The Paradox of Political Imprisonment in Myanmar: Military Entrenchment and Repression During the 2010s

Abstract

The 2011 political transition in Myanmar, following decades of military rule, heralded prospects for democratic reform, yet political imprisonment persisted, revealing a paradox of liberalisation juxtaposed with repression. This study investigates why the criminalisation of dissent endured under the National League for Democracy (NLD) government (2016–2020). Employing a qualitative methodology that encompasses systematic document analysis and 25 semi-structured interviews, the paper applies a combined framework of political repression and the criminalisation of dissent to analyse this continuity. Findings indicate that the political reforms have reduced overt violence but political imprisonment persists through legal mechanisms. This tension reflects Myanmar's oscillating transition, marked by phases of openness and heightened repression. The entrenched power of the military, enshrined in the 2008 Constitution, coupled with a repressive legal framework, enabled the suppression of dissent, posing a significant barrier to genuine democracy. These findings illuminate the fragility of Myanmar's transition, particularly in light of the 2021 military coup, and offer insights into political transitions in military-dominated regimes.