Discrimination, Conflict and Corruption: The Ethnic States of Burma

By Ethnic Nationalities Council • October 30, 2011

Since achieving independence in January 1948, successive Burmese governments, elected and military dictatorships, have sought to address the complex issues involving the country’s many ethnic groups. They have sought to do this primarily through confronting a perceived separati st agenda pursued by the many ethnic groups who have taken up arms against the various governments.

However, ethnic groups have called for a genuine federal union based upon the principles of equality for all of the country’s citizens. It is this that is the motivating factor behind the continuation of armed struggle, as central Burmese administrations have refused to concede to the political grievances of the ethnic groups.

Now that a new, ostensibly civilian, government has taken over the administration of the country, the time has come for new efforts to fully understand the current problems affecting the ethnic groups and to re-evaluate those previous strategies that have continued to perpetuate armed conflict.

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