The Power of Protest in Myanmar
For decades, people in Myanmar have come together to protest and call for greater protection and enforcement of their fundamental rights and freedoms. Pivotal moments throughout the country’s history took place during moments of frustration from brave citizens who demanded a better future for themselves and the next generation.
The attempted coup in Myanmar is yet another example of the Generals of the Myanmar military trying and failing to exert power over a population who refuses to grant them any form of legitimacy. In response, the regime has not hesitated to brutally crack down on protesters.
The commemoration of the 1988 protests was recognized on 8 August 2022. Thirty-four years have passed since students led demonstrations against General Ne Win’s disastrous economic policies. At least three thousand people were killed in a rampage of assaults by the Myanmar Army.
Again, between October and December 2006, protesters were detained again in a series of pro-democracy strikes that aimed to bring awareness to the oppression against students. In 2007, the Saffron Revolution saw monks among the students, and activists, participate in a non-violent protest which was triggered by a national increase in fuel prices. Dozens were once again killed by the regime for peacefully protesting.
Lway Nhawt Ta’ang, Advocacy Manager, at the Ta’ang Women’s Organization (TWO), said, “The reason why there has been protests in Myanmar for more than 70-years is because this entire time the situation has not improved as much as it should.”
“The people of Myanmar do not want the dictatorship that was practiced for so many years before. They prefer the system of democracy,” she added. “The protests taking place currently aim to unite the country’s citizens in strong rejection of the coup and call for a return for democracy.”
Propelled by an insatiable hunger for power, the rights of civilians have been disregarded time and time again by the military generals. After several years of a quasi-civilian democracy, citizens were hopeful. Albeit, many challenges still remained under the National League for Democracy (NLD), yet there was hope.
General Secretary of the All-Arakan Students’ and Youths’ Congress,
Ko Ting Oo, said the coup has revealed the oppression that ethnic people face across Myanmar.
“As a result of the Spring Revolution, the majority of Burmese people began to accept and understand the oppression and human rights abuses that ethnic people face. For decades, we have been ruled unjustly.”
The unity throughout the pro-democracy protests are a reminder of the strength and adversity of people on the ground who are committed to see a federal union, and accountability for the human rights violations that have been perpetrated by the military junta.
“We cannot accept the military’s dictatorship. We have seen only negative consequences and no positive results throughout history,” said Nai Aue Mon, Program Director of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland.
“It is the true desire of the people to see consequences for the Generals. We are fed up, and tired of the military regimes,” he added.
For decades, people in Myanmar have come together to protest and call for greater protection and enforcement of their fundamental rights and freedoms. Pivotal moments throughout the country’s history took place during moments of frustration from brave citizens who demanded a better future for themselves and the next generation.
They must provide financial support to the armed resistance and protesters, and boycott all military products. They must also honour the multiple calls of civil society organizations to refer the Myanmar Army to the International Criminal Court.
