In 1988, millions of Burmese people from cities, towns and villages across the country took to the streets in peaceful protests, calling for freedom and democracy. Burma had been under military rule since a coup by General Ne Win in 1962.

The Burmese military junta responded by sending troops onto the streets during mass demonstrations on 8 August 1988 and opening fire on unarmed peaceful protesters. It is estimated that between 3,000 and 5,000 people were killed and 10,000 students at the forefront of the movement were forced to flee to the jungle areas bordering Thailand in order to avoid capture. *

Aung San Suu Kyi was in Burma at the time as her mother was very ill. These events changed her life. She became the symbolic and actual leader of the democracy movement. The party she co-founded, the National League for Democracy (NLD) went on to win 80% of the vote at the the 1990 election, which the junta agreed to hold in response to the protests. However, the parliament has never met and the junta has continued to preside over a regime where opposition is brutally repressed.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrest on and off for twelve years since 1989, including for the five years since 2003. This has recently been extended again by the junta. Human rights groups estimate the junta holds more than 1,800 political prisoners, many of whom are routinely tortured, including trade unionists, students, monks, members of ethnic communities and 17 elected members of parliament. **

"Like all people around the world who watch events in Burma, I mark this day with sadness, anger and frustration. The Burmese people are living in an Orwellian nightmare that has destroyed the lives of millions and left the country in a parlous economic state," Ms Pennicuik said.


* ** Source: APHEDA