A student leader publically criticised the government’s decision to commemorate the 8888 Uprising anniversary with a welcoming ceremony for the 21st Century Panglong Conference [also Union Peace Conference] yesterday in Shan State’s capital Taunggyi.
Ko Kyaw Ko Ko, a leader of All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), doesn’t take issue with the ruling National League for Democracy [NLD] holding a ceremony for the 21st Century Panglong Conference, but choosing to do so on the anniversary of the 8888 Uprising is manipulating the historic day for the government’s own personal agenda, he said.
Ko Kyaw Ko Ko told SHAN that he accepts that the 21st Century Panglong Conference should happen, but it should include real political dialogue and be inclusive of all the country’s armed groups. Currently, it can’t guarantee equality and self-determination for the ethnic groups; therefore it shouldn’t be aligned with the 8888 Uprising anniversary in any way.
The 8888 Uprising in 1988 was a series of nationwide demonstrations and a general strike to end the one-party system and establish a federal union based on democracy. Thousands were murdered by the Burma Army after soldiers opened fire on crowds. Many were arrested in the subsequent crackdown.
Ko Kyaw Ko Ko said: “The NLD and its leader are in the political arena today because many people have made a huge investment and their blood has been shed. One must question what they [the NLD] can give back to the public in return in recognition of their sacrifices. A party must be able to take responsibility in leadership when persuading the public. Simply speaking, I want to say they must have accountability.”
Although Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is zealously planning to hold the 21st Century Panglong Conference, it can’t guarantee ethnic equality like during the 1947 Panglong Conference held by her father Bogyoke Aung San and many of the ethnic leaders at the time, Ko Kyaw Ko Ko said.
“The public wants democracy and self-independence. They don’t want the Panglong Conference under the 2008 Constitution. They don’t want Panglong that is disguised as federalism but is just a bad inheritance of the NCA [nationwide ceasefire agreement].”
The so-called NCA has been strongly criticized after only 8 of the country’s 21 armed groups signed it—mainly because the previous Thein Sein government chose to exclude 3 groups that it fought with in the last two years.
Reporting by Sai Aung Saing for SHAN
Translated by Thida Linn
Edited by BNI staff
