A Cycle of Violence Continues in Burma

Burma's less-than-inspiring human rights record has received overdue attention lately, as the international community tries to push the country's military junta toward even a smidgen of democratic opening. Every tiny sign of progress is countered by another human rights violation, and violence against ethnic minorities near the border with Thailand continues unabated.

This week, this same pattern is repeating itself despite a high-profile visit from a UN human rights envoy. And while the military junta's violent repression of its opponents -- which a recent Amnesty International report said is going "from bad to worse" ahead of national elections later this year -- is the subject of increased international attention, the ongoing violence against ethnic Karens remains relatively unaddressed. At least 2,000 more civilians have been displaced in recent weeks by military attacks on Karen villages.

According to Benedict Rogers of Christian Solidary Worldwide, “These latest attacks serve as clear evidence of a brutal plan of ethnic cleansing against the minorities, instigated by Burma’s military regime." Meanwhile, Thailand is eager to get rid of the 140,000 refugees living in camps along the border, threatening forced repatriation despite continued government led-violence and destruction of villages in Burma.

Over 3,200 villages in eastern Burma were destroyed or abandoned because of government operations between 1996-2007 -- roughly on par with the number of villages destroyed in Darfur by the Sudanese government's scorched earth campaign. The intensity of the violence today, in comparison, may have eased, but the situation remains volatile and incredibly dangerous for civilians. That attacks continue despite increased international attention shows just how comfortable the regime is in its power and impunity.

Photo credit: Mikhail Esteves.