The giddy promise of investment and
re-engagement with Burma is blinding the West, as well as its Asian neighbors,
to the realities of the once-pariah nation.
For
many Burmese, the concept of development has long been associated with
corruption, human rights abuses, a lack of local ownership and environmental
degradation. Before the world hurries to participate in the imminent gold rush
in this resource-rich country, impartial observers need to be sure that
impediments to sound, ethical development have been eradicated. But I fear that
it is too late.
The
recent protests across the country, which ended this week, against daily,
lengthy electricity blackouts illustrate a typical problem. My country is
energy-rich and certainly shouldn't be experiencing such shortages, yet the
government sells much of its resources to China and Thailand and uses that
money to maintain its disproportionately large military. The response by the
Burmese government to these protests is a familiar story; reports of detentions
and beatings of peaceful protesters have emerged.
But
international financial institutions and governments are throwing caution to
the wind. In a statement released in late April, the World Bank announced its
forthcoming plans for re-engagement with Burma, despite only minimal
consultation with civil-society and community-based organizations that work
inside the country or on its borders. If they engaged with these groups, they
would realize that development and investment should wait, as it has the
potential to exacerbate the still-dreadful human rights situation.
Many in
the current government are former members of the armed forces, which are
credibly accused of numerous human rights violations. Their uniforms might have
changed, but these are the people responsible for Burma's past atrocities.
Even
now, they have a firm grip on power and, along with their cronies, can benefit
from new foreign capital. Most influential business leaders whom foreign
businesses will have to deal with have links to the government. Yet the
international community is suddenly bestowing them with legitimacy.
The
government's near-total control of development then rightly worries ethnic
minorities, in whose lands the majority of Burma's natural resources lie.
Political solutions are never on the agenda, and even the much-applauded
ceasefire agreements between the central government and armed ethnic groups are
often political cover to undertake development projects.
It is
telling that President Thein Sein's government and its business cronies have
begun advancing development projects, in the absence of proper settlements.
Businessmen close to the regime have attended many peace talks with ethnic
minorities, as have ministers for energy, electricity and heavy industry. In
Mon State, just two weeks after a ceasefire had been brokered, a government
minister conducted a meeting with the Tala Mon Company to discuss a $1 billion
seaport on the southern Kalegauk Island.
When
peace is fragile, government-led development in ethnic areas can leave
political grievances by the wayside. A recent report by the Kachin Development
Networking Group warns of the dangers; "Burma's Thein Sein government
collects taxes on mining operations and military and government authorities
locally and in Naypyidaw gain billions of kyat in bribes from mining and
logging businesses." Naypyidaw is Burma's regime-built capital city for
government workers, where—unsurprisingly—there are no electricity shortages.
The
fragility of such ceasefires is exemplified in Kachin State, where fighting
erupted last year. In protecting the Myitsone Dam, 90% of whose much-needed
electricity will go to China, the Burma Army committed a huge array of human
rights abuses. Documented cases include forced labor, forced displacement,
torture, killings and rape. Is this the kind of protection that American
businesses want for their investments?
Considering
the history of projects such as the Myitsone Dam or the Dawei Deep Sea Port, it
is clear that the public does not have any say in what kind of development will
ensue. There are no such things as environmental impact or social impact
assessments. There is no participation from any group that represents people's
interests in the decision-making process. Rule of law is extremely weak, with a
subordinate and ineffective judiciary, arbitrary arrests, widespread corruption
and a culture of impunity.
Burma
is quite simply not ready. Investment, particularly in the country's unstable
ethnic areas, serves to exacerbate human rights abuses and causes major
environmental and social damage. As long as the military has the biggest say in
the development of Burma, the status quo won't really change. Foreign investors
should wait until the nation is reconciled before proceeding with the unabated
enthusiasm currently on display.
Ms.
Ohmar is the coordinator of Burma Partnership and chairperson of the Network
for Democracy and Development.
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