, liberal democracy has yet to take root. However, if the coalition of forces resisting the military prevails, they are committed to establishing a federal democratic government, with rights for ethnic and religious minorities guaranteed, which could then become a beacon for all the nations in that corner of the world.

·      If you support human rights. Today, the Burmese people do not enjoy freedom of expression, of religion, or of assembly; and their human rights are being violated daily. The resistance movement was formed to create the basis for a fair and equitable society.

·      If you care about freedom of the press. Even as the military regime is jailing and killing journalists, fearless reporters continue to document the ongoing atrocities in their country. The value of their work has never been as meaningful and immediate as it is today.

·      If you want to see a coup fail. A successful coup in one country emboldens and encourages despots in other places. But if even one would-be dictator falls, it sends a strong cautionary message to any others considering a violent takeover in their country.

·      If you buy fair trade. Burma’s artisans have never had a fair playing field. Yet if the economy can stabilize and factory conditions improve, these communities can be honestly compensated for their work as it reaches foreign markets.  

·      If you love art. Burmese artists have been at the forefront of pushing for change, inspiring the movement even as it places them in the crosshairs of the regime. From poets to painters, from graffiti artists to sculptors, artists have been courageously sharing their vision and inspiring the people.

·      You admire first responders. The resistance movement started with doctors and nurses founding the Civil Disobedience Movement. Today, these medical professionals continue to work underground in treating those harmed by military aggression, often at great personal risk.

·      You believe in Rule of Law. While the democratic forces in Myanmar are trying to create a system that is just and equitable for all people, the military makes up their own laws as they go along, while punishing ethnic and religious minorities and rewarding cronies. Corruption flourishes!

·      You support gun rights. Denied a right to legally purchase and own a weapon, resistance forces are now making their own with 3-D printers, and using it to defend themselves while opposing state sponsored terror.

·      You care about Christian minority populations. Nationalistic Buddhist propaganda from the military has consistently targeted ethnic Christian populations, such as the Chin, Kachin, Karenni, and Karen. Without a democracy, these communities cannot ever hope to practice their faith.

·      You are concerned about prison reform and the plight of political prisoners. The military regime has long used its industrial prison complex to detain, torture, and kill those who oppose its rule. Without change, these atrocities will continue unabated.

·      You oppose “conflict gems.” Burma has vast jade deposits, which are sites of exploitation, violence and corruption. The military and its cronies and criminals walk away with literally billions of dollars while the workers suffer in abysmal conditions. A democratic government is more likely to put an end to this horrible exploitation and suffering.

·      You stand against Big Oil. Myanmar has massive oil reserves, and gas companies such as Shell and Total make billions, even as human rights atrocities persist. Even worse, the tax revenues from these sales are converted into weapons that the military regime purchases directly from Vladmir Putin. 

·      You are concerned about growing state surveillance. Did you know the military regime has purchased the most advanced spyware technologies from China and Israel? These are now being employed on a wide scale to invade the privacy of individual citizens.

·      You support trade unions. Factory conditions have long been abominable in Burma, with workers being consistently exploited and unfairly compensated. Yet now, union leaders are joining the effort to resist and overthrow the military regime and its cronies. Under a democratic leadership, unions can be legalized and their demands addressed.

·      You fear the increasing flows of illegal narcotics. Most of the infamous “Golden Triangle,” which produces the most dangerous drugs in the world today, lies within Burmese territory. Since the coup, opium production has risen 33%! A stable federal democracy, with the support of Western allies, can dramatically decrease the production and spread of these intoxicants, and decrease the influence of narco-states.

·      You believe in the right to education. The military regime has long used public schools as centers of state propaganda, rewriting history to suit its own designs of oppression. Even worse, due to the current conflict, many Burmese children have no access to education. A whole generation will suffer as a result.

·      You are a linguist, or love languages. There is more linguistic diversity in this country than almost anywhere on the planet! Yet without access to proper resources, many languages are now slowly dying out.

·      You are a film buff. Although there are many brilliant filmmakers in Burma, the state has consistently banned, censored, and even punished those who speak out whose works are seen to criticize their rule. A free Burma would bring a creative explosion on the screen!

·      You practice lethwei. This Burmese martial art has a small but dedicated following around the world. And yet without freedom, access to training and guidance becomes severely limited.

·      You don’t want to see another pandemic. While COVID ravaged the world, it was especially brutal in Myanmar, where military leaders weaponized the disease and intentionally limited medical access to the populace. The danger for Myanmar to become a super-spreader during a future pandemic is a serious concern.

So the situation in Myanmar is not that divorced from our own reality in a variety of ways.  The issues that people are struggling with there in their extreme circumstances may well resonate with us. Even for those of us who may not have had direct contact with the country or people, there are dozens of intersecting themes and topics that are now motivating the democracy movement. The ongoing civil unrest and attempted military coup in Myanmar have highlighted the importance of international solidarity and the power of grassroots activism in promoting democracy and human rights. Despite the challenges and difficulties, the people of Myanmar continue to fight for their rights and for a more just and equitable society, and their struggle is one that should be supported and recognized by the global community.