The Union of Myanmar is a county of extremes- a harsh military dictator in power and a relentless pro-democracy movement struggling to be heard.
In its 2003 report on human rights practices, the U.S. Department of State said Myanmar was officially the Union of Burma 1948-1988. But in 1988, 19 military officers formed the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) and began ruling.
During 1988 the council’s armed forces “brutally suppressed pro-democracy demonstrations” the State Department said.
Democracy triumphed briefly in 1990 when a “generally free and fair parliamentary election” was held and the party of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi won 80 percent of the vote. But SLORC refused to recognize the results of the election and remained in power.
Since 1989 Kyi has been in and out of house arrest and kept in isolation for speaking out peacefully against the government. While under house arrest in 1991 Kyi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Although later released, she is again under house arrest.
In 1992 Gen. Than Shwe took over the SLORC and a couple of years later changed its name to the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).
“The judiciary is not independent and is subject to military control,” the State Department.
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