BWU statement (English version) (r)

[bwunion@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

BURMESE WOMEN'S UNION STATEMENT ON BURMA'S HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 1998.
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Today, the 13th of March 1998, marks Human Rights Day in Burma. It was this
historic day that in 1988 caught the attention of the international
community and highlighted the struggle of the Burmese people who have
suffered all kinds of human rights abuses under a military dictatorship.
This abuse occurred in Burma long before the events of 1988 caught the
attention of the international community.  

The nation-wide uprising in 1988 called for an end to the appalling
violations of human rights that were occurring in Burma. Burmese peoples
from all walks of life, all classes and ethnic nationalities, joined
together in a way that they had never done before. 

On the 13th of March, 1988, oppressed peoples and monks from all across the
country were peacefully called for the restoration of democracy and human
rights throughout Burma. Despite the peaceful protests, the military regime
crackdown on demonstrators with  violence. The result of this crackdown was
bloodshed, death and detention. 

Ignoring international appeals and pressure to reform, the Burmese military
regime has continued to implement it's iron-fisted policy of repression and
subordination. Cosmetic changes, such as the military regimes name change in
November 1997, are meaningless in the face of their human rights record and
only serve to conceal the misery of Burmese people from the eyes of the
international community. Women particularly, have been suffering the brunt
of the military's violence and discrimination and live in a situation of
extreme personal danger.  

Burmese Women's Union strongly believes that democracy in Burma can not be
achieved while the military regime remains in power. Similarly, human
rights, especially women's rights and ethnic people's rights, will never be
fully realized under a military government'. Fully committed to this belief,
Burmese Women's Union determines to work, with hands united, to bring an end
to the military dictatorship.

Thus, on this occasion, Burmese Women's Union urges the international
community, human rights
organizations, revolutionary forces and the people of Burma, to join hands
in the same belief and hope so that the military dictatorship in Burma
prevails no longer and so our country can enjoy democracy, human rights and
the fruits of real development for all of it's peoples.


Central Executive Committee
Burmese Women's Union
March 13, 1998
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Burmese Women Union (BWU)
P.O Box 52
58000, Mae Hong Son
Thailand.
Tel:053-611196, Tel/fax:053-611196.
Burmese Women Union (BWU)
P.O Box 52
58000, Mae Hong Son
Thailand.
Tel:053-611196, Tel/fax:053-611196.