An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 21 the jungles. Considered expendable, men, women and children are also used for mine clearance, the prisoners being forced at gunpoint to walk ahead of the main force to detect mines by stepping on them and setting them off. The army's supply of weapons and modern technology is aided by the exploitation of the country's natural resources, which generates substantial revenue for the purchase of arms. In recent years, foreign investors have also signed deals enabling them to access resource-rich areas throughout the country. Large-scale development projects, that include logging, mining hydroelec- tric and pipeline construction, have led to an increase in land clearance and the eradication of ethnic minority communities. Wood and minerals have been extracted, processed and shipped out, with the money being paid over to a small hierarchy within the military. Despite this wealth the UN has declared Burma to be one of the poorest countries in the world. As Buddhism, the main religion in the country, teaches that people should be content with what they have, it has been used by the military for decades to control the population. Those questioning the poverty and the unfair regime in the country are accused of being unpa- triotic and ungrateful for what they have. Protests that have erupted have resulted in the deaths of thousands of people as the military reaction has been swift and bloody. Political activists face arrest, torture, deportation or death. In 1988, General Ne Win stood down but was replaced by a new military junta, an act that was followed by mass demonstrations for democracy that were violently suppressed by the military. It was at this time that Aung San Suu Kyi came to promi- nence as leader of the opposition. Influenced by both Mahatma Ghandhi's philosophy of non-violence and, more specifically, by Buddhist concepts, she entered politics to work for the democ- ratization of Burma, helping found the National League for Democracy in 1988. Many risked imprisonment to hear her speak and in 1989 her outspoken views made her a target for the military and she was put under house arrest. Offered her freedom if she left the country, Aung San Suu Kyi refused and spent 15 of the past 21 years under house arrest. A government statement accused her of being a threat and that she was 'likely to undermine the com- munity peace and stability' of the country. She received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991 for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights. On 13th November 2010 she was released from house arrest and continues the struggle on behalf of the Burmese people. Democratic elections have recently been held in Burma but as they were held under the military constitution, which guarantees their dominance, the results have been nullified and the military still controls the country, despite opposition from world leaders. Today Burma has become a major holiday destination as the junta has rebuilt the country's infrastructure and high-rise blocks dominate the cityscape of its major cities. However, un- known to many, child labour was used to modernise the country and the regime that has enslaved millions is still in place, the wars are increasing, and the death toll is mounting, as greed and profit are put before the needs of Burma's people.

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