The Burma Centre for Ethnic Studies (BCES) is an independent think tank and study centre founded in 2012 to generate ideas on democracy, human rights and federalism as an effective vehicle for “Peace and Reconciliation” in the Union of Burma.

The main objectives of the Burma Centre for Ethnic Studies are:

• To promote Peace and Reconciliation;

• To promote the ideas and practices of democracy, human rights and federalism;

• To promote constitutional knowledge, the rule of law and good governance;

• To expand and consolidate the network of organizations and leaders to promote autonomy and internal self-determination within a federal arrangement as a means of addressing and ending ethnic armed conflict in the Union of Burma.

Mission Statement

• To engage in research and publication on democratic principles, human rights and federalism to disseminate knowledge.

• To organize policy studies, forums and conferences to advance public policy for peace and development.

• To conduct activities for the development of the rule of law, human rights, democracy and effective and accountable governance.

• To engage in programs to promote and develop democratic and political institutions.

• To initiate programs and activities to assist the strengthening of good governance and evolving meaningful policies to make effective autonomy and internal self-determination in member states of the Union.

• To develop new strategies and communication networks to strengthen communication between ethnic areas and the central Burma.

Staff

Dr. Lian H. Sakhong, Director of the Burma Centre for Ethnic Studies, is a long-term political activist, served as the Chairman of the “Chin National Council” (CNC, 2008-2010), the Vice-Chairman of the “Ethnic Nationalities Council - Union of Burma” (ENC, 2008-2011), and combining the General Secretary post of ENC, Chin National League for Democracy-Exile (CNLD), and United Nationalities League for Democracy-Liberated Areas (UNLD-LA) in 2001-2008. He also was a coordinator of “Supporting Committee for State Constitutions Drafting Process” (SCSC), 2001-2006; Secretary of “Federal Constitution Drafting and Coordinating Committee” (FCDCC), 2006-2008; and worked as a Research Director of the Euro-Burma Office (Brussels), 2008-2011.

He was a post-graduate student at the History Department of Rangoon University when student-led democracy movement erupted in 1988. He quickly joined the movement and was arrested, interrogated and even tortured by the military junta on three separate occasions between 1988 and 1990. He was the founding member of Chin National League for Democracy (CNLD) and served as its General Secretary (1988-1990), and United Nationalities League for Democracy (UNLD), also served as its Secretary (1988-1990). He fled his country in 1990 and has resettled in Sweden since 1991.

He has published numerous articles on Chin history, traditions and politics in Burma, including his doctoral dissertation: Religion and Politics among the Chin People in Burma (Uppsala University, 2000) and his books, In Search of Chin Identity: A Study in Religion, Politics and Ethnic Identity in Burma (Copenhagen: Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, 2003), Federalism and Ethnic Issues in Burma: Selected Political Writings, 1988-2008 (Chiang Mai: Wanida Press, 2008) in Burmese, and In Defence of Identity: Ethnic Nationalities’ Struggle for Democracy, Human Rights, and Federalism in Burma (Bangkok: Orchid Press, 2010). He also edited a series of ten books under the title of Peaceful-coexistence: Towards Federal Union of Burma (Chiang Mai: UNLD Press, between 1999 and 2006). 

He was awarded the Martin Luther King Prize in January 2007.

Contact

Paul L. Keenan - Research Co-ordinator

Paul Keenan is a researcher and writer on ethnic issues in Burma. Specialising in strategic studies and policy research. He has spent the last ten years working closely with ethnic and pro-democracy groups on the Thai-Burma border. He has written a number of working papers for, and works closely with, various ethnic organsiations. He is co-founder of the Karen History and Culture Preservation Society and is author of 'By Force of Arms – Armed Ethnic Groups in Burma' and the forthcoming book:  ’A Just Country – The Karen of Burma – Nationalism and Conflict’. Paul's Blog can be found here.

Contact

Sai Mawn - Project Co-ordinator

Sai Mawn  is a Thailand based co-ordinator and trainer on Human Rights, Environmental and other issues. He was an administrator for the United Nationalities League for Democracy – Liberated Area from 2001 to 2008. From 2008 until 2012 he was a senior staff member for the  Ethnic Nationalities Council  - Union of Burma.

Contact

Advisory Board