Burma: ABSDFs 9th Year of Struggle
Political Work is Priority to restore Democracy and Human Rights
On November 1, 1997, the All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) marked its ninth year of unrelenting struggle for democracy and human rights for the people of Burma. Following the "8888 Massacre", the nation-wide pro-democracy uprising of 1988 where about 3000 people were killed by the military junta. During the August Central Committee meeting ABSDF unanimously decided to promote more political activities inside the country, which will culminate in a nation-wide "general strike" against the military. ABSDF believes that "a people's democratic movement has the strength to overthrow the military dictatorship". "Non-violent political defiance tactics and international lobbying will be the main weapons in our struggle to end the brutal military dictatorship in Burma", was the decision of the Central Committee. Although the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) has admitted Burma as a member, ABSDF concludes that "Burma now faces an even more critical situation than it did at the beginning of the civil war immediately after independence from Britain."
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The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) in Rangoon, just renamed into State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), have frequently come under the spotlights for human rights abuses, which includes students rights, and the repression of political dissent. International pressure is increasing. Last year U.S. businesses, including Heineken beer, Levi Strauss, Apple Computer and Amoco stopped doing business with Burma. These moves are widely attributed to pressure from student groups world wide, pointing out the political repression and human rights violations under the SLORC junta. Referring to ABSDF the military regime is still refusing to enter a meaningful dialogue with the democratic forces, led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) winner of the Burmese general election in 1990. In the face of this political climate the Central Committee of ABSDF decided to give "greater focus to non-violent means of struggle". Contact: P.O. Box 1352, G.P.O, or P.O. Box 42, Huamark P.O. email: lurie@mozart.inet.co.th |
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