iMAP Myanmar 2023 Internet Censorship Report | Page 13 SAC was occurring not only in the ethnic territories but also in the cities.8 Since the coup, the military has imposed martial law in several townships and severely targeted anti-SAC armed groups. Continued military rule threatens human rights and freedoms of expression and perpetuates persecution against ethnic minorities and women. There is a significant increase in the violence perpetrated against women and girls compared to before the coup. Post coup, women and girls are more likely to become victims of emotional and physical abuse due to increased safety concerns. Over the past two years of military rule, the widespread violence and conflict has forced thousands of civilians to flee into neighbouring India and Thailand. The military takes completely arbitrary action. For instance, the junta controlled all the telecom sectors and banned social media and media outlets including ethnic minority media. In fact, freedom of expression was already limited before the 2021 coup. Right after the coup, the old system of prior censorship gradually was reinstated, effectively limiting media coverage of the numerous human rights violations being committed. After two years of SAC ruling, freedom of information and expression are further violated, which affects matters of life and death for the people in Myanmar. Economic Landscape Indicator Value 2020 78.93 1,477.5 2021 GDP (USD billion) 65.12 GDP per capita 1210.5 (USD) GDP Growth 3.2 -17.9 (annual %) Table 2: GDP landscape from 2020 to 2022 (source: World Bank) 2022 59.36 1,095.7 3 Majority of the Myanmar population depend on agriculture to make a living. Agriculture remains a crucial sector in Myanmar, employing a large portion of the population and contributing to the country's economy. Rice, pulses, beans, and other agricultural products are major exports. Myanmar is rich in natural resources that have attracted international attention, including natural gas, jade, and rubies that are directly controlled by the military.9 With regards to connectivity and infrastructure, Myanmar's infrastructure, including roads, electricity, and telecommunication networks, has improved in recent years. But challenges still remain in terms of availability and reliability, particularly in rural areas where there are high rates of poverty. Due to a combination of economic mismanagement, ongoing conflict, and the isolationist policies adopted by the military junta in the 1960s and 1970s, among other factors, Myanmar has historically faced greater financial challenges compared to its neighbouring countries. A long period of isolationist military rule has left Myanmar economically underperforming. However, after the economic reforms in 2011, the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita 8 Maizland, L. (2022, January 31). Myanmar’s troubled history: Coups, military rule, and ethnic conflict. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/myanmar-history-coup-military-rule-ethnic-conflict-rohingya. 9 Maizland, L. (2022). Myanmar’s troubled history: Coups, military rule, and ethnic conflict. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/myanmar-history-coup-military-rule-ethnic-conflict-rohingya#chapter-title-0-6