Burma's Challenge: Democracy, Human Rights, Peace, and the Plight of the Rohingya

On November 8th, 2015, Burma is scheduled to hold its first openly contested election in 25 years with hopes that it will be credible, transparent and inclusive. The ultimate success of Burma's political transition remains uncertain. How should the U.S. Congress judge a systematically manipulated democratic transition in light of what may be a credible, transparent and inclusive election process on November 8th? If the odds are intentionally in the ruling party's favor but they have a clean election, how should the U.S. respond? The election is not the end-all be-all for Burma. We will watch the political transition unfold in the coming months to look for a peaceful transition and sustained dedication to transparency, openness, and reform. We welcome a sustained transition to democracy, while it is yet to be seen, and in the meantime we will urge restraint on further expansion of U.S.-Burma relations. The Government of Burma cannot claim progress toward meeting its reform goals if it so blatantly and cruelly mistreats Rohingya Muslims and other minority groups. The U.S. must prioritize the protection of human rights in its relations with Burma using the tools we have at our disposal.