BURMESE ORGAZATION'S NEWS

The statement upon the 12 anniversary of the detention of Min Ko Naing

Foreign Affairs' Committee
All Burma Federation of Student Unions
March 23, 2001

1. March 23, 2001 marks the 12th anniversary of the detention of Min Ko Naing, chairperson of the All Burma Federation of Student Union (ABFSU).Min Ko Naing was not only a prominent figure during the pro-democracy struggle in Burma in 1988, but he has also become a symbol of all the students' struggle for democracy, peace and unity in our country. Min Ko Naing is a historical student leader, whose leadership will always radiate throughout the history of the ABFSU and of the student movements of Burma.

2. Min Ko Naing was elected chairperson of the ABFSU during a conference held by the students on August 28th, 1988. This was the first time the students had been able to organize such a rally during 26 years of rule by the Burmese Socialist Program Party (BSPP). Throughout 1988, Min Ko Naing fully undertook the responsibility trusted upon him by the student force, by taking upon him the leadership of the 1988 student movement and through several strong attempts to unite the students. He was arrested by military intelligence on March 23, 1989 and subsequently detained for two years without any charge, without a legal process and without permission to meet with his family, before he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment. In 1998, he was transferred from Insein Prison to Sittwe Prison.

3. Currently, there are over 1500 students, including Min Ko Naing, under detention in various prisons of Burma. ABFSU is seriously concerned about their health situation. Some student leaders have already passed away while still under custody. The ruling military authorities refuse to release the student s and other political prisoners in Burma. Arrest and torture of students also continue unabated.

4. The current military regime uses the seam violent ways of suppression of the student movements as did former governments under the BSPP and SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council), without looking into the deeper causes of Burma's political troubles. The ABFSU believes that there can be no solutions to the dissatisfactions of the students unless the regime also addresses the political problems that are being expressed through the students' frustrations.At the present time, there is an initiative secret dialogue news of NLD and SPDC military regime. Nevertheless, NLD leaders, Chairperson U Aung Shwe, Vice-chairperson U Tin Oo and General secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi are being under house arrest. Moreover, other NLD leaders and politicians are being detained because of their belief . The legal party NLD is also being banned not to touch with mass of party members and not to organize its affairs. We believe that the dialogue in political means can not outline the complete definition under this circumstance.

5. The ABFSU is seriously concerned about the situation of our chairperson Min Ko Naing while under custody. We strongly demand to release all of political prisoners including the Chairperson of ABFSU Ko Min Ko Naing without any exception. Moreover, in order to resolve peacefully issues of National reconciliation and others, FAC (ABFSU) wants academic dialogue in political mean. The ABFSU promises to speed up the struggle of the students under the leadership of Min Ko Naing, according to the five principles of ABFSU. The greatness of Min Ko Naing and the resolution of the student movement led by the ABFSU can in no way be diminished by the detention of Min Ko Naing, winner of the 1999 John Humphrey Freedom award and 2001 Global Student Peace Prize.

6. The ABFSU would like to express our regards and honor those students who are presently in custody in Burma, including our chairperson Min Ko Naing, on this 12th anniversary of his arrest. The ABFSU and its leaders have stood up for the good forces in our country.

For future information, please contact to

Foreign Affairs' Committee
All Burma Federation of Student Unions
P.O.Box ( 122 )
Mae Sot
Tak , 63110
Thailand.

Tel : 66 55 542 724/ 66 55 533 752
Fax : 66 55 542 724