Myanmar/Burma

Burma today is experiencing a housing rights crisis. Millions displaced Cyclone Nargis in May 2008 have still not recovered, mainly due to the poor planning by the Burmese government and initial lack of warning and restrictions on international assistance and relief.

Even before the cyclone hit, an estimated one million Burmese, mostly from Burma’s many ethnic minorities, were displaced. This displacement was caused by the Burmese military’s counter-insurgency tactics during civil conflicts and by their policy of ‘military self-sufficiency’, whereby poor villagers are forced to provide food, labour and land to the military – depleting already stretched resources.

Development projects such as dams, mines and oil pipelines have also caused mass displacement and other violations of human rights in Burma.

The housing rights crisis in Burma can only be resolved in the context of substantial and sustained change in the country. The Burmese people need improved access to a range of fundamental rights, as enshrined in international law and conventions — including respect for housing, land and property rights.