Possible response:

Country without voting rights for minorities

There are several countries where minorities face significant barriers to exercising their right to vote, but one country that stands out as denying voting rights to certain minority groups is Myanmar (formerly known as Burma).

Background and context

Myanmar is a Southeast Asian country with a population of about 54 million people, made up of various ethnic, linguistic, and religious groups. The majority group is the Burman or Bamar people, who make up about two-thirds of the population and have dominated the political and social landscape for decades. However, there are also many other ethnic minority groups, such as the Karen, Shan, Mon, Kachin, Rohingya, and others, who together account for a significant share of the population.

Historically, Myanmar has been ruled by military regimes that have used various tactics to suppress dissent, including censorship, arrests, torture, forced labor, and ethnic cleansing. The military has also manipulated elections and constitutional processes to maintain its grip on power, despite some recent moves towards democracy.

Voting rights for minorities

Although Myanmar has a formal system of elections and political parties, the reality is that many minority groups face discrimination and exclusion from the political process. Some of the ways in which minorities are denied voting rights include:

- Citizenship: The government has restricted citizenship and nationality rights for many minority groups, particularly the Rohingya Muslims, who have been rendered stateless and persecuted since the 1980s. Without citizenship, these people cannot register to vote, run for office, or enjoy other civic rights and services.
- Violence and displacement: Many minority groups, especially those in conflict-affected areas, face violence, displacement, and restrictions on their movement, which make it difficult or impossible for them to participate in elections or campaigns. For example, the Karen people, who have fought for autonomy for decades, have been subjected to forced labor, landmines, and attacks by the military and militias.
- Intimidation and fraud: Even when minorities are able to vote, they may face intimidation, coercion, or manipulation by the authorities or other groups. For instance, in the 2015 elections, which were seen as a milestone for democracy, the Rohingya were largely excluded from voting, and some non-Rohingya voters were pressured to support certain parties or avoid voting for others. There were also reports of irregularities and fraud in some areas, which cast doubt on the legitimacy of the results.

Conclusion

In summary, Myanmar is a country where minorities, especially the Rohingya Muslims, face severe obstacles to exercising their right to vote and participate in politics. Despite some recent reforms, the military and its allies still hold significant power and influence, and minority rights are often ignored or violated. It is important for the international community to continue to pressure Myanmar to respect human rights, protect minorities, and promote inclusive and transparent elections.

The country which doesn't give voting rights to minorities is Estonia to the Russian minorities.