Chin Ethnic Identity and Chin Politic in Myanmar

Description: 

Conclusion: "To conclude the article, chin state has diverse and multiple dialects, language, norms, traditions and religions, and is eager to set up own identity based on its context. Especially, from a small tribe to a big tribe group, they want to get their own identity and self-administration according to the history of myths and traditional practices. It means that every tribe group has the same rights and the same opportunities in its life. For instance, every tribe group has its own customary law and traditional land use authority. Moreover, the rights are leading them to establish federal system in their own destination, ensuring, respecting and protecting minority rights. Therefore, most of the ethnic political parties believe that Federalism is the best way to ensure and protect their own identity and own people in Myanmar. In fact, ethnic political parties play officially in the democratic system of Myanmar, demanding federal administration in the political agenda. For instance, by looking at the Chin ethnic political parties, they have the same vision, that is to initiate the federal state and ensure the rights of Chin people in Myanmar. Meanwhile, ethnic armed groups have been opposing the political system of Myanmar because the junta administration and democratic p ractice of Myanmar is not ensuring the political rights of ethnic people and indigenous p eople in term of social, cultural, traditional and administration. Mostly, Myanmar democratic transition has been a favor to the majority Burmese people, discrimination toward ethnic people in different levels of constitution and bureaucratic system, mainly dominated by central government as well. In fact, the minorities feel that they have to retain their language, their religion, their custom and be granted to be full members of the state. Especially, Chin political parties have been strongly standing on ?We are co-founders of the U nion of Myanmar, also called the union of Burma”. I assume that if there is no federal system in Myanmar, the rights of ethnic groups will be neglected and the civil war will not end. In fact, the ethnic people and ethnic arm groups will fight to retain them in political agenda of Myanmar. However, the ethnic minorities of Myanmar need to tolerate the fact that inclusion is the best way to establish the union state rather than separation from the union state. Majority of them also need to recognize the philosophy of federalism and protect the rights of ethnic people, indigenous people and their ways of life. It means that the Union of Myanmar is found together with multi-nationality..."

Creator/author: 

Salai Vanni Bawi

Source/publisher: 

International Conference on Burma/Myanmar Studies: Burma/Myanmar in Transition: Connectivity, Changes and Challenges: University Academic Service Centre (UNISERV), Chiang Mai University, Thailand, 24-­26 July 2015

Date of Publication: 

2015-07-26

Date of entry: 

2015-08-07

Grouping: 

  • Individual Documents

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Language: 

English

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pdf

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732.05 KB