Democracy and violence in Myanmar

This thesis analyzes the process of democratization in Myanmar. One of the countries’ minorities, the Rohingya Muslims, suffers from increasing discrimination and violence. The aim of the thesis is to examine if there is a correlation between the democratic transition in Myanmar and to the institutional discrimination of the Rohingya Muslims. The emphasis in several parts of the thesis is on the role of ethnicity and nationalism throughout the history of the country. In addition, there is a focus on the question how Buddhism is being used to build a national identity. There are nationalist Buddhist movements in Myanmar and they are building a populist case on fear of immigration and fear of Muslim minorities taking over control in the country. Another key point in this thesis is the examination of whether there is a connection between democratization and violence in Myanmar. The thesis explores whether the colonial era, the military rule, the road to independence and the process of democratization in Myanmar have created breeding grounds for violence and discrimination and if the democratic freedoms, including freedom of expression, are a tool for incitement to hatred and violence. The thesis eventually concludes that Myanmar’s transition towards democracy correlates with the institutional discrimination of the Rohingya Muslims on multiple levels. The discrimination of the Rohingya has its roots in the colonial era. During that time, the first emphasis on the distinction of ethnic groups in Myanmar was made and it had its influence on the political arena nowadays. Therefore, the conflicts in the country can be seen as a product of the country’s historic transition. In addition, the thesis concludes that the active role of the government in the anti-Muslim violence, the discriminatory laws and policies and the hate fueled speeches which incite hatred and violence, will continue to undermine the process of democratization in Myanmar. Thus, the discrimination and violence against the Rohingya Muslims can also be seen as obstacles to the transition of the country towards a stable democracy. Masters thesis: Holocaust and Genocide Studies, University of Amsterdam. .. pagina's. : illustraties. ; .. cm.