The burma citizenship act the burma citizenship act of 1982 granted citizenship to individuals residing in burma who could trace their family residency to prior to 1823, that is, the year of the first british military campaign on myanmar and with it, a wave of immigration from india and china. Nov 03, 2016 the law, created by myanmars military dictatorship in 1982, excludes others from full citizenship, but allows them to apply for two lower tiers with fewer rights. The 1982 citizenship law deprives the rohingya of citizenship in myanmar. The law was deeply problematic, as for many families of various ethnic groups, transnational ties were common. The constitution of the union of burma 1947 democracy for. That which must be obeyed and followed by citizens subject to sanctions or legal consequence is a. The burma citizenship act of 1982 granted citizenship to individuals residing in burma who could trace their family residency to prior to 1823, that is, the year of the first british military campaign on myanmar and with it, a wave of immigration from india and china. It was replaced by the 1993 development committees law, which was amended in 1997, transferring responsibility for municipal affairs from the general administration department gad under the. But it is very important for myanmar which is situated among the highly populated countries.
The law was deeply problematic, as for many families of various ethnic groups, transnational ties were common and there was. Myanmar urged to grant rohingya citizenship nikkei asian. The 1982 burmese nationality law,the burma citizenship. The union of burma constituent assembly of burma rangoon, supdt, govt. Jun 10, 2016 the 1982 myanmar citizenship law, enacted under the militarysocialist regime of ne win, narrowed eligibility for citizenship along ethnic lines. All citizens irrespective of birth, religion, sex or race are equal before the law. The european union and myanmar burma a new chapter in bilateral relations. The 1982 citizenship law has had the effect of rendering the vast majority of. Myanmar nationality law currently recognises three categories of citizens, namely citizen, associate citizen and naturalised citizen, according to the 1982 citizenship law. That which must be obeyed and followed by citizens subject to sanctions or legal consequence is a law. However i believe enforcing this rule can sometime be tricky. Discrimination against the rohingya in burma continues unabated, and the. The 1982 burmese nationality law myanmar version myanmar.
The 1982 citizenship law is the linchpin for a whole set of laws, policies and practices that discriminate against rohingyas as noncitizens and leaves them extremely vulnerable to human rights abuses by government and nongovernment actors. What are the rights and duties of a myanmar citizen. This decision was not and is not approved by any sitting legislature in burma, and is not accepted by the u. For myanmar citizens who wishes to be neutralised to become citizens of other countries, it could be a loophole if the country of new citizen. The stated aim of ne wins 1982 citizenship law was to create a.
Myanmars 1982 citizenship law and rohingya burma campaign. Describe the government of burma myanmar, and explain the. The criterion for being indigenous is determined by the revised nationality law the citizenship law, which was enforced in 1982. Request pdf rohingya ethnic muslim minority and the 1982 citizenship law in burma the rohingyas have experienced difficulties in obtaining citizenship. This is an unofficial translation of the act, the pyithu hluttaw law no. In this type of government, the heads of the cabinet are responsible for carrying out the laws set forth by parliament. Exclusive nationalism of burma myanmar represented by. Susanne kempel is an independent consultant specializing in local governance in myanmar. The contemporary literature on citizenship around the world is accordingly much more political than the mere notion of membership implied in the books subtitle ways of being in and from burma.
The citizenship law is myanmars domestic law governing citizenship entering into force in 1982. Burma citizenship law of 1982 naturalization united. Describe the government of burma myanmar, and explain. I couldnt keep up this project to align with latest unicode spec. Jul 19, 2016 no, myanmar doesnt allow dual nationality. Since 1989 the military authorities in burma have promoted myanmar as a conventional name for their state. Refugees from burma introduction resourcerich and fertile, burma was once regarded as the rice bowl of asia. Burma a short summary film in 5 key words teaching. Child born in myanmar of a myanmar mother and an unknown father.
Preamble we, the people of burma including the frontier areas and the karenni states, determined to establish in strength and unity a sovereign independent state, to maintain social order on the basis of the eternal principles of justice, liberty and equality. However, the name myanmar is now widely accepted by numerous countries and by the united nations. Preamble we, the people of burma including the frontier areas and the karenni states, determined to establish in strength and unity a sovereign independent state, to maintain social order on the basis of the eternal principles of. It is also the source of one of the worlds most protracted refugee crises. The 1982 burma citizenship law, promulgated not long after the mass return of. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. The republic of the union of myanmar ministry of industry. The 1982 burma citizenship law, promulgated not long after the mass return of rohingya who fled in 1978, distinguishes between three categories of. International reformed baptist church directory, burma. The city of new york department of finance notice of rulemaking pursuant to the power vested in me as commissioner of finance by sections 389b, 1043 and 15233 of the new york city charter, i hereby promulgate the following rules relating to the burma classification of banks. Report on the administration of british burma 18751876 pdf 55. The 1982 myanmar citizenship law, enacted under the militarysocialist regime of ne win, narrowed eligibility for citizenship along ethnic lines. Burma citizenship law of 1982 english online burma.
Myanmar casts minorities to the margins as citizenship law. Those not included within 5 recognized ethnic groups must demonstrate that all four grandparents made burma their home, and that both themselves and their parents were born in burma. The expressions contained in this law shall have the following meanings. Under this law, full citizenship is primarily based on membership of the national races. Justice in burma the fight against human rights abuse the. Sep 22, 2014 myanmar gave citizenship on monday to 209 muslims displaced by sectarian violence, after the first phase of a project aimed at determining the status of about a million rohingya whose claims to. This law shall be called the burma citizenship law. Under the leadership of zarni, then a graduate student at university of wisconsinmadison, it galvanized principally american students, attracted much media attention, and helped force over forty multinational corporations to withdraw from burma, including. Transcend media service 1982 citizenship law of myanmar and. The government of myanmar, as defined by the constitution of 2008, functions as a parliamentary republic. Municipal governance in myanmar the asia foundation. That is, people who had already lived in burma prior to 1823, which was the year before the first angloburmese war 182426 started, are seen to be indigenous, and those who settled in burma after.
The free burma coalition was created in 1995 as an umbrella organization for the free burma movement. Report on the administration of british burma 18911892 pdf 27. In 1982, under the previous military regime, myanmar enacted a law restricting citizenship to groups that had lived in the countrys territory since the beginning of the 19th century. Justice in burma the fight against human rights abuse. Burma facts on largest cities, populations, symbols. Exclusive nationalism of burma myanmar represented by its. A short video to bring alive teaching and learning about burma at this crucial time, breaking it down into 5 memorable words. Maung zarni is a member of the transcend network for peace, development and environment, founder and director of the free burma coalition 19952004, and a visiting fellow 2011 at the civil society and human security research unit, department of international development, london school of. Kyi pyar chit saw is a research associate at the myanmar development resource institutes centre for economic and social development mdricesd.
Published in working peoples daily, 16 october 1982. Myanmar gave citizenship on monday to 209 muslims displaced by sectarian violence, after the first phase of a project aimed at determining the status of about a million rohingya whose claims to. The country currently known as myanmar was called burma until 1989, when the. In fact, myanmars citizenship law contains no reference to the 5 ethnic groups that today make up the countrys official national races.
This text may be downloaded only for personal research purposes. The 1898 municipal law in its general form lasted for 95 years, only being fully repealed in 1993. The 18th field regiment selfpropelled, royal artillery was equipped with the american 105mm howitzer on a sherman tank chassis. Citizens, as defined by the 1947 constitution, are persons who belong to an indigenous race, have a grandparent from an indigenous race, are children of citizens, or lived in british burma prior to. Law and constitution civil and political issues nationality, citizenship and immigration laws, decrees, bills and regulations relating to nationality, citizenship and immigration texts burma citizenship law of 1982 english.
The burma citizenship act religious literacy project. Human rights abuses against muslims in the rakhine arakan. The impact on the rohingya population of citizenship law, policy and practice. Rohingya ethnic muslim minority and the 1982 citizenship law in. Myanmar gives citizenship to 209 displaced muslims. This is the myanmar version of the 1982 citizenship law. Birth within the territory of myanmar does not automatically confer citizenship. The european union and myanmarburma a new chapter in bilateral relations.
Citizens, as defined by the 1947 constitution, are persons who belong to an indigenous race, have a grandparent from an indigenous race, are children of citizens, or lived in british burma prior to 1942. I will start with duties, which are simple to summarize. The government of the republic of the union of myanmar. The 1982 burmese nationality law myanmar version free download as pdf file. Under the leadership of zarni, then a graduate student at university of wisconsinmadison, it galvanized principally american students, attracted much media attention, and helped force over forty multinational corporations to withdraw from burma, including arco, pepsico, and texaco. International reformed baptist church directory, burma the. I have been threatening to dive into a massive set of posts about myanmar, and having since spent time exploring the beautiful ruins of angkor in cambodia, visiting friends in chiang mai and then taking pictures and closely following redshirt political protests here in bangkok, i am finally ready to get started with a before you go guide to myanmar, one of my. Birth within the territory of myanmar does not automatically confer citizenship by descent.
The 1982 burma citizenship law, promulgated not long after the mass return of rohingya who fled in 1978, distinguishes between three categories of citizenship. Dec 02, 2011 the union of burma constituent assembly of burma rangoon, supdt, govt. These in the british army were given the name priests. Myanmar gives citizenship to 209 displaced muslims, including.
Under military rule since 1962, its fortunes have steadily declined, and today it is one of the worlds least developed and least free countries. Summarizing and analyzing the rights is complicated. Blacks law dictionary says that law is a body of rules of action or conduct prescribed by controlling authority, and having binding legal force. Aug 06, 2018 i have been threatening to dive into a massive set of posts about myanmar, and having since spent time exploring the beautiful ruins of angkor in cambodia, visiting friends in chiang mai and then taking pictures and closely following redshirt political protests here in bangkok, i am finally ready to get started with a before you go guide to myanmar, one of my crash course posts. The law, created by myanmars military dictatorship in 1982, excludes others from full citizenship, but allows them to apply for two lower tiers with fewer rights. Information on the basis for myanmar citizenship law was not provided. The chairman of the council of state, on 15 october 1982, promulgated the burma citizenship law which was approved and passed by the third session of the third pyithu hluttaw. Full citizens are descendants of residents who lived in burma prior to 1823 or were born to parents. The chapter 8 of the constitution of the republic of the union of myanmar 2008 describes fundamental rights and duties of the citizens. Child, both of whose parents are citizens of myanmar, regardless of the childs country of birth. The ongoing persecution of rohingya muslims in burma uscirf. This thoughtful volume examines burma today primarily through the eyes of its asean partners, its superpower neighbors china and india, and its own people. Information on the basis for myanmar citizenship law was not provided by birth.
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