Title: Introduction. A Remarkable Occurrence: Progress for Civil Society in an "Open" Myanmar
Abstract: I. INTRODUCTION: REFORM IN MYANMAR AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR CIVIL SOCIETYThe past three years have seen remarkable change the country of Myanmar (also known as Burma).1 With the of Myanmar 2011 after decades of repressive military rule, much attention has been given to reform efforts taking place domestically. Since President Thein Sein came to power November 2010, the government of Myanmar transitioned from a strictly military government to a military-backed civilian government and has begun a significant reform process.2 The government freed many political prisoners, including luminary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, relaxed censorship, and enacted economic reforms.3 Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) party, which boycotted the 2010 elections that saw Thein Sein's ascendency, has since rejoined the political process.4 The NLD party now enjoys a small presence Parliament after winning by large margins the April 2012 by-elections, which were deemed generally free and fair.5 In response to the reforms, many Western nations have relaxed sanctions against Myanmar and begun a process of engagement.6 Indeed, light of these reforms and an effort to bolster U.S. engagement the country, President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. President to visit the country.7Corresponding to the opening up of the country, international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and aid organizations have increased their activities Myanmar. 8 While there is no doubt that international legal aid and non-governmental organizations can play an active and productive role Myanmar, these groups should proceed with caution and seek to incorporate collaborative approaches to their aid provision if long-term, sustainable development that enshrines human rights is to be achieved. To that end, it is perhaps helpful to reflect on the criticisms of past international aid provision order to offer lessons for those interested assistance Myanmar, before turning to a promising recent example of collaborative effort between the government and civil society organizations.This introductory piece proceeds three parts. Part II discusses the ethical and practical implications of international NGOs and assistance groups working foreign countries such as Myanmar, with reference to lessons learned the 1960s Law and Development Movement. Part II concludes with some brief recommendations for collaborative and participatory approaches that take into account these ethical dimensions. Part III provides background and context for the recent reemergence of civil society Myanmar, including a short history and analysis of the repressive policies put place by preceding government regimes. Finally, Part IV accounts the recent effort to revise and pass the law on associations, which affects all civil society organizations and NGOs with operations Myanmar.II. FINDING FAULT WITH CULTURAL RELATIVISM IN GLOBAL ASSISTANCE EFFORTS: TOWARD A COSMOPOLITAN ASSISTANCE ETHICIn her seminal article examining the ethical underpinnings of international legal assistance, Professor Shannon Roesler offered a compelling analysis of the legal profession's role development work. 9 After a brief overview of the increasingly global nature of the practice of law, Professor Roesler posited that in deciding whether the legal profession should support commitments to global justice, we must resolve another ambiguity: even if lawyers are responsible for the quality of justice the broader sense, it is not clear that the responsibility extends beyond our national borders.10In a direct response to criticisms of the alleged lack of sensitivity to local and cultural contexts of the Law and Development Movement, Professor Roesler examines the notion that lawyers who intervene the social and political processes of other societies order to promote particular values are therefore subject to the charge that they are imposing their own moral and political beliefs on others. …
Publication Year: 2014
Publication Date: 2014-06-01
Language: en
Type: article
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Cited By Count: 2
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