Burmese observe 8888 Uprising Day in New Delhi

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 10, 2013

The Burmese community in India took rally in observing the 25^th anniversary of nationwide uprising, here in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on Saturday.

Under the rain, the Burmese observed the anniversary. The Rainfall did not deter their minds, none of them took shelter, they all were wet standing boldly under the rain.

The Burmese protesters were shouting slogans like “We Want Democracy”, “We Need Human Rights”, “2008 Constitution Abolish Abolish”, “Tyranny Tyranny – Down Down”, “Boycott Boycott – Military Parliament”. The Burmese stood boldly under the rain demanding the Burmese Government to hear their voices.

August 8 is a historic and remarkable day for the Burmese people who defied and overthrew the dictatorial regime under the ruling Burmese Socialist Programme Party in 1988. On this day in 1988 the military dictatorship headed by Burmese General Ne Win indiscriminately killed thousands of innocent and unarmed peaceful protestors in the heart of Burma. This day is profoundly remembered as “8888” and “People’s Uprising in Burma”.

Dr. Tint Swe, an MP from Myanmar, who is now in exile in India, said that many demands made by the entire people during democratic uprising have not yet fulfilled, and the current quasi-civilian government has neglected to grant genuine democracy and human rights until now in Burma.  He also said we all have to march forward continually and fight for democracy and human rights in Burma (Myanmar).

The Burmese protesters demanded the Burmese government to investigate and punish the culprits who committed the crimes and killed thousands of innocent people who were demanding democracy during the 8888 nationwide uprising. They also demand to discard the 2008 Constitution and draft a new one in accordance with the democratic criteria and the people’s will.

They demand to initiate for a genuine peace process and to implement a Federal Union wherein the self-determination of ethnic nationalities’ own affairs are constitutionally granted.