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Burma
Country profile
Source: Christian Aid
Burma was once one of the richest countries in Asia but now ranks 129th out of 177 countries on the UN Human Development Index – a measure of factors such as access to safe water, literacy and life expectancy.
The country is endowed with a rich and diverse cultural heritage and a creative and resourceful people but government policies over the years have resulted in many having to live at subsistence levels.
Political situation
Burma's military government – the State Peace and Development Council – has used force to prevent the democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) and its leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, from taking power since it won a multi-party election in 1990.
Aung San Suu Kyi was re-arrested and detained on 1 June 2003 and remains under house arrest.
The Burmese government has been condemned for human rights violations including forcibly displacing people, and oppressing ethnic and religious minorities.
In October 2004, Burma’s Prime Minister was ousted by more conservative members of the military regime. This has increased the political instability in the country.
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