Life In Burma
Burma is one of the world’s most ethnically diverse countries, home to dozens of ethnic groups. After independence in 1948, ethnic armed rebellions began to break out in the country’s eastern frontier areas as groups began to press for increased autonomy.
In 1962, General Ne Win overthrew a parliamentary democracy, an event that would usher in almost five decades of military rule. Under successive military regimes, dissenting ethnic leaders and other political opposition members have been persecuted and widespread human rights abuses perpetrated against civilians. The repressive policies pursued by the various military juntas fuelled further resistance movements. Some of the ethnic armed groups signed ceasefire agreements with the ruling military regime after 1989, but armed conflict continues in many areas of eastern Burma. Some areas are subject to the sole authority of the regime’s troops or Burma Army forces allied with local militias. Other regions fall under the control of ethnic ceasefire groups, even though some of the administration within these zones is at times undertaken by regime officials.
In eastern Burma, several armed groups continue resistance against the regime, including the Shan State Army-South, the Karen National Liberation Army, and the Karenni Army. In areas that are contested by these organizations, the regime continues to employ the “Four Cuts” strategy. This military initiative is designed to break down the four crucial links between armed opposition groups and the people: food, financial support, recruits, and information. Such a military strategy that targets civilians is in violation of international humanitarian law. Sustained implementation of this policy has resulted in the destruction, of over 3,600 villages and hiding sites from 1996 to 2010. Currently, there are at least 446,000 internally displaced people in the rural areas of eastern Burma alone.
The following pictures depict life in eastern Burma.
