Burma has been run by a military dictatorship since 1962. The country now has one of the worst human rights records in the world, including murder, rape, torture, arbitrary imprisonment, forced labor and forced relocation committed by the military government. The areas most affected are populated by ethnic minorities which make up about 40% of the country’s population. Mismanagement is responsible for poverty, a severe AIDS problem and terrible environmental degradation within the country. Burma is the second largest producer of opium and heroin- the business of choice for the military government. Host Nikki Kayser spoke with Rose Marie Khubdoni about the Shan princess living in Colorado since her husband’s disappearance, who started Burma Lifeline to help those not in camps living as refugees in Thailand.
