Since military rule began in 1962, there have been hundreds of thousands of Burmese people who have been forced to leave their homes because of oppression. In the post-1988 years, repression has increased, and many more thousands fled toward the borders. Many of them died on the way, from malaria, from injury or hardships of the flight, or at the hands of the Tatmadaw, the government army.

Many of the refugees are villagers who fled abuses after the Tatmadaw took control of the area they live in. When the Tatmadaw conducts operations in an area, they demand people work for them as unpaid 'porters'. Porters must carry heavy equipment, ammunition, and other loads for days. They are barely fed, they are in great danger from malaria, fevers, and water-borne diseases (if they are too weak to carry their load, they may be beaten or killed), and the women are often raped by soldiers all night. People who manage to escape from the line of porters often make for the border, afraid to return home.

Many others refugees were active in the democracy demonstrations of 1988, and had to leave for fear of severe persecution. Some are dedicated souls who left a secure life in cities and towns to help their people in their struggle for autonomy.

Refugees live many places -- in camps near the border, either inside, or just outside Burma; resettled in third countries, or working illegally in Southeast Asia. (Those who have not crossed international borders do not fall under the official definition of refugees.)

Refugees have built monasteries, temples, mosques and churches in their camps. They have organized camp governments, they have built schools.

Burma today is a country of about 45 million people from many different ethnic groups and religions. Burma's leadership was taken over in a coup d'etat in 1962; the new military leaders largely cut the country off from the rest of the world until the late 1980s. Few scholars were permitted to do research in the country, reporters were banned, and travellers were allowed to enter for a few days only. Thus, instead of being best known for its many cultures, natural beauty, or contributions to art and knowledge, Burma is famous for the human rights abuses of the authorities, and the bravery of the citizens who refuse to give up their vision of a more just society.