New IDMC report on forced migration and displacement in Myanmar attempts to address current gaps

In May 2007 the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) released a new report on forced migration and displacement in Myanmar with special focus on the government-controlled areas of the country. The report, by Andrew Bosson, is meant as a preliminary exploration of the subject in terms of reliance on unsystematic and indirect sources due to challenging circumstances of doing research in and on Myanmar.
The report is organized in two sections. The first section addresses the status of displaced people in Myanmar in terms of international standards especially in the light of the Guiding Principles of Internal Displacement. The report does not estimate actual numbers or patterns of movement of such migrants, though expert individuals and organisations suggested that these “livelihood migrants” constitute majority of migrants in Burma. This report limits itself to describing the coercive measures practiced countrywide and discussing the status of those who have been subject to such measures.
The second section is organised by region and it looks at the parts of Myanmar not covered by the Thailand Burma Border Consortium as well as the conflict and post-conflict areas of Eastern Burma. The report concentrates on the government-controlled parts of Burma with little explicit military conflict. A substantial part of the report addresses direct relocation by government agents.
Forced Migration/Internal Displacement in Burma, with an Emphasis on Government-Controlled Areas
Link to full report
Link to International Displacement Monitoring Centre, Geneva