By Our Staff Reporter
The Hindu

NEW DELHI, AUG. 9. "We will never forget," they said. And, facing over three decades of repression and 15 years of struggle, the people of Myanmar have a lot to forget. Commemorating 15 years of struggle against Myanmar's military junta, Mizzima News - an Internet news service formed by journalists exiled from Myanmar - today recalled the people's uprising of August 8, 1988.

"The date August 8, 1988 -- 8888 -- has tremendous significance for Myanmar. It changed the course of our country's history," said a member of Burma's Lawyers' Council, B.K. Sen, during the function organized here. The movement that claimed over 10,000 lives marked the beginning of a popular struggle against the repressive military regime.

The function saw students singing "We will never forget" - banned in Myanmar - dedicated to those who lost their life during the people's uprising. A film by John Pilger tracing the history of the struggle was also screened.

However, it was not just an occasion to pay tributes to the past but also discuss the current situation in Myanmar. "The military junta has no legitimacy to exist. It has acquired power through illegitimate means. When in the 1990s they were forced to hold elections, the National League for Democracy of Aung San Suu Kyi had a landslide victory. But instead of transferring power, they arrested the political leaders or forced them to leave the country," said a member of the National League for Democracy (Liberated Area), Ramjeev Verma.

The present "protective custody" of Aung San Suu Kyi by the junta was also condemned by the speakers who demanded immediate release of the Nobel Laureate. "The present detention can in no way be justified by law. On earlier occasions when she was placed under state protection, it was at least house arrest. But this time round they simply interrupted a public gathering and arrested her. We have no idea where they are holding her and no one can access her," said Mr. Sen.

Speaking about the condition of women in Myanmar, a member of the Women's League of Burma, Thin Thin Aung, said: "The military rule has violated the rights of women. They have used sexual violence, including rape, to harass women."

The day also marked the fifth anniversary of Mizzima News that has been working endlessly to create awareness about the situation in Myanmar. "There is no freedom of the press in Myanmar. But we are continuing our struggle nonetheless," said the Mizzima News representative, Soe Myint.