Street Action: August Sky in Burma─20 years after the 8888 uprising

Date (Time):Start: 01/08/2008Time: (16:00) - End: 01/08/2008Time: (20:00) August 8, 1988
On the campus of Rangoon Institute of Technology, students protested against government’s economic mismanagement and political suppression. The student-led demonstration calling for democracy and respect for human rights soon led to widespread demonstrations. The uprising ended after a bloody military coup. Over 3,000 civilians were slaughtered..

August, 2007
Sparked by the steep rise in fuel prices, peaceful demonstrations began, calling for a reduction in commodity prices, the release of political prisoners and national reconciliation. A crackdown by the authorities had led to imprisonment of at least 700 people and more than 80 people remain unaccounted.

May, 2008
Tens of thousands of people were killed and hundreds of thousands lost their homes and livelihoods during the Cyclone Nargis. The authorities rejected international assistance and blocked the access at the time when survivors were most vulnerable. Instead, the authorities diverted crucial resources toward holding a rubber stamp referendum to approve a deeply flawed constitution. By deliberately blocking life sustaining aid, the government violated the right of her people to life.

August, this year
The issues for which the people in Burma marched in 1988 have still not been attained. Violent repression of peaceful protests, suppression of freedom of expression, arbitrary detention of dissident are still very relevant to the life of the people in Burma –

Join the street action organized by the HK Coalition for a Free Burma*, show your support to the people in Burma who courageously fight for human rights:

Date : August 1 to August 2, 2008 (Fri-Sat)
Time : 4:00-8:00pm
Meeting place: Body Shop, Sai Yeung Choi Street South, Mongkok
Activity : Photo exhibition, flyer distribution.

The military should defend the nation, not defend its monopoly on power

* AIHK is one of the members of the Coalition.

If you are interested, please send an email to admin-hk@amnesty.org.hk [1]