M
any of us know very little about Burma. This is no doubt because Burma (or the Republic of the Union of Myanmar) remains one of South East Asia’s poorest counties. It is also clearly one of South East Asia’s most isolated countries with an appalling track record in human rights and the treatment of minority groups.
From 1962 to 2011 Burma was ruled by a military junta. A general election was finally held in 2010 but opposition groups alleged widespread fraud and condemned the election. The process was boycotted by the National league for Democracy (who, under Aung San Suu Kyi, won a massive victory in 1990 but was not allowed to govern).
Burma is made up of a number of significant minority groups including the Karen, Shan, Rakhine, Mon, Chin and Kachin. Many of these groups have been the subject of military offensives. Burma’s majority are Buddhist while the number of Christians is around 4% of the total population.
Today Burma is ruled by a nominally civilian government. However the military still exercise significant control.
In December 2011 US Secretary of State, Hilliary Clinton, visited Burma where she met the current President and also met Aung San Suu Kyi. Mr Rudd Kevin, Rudd, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, visited Burma in July 2011.
Sanctions have been imposed on Burma by European Union States, the US, Canada and Australia. However, some of these sanctions have now been eased due to recent developments. Meanwhile, China, India and South Korea maintain economic interests in the country.
There is a general easing of tensions in Burma these days with Aung San Suu Kyi being released from house arrest in November 2010 and a recent amnesty given to political prisoners that led to their release. While much still needs to be done, a slight sense of optimism is emerging in Burma today.
In a recent New Year Greetings received from the Myanmar Council of Churches, General Secretary Rev Saw Shwe Lin, writes: “Myanmar is now striving for authentic democracy with our own ways and means that are suitable with our society”. This is good news. But it’s not all plain sailing.
Rev Saw Shew Lin qualifies these words with the comment: “we do not know what the future holds”.
The Myanmar Council of Churches is our current link with Burma. The council has a membership of 14 churches and 13 co-operating bodies. It’s involved in legal aid, the development of human resources, sustainable development and ministry with young people.
B
urma faces big issues. While the church is a minority, Burmese Christians have confidence in the steadfast faithfulness of God who, they believe, is present with them in their struggles. Indeed, Rev Saw Shwe Lin concludes his greeting with the words: “God does not faint or grow weary. God’s understanding is unsearchable. Thus, it is understandable that we can rely and have confidence in God whole heartedly.”
Like so many Christians across the Asia-Pacific and African region, here is real faith in troubled times. Burma faces big challenges. Thank God for the faithfulness and commitment of those who know what it means to depend on God!
