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1-7 August: The Spirit of the 1988 Uprising Lives On – Activists Call for UN Commission of Inquiry
August 8, 2011Twenty-three years after the 8 August 1988 nationwide people’ s uprising, groups inside Burma and around the world hosted events that demonstrated that the desire for freedom remains as strong today as it was in 1988. On that fateful day in 1988, hundreds of thousands of people, young and old, men and women, from all walks of life and a range of ethnic groups, took to the streets as part of a student led movement for democracy. Burma’s military regime, headed by General Ne Win, sensed a profound threat to its grip on power and cracked down hard on the protesters, killing at least 3,000 and imprisoning and torturing many thousands more.
In the wake of the protests, General Ne Win stepped down and handed over the power to his juniors through a “coup” on 18 September, continuing the campaign against the pro-democracy movement with another round of shooting, killing and imprisoning the movement’s leaders and anyone who dared oppose the military regime. More than 10,000 people fled to Burma’s borders to join the ethnic resistance groups and carry on the struggle from the border regions. Freedom of speech, assembly, expression, and the press have been non-existent in Burma throughout the past twenty-three years, something which has not changed since the 2010 elections and the convening of a military-dominated parliament. The regime continues to violate citizens’ human rights, particularly with extrajudicial killings, rape and sexual violence, forced labour, arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, torture, and forced displacement, amidst escalating armed conflict in ethnic areas.
To remember those who sacrificed their lives for their country and to keep their dreams of freedom alive, Burma Partnership, Assistance Association for Political Prisoners – Burma, Forum for Democracy in Burma, Students and Youth Congress of Burma, Nationalities Youth Forum and Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma held a panel discussion this evening entitled, “23 Years of Resistance: Ongoing Human Rights Abuses and the Urgent Need for a Commission of Inquiry” in Bangkok, Thailand. In Rangoon, an estimated 1,000 individuals gathered for an event at which Daw Aung San Suu Kyi asked that everyone to “think about the reason [we] cannot forget 8.8.88.” Proving that the 8.8.88 uprising has not been forgotten, demonstrations commemorating the people’s movement also took place today in Mandalay and other locations within Burma, as well as in the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among other countries.
To honour the spirit of 8.8.88, activists from Burma and their supporters combined commemorations with action by calling upon the international community to support the establishment of a United Nations led Commission of Inquiry to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity in Burma. Such a commission is necessary because the regime’s 2008 Constitution grants members of the regime immunity for the crimes they have perpetrated, enshrining impunity into law and ensuring that the victims cannot receive justice. A coalition of Burma groups stated today that, “We believe that a UN-mandated Commission of Inquiry into crimes against humanity and war crimes in Burma is the most practical step forward to prevent more crimes, obtain justice for victims, and provide a basis for national reconciliation and sustainable peace in the country.” The groups called on the European Union to include language establishing a Commission of Inquiry in the draft UN General Assembly Resolution on Burma that the bloc will be deciding in the coming weeks.
Today also marks the 44th anniversary of the founding of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). Eva Kusuma Sundari, the president of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus, thus linked the promotion of democracy and human rights to the future of ASEAN arguing that today “is also the right day for ASEAN to encourage Burma to finally improve its political and human rights conditions … If the bloc can reach this goal, not only will Burma be a proud member of the region but ASEAN would also take a significant step toward achieving a real ‘ASEAN Community.’” Now is the time for ASEAN member states to support a Commission of Inquiry – as an important step towards developing the bloc’s goal of becoming a people-centered community and in support the people of Burma’s goal for peace and national reconciliation.
News Highlights
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Suu Kyi calls for unity among opposition groups at 8.8.88 event in Rangoon
Inside Burma
Shan Nationalities Democratic Party appeals to President Thein Sein to end fighting in Shan State (Burmese)
Shan State USDP minister resigns after he was found to be involved in illegal drug case
Ethnic Nationalities Council calls for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to act as a mediator between the regime and ethnic armed groups in ceasefire negotiation after ceasefire talks between the regime and KIO fail
Rocket attack kills 6 policemen and 2 civilians in Kachin State
Burma Army confiscates 600 acres of rubber plantations in Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State
Family members appeal the cases of their relatives jailed for involvement in the Saffron Revolution (Burmese)
Regional
Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit Burma to assess its progress and readiness to take ASEAN Chair
Thailand to discuss future collaboration with Burma in anti-drug campaigns (Burmese)
International
US confirms Derek Mitchell as first special envoy to Burma
US Government Accountability Office calls for better monitoring of US aid to Burma
Russia plans to help Burma build underground rail service in Naypyidaw
Russia sells 20 fighter jets to Burma
Latest from the Blog
End Oppression Now! Support a Commission of Inquiry on Crimes Against Humanity in Burma!
By Initiatives for International Dialogue and Free Burma Coalition – Philippines
Actions
For coverage of 8.8.88 events around the world, please visit our website here.
Opinion
23 Years after 8-8-88 — It Is Finally Time For Asean to Get It Right on Burma
By Eva Kusuma Sundari
The Jakarta Globe
Burma and Asean Must Leave Their Comfort Zone
By Aung Zaw
The Irrawaddy
Statements and Press Releases
The Spirit of 8888 Continues to Intensify: Joint Statement on the 23rd Anniversary of Burma’s 8888 People’s Uprising (English and Burmese)
By Assistance Association for Political Prisoners – Burma, Forum for Democracy in Burma, Nationalities Youth Forum, and Students and Youth Congress of Burma
100 Join Burma Massacre Anniversary Protest at German Embassy
By Burma Campaign UK
Statement of 8888 uprising 23rd Anniversary (Burmese)
By Burmese Muslim Association
Ivanhoe received US $103 million from Burma’s copper mines
By Canadian Friends of Burma
Burma: CSW Renews Call for Inquiry into Crimes against Humanity on 23rd Anniversary of 1988 Massacre
By Christian Solidarity Worldwide
The European Union should back UN inquiry on Burma
The European Trade Union Confederation
Philippine Gov’t Asked to Support Probe on International Crimes in Burma
By Free Burma Coalition – Philippines
Letter to President of Republic of the Philippines by members of Free Burma Coalition – Philippines
By Free Burma Coalition – Philippines
UK Must Take Lead to Secure UN Commission of Inquiry on Burma, Says TUC
By Trades Union Congress
Burma: 23rd Anniversary of Student Uprising
By UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Reports
The Role of Students in the 8888 People’s Uprising in Burma
By Assistance Association for Political Prisoners – Burma
Burma’s Weekly Political News Summary (080/2011) (Burmese)
By Network for Democracy and Development
This post is in: Weekly Highlights
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