Burma: What does it take to change a country?

Over the years we’ve been working on Burma, we’ve seen many changes: none more dramatic than the elections in 2015, the first reasonably free elections in 25 years. But while these elections led to a change in government, genuine change will be a slow and lengthy process.

So what does it take to really change a country? We sat down with Benedict Rogers, our East Asia Team Leader, to find out.

Can you tell us how you first started working on Burma?

I was living in Hong Kong, working as a journalist and helping to set up CSW Hong Kong, and so got to know about the situation in Burma. Then I started to visit Burma and became more aware of the issues, particularly with the ethnic groups – which led to me working on Burma for CSW.

What drew you to work in Burma?

What caught me was the fact that it’s such a beautiful country with lovely people and a fascinating culture. Yet the gravity of the persecution and inhumanity of some of the stories that I heard – especially because those stories were largely unknown – seemed at odds with this image.

What have been the high points: the moments when you felt that change was happening?

Aung San Suu Kyi’s meeting with then-president Thein Sein in 2011 following her release from house arrest was very exciting. Until then there had been no sign of any real change and the government had pretty much ignored her. And then it was wonderful to see the release of most political prisoners in the months afterwards. Of course the 2015 elections were also a real high point.

However, the military still hold power over three key ministries: home affairs, border control, and defence; and they have 25% of the seats in parliament as well as immunity from being prosecuted for past crimes.

What do you want to happen next?

I would say three main things. The first is that I’d like to see more voices speak up for freedom of religion, especially more Buddhist monks speaking up against intolerance. Secondly, I’d like to see more progress towards peace with the ethnic groups. And thirdly, reform of the constitution is necessary for all these things: especially for any settlement with the ethnic groups.

This is just some of Benedict’s personal journey with Burma and his analysis of the situation: come to our Pursue Justice 2017 conference on 22 April to hear his seminar on this topic!

• Book your free tickets to Pursue Justice