From 1962 to 2011, Burma was ruled by a military-led government that isolated the country from the rest of the world. Burma’s economy is extremely under-developed, its civilian institutions are weak, and the criminal justice system is broken. Burma’s population has suffered from decades of severe poverty, discrimination, and a lack of access to government services. The country has also been severely threatened by and vulnerable to its growing narcotics problem which has contributed to a rise in criminal activity. Recognizing the need for large-scale reform, the military began seceding power to civilian authorities in 2010 by holding the country’s first general election in 20 years. Read More

By U.S. Mission Burma | 20 March, 2015 | Topics: News