Mynamar+(Burma)+Uprisings

= Burma/Myanmar Uprisings  = // Human rights are being violated in the country of Burma by abusive authoritarian governments. How did this happen and will it continue into the future? //  Students, women and most of the people of Burma led by Monks came together to protest against the Burmese government. The first Uprising was August 8, 1988 to September 1988. This one was against the socialist government of the time, Ne Win. The second Uprising was August 19, 2007 to September 26, 2007. The Government at the time and still is The Junta Regime. It was a military junta in which the military generals had all the power. During both Uprisings angry mobs terrorized towns within Burma to get the government to listen. Underground groups were formed. They organized attacks led by students. Buddhist Monks also burned buildings to protest. During the first Uprising the military lost control over Burma and the protestors tried to implement a multi party system of government led by Aung San Suu Kyi and her pro democratic movement. That caused chaos all across Burma. Since the new multi party system was rejected and she was put in house arrest, protests began again, and more aggressive. September 18, 1988, the government had a crackdown and the military killed 10,000 protestors, retaking over the country. The second Uprising was peaceful that’s why it is also referred to as the “Saffron Uprising.”On September 26, 2007, the second government crackdown happened. They did not try to end protests calmly it was brutal the way they shot people on the spot. The government claims only 9 people died, but eye witnesses confirm it was about 200. Burma, the largest country by geographical area in Southwest Asia, is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country is in a national debt of $ 3.5 billion dollars. This has happened because of the type of government that it has had. Burma had a socialist government in 1988 during its first uprising. Since it was socialist it did not work to have a good economy. Generals would mismanage money that belonged to the country and its people. Along with poverty, mal-nutrition spreads throughout Burma. Also the government is unfair with its people. Unannounced decisions by ruling Junta to raise Diesel and petrol prices by 500% are only one of the many examples. The overall cause for the uprisings was that monks along with students and other protestors became upset overtime by the economic and political problems caused over time by the government. Since Protestants were very violent in the 1988 uprising most were killed. Most of the population was part of the protests, so a big quantity of Burma’s people was killed by the military. After the 1988 uprising the military called SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council) put forth the “Clumsy Propaganda” which restricted all Burmese media completely. Schools and universities remained closed to prevent any further uprisings. After the Uprising of 2007 the government became even more paranoid. Since then the Junta has had internet control. It attempts to block all websites and services that carry news and information about Burma, including e-mail. Most countries support protestors, and think that Junta should implement reforms. When footage and pictures like the one above of the actual uprisings were discovered by the world, most countries agreed that it was a violation of those people’s rights. Still, a few countries like China and India support the Junta. US, European Union, Canada and Australia have imposed a number of sanctions on the Junta since the second Uprising, including a freeze on bank accounts and restrictions on imports of gem and timer. Attempts were made by many nations around the world like Great Britain to join a campaign to boycott the Beijing Olympics last year to pressure the Chinese to join them help the protestors of Burma. Campaigns to get the Junta regime to reform itself are happening throughout the world in places like London, Ontario, US, Ireland, and Norway, etc. After the first Uprising, countries like the US obviously tried to help out, but the Junta responded by declaring that foreigners trying to help were trying to overthrow the government. Since the protests were not brought by opposition governments or foreign countries, rather people within the country who were frustrated with the situation, there is no overall conclusion. The Junta agreed to talk to its people about reforms and come to an agreement, but the opposition groups must follow the rules of the government as of now. The nations that attempt to help protestors in Burma are viewed as potentially hostile by the Junta regime, so it may cause trouble between nations. Some belief that, since no true democratic changes have been obtained, the future of the country is uncertain. Others think that if Junta does not meet these demands, then a future Uprising is likely.
 * What are “Uprisings”? **
 * Why did the people of Burma come to this? **
 * What have been the effects of both Uprisings for Burma? **
 * How have other nations played a role? **
 * How is the future looking for Burma? **