Ethnic Groups

Nearly a third of Burma's population consists of people from ethnic minorities, amounting to more than 15 million people who speak about 100 different languages.

The main ethnic minority groups are:

Shan: 9%

Karen: 7%

Rakhine: 4%

Mon: 2%

Chinese: 3%

Indian: 2%
Other: 5%

There are many cultural and religious differences between the ethnic groups. For example, the Kachin are mainly Christian, and so are some Karen; other groups such as the Shan are mainly Buddhist, and others again are animists. The enforcement of Buddhism as the State Religion and Burmese as the national language in Burma denies the basic culture and human rights of these ethnic minorities.

The major source of armed conflict in Burma is the oppression of ethnic minority people by the Burmese military regime. The Union of Burma, which gained Independence from the British in 1948, was never stable and from the beginning the Burmese Army has tried to subdue the non-Burman ethnic groups into submission. Many of these groups wish for some measure of self-determination, but the policy of the Burmese military regime is 'Burmanization' involving severe restrictions on their human rights. For example, in Rakhine State the ethnic minority Rohigyas, who are Muslim, have been subjected to sustained attacks by the Army, forcible relocation and loss of their lands which have been handed to Burman farmers, specially brought in by the SPDC. New laws require Muslim women to seek permission to marry, bur the SPDC officials frequently refuse this. This assault on the human rights of a minority has been described as a form of ‘ethnic cleansing.’

In recent times, the SPDC is using the excuse of such conflicts to force ethnic populations out of their traditional lands, which are often rich in natural resources. SPDC asserts the 'development' of such resources justifies extreme violence against the civilian ethnic minority populations in such areas as Arakan, Shan State, Kayah State and Kachin State. The ‘developments’ provide no benefit for ordinary Burmese people, however, but are used by the ruling junta to increase the enormous spending on the Burmese Army, and their own personal wealth.
[See Shwe Gas and Salween Dams links, for further information.]

Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy call for equal status for ethnic peoples in a true ‘Union of Burma.’ [statement 22nd November 1995] :
“The NLD was founded with the aim of achieving a genuine democratic system which accords with the will of the people, and of constructing a strong and lasting Union of Burma. It believes that the ultimate power of state derives from the people and that in a democratic nation there should be rule of law and a constitution that guarantees basic human rights,
including freedom of worship, freedom of speech and expression and freedom of association. Further, as stated in its election manifesto, the NLD believes that the foundation for a strong, lasting and prosperous union has to be laid through a National Convention where all the ethnic groups of
Burma can jointly decide the future course of the Nation.”