An Analysis of Aung San Suu Kyi’s Views as a Political Prisoner and Democratic Ruler of Myanmar (1988-2019)
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Date
2020
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Publisher
UMT.Lahore
Abstract
In recent years, the world has witnessed ethnic cleansing of Rohingya Muslims by
the military in Myanmar. The country’s de-facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi has been
accused of inactions and pertaining silence on this critical issue. Once hailed as a torch
bearer of human rights, Aung San Suu Kyi’s course of engagements appear to be
questionable. This study centers on finding the reasons behind this change in her attitude
and focuses on her roots as a human rights activist when she gave vision for a human rights
oriented democratic Myanmar during her days as a political prisoner. Using comparative
research method (single country case study) Aung San Suu Kyi’s vision is set as a
benchmark for examining her decisions reserved for Rohingya Muslims community. In
order to drive conclusions from the sources (books and newspaper articles) qualitative
content analysis is used as a methodological tool. The method concentrates on the main
theme of human rights with sub-themes of freedom from fear, and people centered system.
For added elucidation, the thesis utilized the theoretical lens of human security, freedom
from fear, and Galtung’s Triangle of violence. The findings demonstrate that as a political
prisoner and a human rights activist, Aung San Suu Kyi appeared to be much vigilant for
the people of Myanmar against military rule in 1988. However, as a political leader, she
chose to deny the violations done by the military. the thesis concluded with three
contributing factors behind this denial mainly (a) restricted power given by military,
perusal of personality politics by her, and high expectations of democracy by the west.