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Burma Projects of People in Need

Demonstrations in Rangoon in 2007

Demonstrations in Rangoon in 2007

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The human rights situation in Burma is critical. Since the military coup in 1962, the country has been run by a military junta, which has transformed one of the richest countries in Southeast Asia into an internationally isolated state on the edge of poverty. In 1988, the military brutally suppressed nation-wide democratic demonstrations. Thousands of people were arrested or went into exile, and thousands more joined guerilla armies in the border areas.

It is estimated that more than 2100 political prisoners are being detained in Burmese prisons. Society is under the control of the secret police, and any opposition activity or simple criticism of the government can result in long-term imprisonment or even a life sentence. In spite of this repression, the National League for Democracy (the leading opposition party), as well as various underground student movements, individual dissidents and independent journalists are still active. In recent years, small civic initiatives aimed at solving serious social problems have been established as well.

People in Need has supported the Burmese pro-democracy movement since the mid-1990s. People in Need employees have visited Burma and the Thai-Burma border area several times, and have established ties with various local organizations. People in Need has also organized a number of events and activities aimed at revealing the problems of Burma to the Czech public.

Currently, People in Need supports the families of political prisoners in Burma, offers internships to young Burmese activists in the Czech Republic and cooperates with the media, which provides alternative and unbiased news coverage to Burmese citizens. The objective of People in Need is to pass on the Czech transition experience to Burmese activists and help them start a successful transformation of their country.

Basic Facts

Location: Southeast Asia
Neighboring countries: Bangladesh, Thailand, China, India, Laos
Capital: Nay Pyi Daw (since 2005, previously Rangoon)
Area: 678 500 km2
Population: 47 382 633 (2006)
Main Ethnic Groups: Barman 68 %, Shan 9 %, Karen 7 %, Arakan (Rakhine) 4 %, Chinese 3 %, Indian 2 %, Mon 2 %, others 5 %
Religion: Buddhist 89%, Christian 5%, Muslim 4%
Median age: 27,0 (2006)
Birth rate: 17.91 (2006)
Infant mortality rate: 61.85 (2006)
Median life expectancy at birth: 60.97 (2006)
Literacy rate: 85.3% (2002) ♂ 89.2% ♀ 81.4%
GDP in spending strength: 76,6 miliard USD (2005)
GDP per capita in spending strength: 1,600 USD (2005)
GDP growth rate: 1.5% (2005)
Unemployment rate: 5% (2005)
Percentage of the population living below the poverty level: 25% (2000)


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