Commemorating the 23rd Anniversary of 8.8.88

By The Best Friend • August 8, 2011

By Joy Agner

Twenty-three years ago today hundreds of thousands of Burmese people took to the streets demanding change, demanding democracy. Like many of the recent uprisings in Northern Africa and the Middle East, the revolution was led by students. Young people, perhaps emboldened by a sense of invincibility or unadulterated optimism, took incredible risks sacrificing security for the possibility of freedom. On September 18, 1988 the euphemistically titled State Law Order and Restoration Council (SLORC) cracked down hard in a desperate attempt to maintain power. Over 3,000 protesters were killed on 8/8/88 alone, 10,000 exiled, and countless jailed, injured, and affected.

Today, the Burmese government claims to be on the path to democracy, complete with an elected civilian government. On Saturday, July 14, I had a personal encounter with this so-called democracy. I traveled to Tachilek carrying pro-democracy music, literature, stickers that read “Peace in Burma Now,” and postcards with the image of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. My intention was to send a message of encouragement and solidarity to those striving and hoping for peace. Such materials are illegal in Burma, so I distributed them randomly, giving those who found them a choice whether or not to take them, and the ability to easily and honestly deny culpability.

Around 4:30 pm on Saturday two plain-clothes police officers approached me and asked to search my bag. They brought me to the police station where I was questioned for over 9 hours. I was escorted to my hotel room where at least ten officials, a mixture of military, police, and immigration officers, awaited me. My belongings were searched and my remaining pro-peace materials were confiscated, along with my camera, my books, and my phone. From then on, my movements were restricted and I was constantly guarded by at least two men. I was not allowed to make contact with anyone, including officials at my embassy. On Monday at 4:30 pm I was finally released to Thailand.

To those who enjoy basic freedoms, my treatment may seem severe. But in the context of the alleged Burmese democracy, what I encountered was quite a mild reaction. Burmese citizens engaged in pro-peace and human rights activities face much stronger violations of basic liberties. They are routinely punished with long prison sentences, torture, and forced hard labor. According to the advocacy and monitoring group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners – Burma (AAPP-B), 1,995 prisoners of conscience are held by the Burmese government as you read this. Within the last year, 52 were arrested.

The government works to keep prisoners of conscience in states of physical and mental anguish. Transfer to remote areas makes family visitation extremely difficult. Many are only allowed out of their cells for one-half hour every day for bathing. Restricted access to medical care and inhumane treatment is the main reasons why 146 political prisoners have died in custody.

U Win Tin, the veteran political activist, former prisoner of conscience, and founding member of the National League for Democracy (NLD), said in 2009, “We talk about human rights violations and about the 2,000 political prisoners in jail now, but all people [in Burma] are prisoners. They are prisoners in their own country, in their own towns, in their own houses.”

Despite the ubiquity of spies and informers, many brave individuals continue to resist. One example is Daw Khin Cho Myint, currently an advocate at AAPP-B. Her involvement began with the student uprising on 8/8/88. Later she was sentenced to ten years in prison for political work, which she says stemmed from an inherent desire for justice and fairness. After her release, she was continually watched and harassed. Avoiding the very real potential of arbitrary re-arrest, she fled to Thailand.

Today, former political prisoners inside Burma face increased risk of unwarranted re-imprisonment as they commemorate the 23rd anniversary of their fight for freedom. Especially in Thailand, the home of hundreds of thousands of Burmese exiles, the opportunities for you to support their liberty are abundant.

Pressuring the government to strive towards energy independence is one step. Thailand spends nearly $2 billion dollars’ on Burmese natural gas yearly, a significant source of funding for the regime. You can also support activist and exile organizations. Finally, ASEAN should stop enabling Burma, recognize it is not a true democracy, and not allow Burma take the chairmanship in 2014. After all, the first purpose stated by the ASEAN Charter is to promote peace and security in the region. In the future, when our children are learning about the former military regime of Burma that fell because of the determination of people around the world, we want to say that the ASEAN governments supported liberty in Burma, and we played a role as well.

Burmese activists of 8/8/88 and those continuing to work for change today, martyrs, and potential resistors, we support you. You will be successful. Your work and your sacrifices are not in vain.

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