Myanmar has been experiencing a turbulent phase in its political and social strata brought about by the Burmese Spring Revolution, a “wave of resistance” after the country’s military coup in 2021. With implications like rekindling border-related conflicts and worsening existing social issues, Myanmar has been overpowered by excessive violence, significant unrest, and undeniable chaos. One striking statistic is that over 8,000 clashes and violent conflicts have occurred since 2021 which equates to approximately 8 cases per day. While it may sound cliche, lessons could be lifted from this alarming situation – and one of them can be seen in Myanmar’s politically active civil society. In the first quarter of 2021 alone, the tension and unrest was made clear by the masses through 4,700 anti-coup demonstrations, some violent in acts of offense or defense, and some peaceful. All things considered, the Burmese Spring Revolution – and its suppressed freedoms and ethnic/religious conflicts – has been a catalyst not only for an active civil society but also a byproduct of significant political polarization.

Burmese Spring Revolution

The citizens of Myanmar had little to no faith in their Constitution (which was nullified in 2008), believing that the military created it for its benefit in the middle of a civil war. The 2011 quasi-civilian reforms were seen as a “blueprint for the military’s gradual retreat from politics”. It was only in 2015 that the long-awaited transition toward democracy came close given the victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the elections. However, the military refused to relinquish control of key ministries and institutions, visibly expressing rejection of the NLD. Despite the NLD in power, military-initiated violence continued, paired with accusations of widespread electoral fraud – therefore, it was clear that the military – or the Tatmadaw – refused to recognize the democratic transition and desires of Myanmar.

In 2021, the Tatmadaw detained NLD leaders, which allowed them to wield power once again in a military junta. This triggered public demonstrations and protests among the citizens – and the movement was monikered the “Spring Revolution”. Fittingly, the military responded with brutal force through the use of tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition, effectively killing a large number of protesters. Similarly, the people formed the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) where civil servants walked off their jobs as a resistance aimed at delegitimizing the coup and inflicting economic pressure.

The Role of Civil Society

Civil society is instrumental to a healthy democracy as it is the arena for citizen participation and administrative accountability. In the Burmese Spring Revolution, civil society emerged as a force in the quest to overthrow military power with democracy. One of the most visible forms of resistance was nationwide protests, where demonstrations with marches, chants, and symbolisms. As stated, the Civil Disobedience Movement was another method used by the people as this strike effectively crushed the nation’s economic backbone. Given the modern era, the internet was also a battleground for demonstrations of awareness, information, and activism as many media outlets such as The Red Flag documented the atrocities.

Unfortunately, the Tatmadaw also seized this platform during an internet shutdown and saturated sites with fake news. Highlighting the human element, organizations like the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) documented the plight of political detainees, keeping the international community informed and raising pressure on the junta.  Individuals like labor activist Ei Thin Zar Maung played a crucial role in mobilizing garment workers to join the CDM, showcasing solidarity across various sectors of society.

Adding Fuel to the Fire: The CSO Law 

As if the rule of law had not been held hostage since the coup, the junta decided to pervert it further by using the law as a means of suppressing civil liberties. The ‘Organisation Registration Law’, or simply the ‘CSO Law’ or the ‘NGO Law’ was introduced in October 2022 with the premise of requiring NGOs to register with the government, while criminalizing the failure to do so. This draconian law has several implications. First, it gives the government direct access to information about civil society groups which can be weaponized against them. Second, by criminalizing the failure to register, it opens up the potential for pushing even civil resistance and activist groups underground, heavily limiting their access to resources. And third, regulation of official groups can limit their access to humanitarian assistance especially when the junta gets in the picture. 

The study of democratic erosion discusses the use and abuses of democratic institutions as a way to suppress resistance movements. Authoritarians prosecute political opponents with non-political crimes to get them in prison. However, in the case of Myanmar and the CSO Law, a new law was enacted specifically to suppress resistance groups. This blatant attack on democracy and civil liberties is a threat not just to the resistance but to the whole of the country. Myanmar is gradually decaying, if not already decayed, into a dictatorship with the military at its center. This is no longer just democratic erosion, this is a landslide. 

Moving Forward 

In today’s interconnected world, civil society is no longer confined within the borders of a state. Civil society is the network of people all around the world who care about progress and value fundamental rights. We are civil because we care. We must not turn a blind eye on the atrocities of the junta in Myanmar. Among its neighbors, although ASEAN practices the doctrine of non-intervention, that is not to say that we should no longer care. Our Burmese brothers and sisters are held hostage by a military dictatorship. We must stand for them and with them. We call upon the international community to lay eyes on Myanmar. The battle has simply gone out of the limelight, but it has not been over. People are being killed, jailed, tortured, and abused by the very institutions designed to keep the peace. This barbaric behavior has no place in today’s society.

Today’s world has seen too many atrocities to be complacent. Ethnic cleansing, state-sponsored killings, military dictatorships, and more evil than can be listed in this post. But amidst the terror inflicted to our democracy, we must never forget that democracy draws its power from the support of the masses. Authoritarians can only be as powerful as the people let them. Even dictatorships fall either under their own weight or through a revolution from the bottom. In the case of Myanmar, we must never lose hope. We must stand with our Burmese brothers and sisters to restore democracy. This also goes for the rest of the world. 

Authors: Karl Trenchera and Raul Francis Sobere

Image Source: MgHla (Creative Commons License) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Protest_in_Myanmar_against_Military_Coup_14-Feb-2021_08.jpg