What comes to your mind when you think of Burma? To me, I think of a nation silenced, but also, a nation full of hope. In a country that has one of the worst human rights records in the world, the fight for freedom of speech is an ongoing battle, and one that is slowly starting to change for the better. Burma’s censorship has nearly always been a topic of debate, especially within the last 25 years, as freedom of speech and the press are issues that are not guaranteed by law.

As recently as 2000, the Internet Law was established, preventing the posting of writings that are harmful to state interests. Foreign news has also been censored by the government, leaving the country unable to safely express opinions due to the fear of control that seems to surround them. The ban on private ownership of daily newspapers still remains, leaving many journalists and media outlets wary over reporting on and within Burma due to fear of imprisonment.

In January 2012, more than 600 political prisoners were set free with pardons granted, showing a sign of positive progression within a country that for the last 25 years has been damaged by its human rights issues. Whilst the news has come to many as a sign of positive development, some are still skeptical that the change will not make any form of difference, whilst many critics are saying the damage that has already been done is irreversible. On his official visit to Burma in January, British Foreign Secretary William Hague also seemed skeptical of Burma’s progression, stating: “We believe now that you are sincere about it, so now get ahead quickly and complete it by releasing the remaining political prisoners and by showing that the upcoming elections are free and fair.”

Mr Hague is the first British Foreign Secretary to have visited the country since 1955, indicating that relations between Burma and Britain are moving forward. However, it is thought that between 600 and 1,000 journalists, protesters and monks who led anti-government protests in 2007 still remain behind bars, demonstrating that there are still ongoing issues with sanctions regarding freedom of expression.

The leading figure in the fight for Burma’s right to freedom of speech, Aung San Suu Kyi, has helped to redefine Burma as a country fighting for a voice that deserves to be heard. In May 2012, Suu Kyi became a parliamentarian; her agreement to work alongside Myanmar’s new reform-minded government has helped to form an alliance between her party and the administration of President Thein Sein, which came to power last year after the nation’s long-ruling army junta stepped down.

On 20 September, Suu Kyi was presented the US Congress’ highest civilian honour at a ceremony in Washington DC. Suu Kyi said that the award helped to make the day “one of the most moving [days] of my life.” Whilst under her 15-year house arrest for protesting against military rule, she was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2008, but was only able to receive the award in person last month. This achievement in itself has helped to display Burma’s positive advancement in becoming widely known as a county on the brink of optimistic and encouraging change regarding expression and free speech.

Whether the newly formed government will work is a question still waiting to be answered, but the move has certainly given many individuals hope for Burma to have a better and more liberated future. This new direction for an alliance government has finally given hope to Burma’s voice, a voice that has been silenced for far too long.

As part of the Guildford Book Festival, Surrey Student PEN, the University of Surrey branch of English PEN, will present an event on Thursday 25 October celebrating the launch of Bones Will Crow, the first anthology of contemporary Burmese poetry to be published in the west. The evening will feature readings and films taken from the turbulent recent history of Burma, offering an insightful look into a country with one of the worst human rights records in the world.

Tickets should be booked in advance at: www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk/english-pen

For more information on Surrey Student PEN, please visit www.surreypen.org