Burma: There is Hope!

Learning about troubled countries is important and raising awareness is critical to the development of these places. After learning more about Burma, I too, felt the need to write about this country which I was completely unfamiliar with. I recently had the opportunity to attend a public program hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs titled Blood Rubies: A Lens into Burma. Here, Christian Holst, a photojournalist, Brian Leber, president of Leber Jeweler, and David Mathieson a senior researcher on Burma in the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch, discussed the current living situation of the Burmese people who are under the totalitarian rule of the military.

Rangoon is also referred to as Yangon.

Burma (Myanmar), a former British colony, is bordered by Bangladesh and India on the west, China on the north east, and Laos and Thailand on the east. It was once one of the richest countries in Asia due to its abundant natural resources but today it is one of the poorest and most isolated countries in the world. As the country became independent from British rule, the military took control of all aspects of society making it extremely difficult (but not impossible) for pro-democratic opponents to prevail. After years of protests by its people and religious leaders, Burma has only seen little improvement. Although the government makes millions of dollars from its natural resources such as rubies and other gems, the money is only utilized to fund military activity. Unfortunately, none of it filters down to the people who rightfully deserve a healthcare system, an education, and much more. Those who have courageously fought for the human rights of the Burmese people have been prosecuted and jailed but recently many of these political prisoners - who shouldn't have been imprisoned to begin with - were released in January 2012. President Obama praised this act as a “substantial step forward for democratic reform” as well as a way to restore its relationship with the U.S. A senior State Department official in Washington described Burma’s move as the largest single release of political prisoners in Asia’s history: US to Renew Myanmar Ties in Light of Reforms

Aung San Suu Kyi won the Nobel Peace Prize in 199.
(Picture from TIME Magazine) 

Despite this, the country has a long way to go and many are hopeful for the upcoming elections where politician/activist Aung San Suu Kyi plans to run for parliament. Suu Kyi led the pro-democratic movement in Burma in 1988 but was placed under house arrest for 15 years. She was granted freedom with the condition that she leave Burma but she refused. She was released from house arrest in November 2010 and is now the face of hope for a new Burma.

Some other interesting facts about Burma:

•  Jade and the trade of gemstones, including rubies, directly funds the military (government). Unlike other countries, under the Kimberly Process, none of these resources are used to support education or healthcare.  
•  The government spends per capita 0.60¢ a year on healthcare.
• Death toll for those infected with HIV is very high because once the disease is detected, it is too late to treat. In addition, little medical resources are available. 
• Education is free but teachers are paid by parents. Educators make about $30-$40 a month.  
• 90 percent of the world’s rubies come from Burma. All ruby mines are monitored and owned by the government.
•  Burmese gem industry is worth $500M (US).
• Mine workers make about $1.20/day. Many believe that these workers seek mining jobs to support their heroin addiction.
• Other Burmese laborer workers live on a $1 per day.
• The unemployment rate is so high that it has forced many women to go into prostitution.  
•  Ethnic groups in Burma are brutalized; the civil war here is one of the oldest in the world.
•  One of the biggest challenges of the country will be national reconciliation.
• Many flee to nearby Thailand, but migrant Burmese workers are not allowed to work legally so some try to make a living by sorting garbage on dump sites and selling scraps.

As humans, we cannot look the other way and pretend that atrocities like these do not happen. Despite religion and political beliefs, there are human values that everyone needs to consider before ignoring current events like these and the efforts of others to make a difference. Lets educate ourselves and others about the world and try to find ways that we can help, even if its just bringing light to issues that are worth discussing. 

Below is a press conference announcing that Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, would be traveling to Burma. The first Secretary of State to do so in over 50 years!  

 Christian Holst's work: http://christianholstphotography.com/