Violent Repression in Burma: Human Rights and the Global Response

Abstract

COMMENTS VIOLENT REPRESSION IN BURMA: HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE GLOBAL RESPONSE Rudy Guyont TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION I. SLORC AND THE REPRESSION OF THE DEMOCRACY MOVEMENT A. Burma: A Troubled History B. The Pro-Democracy Rebellion and the Coup to Restore Military Control C. Post Coup Elections and Political Repression ..... D. Legalizing Repression E. A Country Rife with Poverty, Drugs, and War ... II. HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN BURMA A. Murder and Summary Execution B. Systematic Racial Discrimination C. Forced Dislocations D. Prolonged Arbitrary Detention E. Torture of Prisoners F . R ape G . Portering H. Environmental Devastation III. VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW ....... A. International Agreements of Burma 1. The U.N. Charter 2. Genocide Treaty 3. U.N. Slavery Convention 4. Labor Convention No. 29 5. Suppression of Prostitution Treaty f J.D. 1992, UCLA School of Law. The author wishes to dedicate this article to the people of Burma, and to thank Gene Chao and Human Rights Watch for the inspi- ration to undertake this project.