"BURMESE YOUTH ARE HOSTAGES IN THEI

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Subject: "BURMESE YOUTH ARE HOSTAGES IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY"

URGENT INTERNATIONAL ACTION NEEDED TO PREVENT BURMESE YOUTH VIOLENCE
"BURMESE YOUTH ARE HOSTAGES IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY"

Bangkok, Sat: Urgent international action to alleviate Burma's human rights
crisis is needed to ensure that the country's youth does not resort to
violence as a solution. This is the conclusion of a team of youth leaders
who participated in a forum with National League for Democracy members on
Thursday in Rangoon.

Ms Latheefa Koya, Youth Wing Secretary of Malaysia's Parti Rakyat Malaysia
feared that Burmese youth growing up under the brutality of the military
regime would consider violence as 'normal'.  Commenting on the recent
hostage incident at the Burmese embassy in Bangkok, she said: "Sympathy was
strong because they understood the frustration felt by the students.  The
NLD youth themselves feel like they are hostages in their own country, and
consider the real terrorists to be the military regime itself, as it has
massacred many students during demonstrations and uprisings."

"But they [NLD youth] will stick to principles of nonviolence. This is a
real sacrifice for them because they are constantly being harassed and
arrested.  So, to remain nonviolent is not easy," Ms Koya added.

The Forum was attended by about 100 NLD members, including party General
Secretary Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was facilitator and translator.  The
Forum was a lively one, with warm banter and exchange of ideas among all
participants. Topics discussed ranged from the participation of women in
politics, harassment by military authorities, economic policy, and
democratic and non-violent principles.  It was the first time that such a
youth forum had been held.

Mr Tatsuya Niimi, an economics major from Japan, reported on the reaction
he received from the youth regarding the notion that human rights would
naturally follow economic development.  "They strongly disagreed. It was
clear to me that Burmese students do not want investment or ODA which does
not take into consideration human rights concerns." 

Mr Niimi, a member of the Japanese People's Forum on Burma, commented on
Japanese investment in Burma saying, "Economic assistance is often
desirable and welcome, but in the case of Burma, I question if the
assistance has actually enriched the society or contributed to the well
being of the people." 

Mr Jenagan R from Malaysian NGO Pusat Komas found that the youths' views
were well informed and well articulated. "It was so impressive to see how
they have kept in touch with issues in spite of the limited access to
information.  They are so intelligent-the tragedy is that their full
potential cannot be realized now as the universities are closed. The
ordinary youth must be terribly demoralized and desperate because their
future is so bleak "

Mr Lum Chih Feng was struck by the stamina and commitment of NLD youth.
"They have been struggling for more than 10 years, but I could still see
their spirit.  Although they are always oppressed by the military, they
still build solidarity among youth and senior activists." Mr Lum, who
represented SUARAM, a Malaysian human rights NGO, had expected to meet
activists exhausted by the junta's massive crackdown on the party.

All four of the non-Burmese participants emphasized the importance of
international solidarity and support for the pro-democracy movement.  When
asked about her impression of the prospects for democracy in Burma, Ms Koya
responded, "that depends largely on support from the international community."

At the Youth Forum, one Burmese student noted that South Africa's
anti-apartheid struggle only succeeded with the support of the
international community.  All four of the guests to the Forum expressed
their own sense of solidarity with Burmese youth and pressed ASEAN and
Japan to take more positive measures to support democracy in Burma.  The
team reported their findings at a press conference held at the Foreign
Correspondents Club of Thailand on Friday, October 15.

ENDS

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