Abstract
This chapter addresses the situation in Myanmar, a country now facing acute human security challenges in the course of historical reform. The stakeholders mentioned such pressing issues as environment and climate change, urbanization, migration, peacebuilding, and poverty reduction. The author argues that the “Japanese approach” to human security will work well in the Myanmar context where building a culture of trust among different interest groups is at stake. The ASEAN and its development partners can leverage ASEAN’s constructive engagement mechanisms in pursuing human security in Myanmar, as demonstrated by the relief operations during Cyclone Nargis in 2008. The model of consultation developed during that crisis may be applicable to ending the Rakhine communal clashes and the resultant exodus of Rohingya refugees.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Similar content being viewed by others
Notes
- 1.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOHCA), which tracks new arrivals to the camps in Bangladesh, periodically updates the numbers. As of January 2018, there had been 688,000 new arrivals since August 25, 2017 (see UNOCHA 2017).
- 2.
The history of humanitarian action in Burma has drawn from the analyses of U Maung Maung (1976), From Sangha to Laity: Nationalist Movements of Burma 1920–1940, unpublished master’s thesis, Australian National University, and Kyaw Yin Hlaing (2009), “Social Capital, Civil Society Organisations and Cyclone Nargis,” unpublished paper presented at Workshop on Lessons from Nargis: Disaster Management in Southeast Asia, March 5–6, 2009, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore.
- 3.
I refer to Aung San Suu Kyi as Daw Suu hereafter, as there is a popular preference on referring to her with the Daw honorific rather than as “Suu Kyi.”
- 4.
The discussion under this heading is based on the author’s participation in a workshop on “Human Rights, Environment, Climate Change” in Yangon on September 13–15, 2014.
- 5.
To be EITI compliant, candidate countries are required to have in place a functioning multi-stakeholder group that includes civil society participation, among other key requirements.
- 6.
The joint venture partners are the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings (UMEHL), a state-owned enterprise with military backing, and Wan Bao Mining, a subsidiary of a Chinese state-owned arms firm.
- 7.
The protestors’ concerns were on environmental damage and lack of full compensation. In 2014, three workers were kidnapped by opponents of the mine (The Economist 2014).
- 8.
In 2013, the percentage of the urban population was 33.8, according to UN estimates.
- 9.
Data available at the United Nations Statistics Division, UN data website (accessed 15 October 2014).
- 10.
Some 100,000 people were displaced as a result of the hostilities between the KIO and the Myanmar armed forces.
- 11.
The UEHRD ambit falls under the Office of the State Counselor, and has its own website: http://rakhine.unionenterprise.org/
- 12.
See also Nitta (2017).
- 13.
Remarks made by the Chairman of the Myanmar Institute for Strategic and International Studies at a by-invitation workshop on “Strategies for Peace, Harmony and Development” held in Yangon on February 21, 2018. The author was a panelist at this workshop.
- 14.
In 2009–10, the rural poverty incidence (29.2%) was almost double the urban rate (15.7%).
- 15.
- 16.
See http://www.president-office.gov.mm/en/?q=briefing-room/announcements/2018/06/04/id-8827 (accessed 25 April 2018).
- 17.
- 18.
See https://www.reuters.com/subjects/myanmar-reporters (accessed 25 April 2018).
- 19.
This proposal was made by then ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan in 2012.
References
Aung, San Suu Kyi. 2018. Democratic Transition in Myanmar: Challenges and the Way Forward. https://www.iseas.edu.sg/images/43rd-Singapore-Lecture-Speech-by-Aung-San-Suu-Kyi-Final-transcript.pdf. Accessed 30 Aug 2018.
Chongkittavorn, Kavi. 2016. Myanmar to Brief ASEAN Amid Alarm over Rakhine. http://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/Myanmar-to-brief-ASEAN-amid-alarm-over-Rakhine. Accessed 10 Jan 2018.
CHS (Commission on Human Security). 2003. Human Security Now. New York: Commission on Human Security.
Corben, Ron. 2017. Myanmar Refugees in Thai Camps Face Repatriation Challenges. https://www.voanews.com/a/myanmar-refugees-thai-camps-repatriation-challenges/3847329.html. Accessed 11 May 2017.
Green Economy Growth. 2018. Draft Extended Summary Highlights. http://geggmyanmar.org/draft-extended-summary-highlights/. Accessed 9 Mar 2018.
Hlaing, Kyaw Yin. 2007. Associational Life in Myanmar. In Myanmar: State, Society and Ethnicity, ed. N. Ganesan and Kyaw Yin Hlaing. Singapore: ISEAS.
———. 2009. Social Capital, Civil Society Organisations and Cyclone Nargis. Unpublished Paper Presented at Workshop on Lessons from Nargis: Disaster Management in Southeast Asia, 5–6 March 2009, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore.
Howe, Brendan M., and Suyoun Jang. 2013. Human Security and Development: Divergent Approaches to Burma/Myanmar. Pacific Focus 28 (1): 120–143.
Htut, Ye. 2016. Myanmar’s Long Journey to Peace Starts at Panglong. http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/myanmars-long-journey-to-peace-starts-in-panglong. Accessed 31 Aug 2016.
———. 2017. Myanmar’s Elusive Dream of Peace. https://www.iseas.edu.sg/medias/commentaries/item/5479-myanmars-elusive-dream-of-peace-by-ye-htut. Accessed 1 June 2017.
ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross). 2018. Myanmar: Six Months on into the Rakhine Crisis. https://www.icrc.org/en/document/myanmar-six-months-rakhine-crisis. Accessed 18 Mar 2018.
IOM (International Organization for Migration). 2015. Myanmar. http://www.iom.int/cms/en/sites/iom/home/where-we-work/asia-and-the-pacific/myanmar.html. Accessed 6 Jan 2015.
Kyaw, Aye Thida, and Clare Hammond. 2016. Government Reveals 12-Point Economic Policy. http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/business/21664-nld-12-point-economic-policy-announcement.html. Accessed 14 Aug 2016
Lee, Yimou. 2017. China Draws Three-Stage Path for Myanmar, Bangladesh to Resolve Rohingya Crisis. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-rohingya/china-draws-three-stage-path-for-myanmar-bangladesh-to-resolve-rohingya-crisis-idUSKBN1DK0AL. Accessed 27 Nov 2017.
MacDonald, Connor, and Phyu Thiha-Cho. 2016. Rapid Migration and Lack of Cheap Housing Fuels Yangon Slum Growth. https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/burma/rapid-migration-and-lack-of-cheap-housing-fuels-yangon-slum-growth.html. Accessed 15 Dec 2016.
Mar, Aye Aye. 2014. Violent Standoff Continues at Myanmar Mine Protest. http://www.voanews.com/content/violent-standoff-continues-at-myanmar-mine-protest/2570915.html. Accessed 25 Jan 2014.
Maung, U Maung. 1976. From Sangha to Lait: Nationalist Movements of Burma 1920–1940. Unpublished Master’s Thesis, Australian National University.
Mang, Lun Min. 2016. Pilot Census Lays Groundwork for Citizenship Verification in Rakhine. http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/20746-pilot-census-lays-groundwork-for-citizenship-verification-in-rakhine.html. Accessed 10 June 2016.
MM Business News. 2014. Myanmar Spends the Least for Education Among ASEAN Countries: AAM. http://mmbusinessnews.blogspot.sg/2014/03/myanmar-spends-least-for-education.html. Accessed 30 Mar 2014.
Mon, Kyaw Hsu. 2014. $22 Mn in ADB Programs to Reduce Poverty, Improve HIV/AIDS Care. http://www.irrawaddy.org/burma/22mln-adb-programs-reduce-poverty-improve-hivaids-care.html. Accessed 15 July 2014.
Mon, Ye. 2016. Officials Deny Squatter ‘Census’. http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/yangon/20929-officials-deny-squatters-census.html. Accessed 25 Dec 2016.
Mooney, Paul. 2014. Myanmar Students Protest Against Education Law for Third Day. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/16/us-myanmar-protest-idUSKCN0J00MD20141116. Accessed 29 Nov 2016.
NLD (National League for Democracy). 2015. 2015 Election Manifesto. http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs21/NLD_2015_Election_Manifesto-en.pdf. Accessed 10 Feb 2018.
Nippon Foundation. 2013. Yohei Sasakawa named Japan’s Special Envoy for National Reconciliation in Myanmar. https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/en/news/articles/2013/1.html. Accessed 20 Feb 2016.
———. 2017. Projects in Myanmar. https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/en/what/projects/myanmar/img/5.pdf. Accessed 30 Nov 2017.
Nitta, Yuichi. 2017. Rohingya backlash pushes Suu Kyi toward Beijing. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/Rohingya-backlash-pushes-Suu-Kyi-toward-Beijing. Accessed 30 Nov 2017.
Nitta, Yuichi, and Thurein Hla Htway. 2018. Two Ethnic Groups in Myanmar Sign Ceasefire. https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/Policy-Politics/Two-ethnic-groups-in-Myanmar-sign-ceasefire. Accessed 21 Feb 2018.
Obuchi, Keizo. 1998. Toward the Creation of a Bright Future for Asia. http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asiapacific/asean/pmv9812/policyspeech.html. Accessed 30 Dec 2014.
Ogata, Sadako, and Amartya Sen. 2003. Foreword. In Human Security Now by Commission on Human Security. New York: Commission on Human Security.
Than, Tin Maung Maung. 2007. Human Security Challenges in Myanmar. In Myanmar: State, Society and Ethnicity, ed. N. Ganesan and Kyaw Yin Hlaing. Singapore: ISEAS.
Than, Tin Maung Maung, and Moe Thuzar. 2012. Myanmar’s Rohingya Dilemma. https://www.iseas.edu.sg/images/pdf/ISEAS_Perspective_9July2012_Issue_1.pdf. Accessed 25 Oct 2017.
Thant, Htoo. 2017. Defense Expenditure Ranks Third in 2017–18 Union Budget Proposal. https://www.mmtimes.com/national-news/nay-pyi-taw/24755-defence-expenditure-ranks-third-in-2017-18-union-budget-proposal.html. Accessed 10 Feb 2017.
The Economist. 2014. Kidnapped. http://www.economist.com/news/business/21602719-chinese-miner-tries-be-nice-kidnapped. Accessed 10 June 2016.
Thuzar, Moe, and Ye Htut. 2017. Honeymoon over, Suu Kyi Faces Fresh Challenges. http://www.todayonline.com/world/honeymoon-over-suu-kyi-faces-fresh-challenges. Accessed 28 Apr 2017.
Thuzar, Moe, and Lex Reiffel. 2018. ASEAN’s Myanmar Dilemma. https://www.iseas.edu.sg/images/pdf/ISEAS_Perspective_2018_3@50.pdf. Accessed 29 Jan 2018.
Toe Lwin, Ei Ei. 2014. Military Spending Still Dwarfs Education and Health. http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/10000-military-spending-still-dwarfs-education-and-health.html. Accessed 30 May 2014.
UNDP (United Nations Development Programme). 1994. Human Development Report 1994. New York: Oxford University Press.
UNGA (United Nations General Assembly). 2005. World Summit Outcome, A/RES/66/290. New York: United Nation.
UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees). 2016. First Myanmar Refugee Returns From Thailand Under Way. http://www.unhcr.org/news/briefing/2016/10/580f1c0d4/first-myanmar-refugee-returns-thailand-under-way.html. Accessed 1 Dec 2017.
UNHSU (United Nations Human Security Unit). 2014. Strategic Plan 2014–2017. New York: United Nations.
UNOCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs). 2017. Rohingya Refugee Crisis. https://www.unocha.org/rohingya-refugee-crisis. Accessed 15 Dec 2017.
———. 2018. Rohingya Refugee Crisis. https://www.unocha.org/rohingya-refugee-crisis. Accessed 20 Mar 2018.
Vatikiotis, Michael. 2017. Statesman Who Raised ASEAN’s Profile. https://asia.nikkei.com/Viewpoints/Michael-Vatikiotis/Statesman-who-raised-ASEAN-s-international-profile. Accessed 13 Dec 2018.
Wee, Sui Lee. 2015. Myanmar Official Accuses China of Meddling in Rebel Peace Talks. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-china/myanmar-official-accuses-china-of-meddling-in-rebel-peace-talks-idUSKCN0S22VT20151008. Accessed 10 Oct 2015.
World Bank. 2017. Myanmar Poverty Assessment 2017: Part One Examination of Trends Between 2004/05 and 2015. http://www.worldbank.org/en/country/myanmar/publication/myanmar-poverty-assessment-2017-part-one-examination-of-trends. Accessed 15 Dec 2017.
Yahya, Yasmine. 2018.ASEAN, Australia Doing Their Best to Help Myanmar Re-establish Stability in Rohingya Crisis. http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/govts-in-region-doing-their-best-to-help-myanmar-re-establish-stability-in-rohingya-refugee. Accessed 20 Mar 2018.
Zarni, Maung. 2005. An Integrated Approach to National and Human Security Issues in Myanmar or Burma. http://www.freeburmacoalition.org/integratedsecurityapproach.htm. Accessed 10 Feb 2017.
———. 2013.Burma/Myanmar: Its Conflicts, Western Advocacy, and Country Impact. http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/2013/03/25/burmamyanmar-its-conflicts-western-advocacy-and-country-impact/. Accessed 1 Jan 2015.
Interviews
Government Source #1. 2014. Dr Myint. Economic Advisor to President Thein Sein. Conversation with the author in Singapore, May 29.
Government Source #2. 2015. U Ohn Gyaw, former foreign minister of Myanmar. Interviewed by the author in Yangon, December 27.
Government Source #3. 2015. U Khin Maung Win, former deputy foreign minister of Myanmar. Interviewed by the author in Yangon, July 15.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Thuzar, M. (2019). Human Security and Development in Myanmar: Issues and Implications. In: Mine, Y., Gómez, O.A., Muto, A. (eds) Human Security Norms in East Asia. Security, Development and Human Rights in East Asia. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97247-3_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97247-3_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-97246-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-97247-3
eBook Packages: Political Science and International StudiesPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)