Rich in natural resources, Burma was once one of the wealthiest countries in Southeast Asia. Today, after 37 years of military rule and isolationist policies, it is one of the poorest; and it has the second worst human rights record in the world, after Algeria.

Population: est 47,000,.000
Area: 261,000 sq. mi. (similar to Texas)
Geography: Central lowlands, rugged highlands

Although people have lived in this area for tens of thousands of
years, the first settled, agricultural communities date to 4,000 years B.C.E.

The first kingdoms were established by Burmans from Tibet during the 9th century. Burmans continue to make up the majority of the population in modern Myanmar. There are at least 100 other ethnic groups in Myanmar (Burma), each with its own language and culture.

Legacy as a colony of Britain for over 200 years---a “nation” without national unity among the ethnic groups..

Independence struggle led by Aung San—worked with Japanese against British imperialism, and then with the British against Japanese imperialism, leading to indepence in 1948, six months after he died.

Under Prime Minister U Nu, a assistant of Aung San and a devout Buddhist, country worked on reconciling regional differences and established a constitution.

In 1961, military staged a coup, abolished constitution, took government control of all communication, education, and industry. 

Student-led revolts in 1974 and 1976.  In 1988, massive demonstrations all over country involving all types of people; economic situation extremely bad.  Army responds with violence, killing thousands and arresting hundreds (including Min Ko Naing, student leader), later thousands are in jail, tortured, sometimes executed.

Aung San’s daughter, Aung San Suu Kyi returns from England to Burma and begins giving speeches promoting democracy, including a speech in front of Shwedagon Pagoda to an audience of 500,000.

 After a bloody coup within the military government, the new government promises free elections, but bans political gatherings and continues using violence against peaceful demonstrators.

Suu Kyi is confronted by soldiers blocking a street down which she and her supporters are walking. When the soldiers threaten to shoot, Suu Kyi asks her companions to step aside and then walks up to and past the rifles aimed at her. At the last moment the soldiers are ordered not to fire.

The country's name is officially changed to the Union of Myanmar, and the name of the capital from Rangoon to Yangon. (For government's positiong, see:  http://www.myanmar-information.net/infosheet/1999/991209.htm) Suu Kyi is placed under house arrest.  All outside contract is forbidden.

The military offer to free her if she leaves Burma but she refuses to go until the country is returned to civilian government and political prisoners are freed.  After a 12-day hunger strike, she wins assurances that prisoners will not be maltreated.

In 1990, elections are held and Suu Kyi’s NLD party wins more than 80% of vote.  Military sets aside the results and continues their rule.  Human rights situation deteriorates badly throughout the country.

Suu Kyi wins Nobel Prize for Peace and many other international human rights awards, but is still not allowed out of her house.  Government announces that it can keep her for six years without charge or trial.

In 1995 Suu Kyi is freed from house arrest but confined to the Rangoon.  She gives speeches at her house each weekend.  The U.N. general assembly condemns the Burmese government for its abysmal human rights record.

In 1996, hundreds of Suu Kyi’s colleagues and followers are arrested; this leads to demonstrations, and more arrests.  Suu Kyi is again confined to her house.

In 1997, the U.S. stops foreign aid to Burma and bans investment there.  After an internal stuggle, Than Shwe is chosen as the military dictator. 

In 1998, Suu Kyi twice attempts to leave Rangoon to mead with leaders of her NLD party; both times she is blocked at a bridge by the government for six days, until she becomes ill and returns home.

In 1999, Suu Kyi’s husband Michael Aris (in England) is dying of cancer.  He wants to come to see her but is denied visa.  Government invites her to leave, instead, but she refuses.  He dies.

In 2000, Suu Kyi again attempts to leave Rangoon and is blocked.  Her house arrest is tightened. The UN estimates that there are between one and two million internally displaced people - approximately 600,000 living in camps--and the remainder hiding in the forests. Several hundred thousand have fled into neighboring Thailand and Laos, but those countries are now
limiting the influx of refugees, and the border areas are heavily mined.

In 2001, Suu Kyi remained under house arrest, but it was later revealed that she had been having secret talks with Than Shwe.

In 2002, some political prisoners are released and the NLD party is allowed to open 35 offices.  Suu Kyi is released from arrest.   She publicly reaffirms her support for a continuation of the sanctions on foreign aid, investment and trade in Burma while the military regime remains in place. She expresses disappointment with the slow pace of release of political prisoners—some 1500 still in jail.

2003 - In January the military regime allows two representatives from the international human rights organization Amnesty International to travel to Burma for "dialogue with the authorities".