From the September-October 2017 issue of News & Letters

Despite the electoral victory of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her National League for Democracy party over the long-ruling military dictatorship in Myanmar (Burma), for the Muslim Rohingya minority in this Buddhist majority country there has only been an intensification of repression. This is occurring with the acquiescence of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The military continues its heavy-handed censorship using a military-era law that criminalizes “defamation.” Some 65 cases have been brought against people who used social media to criticize the military. Criminalization of journalists has also taken place, with three recently arrested.

The military’s brutal history is well known. Why is the Aung San Suu Kyi government, elected in opposition to the military, now collaborating with it?