Nang Lao Liang Won
By Nang Lao Liang Won
I am a Shan ethnic woman from Myanmar who has been working for human rights and democracy in my homeland for decades. I had the opportunity this year to spend time at the National Endowment for Democracy as a visiting fellow, researching the role of women in Myanmar’s democratic transition. During my time in Washington, I remained in touch with my colleagues in Myanmar and areas along the border to keep track of changes that were taking place.
While there has been much change in Myanmar over the past two years, the glowing talk one hears in Washington is at odds with the reality on the ground. Shan state, where I am from, and other ethnic areas continue to experience intense political and armed conflicts. Across the country, human rights abuses are rampant, perpetrated with impunity.
Activists and even ordinary farmers and villagers have been arrested, beaten and jailed for engaging in nonviolent efforts to challenge mega-projects such as mining, gas pipelines and dams. Police routinely crack down on peaceful demonstrators with excessive force.
Yet these same authorities are unwilling to stop violence that genuinely threatens Myanmar’s future. Their failure to intervene in attacks on Myanmar’s minority Muslims — including in Lashio, a beautiful city in the heart of northern Shan state — has been especially shocking. Even though I have seen terrible violence in my homeland, I never expected to see anti-Muslim attacks of the kind that took place in May.
Friends, relatives and colleagues talk about an atmosphere of pervasive fear. They speculate about the “strangers” and “outsiders” they saw among the mob, people who disappeared after the violence was over. They express dread that such a riot could happen again, anywhere and at anytime. They lament a climate of extremism unlike anything in their memories.
As I studied the recent violence more closely, I began seeing a pattern to attacks across Myanmar. First, a woman or girl is brutally attacked or raped by an individual of a different faith. This incident triggers broader violence by organised “Buddhist” mobs that attack local Muslims: torching their homes, businesses, schools and places of worship; beating and killing civilians, including burning them alive; and destroying the social fabric of communities. Security forces stand by as violence rages.
Myanmar’s leaders, who ignore United Nations resolutions with impunity, have increased their engagement with the outside world, making an all-out effort through media, diplomacy and peace missions to polish the country’s image.
Human rights violators have gotten away with crimes in Myanmar for decades. The people had hope for justice as long as the international community documented and condemned their abuses. As the UN General Assembly writes its annual resolution against Myanmar, it must make serious recommendations that accurately reflect the realities in my country.
If countries that long supported our struggle for human rights and democracy instead decide that the status quo is “good enough” and turn a blind eye to ongoing abuses, our dream of justice may never be part of Myanmar’s future. WP-BLOOMBERG
By Nang Lao Liang Won
I am a Shan ethnic woman from Myanmar who has been working for human rights and democracy in my homeland for decades. I had the opportunity this year to spend time at the National Endowment for Democracy as a visiting fellow, researching the role of women in Myanmar’s democratic transition. During my time in Washington, I remained in touch with my colleagues in Myanmar and areas along the border to keep track of changes that were taking place.
While there has been much change in Myanmar over the past two years, the glowing talk one hears in Washington is at odds with the reality on the ground. Shan state, where I am from, and other ethnic areas continue to experience intense political and armed conflicts. Across the country, human rights abuses are rampant, perpetrated with impunity.
Activists and even ordinary farmers and villagers have been arrested, beaten and jailed for engaging in nonviolent efforts to challenge mega-projects such as mining, gas pipelines and dams. Police routinely crack down on peaceful demonstrators with excessive force.
Yet these same authorities are unwilling to stop violence that genuinely threatens Myanmar’s future. Their failure to intervene in attacks on Myanmar’s minority Muslims — including in Lashio, a beautiful city in the heart of northern Shan state — has been especially shocking. Even though I have seen terrible violence in my homeland, I never expected to see anti-Muslim attacks of the kind that took place in May.
Friends, relatives and colleagues talk about an atmosphere of pervasive fear. They speculate about the “strangers” and “outsiders” they saw among the mob, people who disappeared after the violence was over. They express dread that such a riot could happen again, anywhere and at anytime. They lament a climate of extremism unlike anything in their memories.
As I studied the recent violence more closely, I began seeing a pattern to attacks across Myanmar. First, a woman or girl is brutally attacked or raped by an individual of a different faith. This incident triggers broader violence by organised “Buddhist” mobs that attack local Muslims: torching their homes, businesses, schools and places of worship; beating and killing civilians, including burning them alive; and destroying the social fabric of communities. Security forces stand by as violence rages.
Myanmar’s leaders, who ignore United Nations resolutions with impunity, have increased their engagement with the outside world, making an all-out effort through media, diplomacy and peace missions to polish the country’s image.
Human rights violators have gotten away with crimes in Myanmar for decades. The people had hope for justice as long as the international community documented and condemned their abuses. As the UN General Assembly writes its annual resolution against Myanmar, it must make serious recommendations that accurately reflect the realities in my country.
If countries that long supported our struggle for human rights and democracy instead decide that the status quo is “good enough” and turn a blind eye to ongoing abuses, our dream of justice may never be part of Myanmar’s future. WP-BLOOMBERG
