User:Soewinhan/Draft 2

2011 Burma's democratic reforms are a series of unprecedented political, economic and administrative reforms in Burma undertaken by the military backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). These reforms include the release of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from house arrest and subsequent dialogues with her, establishment of the National Human Right Commission, general amnesties of more than 200 political prisoners, institution of new labor laws that allow labour unions and strikes, relaxation of press censorship and regulations of currency practices. The reforms come at a surprise to many because the election of 2010, which lead to the victory of USDP, is considered as a fraudulent by the international community.

The consequences of the reforms are far reaching. The ASEAN members have approved Burma's bid for ASEAN chair in 2014. United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will visit Burma on 1st of December to encourage further progress, the first visit by a Secretary of State in more than fifty years. However, uncertainties exist as more than 1,600 political prisoners are not yet released and the clashes between Burmese Army and local insurgent groups continue.