Myanmar population count comes with controversy
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| Myanmar school teachers attend a census enumerator and supervisor training course at a school prior to the Myanmar nationwide census in Kangyidaunt township, Pathein district, in the Irrawaddy Delta region on March 20, 2014. (Photo: AFP/Soe Than Win) |
By Al Jazeera
March 25, 2014
Could the country's first census in 30 years cause more tension between ethnic groups?
In Myanmar, could new census data deepen the country's ethnic divisions? It's been more than 30 years since the nation has conducted a population census, but some minority and human rights organisations are worried that having a clearer picture of racial and religious groups will worsen already tense relations, particularly between Buddhists and Muslims. The census is expected to begin March 30, and those who support it say the country needs accurate data to plan its economic future. Join the conversation at 19:30 GMT.
In this episode, The Stream speaks with:
Myra Dahgaypaw @myradah
Campaign Co-ordinator, US Campaign for Burma
U Khin Maung Myint
Head of the Foreign Relations Committee, National Democratic Party for Development
Khon Ja
Founder and co-ordinator, Kachin Peace Network
