Ethnic Violence Imminent as Myanmar Prepares for Election

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BURMA - ELECTIONS:On the brink of ethnic violence

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Minority Rights Group International (MRG) warns that the elections in Burma risk increasing ethnic violence and calls on the authorities to address the marginalization of minority groups.

Laws and regulations have been implemented by the Military Junta to ensure that the outcome of the Burmese elections this weekend favors its continued rule.

The country’s military canceled voting in areas of opposition among ethnic minorities in at least 312 villages, thereby disenfranchising about 1.5 million people.

The MRG warns that ethnic minorities will only undermine security if the regime continues to abuse the election to further its agenda. 

Burma has a population of approximately 50 million people. It is a country of enormous ethnic diversity, containing officially 135 major ethnic groups and seven ethnic minority states, in addition to seven divisions populated mainly by the Burmese majority. More than 100 languages are spoken in Burma. Minority ethnic groups are estimated to make up at least one-third of the country’s total population and to inhabit half the land area.

The main ethnic groups living in the seven ethnic minority states of Burma are the Karen, Shan, Mon, Chin, Kachin, Rakhine and Karenni. Other main groups include the Nagas, who live in north Burma.