The Myanmar government has never fully established its security, justice or other governance mechanisms in many conflict-affected areas across the country. Many different ethnic armed organisations (EAOs) operate in these communities, with several providing these services. This has resulted in a contested security and governance landscape for communities living there.

In 2018–19, we worked with civil society and authorities in the south east to improve security and justice for communities, and advocated for security and justice systems to be more inclusive and accountable to the different needs of all gender, ethnic and religious groups in Myanmar.

With partners Karen Human Rights Group and Karen Women’s Empowerment Group, we expanded our work to support 31 community groups. We supported our partner – the Karen Legal Assistance Centre – to amend laws, improve village leaders’ legal knowledge and train 208 village justice providers on case reporting pathways and protection mechanisms for women. As a result, we have seen civil society groups strengthen their advocacy, and communities become more skilled and confident at bringing their security and justice concerns to government and EAO authorities. The number of cases referred to the township and district courts has increased, indicating a wider recognition of the roles and jurisdiction of justice providers at different levels. Similarly, authorities have become more responsive in addressing major concerns to make their communities safer.

Investigating perceptions of conflict

Myanmar’s longest-running armed conflict between the government of Myanmar and the Karen National Union has resulted in high levels of violence, abuse and exploitation of communities. Last year, we undertook new research into the experiences of ordinary people amid the conflict. With our partner, the Karen Peace Support Network, we surveyed 2,020 people from 72 villages across south-east Myanmar on their perceptions of security, justice and governance. This was the first completely randomised survey of its kind. Eighty per cent of households reported experiences of violence or abuse by authorities during their lifetime. We noted a shift in the pattern of violations after the 2012 ceasefire, with land conflict becoming a primary concern. Only 14 per cent of respondents were confident that the peace process would lead to sustainable peace, and a majority feared that armed conflict would break out again. The findings – published in our report, Security, justice and governance in south-east Myanmar: a knowledge, attitudes and practices survey in Karen ceasefire areas – constitute a unique evidence base to help identify and address the root drivers of conflict and insecurity.

Following the research, we held 25 briefings to share the findings and recommendations with a range of international organisations, donors and foundations, as well as practitioners and representatives from the Myanmar government and EAO authorities. Discussions focused on how to work with the numerous overlapping state and non-state governance systems to promote security, peace and justice. In our engagements with authorities, we have used findings from the survey to demonstrate why specific, targeted interventions are necessary to improve the security situation for communities.