Coups and Conflict: Examining Myanmar’s Struggle Toward Democracy

Myanmar long struggled with oppressive military rule and ethnic conflict. The transition to civilian leadership in 2011 spurred democratic reforms and optimism for the nation’s future; however, the military continued to maintain control over many aspects of governance and launched a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Rohingya Muslims. In February, the military launched a coup d’état: arresting opposition leaders and activists and announcing a yearlong state of emergency. Many Myanmar citizens have protested these crackdowns, but not without consequences. According to human rights monitors, since February 1st over 500 peaceful protesters (many of them children under 18) have been killed by the police and military forces, while 1000s have been wounded and detained in brutal conditions.  Join our panelists as they examine the impact of the military coup in Myanmar on ethnic relationships and conflicts and the challenges and opportunities faced by the NLD-led CRPH and different key stakeholders against the military coup.

• Ardeth Muang Thawnghmung, Professor and Chair of Political Science; Interim Director of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell

• Myat The Thitsar, Strategic Advisor and Director, Parliamentary Research and Support Program for Enlightened Myanmar Research Foundation (EMReF)