Anticipating the Struggle against Everyday Impunity in Myanmar through Accounts from Bangladesh and Thailand

Nick Cheesman*, Bina D'Costa, Tyrell Haberkorn

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    7 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Work done internationally to address impunity concentrates on removing blanket amnesties and establishing commissions of inquiry into past atrocities. Everyday impunity-the impossibility of bringing state officers to account for routinized violent crimes against other individuals-gets less attention, even though its effects on public life are insidious. Studying the 2014 killing of a journalist, we identify modes for the production of everyday impunity in Myanmar that emerge from earlier periods of unmediated military rule but that today are coming to resemble practices in neighbouring countries. Accounts from Bangladesh and Thailand reveal how impunity can persist in new political conditions, producing insecurity and hampering efforts for more inclusive forms of government. We close by urging scholars to remain attentive to their responsibilities in the face of impunity, calling on them not to participate in projects that have the effect of concealing violent crime by state officers, and denying victims justice.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)48-61
    Number of pages14
    JournalAsia and the Pacific Policy Studies
    Volume3
    Issue number1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jan 2016

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