In Burma today, the youth have been denied their universal right to education, merely
because they are viewed as a threat to the military's totalitarian rule. The Committee for
Open Schools believes that because of the oppressive SPDC (military) regime, the future
of Burma has become very bleak. The future of a country is its youth, and education is a
way of ensuring the youth's future.
Campaign Committee for Open Schools, Chiang Mai, Thailand, June 2000
Burma Action Ireland
is a voluntary group established in 1996 to raise awareness in
Ireland of the current situation in Burma and the nature of the ruling regime. We in
Burma Action Ireland are supporting the international `Open Schools' public awareness
campaign.
You and your colleagues are invited to support this campaign.
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Background:
The students of Burma started the pro-democracy movement in their country in the
1960's in conjunction with the labour and peace movements. The students campaigned
and protested against the brutal military dictatorship. In August 1988 the military at-
tacked and murdered more than 3,000 unarmed civilians, mainly students, engaged in
mass pro-democracy demonstrations on the streets of Rangoon, the capital city.
Since then, repression has increased, pro-democracy leaders and supporters are jailed,
harassed or have escaped the country and the education system has been systemati-
cally downgraded at primary, second and third level. Now, more than 70% of children
do not complete primary level, only a small minority attend second level and most 3
rd
level colleges and universities have been closed down, re-located or operate as a façade.
A 12-min. 'Open Schools' video, recently produced in Burma /
Thailand (English language), is available from Burma Action
Ireland. Please send £6 (to cover costs) to above address.
The Campaign Committee for Open Schools, based in Chaing Mai, near the Thailand / Burma border, has representatives
from the National League for Democracy (NLD), the All Burma Students Democratic Front (ABSDF), the Burmese Women's
Union (BWU), The Democratic Party for New Society (DPNS), the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) and
the Students and Youth Congress of Burma (SYCB). The International Open Schools Campaign for Burma is supported by
'Worldview Rights' the Norwegian human rights organisation in consultative status with the United Nations.
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