The Burma Crisis

Burma could be considered the “Mecca” for human rights violations. Located in southeast Asia, Burma is a country ruled by a military government that has refused to relinquish power to a publicly-elected democratic Parliament. There have been recent strides toward establishing a democracy; however, the democratic movement in Burma is progressing at a stagnant pace. Meanwhile, many Burmese citizens continue to face horrific human rights violations, including torture and death, while the world stands idly by and watches as these events unfold. The foremost obstacle delaying the United Nations (“UN”) from establishing an International Criminal Tribunal to prosecute the violations of human rights law in Burma is the refusal of China and Russia (permanent members of the UN) to support a resolution requiring the restoration of democracy to Burma. The International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School has published a report titled “Crimes In Burma,” which provides an extensive review of the situation in Burma and calls upon the UN to establish a Commission of Inquiry to further investigate the human rights violations in Burma. However, such a Commission cannot be established without the full support of all permanent members of the UN, which include: China, Russia, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This article provides a concise and vital description of the horrific events that have unfolded throughout Burma’s history and identifies the progression the country has recently made. However, this article reveals that such progress is predominately “smoke in mirrors” and the fight to establish a democracy in Burma must target the actual barrier to resolving this conflict and return to the forefront the struggle to maintain international peace and security