Understanding ethnic conflict in Myanmar (Burma) from a human rights perspective

Abstract

The post-Cold War international security environment has witnessed a rapid movement of "' non-military" security issues onto the world stage, Those issues include trafficking in illicit drugs, weapons, and human beings, exacerbated by poverty, ethnic conflicts, and transnational organized crime, Although they appear not to pose the kind of immediate danger that the traditional military issues do, they are important because ultimately they have an enormous effect on national, regional and international security. In Myanmar (Burma), which is today one of the world 's poorest and least developed nations, ethnic conflict has been an ongoing problem since the country gained political independence from British colonial rule in 1948. Among other things, ethnic conflicts have resulted in an influx of many Burmese immigrants and refugees into neighboring countries, which impacts on regional security. This paper discusses the root causes of ethnic conflict in Myanmar from a human rights perspective. It provides a brief historical background, analyzes the problem as it relates to the abuse of hum an rights, and discusses the ramifications of the problem in regard to national and regional security concerns. Finally, the paper concludes with some suggestions on how the problem might be addressed through a concerted effort to recognize and honor human rights.