Four Eights Burmese
popular uprising recalled in New Delhi
By B.K Sen
Mizzima News (www.mizzima.com)
11 August 2003
Mizzima News, an Internet news and feature service on Burma,
organized the 15th anniversary of the people's uprising in Burma
on 9 August 2003 at the MP club New Delhi. The event also coincided
with the 5th anniversary of establishment of Mizzima News.
The gathering was impressive. More than one hundred people:
some from Indian political parties, professionals, media, civil
society, intellectuals and some from Burmese exiles and foreign
missions in New Delhi joined the event from 4 to 6 pm.
The Sahara T.V covered the whole proceedings to screen in its
cable line in the evening. More than 20 Indian journalist and
Foreign journalists joined the event.
The function was inaugurated by a silent march of Burmese young
men and women with the fighting peacock flag followed by a revolutionary
song "We will not forget" in honor of the martyrs
of the uprising which witnessed the cold blooded shooting of
over 3,000 students by the Burmese military.
Then, a Press conference was addressed by a team of Burmese
democracy leaders, which was attended by Indian journalists
and foreign journalists.
U Soe Myint, editor in-chief of Mizzima News, explained the
meaning of the song and the purpose of calling for the Press.
"There is no freedom of Press in Burma and the common people
lives under fear". He explained the ethos of the movement
for democracy in Burma and the need for international support.
"India being the largest democracy should play a more proactive
role in the establishment of democracy in Burma".
U Ramjeev Verma, from National League for Democracy (Liberated
Area), explained the current situation in Burma, the arrest
of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on May 30 and the massive repression
by the Junta instead of handing over power to the NLD which
got landslide victory in the 1990 Election. He requested the
people of India to play an active role in support of Burma's
democracy.
Daw Thin Thin Aung, a leader of Women's League of Burma, explained
the conditions of women in Burma. "Trafficking of women
has increased manifold. Rights of women are violated. There
is sexual violence on women by soldiers and gang rape of the
ethnic women", she told the journalists. She explained
that unless there is political change in Burma, the plight of
women would deteriorate fast.
Mr B K Sen from Burma Lawyers' Council emphasized on the fact
that the junta regime was devoid of any legitimacy. The 1990
May election was a massive vote to end military rule and the
United Nations has adopted several resolutions for political
change. The international law also does not permit military
rule for more than 3 years or round about. The will of the people
is the accepted norm of all states.
After the press conference, a film show on "Inside Burma-Land
of Fear" by John Pelger was screened for the participants.
The main panel discussion on " India's role in the democracy
movement of Burma" was followed. A panel consisting of
veteran journalist and policy analyst Mr. B G Verghese, Mr.
Prakash Karat (Politburo member of the Communist Party of India-
Marxist), Mr. D. Raja of Communist Party of India and Mr. Venkat
Narayan from South Asia Foreign Correspondents' Club formed
the panel with Mr. Amit Baruah from the Hindu newspaper as the
moderator.
All of them narrated the ties of India and Burma in the anti-colonial
struggles as two neighbors and the fact both have been maintained
good relations. Personally they have full support to the democracy
movement in Burma. They admitted that India should do more.
However they expressed that they were not sure how far the policy
of sanctions would strengthen democracy in Burma.
It appeared that they were more in favor of a policy of engagement
in promoting democracy and human rights while extending support
to the Burmese people.
Mr. Ravi Nair of South Asia Human Rights Documentation Center
was critical of the role of Government of India and said that
it was assisting the Burmese junta introspect of refugee matters
and arms sale.
Among others, the discussion was also joined by veteran socialist
leader Mr. Surendra Mohan, Prof. Vijay Pratap from Jawaharlal
Nehru University, Supreme Court Lawyer Mr. Bhagawan Das, Representative
of the Dalai Lama Bureau Mr. Tashi Wangdi, and Member of Parliament
elected from Mizoram State Mr. Vanlal Zawma, expressing their
support for the democratic aspirations of the Burmese people.
Senior leader from the Congress Party Mr. Eduardo Falerio told
the Mizzima News that he believes non-interference in the domestic
internal affairs of another country and cooperation among the
neighbors in the region. However, within these limitations,
he believes that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be immediately
and unconditionally released and all the so-called "temporary
measures and restrictions" should be revoked in Burma.
The program was ended with the songs and traditional dance
presented by Kachin Youth.
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