New Myanmar government must be inclusive if it is to succeed
Aileen Thomson says the concerns of former political prisoners, ethnic minorities and conflict-affected communities must be taken into account if peace and democracy in Myanmar are to endure
When Htin Kyaw was elected president of Myanmar on March 15, domestic and international media hailed him as the first president never to have worn a military uniform. Another distinction, however, was largely missing from the media spotlight: Htin Kyaw will be the first former political prisoner to become president of Myanmar.
Htin Kyaw spent several months in prison in 2000. In September of that year, when Aung San Suu Kyi was out of house arrest but under restrictions, Htin Kyaw accompanied her to Yangon Central Railway Station, where she and a group of supporters tried to travel to Mandalay. When the station staff refused to sell them tickets, the group declared that they would not leave the station until they were able to buy tickets and board a train to Mandalay.
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Htin Kyaw and the others were arrested on the spot, and Suu Kyi was returned to house arrest. Two of the men who were arrested that day, Thein Swe and Tun Myint, were elected to parliament last year.
Almost half of the MPs from the National League for Democracy (NLD) – around 115 out of 390 – are former political prisoners. This fact gives some hope to the legions of former political prisoners that their sacrifices will be recognised.
For many, everything they suffered would be worth it if they can obtain their goal of democracy
The NLD has pledged to release all political prisoners once it comes to power and adopt a definition of “political prisoner” that was developed in a joint workshop with political prisoners in 2014. These would be laudable steps to address the needs of political prisoners. However, former political prisoners urgently need other measures, including restoration of political rights, medical and psychosocial care, and official recognition of their contributions.
Throughout the International Centre for Transitional Justice’s engagement in Myanmar, we have discussed with many former prisoners their experiences in the past and hopes for the future. For many, everything they suffered would be worth it if they can obtain their goal of democracy.
Htin Kyaw, Suu Kyi and the former political prisoners who now sit in parliament have overcome incredible challenges to be able to participate in the governance of their country. Yet not all former political prisoners are in such a position. Torture, solitary confinement and lack of family ties have led to serious psychosocial challenges for which there are few support programmes available.
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Many former political prisoners also suffer health problems resulting from their detention. Others have lost professional licences and even citizenship due to their political activities, which they still struggle to recover years after being released. Due to a lack of education and hesitancy of employers to hire former political prisoners, many struggle to provide for themselves and their families.
Political prisoners were far from the only ones to suffer under the past government. Conflict in ethnic minority areas has taken a toll on individual residents and family and social ties in those areas. The military and ethnic armed groups have been accused of widespread sexual violence, child recruitment, torture, forced labour and other serious violations. Conflict areas are economically devastated, deprived of basic services and isolated politically, socially, economically and culturally.
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Despite the much-increased representation of ethnic minorities in the incoming government, there are few leaders at the national level who have direct experience of living through the ethnic conflict that has torn apart communities. Henry Van Thio, vice-president-elect and an ethnic Chin, served 20 years in the Myanmar armed forces. New deputy speaker and ethnic Kachin T Khun Myat, former leader of a militia in conflict-ridden northern Shan State, has been accused by local rights groups of involvement in the trafficking of opium common to that region. Neither can be fairly said to represent the perspective of ethnic minority civilians in conflict areas.
The new government must make a special effort to hear the voices of conflict-affected communities. This includes discussing how they experienced conflict and what they need to overcome its impact and reconcile with the rest of Myanmar. If their concerns are not taken into account, the quality of peace and democracy will be diminished. It may not even be sustainable.
Victims of serious human rights violations have particularly difficult challenges
Curbs on the recognition of informal education, lack of identity documents, ethnic prejudice, the Unlawful Association Act, and residency requirements that disproportionately affect minority migrants and refugees are some of the many factors – in addition to active conflict – that prevent people from fully participating in the country’s reform process. Victims of serious human rights violations have particularly difficult challenges, including traumatisation, loss of livelihood and lack of trust in government officials – or in anyone from the majority Burman ethnic group.
Htin Kyaw and his administration have a difficult task ahead, but they have been fighting for decades for this opportunity. For the best chance of success, they will need the full participation of people from all walks of life. The NLD has made overtures to the military and members of the former government to ensure their cooperation and participation in a spirit of national unity.
The incoming government would do well to continue this approach by addressing the challenges that prevent some of its citizens from contributing their talents. Beyond improvements in health, education and development, this means targeted programmes to address the serious human rights violations suffered by so many over the past decades.
Aileen Thomson is programme coordinator and former head of office in Myanmar for the International Centre for Transitional Justice
