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11th Year Commemoration of "8.8.88"



Subject: 11th Year Commemoration of "8.8.88" Massacre in Burma

Media Advisory
July 30, 1999
11th Year Commemoration of "8.8.88" Massacre in Burma

DC- Burma Activist Network- Sandi:
Free Burma Coalition-Zarni: 
Committee for the Restoration of Democracy in Burma- Tin Maung Thau:

Washington, DC-July 30- Burmese and American democracy supporters will
hold a series of actions in its remembrance of the eleven year
anniversary of the August 8, 1988 massacre by the military of Burma
against its own people.  Beginning on the 7th of August at 6:30pm, a
mock funeral procession will take place originating at the Dupont Circle
Metro and ending at the Burmese Ambassador's Residence (2333 R
Street).   This will be followed by a wreath laying ceremony and a 24
hour candle light vigil.  This event coincides with the launching of the
latest worldwide campaign to remove the Burmese military's seat from the
United Nations General Assembly.  Each participant will therefore bring
a chair -symbolizing the "unseating" of the military junta- to form
circle of chairs around the Ambassador's residence.

Burma, a country of almost 50 million people is currently under brutal
and oppressive military rule. On August 8, 1988, the people of Burma
protested the actions of their government, which resulted in a brutal
crackdown ending in almost 10,000 civilian deaths.  Two years later, in
1990, the military held open elections, where the National League for
Democracy, the party of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, won 82% of the
seats in the parliament.  Unfortunately, the military refused to honor
the results and declared the elections void.

The Burmese military regime is internationally recognized for its
systematic oppression of its people.  Atrocities such as rape,
extra-judicial killings, forced labor, child labor, and torture is
widespread. 

· In 1999, the International Labor Organization (ILO) voted to de facto
expel Burma from its rank for its pervasive use of forced labor.
· In 1996, The United States imposed economic sanctions on Burma and
continues to do so.
· Since 1994, resolutions have repetitively been adopted by the UN
General Assembly and the UN High Commissioners for Refugees requesting
improvement of human rights standards and for the restoration of the
legitimately elected government.


Modeled off of the South Africa Movement, Burmese democracy activists
and supporters have launched a campaign to kick the illegal military
junta out of the United Nations General Assembly and replace it with the
elected parliamentarians.  Titled "The Unseat Campaign," the purpose is
to bring attention to the illegitimacy of the Burmese regime and
ultimately, remove their seat from the General Assembly.   At the same
time, the goal is to "seat" those legitimate representatives who were
democratically elected in 1990.  

This is the first event in a series of actions over the next several
months to bring awareness to the campaign and the illegitimacy of the
Burmese junta.  The momentum will truly begin in September when the
United Nations General Assembly begins its annual review of Burma's
credentials.