Considering the state’s military dictatorship that monitors its citizens, eagerly incarcerates any suspicious persons, controls all forms of media and spies on its residents and on foreigners, Burma is rarely considered a tourist destination. However, for those of us interested in assisting the suppressed people, we may seek ways to visit the land on the hope of hearing stories normally censored and the opportunity to support individuals rather than large organizations whose execution of our donations may not be completely clear. Thus, should we visit Burma? How can we without profiting the government? Can we give assistance without getting arrested?

Currently imprisoned Burma freedom movement leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi discourages visitors due to government-run airlines, hotels, tourist sites, and restaurants that profit from their travels. BBC reports Suu Kyi’s stance: “Tourism to Burma is helping to prolong the life of one of the most brutal and destructive regimes in the world. Visiting now is tantamount to condoning the regime.”

In addition to profiting the government, tourism encourages the country’s human rights abuses. A spokesman for the Burma Freedom UK campaign explains, “Much of the country’s tourist infrastructure is developed by the use of forced labour. People have been made to construct roads, airports and hotels, and thousands more have been forcibly relocated to make way for tourist areas.”

Visiting Burma without contributing to the military regime, whose strongholds on various modes of transportation and businesses remain a major source of its power, seems nearly impossible. Though the country’s beautiful landscape is riddled with natural wonders, temples, and is home to truly kind, patient people (would it be possible to survive with any other attitude?), choose to support the freedom movement remotely through organizations rather than through tourism.

Here are the leading Burmese freedom movement organizations:

International Burmese Monks Organization
Based in New York and California, IBMO was formed following the abuse, arrest, and murder of several monks during the 2007 freedom protests. Monks trapped inside Burma pleaded for monks abroad to spread awareness of their plight, which led to the birth of IBMO.

Free Burma Coalition
Interestingly, one of the largest Burma freedom campaigns supports tourism as a means to weaken the government. The site offers articles, statements, a blog, and other awareness raising tools.

Voices for Burma
Visit this site to learn more about the negative and positive effects of tourism, which VFB strongly encourages. The site outlines “responsible tourism” and asks visitors to avoid major tourist sights, speak with locals to encourage cross-learning and communication, and support individuals rather than major businesses. Even with these guidelines, the site advises tourists to remain wary: confirming the route of one’s funds is increasingly difficult, as well as avoiding the threat of arrest.

US Campaign for Burma
Potentially the largest American based Burma freedom organization, USCB “works to empower Americans and Burmese dissidents-in-exile to promote freedom, democracy, and human rights in Burma” in addition to raising awareness about the country’s human rights violations. Members include former Congressional staff, former Burmese political prisoners, and experienced advocates.

Burma Campaign (UK)
This is another leading international Burma freedom campaign whose major accomplishments include: persuasion of the UN Security Council to discuss the Burmese political situation for the first time and convincing the British government to double its aid to Burma.

Free Burma Political Prisoners Now!
The site provides materials for DIY campaigns. In addition, the site hosts petitions for visitors to sign and contains information on current Burmese political prisoners.

*Photo courtesy of Jan van Raay’s photostream/Creative Commons