Myanmar, Southeast Asia
Population: 47,373,958
Christians: 8-9%
Dominant Religion: Buddhism
Persecution Ranking: 23rd
Political Leader: Sr. Gen. Than Shwe
Religious Freedom in Constitution: No
Myanmar is recognized by the United Nations, but not by the United States or United Kingdom governments. Bilateral relations between Myanmar and the U.S. remained strained. Myanmar’s military regime’s willingness to cooperate and coordinate on counterterrorist activities within the country and throughout the region remains limited. However, Myanmar has cooperated with the United States on both transnational terrorist threats and law enforcement efforts to stem narcotrafficking and money laundering. Myanmar’s Special Branch police has created a new counterterrorism unit headquartered in Rangoon.
The government has defined almost all anti-regime activities “acts of terrorism” and the regime has regularly labeled exile leaders and political activists as terrorists. No reliable evidence existed that any terrorists, terrorist organizations or affiliations were using Myanmar as a safe haven.
