Expanding Freedom and Democracy.
Hundreds of protesters with signs and flags in front of a capital building.
Reporters hold banners as they attend a demonstration march for press freedom. Yangon, Myanmar. 7 January 2014. Editorial credit: Ye Aung Thu/AFP via Getty Images

Myanmar

Myanmar’s transition from military dictatorship to democracy has faltered under the leadership of the National League for Democracy (NLD), which came to power in relatively free elections in 2015 but has failed to uphold human rights or bring security to areas affected by armed conflict. The military retains significant influence over politics, and the country is under international pressure regarding a 2017 military operation that forced more than 700,000 members of the Rohingya minority, a mostly Muslim ethnic group, to flee to Bangladesh.

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Freedom in the World — Myanmar Country Report

Myanmar’s status declined from Partly Free to Not Free in the Freedom in the World 2020 report, due to worsening conflicts between the military and ethnic minority rebel groups that reduced freedom of movement in the country.
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A young woman wearing a protective mask looks at her smartphone while passing by a grafitti representing two big watching eyes in Berlin, Germany on April 1, 2020. Illustrative Editorial (Photo by Emmanuele Contini/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Freedom on the Net — Myanmar Country Report

Myanmar is rated Not Free in Freedom on the Net, Freedom House's comprehensive study of internet freedom around the globe. 
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Our Work in Myanmar

Myanmar Rohingya refugee woman shout slogans protest against the repatriation programme at the Unchiprang Rohingya refugee camp in Teknaf, Bangladesh. Photo by K M Asad/LightRocket via Getty Images.

Freedom House has been supporting civil society organizations in Myanmar since 2013.  This has included supporting research and advocacy initiatives carried out by CSOs representing ethnic and other marginalized communities. Currently, Freedom House is supporting the efforts of civil society groups and networks to increase public participation in and advocacy on constitutional and legislative reform.

To learn more about Freedom House programs in Asia, visit our Asia-Pacific program page. 

News & Perspectives on Myanmar

Coalition Calls on Myanmar to Immediately Reinstate Internet Access for All

Advocacy letter

June 1, 2021

Myanmar: United States Must Escalate Pressure on Coup Leaders to End Violent Repression

Press release

April 21, 2021

Myanmar: Coup Leaders Must Release Detainees and Restore Civilian Rule

Press release

February 2, 2021

Report: Digital Election Interference Widespread in Countries Across the Democratic Spectrum

Press release

December 7, 2020

Joint Letter: Restore Internet Access Ahead of Elections in Myanmar

Advocacy letter

November 6, 2020

Calling for an End to Human Rights Abuses and Accountability for COVID-19 Response in Myanmar

Advocacy letter

May 13, 2020

Eswatini: Authorities Should Release Parliamentarians and Drop Charges Against Them

Press release

July 26, 2021

In Hungary, an Embattled L.G.B.T.Q. Community Takes to the Streets

External

July 24, 2021

Rwandans have long been used to Pegasus-style surveillance

External

July 23, 2021