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61st Anniversary of the Death of St
Subject: 61st Anniversary of the Death of Student Martyr Bo Aung Gyaw
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Statement on the 61st Anniversary of the Death of Student Martyr Bo Aung Gyaw
1. In 1938, the Third Burmese student strike took place at the Central
Secretariat, with over 2,000 students from every school and the University in
Rangoon protesting against the oppressive British Colonial rule - including the
arrests of student activists. The demonstration marked a turning point - as
students, workers and civilians united in a massive 'National Strike'.
2. Striking oil workers joined the general strike, strengthening the impact
upon the colonial infrastructure. The students' peaceful protests were
repeatedly met with violent dispersal by the British rulers. On 20 December
1938, Bo Aung Gyaw was brutally killed by riot police and hundreds of students
were seriously injured. Bo Aung Gyaw became Rangoon University's first student
martyr in Burma's struggle for independence. Today, his sacrifice is honored in
a day of remembrance, and serves as a reminder of Burma's continued lack of
freedom five decades later.
3. The National Strike renewed a Burmese national spirit that further unified
the people's call for liberation from British colonialism. This historical day
symbolizes the sacrifice of Burmese students, their honor of truth, and their
understanding of the importance of Burmese unity. Ko Aung Gyaw was posthumously
awarded the honorific title 'Bo' for his valor and sacrifice.
4. Today, Burma's military regime ignores the people's desire for democratic
change and blindly focuses on their increasingly desperate attempt to maintain
their illegal position of power and greed. The unlawful arrests of elected
Members of Parliament, students and citizens voicing opposition to the junta
continue unabated: many are serving long prison terms for the pro-democracy
activities. Burma's infamous prison conditions and institutionalized use of
torture are well-documented violations of human rights.
5. Among the litany of the regime's abuses, one of the most blatant examples of
disregard for the people's welfare has been the closure of schools. Civilian
universities, colleges, vocational schools and some high schools were closed
following student protests in December 1996. Three years later, most
universities and colleges remain closed - with the exception of military
institutions. During the past eleven years of military rule in Burma, the
education system has been stopped more than it has been operating. No other
nation in the world, despite its level of poverty or despotic political system,
has such an abominable education record. To rob an entire generation of the
fundamental right to knowledge and growth is unthinkable - to repeatedly shut
down the minds of a nation's youth is beyond comprehension. Tragically, the
military's irrational reaction to the perceived threat posed by the country's
youth is resulting in a far more damaging threat to the entire future of Burma.
6. We, the Foreign Affairs Committee of All Burma Federation of Students'
Union, therefore vow to work to end military rule in Burma and to pursue
democracy with a full national spirit. We appeal to the monks, students and all
nationalities in Burma for full national support in our struggle for democracy.
Foreign Affairs' Committee
All Burma Federation of Student Unions
20 December, 1999.
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<font face="Courier New, Courier" color="#FF0000"><b>Statement on the
61st Anniversary of the Death of Student Martyr Bo Aung Gyaw<br>
<br>
</font></b><font face="Courier New, Courier" color="#800080">1</font><font face="Courier New, Courier" color="#000080">.
In 1938, the Third Burmese student strike took place at the Central
Secretariat, with over 2,000 students from every school and the
University in Rangoon protesting against the oppressive British Colonial
rule - including the arrests of student activists. The demonstration
marked a turning point - as students, workers and civilians united in a
massive 'National Strike'. <br>
<br>
2. Striking oil workers joined the general strike, strengthening the
impact upon the colonial infrastructure. The students' peaceful protests
were repeatedly met with violent dispersal by the British rulers. On 20
December 1938, Bo Aung Gyaw was brutally killed by riot police and
hundreds of students were seriously injured. Bo Aung Gyaw became Rangoon
University's first student martyr in Burma's struggle for independence.
Today, his sacrifice is honored in a day of remembrance, and serves as a
reminder of Burma's continued lack of freedom five decades later.<br>
<br>
3. The National Strike renewed a Burmese national spirit that further
unified the people's call for liberation from British colonialism. This
historical day symbolizes the sacrifice of Burmese students, their honor
of truth, and their understanding of the importance of Burmese unity. Ko
Aung Gyaw was posthumously awarded the honorific title 'Bo' for his valor
and sacrifice.<br>
<br>
4. Today, Burma's military regime ignores the people's desire for
democratic change and blindly focuses on their increasingly desperate
attempt to maintain their illegal position of power and greed. The
unlawful arrests of elected Members of Parliament, students and citizens
voicing opposition to the junta continue unabated: many are serving long
prison terms for the pro-democracy activities. Burma's infamous prison
conditions and institutionalized use of torture are well-documented
violations of human rights. <br>
<br>
5. Among the litany of the regime's abuses, one of the most blatant
examples of disregard for the people's welfare has been the closure of
schools. Civilian universities, colleges, vocational schools and some
high schools were closed following student protests in December 1996.
Three years later, most universities and colleges remain closed - with
the exception of military institutions. During the past eleven years of
military rule in Burma, the education system has been stopped more than
it has been operating. No other nation in the world, despite its level of
poverty or despotic political system, has such an abominable education
record. To rob an entire generation of the fundamental right to knowledge
and growth is unthinkable - to repeatedly shut down the minds of a
nation's youth is beyond comprehension. Tragically, the military's
irrational reaction to the perceived threat posed by the country's youth
is resulting in a far more damaging threat to the entire future of
Burma.<br>
<br>
<br>
6. We, the Foreign Affairs Committee of All Burma Federation of Students'
Union, therefore vow to work to end military rule in Burma and to pursue
democracy with a full national spirit. We appeal to the monks, students
and all nationalities in Burma for full national support in our struggle
for democracy. <br>
<br>
<br>
</font><font face="Courier New, Courier" color="#800080"><div align="right">
Foreign Affairs' Committee <br>
All Burma Federation of Student Unions <br>
20 December, 1999. <br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
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