8888 uprising marked by exiled Burmese activists
8 August 2004 (DVB) - Exiled pro-democracy Burmese activists throughout the world marked the 16th anniversary of the 8888 nationwide uprising by staging peaceful demonstrations, offering nourishments to Buddhist monks, performing religious rites and holding political meetings and exhibitions.
The event commemorates an uprising on the 8th of August 1988 which ended with the fall of the dictator U Ne Win, who had been ruling the country for 30 years. At least 3,000 people, including students, children and Buddhist monks were killed by Burmese soldiers and police.
Around 30 protesters staged a peaceful protest in front of the Burmese embassy in Bangkok, Thailand and managed to shout slogans demanding the release of all political prisoners and human rights and democracy in Burma for five minutes before they were arrested by the Thai police.
Around 200 students and activists at Htam Hin Refugee camp near the Thai border town Maesod held a commemorative ceremony and saluted thousands of those who gave up their lives for the freedom of Burma.
Similarly, activists in India staged a marching protest demanding the immediate release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as well as all other political prisoners, and the start of an open dialogue between the democracy groups, the genuine representatives of non-Burmese people and the SPDC military junta.
At least 80 members of the Working Committee for Demonstration Restoration in Burma (WCDRB), Arakan League for Democracy (Exile) and the All Arakan Students and Youth Congress (AASYC) held a demonstration in front of the Bangladesh High Court premise in Dhaka.
The demonstration was disrupted and cut short by the Bangladeshi police forces because the protesters were deemed to be shouting their slogans too loudly.
In Japan, activists acted out the killing of civilians by Burmese soldiers and security police during the uprising, and the protesters also wore prison uniforms with iron chains and manacles on their legs to highlight the plights of Burmese political prisoners.
Activists in South Korea, Ireland, Holland, Germany and United States also held commemorative ceremonies and events. [Source]