The Rule of Law in Myanmar: Challenges and Prospects

By International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute • December 18, 2012

Myanmar is on the cusp of major reforms, but it needs to confront and overcome the legacy of its recent past if those reforms are to make progress. In order to understand Myanmar’s prospects and needs at this important juncture and, more specifically, to find out how far it has begun to adhere to globally prevalent understandings of the rule of law, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) sent a delegation to the country’s major cities on a fact-finding mission between 11 and 18 August 2012. Its assessment and conclusions are laid out in this report.

Among its recommendations, the IBAHRI urges international organisations and foreign governments to lend their urgent support to Myanmar’s reform process. As this report shows, the country is more receptive today than it has been for more than 20 years to external advice and rights-based reforms that will promote good governance. Provided that programmes benefit all the people of Myanmar (not just ‘citizens’), international aid should be as flexible and generous as possible.

Download the full report here.