6/11/22, 9:52 PM Burma: Constructive Engagement in Cyberspace? | Cultural Survival ethnic minority exiles abroad, however, have been able to use the Internet to expose the military's abuses, promote their concerns and demands, and network with other concerned organizations. Background History of Burma Some areas of present-day Burma were never under Burman rule and only became a part of Burma when the British drew fixed boundaries around the country a century ago. Since that period, `Burman' has been used to refer to the ethnic group, and `Burmese' to all citizens of Burma. During the democratic period, from 1948 to 1962, ethnic armies formed and fought for greater autonomy. Burmese military leaders then used the excuse of instability in the country to justify a military coup and the imposition of martial law. After General Ne Win overthrew the elected government in 1962, he instituted a repressive system of control and sought to eliminate the ethnic political organizations and their armies, rather than recognize their demands. Gradually removing most members of ethnic minorities from positions of power within the central government, he also sought to `Burmanize' the population. The military regime indoctrinated the people with the concept that federalism was tantamount to anarchy. Moreover, because of strict censorship laws, ethnic groups were not allowed to publish their political or historical works in Burmese or their own languages. The gap in understanding between the majority Burmans and the ethnic minorities grew, as the Burmans knew little about what the minority groups were really fighting for. While members of ethnic minority groups living in central Burma became absorbed into Burmese culture, in the border areas, nationalist ethnic organizations continued to fight for their territory and the preservation of their cultures. In 1988, people of all classes, professions, and ethnic groups participated in massive antigovernment protests. The military responded by shooting hundreds of protesters, and a new military clique which called itself the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC), took power. The SLORC scheduled elections for May 1990 and numerous new political organizations were formed that included ethnic minority parties. However, even before the election was held, the SLORC began arresting the most active and talented political challengers, including Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of Burma's independence hero, General Aung San. When the SLORC's party was overwhelmingly defeated by Aung San Suu Kyi's party, the National League for Democracy, the SLORC refused to hand over power. The military junta released Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest in 1995 and through force or persuasion, the SLORC has managed to achieve cease-fires with 15 armed organizations. Still, the SLORC refuses to step down, asserting that only the military can ensure national https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/burma-constructive-engagement-cyberspace 2/10