Country Reports

Elections 2020 in Myanmar

…and the possible influence of Ethnic Parties

On November 8, 2020, despite the uncertainties of the COVID-19 pandemic, Myanmar will hold its third general elections since the political reforms started in 2010. 93 political parties with over 7,000 candidates will run for about 1,171 seats in both chambers of the Union Parliament and in the seven states and seven regional parliaments. More than 37 million citizens are eligible to vote in this year's parliamentary elections, 5 million of whom are first-time voters.

Dancing with the Dragon

The changing relations between Myanmar and China

Myanmar's heavy dependence on China was one of the main reasons for the democratic change after 2008, but China is now once again Myanmar's largest trading partner and investor. The country has outstanding geostrategic importance for China and is a central building block of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Relations with China will remain a difficult balancing act between its foreign and its own interests in the future.

Advancement Strategies for Women Leadership in Myanmar Politics (in Burmese)

In this report, Dr. Kerstin Duell addresses means to further mainstream gender issues in Myanmar, notably through Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB). She explains case examples of the implementation of GRB in various Asian countries, and how it may be applied to Myanmar.

Advancement Strategies for Women's Leadership in Myanmar Politics

In this report, Dr. Kerstin Duell addresses means to further mainstream gender issues in Myanmar, notably through Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB). She explains case examples of the implementation of GRB in various Asian countries, and how it may be applied to Myanmar.

Myanmar’s Constitution Amendment Process in the year 2020

On the 21st of May 2020, the national referendum on Myanmar’s constitutional amendments, already approved by Parliament, was put on hold. Amending Myanmar’s Constitution has been a topic of much debate since the formation of a National Convention in 1993, as it is key for profound reform in the country. In this paper, we will look at the history behind the amendment process, how it as carried out, the conclusion reached in Parliament and the expected impact it may have on the upcoming elections.

Decentralization of the MSME Sector

A Study in Kayin and Mon States

This research focuses on decentralization and its impact on the administrative and legislative sectors in regards to the development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Kayin and Mon states.

Teaching ethnic minority languages in government schools and developing the local curriculum

Elements of decentralization in language-in-education-policy

This report focuses on the specific issue of teaching ethnic minority languages and cultures in government schools, and its implications in multiple contemporary challenges the Union of Myanmar is facing.

Rule of Law Handbook on Environmental Law (in Burmese)

This publication is part of our Rule of Law Handbooks series, and aims to inform a large audience about the international standards on environmental laws and Myanmar’s application of these. We hope to encourage more public participation on these issues in order for Myanmar’s sustainable development to be envisioned and carried out in an inclusive manner.

Rule of Law Handbook for Civil Society Organizations

Through this book, we aim to explain to readers the current state of laws related to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Myanmar. The chapters are written in a non-technical language to not limit the sharing of knowledge to experts, but instead, to reach out to a wider audience as the final objective is to contribute to the development of an informed population in Myanmar who could participate in the discussions on the role of CSOs in their country.

Rule of Law Handbook for Civil Society Organizations (in Burmese)

Through this book, we aim to explain to readers the current state of laws related to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Myanmar. The chapters are written in a non-technical language to not limit the sharing of knowledge to experts, but instead, to reach out to a wider audience as the final objective is to contribute to the development of an informed population in Myanmar who could participate in the discussions on the role of CSOs in their country.