1. Asia
Burma

2. Burma/ Myanmar Independence 1948 Ethnic conflict 1962 Military Junta
State Peace and Development Council
1988 Protests
1990 elections nullified
National League for Democracy
2007 Jasmin Revolution
2010, elections
2011 – continued political reforms and economic liberalization
2012 elections

3. Ethnic Conflict
Burman ethnic group 60% of the population, 40% of land. Dominate the government and economy
Major ethnic minorities engaged in conflict: Arakanese, Chin, Kachin, Shan, Karenni, Karen, and Mon

4. Features of Transition
Role of technology in democracy movements
non-violent resistance
Influence of foreign civil society organizations as capacity builders and sources of finance
Aiding domestic CSOs in serving as a mediator between government and population

5. Military Rule 1962 - 2010 widespread use of forced labour
Over 1 million people forced from their homes
150,000 in refugee camps
70,000 child soldiers - more than any other country in the world
Rape as a weapon of war against ethnic women and children
Nearly half the government budget spent on the military
One in ten die before the age of 5
meetings of more than 5 people are banned.
Media heavily censored

6. 1988 Protests
1988, students, workers, and others launched nationwide protests calling for freedom and democracy.
military responded by gunning down thousands of demonstrators
General Thein Swe has acknowledged that the demonstrations came close to toppling the military government
elections were held in 1990 in which Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy(NLD) won 82% of the seats.
Military negated results

7. Saffron Revolution 2007
Anti government protests sparked by reduced fuel subsidies
Monasteries raided, monks beaten and arrested
Violent crackdown
regime cut off all internet access and made international phone usage impossible for two weeks

8. On 7 February 2008, SPDC announced that a referendum for the Constitution would be held, and Elections by 2010.
"disciplined, flourishing democracy"
2010 November: The main military-backed party, the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), claims victory in the first elections for 20 years.
Opposition groups allege fraud and many Western countries condemn the vote.
The junta says it marks the transition from military rule to a civilian democracy.
A week after the election, Aung San Suu Kyi - who had been prevented from taking part - is released from house arrest.

9. Chairperson of the National League for Democracy
Aung San Su Kyi
Chairperson of the National League for Democracy
Party won the general election of % of the vote
Imprisoned for 15 years over a 21 year period
Released in 2010

11. 2011
January: The government authorises internet access for Aung San Suu Kyi.
March: Thein Sein is sworn in as president, civilian government established
May: thousands of prisoners freed under an amnesty,
August: Aung San Suu Kyi is allowed to leave Rangoon to visit President Thein Sein in Nay Pyi Taw.
September: President Thein Sein suspends construction of controversial Chinese-funded hydroelectric dam, seen as showing greater openness to public opinion.
October: More than 200 political prisoners are freed as part of a general amnesty.
labour laws allowing unions are passed.
Joins ASEAN
December: President Thein Sein signs a law allowing peaceful demonstrations
The NLD re-registers as a political party
Burmese authorities agree a truce with rebels of the Shan ethnic group and order the military to stop operations against ethnic Kachin rebels.

12. 2012
January: The government signs a ceasefire with the Karen
hundreds of prisoners released student protesters, monks involved in the 2007 demonstrations
April Election: NLD wins 43 out of 45 seats in parliamentary elections
Results considered valid
July: Aung San Suu Kyi enters parliament,
December: private news papers legalised

13.
January: The government abolishes ban on public gatherings of more than five people.
The Asian Development Bank resumes loans after 30 years
Thein Sein embarks on his first European tour as head of state.
April: The European Union lifts sanctions - except those on arms sales,
January: Myanmar finalizes a landmark agreement to open its telecoms network to foreign investment.

14. Economic Reform, Technology, Development, Democracy
since 2011, Burma has embarked on policy reforms of anti-corruption laws, currency exchange rates, foreign investment laws and taxation.
Foreign investment increased from US$300 million in to a US $20 billion in , (about 667%).
Expanding freedom of expression, an increasingly independent media and freedom of association and assembly mean that it will be easier for the voice of the population to be heard by decision-makers.

15. Censorship of media, and internet
mobile phone SIM card 2000$ down to 1.50$ in 2014
12% of the population has access

16. External Civil Society
Religious and community-based organisations were active under military rule, providing services to people living in areas affected by conflicts
newly acquired freedoms in recent years have led to an expansion of civil society activities,.
Discreet challenge of power structures without openly promoting democratic rights
Some CSOs engage in activities that are traditionally considered the responsibility of the state.
Local organisations, especially in ethnic areas, have broad experience in working with education, health services and relief efforts.
Cyclone Nargis in 2008
Highlighted inability of the state to address the humanitarian crisis
Most relief work conducted through CSO with international support
This changed the way in which the military junta and civil society related to each other,

17. Civil society activities have expanded considerably since 2011,
due to the newly acquired freedoms and increased financial support from international donors.
Knowledge about democratic governance is limited
This opens an opportunity for CSOs to engage with political actors through capacity-building work.
relations between political parties and civil society are often based on personal connections.

18. civil society in Myanmar reaches out to political parties, not the other way around
some party members are more willing to engage with civil society than others.
Reformists are particularly willing to maintain contact and seem to
acknowledge civil society’s expertise
express an interest in learning from CSOs.
Others only tolerate CSOs because of international pressure.
USDP have engaged with civil society capacity-builders as a response to the poor results in 2012 by-elections
Government has reached out to some organisations as advisors
Suspicion of certain CSOs, especially in ethnic areas

19. Going Forward
The increased political and civil liberties in Myanmar since 2011 present opportunities and challenges to the interaction between political parties and civil society.
The legislature has proved to be an institution where civil society can exert some influence through informal and formal relations with MPs.
The country currently faces several critical processes such as the national ceasefire negotiations and the upcoming 2015 elections.

20. Civil Society
India

21. Social Demography of India
Population billion
166 million dalits (untouchables)
70 million people are physically / mentally challenged;
religious minorities 20% of the population- including over 138 million Muslims and 24 million Christians;
25% live below the poverty line;
adivasis (indigenous people / tribals) account for another 84 million;
2.4 million with HIV/AIDS approximately
500,000 internally displaced, due to armed conflict, ethnic, communal and other forms of violence;
300 million migrants
400 million, more than 85% of the working population work in the unorganised sector.
120 million are women.

22. Human Rights Movements
The Emergency Rule
detention without trial for a large number of people-students, youth, political personalities,
censorship,
constitutional amendment curtailing basic rights to life and freedom in the name of national security and violation of civil liberties.
Media monopoly of the government was totally controlled by the ruling party

23. Formation of HR Movements
Citizens for Democracy,
People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL),
People's Union for Civil Liberties and Democratic Rights (PUCLDR)
Dozens of state level and city based groups were also formed during this period.
CPDR in Mumbai
APDR in Hyderabad

24. Caste System Divides people based on occupation
Discrimination against lower castes is illegal in India under Article 15 of its constitution
Castes still rarely intermarry and are not changeable
Contributes to economic disadvantages
36.3% of people own no land at all, 60.6% own about 15% of available land, with a very wealthy 3.1% owning 15%

25. Dalit Rights Movement Untouchables
Perform tasks deemed impure, manual labour, waste and sewage collection
13 Dalits murdered every week, 5 Dalits’ homes or possessions burnt every week, 6 Dalits kidnapped or abducted every week, 3 Dalit women raped every day, 11 Dalits beaten every day and a crime committed against a Dalits every 18 minute

26. Development
Resisting Displacement Induced By ‘Mega Development’ Projects
The recognition of inequity, and of violation of the basic rights of the affected people, has resulted in growing interaction between local communities and activists from beyond the affected region,
and the articulation of the rights and the injuries has been molded in the process of this interaction.
Resource rights were demanded in the early years of protest in the matter of forests; conservation and the right of the people to access forest produce for their subsistence and in acknowledgment of the traditional relationship between forests and dwellers in and around forests.

27. Peasantry Farmers Suicides
Volatility in the Indian agriculture in the post reform period has resulted in economic hardship
Two factors have transformed agriculture from a positive economy into a negative economy for peasants: rising of costs of production & falling prices of farm commodities.
policies of trade liberalization and corporate globalization.

28. Women’s Movement Nationwide anti-rape campaign in 1980
Anti Dowry struggles
Campaign for Reforms in the Family Laws
Prevention of Sexual Harassment at workplace
Environmental struggles
Domestic workers rights
Fight against witch-hunting & honour killing

29. Gulabi Gang Formed 2006, Active across northern India
Response to domestic abuse and violence against women
Most are Dalits
400,000 members
Observe government food distribution
Campaign against child marriage, dowry, female illiteracy

31. Delhi Rape Case 23 yr old medical student 16 December 2012
Mumbai police chief “rapes were happening because women are kissing in public”
"Don't tell us how to dress, just tell men not to rape us."
public protests against the state
judicial committee to amend laws to provide quicker investigation and prosecution of sex offenders.
Breaking the taboo on discussions on sexual violence
Six new courts established