Hla, Tin Aung2011-04-152011-04-152011-04-15http://hdl.handle.net/10539/9470MM - P&DMThe present military government of Myanmar (Burma) has been under worldwide condemnation for its gross human rights violations and suppression of democratic forces in the country since 1988 when it took over state power in the name of restoring law and order. When multinational extractive companies such as Total, Unocal, and Premier explored and exploited two natural gas reserves off Myanmar coastal in Tenessarim province, the regime increased its already infamous and systematic human rights abuses against indigenous people living along the route of the pipeline. The purpose of this exploratory study was to assess the magnitude of human rights abuse and related environmental degradation, as well as to critically analyse the regime’s behaviour in relation to local people, within the context of recommendations made by the World Bank’s Extractive Industry Review (EIR). Based on documents and reports, Myanmar’s regime regularly violates the EIR and in the process denies the basic human rights of indigenous and local communities. The regime is also guilty of ecosystem destruction, climate change, negation of traditional rights and traditional livelihood systems, and disruption of local communities. Policy recommendations are offered to mitigate Myanmar’s current unsustainable practices.enHydrocarbon extractionHuman rightsEnvironmental impact studies, MyanmarThesis