Civil Society Organizations' Response to Religious Discrimination in Myanmar: A Case Study of the 88 Generation Students Group and Paungku Consortium

Abstract

After 2010 general election in Myanmar, newly civilian government has ruled the country and performed a series of democratic reforms such as political, economic and administrative reforms. Simultaneously, tensions between majority and minority population and religion have been increasing. Resulting from religious discrimination problems, anti-Muslims violence spread across the country since 2012. These violent conflicts had produced challenge to the country’s stability and democratization process. They become threats to political stability of the country and obstacles towards Myanmar’s transition to democracy. This research looks at the responses of civil society organizations in coping with religious discrimination and violence conflicts. It applies a qualitative study including a case study’s analysis of civil society organizations, namely the 88 Generation Students Group and the Paungku Consortium, in Yangon, Myanmar. In order to collect data and information for analysis, in-depth interviews and semi-structured interviews with key persons in selected organizations as well as relevant stakeholders are conducted during field study. Diverse perceptions were gathered from the fields of media, academic, non-governmental organizations to examine how civil society organizations response to religious violence and foster non-discrimination values. The study found that anti-Muslims sentiments make more tensions between people from both societies of Buddhists and Muslims and lead to religious violence. As a result of sectarian violence, numbers of households of Buddhists and Muslims were demolished and a thousand of lives were executed. Civil society organizations during the time contributed necessary assistances to affected people but could not fully address the root causes of conflict mainly based on religious discrimination. Moreover, it is found out that civil society organizations are not entirely able to cope with discrimination problems. This study, therefore, propose that issues of discrimination against minority religion and race are needed to take more consideration and civil society organizations should make more effort to lessen discriminatory practices in society.