Statement on Commemoration of the 5

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Subject: Statement on Commemoration of the 51st Anniversary of Burma's

Independence Day 
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BURMESE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
(BURMESE STUDENTS SENTRE)


Statement on Commemoration of the 51st Anniversary of Burma's Independence Day

File: 4/BSA/PO/0001/99
Date: 4th January 1999

Today, the 4th January, is the occasion of 51st anniversary of Burma's
independence that regained from British colonial rule. 

Since long time ago, Burma was peaceful sovereign Country sharing in love
by ethnic diversities of Kachin, Kayah, Karen, Chin, Mon, Burmese,
Arakanese, Shan and so forth.

Taking advantage on such peaceful existence of golden land Burma, British
imperial colonialist invaded and since 1824 people particularly in lower
and southern Burma underwent total suffering of colonial exploitation. 

With the strategically objective acquisition upper Burma, British colonial
forces invaded through waterway in 1885 and acquired Mandalay Capital with
removal of the last king of Burma, King Sibaw, from the throne. King Sibaw
was taken in custody to India and Burma was totally fallen into slavery of
British colonial empire on 1st January 1886.

Minding rather to die in fighting than being slavery under aliens and to
protect religion, culture and national ethos, taking swords and spears and
sacrificing number of lives and bloods, people of Burma revolted against
British colonial rule lasted for three generations.

All along the student movements against colonial rule and resistance of
fascist invasion, under the leading and guidance of the national leader and
independence architect Gen. Aung San, all ethnic nationals of Burma took
part in revolution in a national solidarity and regained independence from
British colonial intruders on 4th January 1948.

Due to national disintegration, newly independent Burma was undergone its
civil war and it created militarism. Along with military domination, since
1962 military dictatorship strongly appeared in Burma and all nationals of
Burma have been being oppressed as in slavery of militarism so far so that
loss of democracy and human rights.

Eliminating military dictatorship alone, Burmese Students Association (BSA)
believes, such democracy and human rights can be restored. And so, fighting
against military dictatorship is the historical obligation for the freedom
of all people of Burma on the other hand of second national independent
revolution.

Nowadays, caution of oppression, execution and torturing under military
dictatorship, and to regain full of freedom and independence, we urge all
nationals of people of Burma to fight with national solidarity against regime.

So, we Burmese Students Association pledges to step up actions for the
elimination of military dictatorship, for the restoration of democracy and
human rights, and for the freedom of people of Burma, and vividly demands
followings.

(1) To transfer forcibly controlled freedom and all functions of sovereign
power to the people of Burma as soon as possible
(2) To recognize the result of 1990 May election, and let to convene
people's parliament
(3) To release political prisoners included student leader Min Ko Naing,
elected members of parliament and NLD members, and to stop present arrest
and harassment.





Central Political and Organizing Committee
  Burmese Students Association