"The Network for Human Rights Documentation- Burma (ND-Burma) released its first report, "We have to give them so much that our stomachs are empty of food: The Hidden Impact of Burma?s Arbitrary and Corrupt Taxation." Based on 342 interviews, the report reveals how widespread, arbitrary taxation damages the country?s economy, exacerbates poverty, and contributes to the ongoing and systematic violation of the people?s most basic right to an adequate standard of living, housing, and education. ND-Burma?s report reveals how the Burma?s ruling military regime, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), and its supporting agencies are responsible for this repressive taxation system which includes the appropriation of non-monetary assets including the arbitrary confiscation of land, property and forced labor, indicating serious breaches of international laws. While the majority of the people of Burma live in abject poverty, the regime spends a paltry (CIA) 1.3% of GDP on health and education, and Burma is the only country in the region whose military budget is greater than that of health and education combined. ND Burma?s research revealed that households and businesses are excessively taxed leaving more and more people struggling to survive. Not only is taxation excessive but the poor administration of the system means that households and businesses do not know when taxes have to be paid and the size of their tax liabilities. This is coupled with a system of government expenditure that is not directed towards the needs of Burma?s population, instead resources are allocated to a bloated military and economically wasteful and expensive infrastructure projects. A villager from Mon State describes the burden of taxation, ?On average, we villagers have to provide military government organizations with more than 10,000 Kyat a month (about 10 USD). Even though we have no food to eat, we still have to pay them. At the hands of the SPDC we have to work harder but we still have not enough food for our families.? "