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115-596: Opposition: [REDACTED] Government: Aung San Suu Kyi Bombings and attacks Coup d'états Protests Anti-Muslim violence Related topics The 8888 Uprising , also known as the People Power Uprising and the 1988 Uprising , was a series of nationwide protests , marches, and riots in Burma (present-day Myanmar ) that peaked in August 1988. Key events occurred on 8 August 1988 and therefore it
230-454: A multi-party system , but he had appointed the largely disliked Sein Lwin , known as the "Butcher of Rangoon" to head a new government. Protests reached their peak in August 1988. Students planned for a nationwide demonstration on 8 August 1988, an auspicious date based on numerological significance. News of the protest reached rural areas and four days prior to the national protest, students across
345-544: A new military junta took power. Influenced by both Mahatma Gandhi 's philosophy of non-violence and also by the Buddhist concepts, Aung San Suu Kyi entered politics to work for democratization , helped found the National League for Democracy on 27 September 1988, but was put under house arrest on 20 July 1989. She was offered freedom if she left the country, but she refused. Despite her philosophy of non-violence,
460-743: A civilian government, Ne Win's biographer, Maung Maung , was appointed as head of government. Maung was a legal scholar and the only non-military individual to serve in the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP). The appointment of Maung briefly resulted in a subsidence of the shooting and protests. Nationwide demonstrations resumed on 22 August 1988. In Mandalay, 100,000 people protested, including Buddhist monks and 50,000 demonstrated in Sittwe . Large marches took places from Taunggyi and Moulmein to distant ethnic states (particularly where military campaigns had previously taken place), where red ,
575-464: A cosmetic change from the Burma Socialist Programme Party . Suu Kyi's house arrest was lifted in 2010, when worldwide attention for her peaked again during the making of the biographical film The Lady . The Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) again seized control of the country in the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état , which began with the imprisonment of then State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi . The coup has led to numerous protests and demonstrations against
690-452: A couple thought to have been carrying a bomb. Incidents like these were not as common in Mandalay , where protests were more peaceful as they were organised by monks and lawyers. On 26 August, Aung San Suu Kyi , who had watched the demonstrations from her mother's bedside, entered the political arena by addressing half a million people at Shwedagon Pagoda . It was at this point that she became
805-595: A day seen as auspicious), which were violently suppressed in what came to be known as the 8888 Uprising . On 24 August 1988, she made her first public appearance at the Yangon General Hospital , addressing protestors from a podium. On 26 August, she addressed half a million people at a mass rally in front of the Shwedagon Pagoda in the capital, calling for a democratic government . However, in September 1988,
920-570: A decisive victory for the military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP). Aung San Suu Kyi became a Pyithu Hluttaw MP while her party won 43 of the 45 vacant seats in the 2012 by-elections . In the 2015 elections , her party won a landslide victory , taking 86% of the seats in the Assembly of the Union —well more than the 67% supermajority needed to ensure that its preferred candidates were elected president and second vice president in
1035-404: A government minister. The ruling junta made the official announcement on state TV and radio just hours after UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari ended his second visit to Burma. The NLD confirmed that it had received the invitation to hold talks with Aung San Suu Kyi. However, the process delivered few concrete results. On 3 July 2009, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon went to Burma to pressure
1150-512: A group of ex-military commanders and senior politicians who joined NLD during the crisis believed that she was too confrontational and left NLD. However, she retained enormous popularity and support among NLD youths with whom she spent most of her time. During the crisis, the previous democratically elected Prime Minister of Burma , U Nu , initiated to form an interim government and invited opposition leaders to join him. Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had signaled his readiness to recognize
1265-470: A more organised strike committee was headed by lawyers and discussion focused on multi-party democracy and human rights. Many participants in the protests arrived from nearby towns and villages. Farmers who were particularly angry with the government's economic policies joined the protests in Rangoon. In one village, 2,000 of the 5,000 people also went on strike. A short while later, the authorities opened fire on
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#17330860065681380-459: A multi-party system of government. The Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) announced they would be organising an election, but the opposition parties called for their immediate resignation from government, allowing an interim government to organise elections. After the BSPP rejected both demands, protesters again took to the streets on 12 September 1988. Nu promised elections within a month, proclaiming
1495-441: A provisional government. Meanwhile, the police and army began fraternising with the protesters. The movement had reached an impasse relying on three hopes: daily demonstrations to force the regime to respond to their demands, encouraging soldiers to defect and appealing to an international audience in the hope that United Nations or United States troops would arrive. Some Tatmadaw did defect, but only in limited numbers, mostly from
1610-662: A solo protester Ohn Than also joined the demonstration. All of them were released in a general amnesty in 2012. They continue to work as politicians and human rights activists in Myanmar. They also campaigned for the National League for Democracy (NLD) in the 2015 general election . Pyone Cho, one of the main leaders of the 88 Generation, was elected to the House of Representatives in the 2015 Election. Books and journals Aung San Suu Kyi State Counsellor of Myanmar President of National League for Democracy Leader of
1725-538: A symbol for the struggle in Burma , particularly in the eyes of the Western world . Suu Kyi, as the daughter of Aung San , who led the independence movement, appeared ready to lead the movement for democracy. Suu Kyi urged the crowd not to turn on the army but find peace through non-violent means. At this point in time for many in Burma , the uprising was seen as similar to that of the People Power Revolution in
1840-636: Is commonly known as the "8888 Uprising". The protests began as a student movement and were organised largely by university students at the Rangoon Arts and Sciences University and the Rangoon Institute of Technology . Since 1962, the Burma Socialist Programme Party had ruled the country as a totalitarian one-party state , headed by General Ne Win . Under the government agenda, called the Burmese Way to Socialism , which involved economic isolation and
1955-463: Is not part of her name but is an honorific for any older and revered woman, akin to " Madam ". She is sometimes addressed as Daw Suu or Amay Suu ("Mother Suu") by her supporters. Aung San Suu Kyi was born on 19 June 1945 in Rangoon (now Yangon ), British Burma . According to Peter Popham , she was born in a small village outside Rangoon called Hmway Saung. Her father, Aung San , allied with
2070-560: The 1967 riots and condemning lack of economic reform, describing Burma as "almost a joke" compared to other Southeast Asian nations. He was later arrested. On 12 March 1988, students from the Rangoon Institute of Technology (RIT) were arguing with out-of-school youths inside the Sanda Win tea shop about music playing on a sound system. A drunken youth would not return a tape that the RIT students favoured. A brawl followed in which one youth, who
2185-550: The Association of Southeast Asian Nations , of which Burma is a member. The Burmese government strongly condemned the statement, as it created an "unsound tradition" and criticised Thailand for meddling in its internal affairs. The Burmese Foreign Minister Nyan Win was quoted in the state-run newspaper New Light of Myanmar as saying that the incident "was trumped up to intensify international pressure on Burma by internal and external anti-government elements who do not wish to see
2300-698: The Congressional Gold Medal ; the Senate concurred on 25 April 2008. On 6 May 2008, President George W. Bush signed legislation awarding Aung San Suu Kyi the Congressional Gold Medal. She is the first recipient in American history to receive the prize while imprisoned. More recently, there has been growing criticism of her detention by Burma's neighbours in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN ), particularly from Indonesia , Thailand ,
2415-828: The Convent of Jesus and Mary School in New Delhi , and graduated from Lady Shri Ram College , a constituent college of the University of Delhi in New Delhi, with a degree in politics in 1964. Suu Kyi continued her education at St Hugh's College, Oxford , obtaining a B.A. degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics in 1967, graduating with a third-class degree that was promoted per tradition to an MA in 1968. After graduating, she lived in New York City with family friend Ma Than E , who
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#17330860065682530-707: The Japanese during World War II . Aung San founded the modern Burmese army and negotiated Burma's independence from the United Kingdom in 1947; he was assassinated by his rivals in the same year. She is a niece of Thakin Than Tun who was the husband of Khin Khin Gyi, the elder sister of her mother Khin Kyi . She grew up with her mother, Khin Kyi , and two brothers, Aung San Lin and Aung San Oo , in Rangoon . Aung San Lin died at
2645-551: The Philippines and Singapore . At one point Malaysia warned Burma that it faced expulsion from ASEAN as a result of the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi. Other nations including South Africa , Bangladesh and the Maldives also called for her release. The United Nations has urged the country to move towards inclusive national reconciliation , the restoration of democracy , and full respect for human rights . In December 2008,
2760-427: The Philippines in 1986. Around this time, former Prime Minister U Nu and retired Brigadier General Aung Gyi also re-emerged onto the political scene in what was described as a "democracy summer" when many former democracy leaders returned. Despite the gains made by the democracy movement, Ne Win remained in the background. During the September congress of 1988, 90% of party delegates (968 out of 1080) voted for
2875-526: The Sule Pagoda reported that the Buddha 's image had changed shape, with an image in the sky standing on its head. On 3 August, the authorities imposed martial law from 8 pm to 4 am and a ban on gatherings of more than five people. Across Burma, people poured out in thousands to join the protests – not just students but also teachers, monks, children, professionals, and trade unionists of every shade. It
2990-605: The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution condemning the human rights situation in Burma and calling for Aung San Suu Kyi's release—80 countries voting for the resolution, 25 against and 45 abstentions. Other nations, such as China and Russia , are less critical of the regime and prefer to cooperate only on economic matters. Indonesia has urged China to push Burma for reforms. However, Samak Sundaravej , former Prime Minister of Thailand , criticised
3105-506: The United States condemned the arrests, trials, and sentences as politically motivated. Aung San Suu Kyi , like other Burmese names , includes no surname, but is only a personal name, in her case derived from three relatives: " Aung San " from her father, "Suu" from her paternal grandmother, and "Kyi" from her mother Khin Kyi . In Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi is often referred to as Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Daw , literally meaning "aunt",
3220-481: The United States , UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Pope John Paul II , the Burmese government would not grant Aris a visa , saying that they did not have the facilities to care for him, and instead urged Aung San Suu Kyi to leave the country to visit him. She was at that time temporarily free from house arrest but was unwilling to depart, fearing that she would be refused re-entry if she left, as she did not trust
3335-539: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, and requested that the authorities in Burma set her free, but the authorities ignored the request at that time. The U.N. report said that according to the Burmese Government's reply, "Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has not been arrested, but has only been taken into protective custody, for her own safety", and while "it could have instituted legal action against her under
3450-653: The genocide of the Rohingya people in Rakhine State and refusal to acknowledge that the Myanmar's military had committed massacres. Under her leadership, Myanmar also drew criticism for prosecutions of journalists. In 2019, Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in the International Court of Justice where she defended the Myanmar military against allegations of genocide against the Rohingya . Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party had won
3565-551: The government of the Union of Burma . In 1988, Aung San Suu Kyi returned to Burma to tend for her ailing mother. Aris' visit in Christmas 1995 was the last time that he and Aung San Suu Kyi met, as she remained in Burma and the Burmese dictatorship denied him any further entry visas. Aris was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997 which was later found to be terminal . Despite appeals from prominent figures and organizations, including
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3680-474: The military junta 's assurance that she could return. Aris died on his 53rd birthday on 27 March 1999. Since 1989, when his wife was first placed under house arrest, he had seen her only five times, the last of which was for Christmas in 1995. She was also separated from her children, who live in the United Kingdom , until 2011. On 2 May 2008, after Cyclone Nargis hit Burma, Aung San Suu Kyi's dilapidated lakeside bungalow lost its roof and electricity, while
3795-488: The presidential electoral college . Although she was prohibited from becoming the president due to a clause in the constitution —her late husband and children are foreign citizens—she assumed the newly created role of State Counsellor of Myanmar , a role akin to a prime minister or a head of government . When she ascended to the office of state counsellor, Aung San Suu Kyi drew criticism from several countries, organisations and figures over Myanmar's inaction in response to
3910-464: The strengthening of the military , Burma became one of the world's most impoverished countries . Many firms in the formal sector of the economy were nationalised , and the government combined Soviet-style central planning with Buddhist and traditional beliefs and superstition . The 8888 uprising was started by students in Yangon ( Rangoon ) on 8 August 1988. Student protests spread throughout
4025-461: The young and old all demonstrated. The first procession circled Rangoon , stopping for people to speak. A stage was also erected. Demonstrators from the Rangoon neighbourhoods converged in downtown Rangoon. Only one casualty was reported at this point as a frightened traffic policeman fired into the crowd and fled. (Such marches would occur daily until 19 September.) Protesters kissed the shoes of soldiers , in an attempt to persuade them to join
4140-450: The 1, 5, and 10 kyat bills valid. This announcement was also with no prior warning, and this time no exchange for valid tender was allowed. Roughly 60–80% of circulated legal tender was declared invalid without warning, and millions of Burmese citizens had their savings eliminated by this action. On 22 September 1987, the Burmese government introduced new denominations of 45 and 90 kyat notes. The 45 and 90 kyat denominations were chosen because
4255-482: The 1980s. Between 2 and 10 August, co-ordinated protests were occurring in most Burmese towns. In the first few days of the Rangoon protests, activists contacted lawyers and monks in Mandalay to encourage them to take part in the protests. The students were quickly joined by Burmese citizens from all walks of life, including government workers, Buddhist monks , air force and navy personnel, customs officers , teachers and hospital staff. The demonstrations in
4370-446: The 21 years from 1989 to 2010, becoming one of the world's most prominent political prisoners . In 1999, Time magazine named her one of the "Children of Gandhi " and his spiritual heir to nonviolence . She survived an assassination attempt in the 2003 Depayin massacre when at least 70 people associated with the NLD were killed. Her party boycotted the 2010 elections , resulting in
4485-409: The 75 kyat denomination chosen to commemorate Ne Win's 75th birthday. In November 1985, students gathered and boycotted the government's decision to withdraw Burmese local currency notes. Economic problems coupled with counter-insurgency required continuous involvement in the international market. On 5 September 1987, Ne Win announced the demonetisation of the 25, 35, and 75 kyat notes, leaving only
4600-564: The Burmese government established 20 museums which detailed the military's central role throughout Burma's history and the size of the military increased from 180,000 to 400,000. The Burmese government also kept schools and universities closed in order to prevent future uprisings. Initially, Aung San Suu Kyi , U Tin Oo and Aung Gyi publicly rejected the SLORC's offer to hold elections the following year, claiming that they could not be freely held while Burma
4715-855: The Burmese pro-democracy movement. Nineteen years later, many of these same activists also played a role in the 2007 Saffron Revolution . The 88 Generation Students Group , which is named after the events of 8 August 1988, organised one of the first protests which eventually culminated in the Saffron Revolution . But prior to the outbreak of large-scale demonstrations, its members were arrested and given lengthy prison sentences of up to 65 years. The activists who were arrested included prominent individuals such as Min Ko Naing , Mya Aye , Htay Kywe , Mie Mie , Ko Ko Gyi , Pyone Cho, Min Zeyar, Ant Bwe Kyaw, and Nilar Thein . Though not an 88 Generation Students Group member,
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4830-547: The Navy. Stephen Solarz who had experienced the recent democracy protests in the Philippines and South Korea arrived in Burma in September encouraging the regime to reform, which echoed the policy of the United States government towards Burma. By mid-September, the protests grew more violent and lawless, with soldiers deliberately leading protesters into skirmishes that the army easily won. Protesters demanded more immediate change, and distrusted steps for incremental reform. If
4945-674: The Nobel Peace Prize for 1991 to Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar (Burma) for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights. ... Suu Kyi's struggle is one of the most extraordinary examples of civil courage in Asia in recent decades. She has become an important symbol in the struggle against oppression ... ... In awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for 1991 to Aung San Suu Kyi, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to honour this woman for her unflagging efforts and to show its support for
5060-482: The Nobel Peace Prize's US$ 1.3 million prize money to establish a health and education trust for the Burmese people . Around this time, Aung San Suu Kyi chose nonviolence as an expedient political tactic, stating in 2007, "I do not hold to nonviolence for moral reasons, but for political and practical reasons." The decision of the Nobel Committee mentions: The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award
5175-555: The November 2020 Myanmar general election , was arrested on 1 February 2021 following a coup d'état that returned the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) to power and sparked protests across the country . Several charges were filed against her, and on 6 December 2021, she was sentenced to four years in prison on two of them. Later, on 10 January 2022, she was sentenced to an additional four years on another set of charges. On 12 October 2022, she
5290-507: The Opposition House Arrest General Elections Books Popular culture Family Daw Aung San Suu Kyi (born 19 June 1945), sometimes abbreviated to Suu Kyi , is a Burmese politician, diplomat, author, and pro-democracy activist who served as State Counsellor of Myanmar (equivalent to a prime minister ) and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2016 to 2021. She has served as
5405-482: The UN, the government released her; a government spokesman said that she was free to move "because we are confident that we can trust each other". Aung San Suu Kyi proclaimed "a new dawn for the country". However, on 30 May 2003 in an incident similar to the 1996 attack on her, a government-sponsored mob attacked her caravan in the northern village of Depayin , murdering and wounding many of her supporters. Aung San Suu Kyi fled
5520-469: The United States embassy – footage caught by a cameraman nearby who distributed the footage to the world's media. Maung described the dead as "looters". Protestors were also pursued into the jungle and some students took up training on the country's borders with Thailand . "I would like every country in the world to recognize the fact that the people of Burma are being shot down for no reason at all." By
5635-564: The age of eight when he drowned in an ornamental lake on the grounds of the house . Her elder brother emigrated to San Diego , California , becoming a United States citizen . After Aung San Lin's death, the family moved to a house by Inya Lake where Aung San Suu Kyi met people of various backgrounds, political views, and religions. She was educated in Methodist English High School (now Basic Education High School No. 1 Dagon ) for much of her childhood in Burma , where she
5750-440: The amount of support for Aung San Suu Kyi, saying that "Europe uses Aung San Suu Kyi as a tool. If it's not related to Aung San Suu Kyi, you can have deeper discussions with Myanmar." Debt service ratio In economics and government finance, a country’s debt service ratio is the ratio of its debt service payments (principal + interest) to its export earnings. A country's international finances are healthier when this ratio
5865-489: The cities. With the re-opening of schools in late October 1987, underground groups in Rangoon and Mandalay produced dissident leaflets which culminated in bombs exploding in November. Police later received threatening letters from underground groups, who organised small protests around the university campus. Meanwhile, larger protests in Mandalay involved monks and workers, with some burning government buildings and state businesses. Burmese state media reported little on
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#17330860065685980-430: The civilian protest, whilst some encircled military officers to protect them from the crowd and earlier violence Over the next four days these demonstrations continued; the government was surprised by the scale of the protests and stated that it promised to heed the demands of the protesters "insofar as possible". Lwin had brought in more soldiers from insurgent areas to deal with the protesters. In Mandalay Division ,
6095-459: The conferences, he detailed a conspiracy in which the right was plotting to overthrow the regime with the assistance of "subversive foreigners" and a conspiracy in which the left was plotting to overthrow the State. Despite the conferences, few believed the government's version of events. While these conferences were going on, the SLORC was secretly negotiating with mutineers . Between 1988 and 2000,
6210-448: The conviction was unwarranted. However, her appeal against the August sentence was rejected by a Burmese court on 2 October 2009. Although the court accepted the argument that the 1974 constitution, under which she had been charged, was null and void, it also said the provisions of the 1975 security law, under which she has been kept under house arrest, remained in force. The verdict effectively meant that she would be unable to participate in
6325-473: The country were denouncing Sein Lwin 's regime and Tatmadaw troops were being mobilised. Pamphlets and posters appeared on the streets of Rangoon bearing the fighting peacock insignia of the All-Burma Students Union. Neighbourhood and strike committees were openly formed on the advice of underground activists, many of which were influenced by similar underground movements by workers and monks in
6440-452: The country's domestic legislation ... it has preferred to adopt a magnanimous attitude, and is providing her with protection in her own interests". Such claims were rejected by Brigadier-General Khin Yi , Chief of Myanmar Police Force ( MPF ). On 18 January 2007, the state-run paper New Light of Myanmar accused Aung San Suu Kyi of tax evasion for spending her Nobel Prize money outside
6555-578: The country, and used both Article 10(a) and 10(b) of the 1975 State Protection Act (granting the government the power to imprison people for up to five years without a trial), and Section 22 of the "Law to Safeguard the State Against the Dangers of Those Desiring to Cause Subversive Acts" as legal tools against her. She continuously appealed her detention, and many nations and figures continued to call for her release and that of 2,100 other political prisoners in
6670-480: The country. On 12 November 2010, days after the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) won elections conducted after a gap of 20 years, the junta finally agreed to sign orders allowing Aung San Suu Kyi's release, and her house arrest term came to an end on 13 November 2010. The United Nations (UN) has attempted to facilitate dialogue between the junta and Aung San Suu Kyi. On 6 May 2002, following secret confidence-building negotiations led by
6785-487: The country. Hundreds of thousands of monks , children , university students , housewives , doctors and common people protested against the government. The uprising ended on 18 September after a bloody military coup by the State Law and Order Restoration Council . Thousands of deaths have been attributed to the military during this uprising, while authorities in Burma put the figure at around 350 people killed. During
6900-499: The country. The accusation followed the defeat of a US-sponsored United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Burma as a threat to international security; the resolution was defeated because of strong opposition from China , which has strong ties with the military junta (China later voted against the resolution, along with Russia and South Africa ). In November 2007, it was reported that Aung San Suu Kyi would meet her political allies National League for Democracy along with
7015-478: The crisis, Aung San Suu Kyi emerged as a national icon. When the military junta arranged an election in 1990 , her party, the National League for Democracy , won 81% of the seats in the government (392 out of 492). However, the military junta refused to recognise the results and continued to rule the country as the State Law and Order Restoration Council . Aung San Suu Kyi was also placed under house arrest . The State Law and Order Restoration Council would be
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#17330860065687130-519: The cyclone also left entire villages in the Irrawaddy delta submerged. Plans to renovate and repair the house were announced in August 2009. Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest on 13 November 2010. Coincidentally, when Aung San Suu Kyi returned to Burma in 1988, the long-time military leader of Burma and head of the ruling party , General Ne Win , stepped down. Mass demonstrations for democracy followed that event on 8 August 1988 (8–8–88,
7245-568: The elections scheduled to take place in 2010—the first in Burma in two decades. Her lawyer stated that her legal team would pursue a new appeal within 60 days. Aung San Suu Kyi has received vocal support from Western nations in Europe , Australia and North and South America , as well as India , Israel , Japan the Philippines and South Korea . In December 2007, the US House of Representatives voted unanimously 400–0 to award Aung San Suu Kyi
7360-499: The end of September, there were around 3,000 estimated deaths and unknown number of injured, with 1,000 deaths in Rangoon alone. At this point in time, Aung San Suu Kyi appealed for help. On 21 September, the government had regained control of the country, with the movement effectively collapsing in October. By the end of 1988, it was estimated that 10,000 people, including protesters and soldiers, had been killed. Many in Burma believed that
7475-480: The ethnic border areas, such as Kawthoolei , formed groups with those who sought greater self-determination . It was estimated 10,000 had fled to mountains which were controlled by ethnic insurgents such as the Karen National Liberation Army ( KNLA ), and many of them later trained to become soldiers. After the uprising, the SLORC waged a "clumsy propaganda" campaign against those who had organised
7590-436: The following year, partly because he was denied re-entry to Burma on several occasions. Several years later in 2006, Ibrahim Gambari , UN Undersecretary-General ( USG ) of Department of Political Affairs , met with Aung San Suu Kyi, the first visit by a foreign official since 2004. He also met with her later the same year. On 2 October 2007 Gambari returned to talk to her again after seeing Than Shwe and other members of
7705-509: The general secretary of the National League for Democracy (NLD) since the party's founding in 1988 and was registered as its chairperson while it was a legal party from 2011 to 2023. She played a vital role in Myanmar's transition from military junta to partial democracy in the 2010s. The youngest daughter of Aung San , Father of the Nation of modern-day Myanmar, and Khin Kyi , Aung San Suu Kyi
7820-518: The help of several retired army officials who criticized the military junta. In the 1990 elections , NLD won 81% of the seats in Parliament, but the results were nullified, as the military government (the State Peace and Development Council – SPDC) refused to hand over power, resulting in an international outcry. She had been detained before the elections and remained under house arrest for almost 15 of
7935-476: The interim government. However, Aung San Suu Kyi categorically rejected U Nu's plan by saying "the future of the opposition would be decided by masses of the people". Ex- Brigadier General Aung Gyi , another influential politician at the time of the 8888 crisis and the first chairman in the history of the NLD , followed the suit and rejected the plan after Aung San Suu Kyi's refusal. Aung Gyi later accused several NLD members of being communists and resigned from
8050-525: The junta into releasing Aung San Suu Kyi and to institute democratic reform. However, on departing from Burma, Ban Ki-moon said he was "disappointed" with the visit after junta leader Than Shwe refused permission for him to visit Aung San Suu Kyi, citing her ongoing trial. Ban said he was "deeply disappointed that they have missed a very important opportunity". Protests led by Buddhist monks during Saffron Revolution began on 19 August 2007 following steep fuel price increases, and continued each day, despite
8165-428: The larger prison of Burma under authoritarian rule." The media were also prevented from visiting Aung San Suu Kyi, as occurred in 1998 when journalist Maurizio Giuliano , after photographing her, was stopped by customs officials who then confiscated all his films, tapes and some notes. In contrast, Aung San Suu Kyi did have visits from government representatives, such as during her autumn 1994 house arrest when she met
8280-477: The leader of Burma, Senior General Than Shwe and General Khin Nyunt on 20 September in the first meeting since she had been placed in detention. On several occasions during her house arrest, she had periods of poor health and as a result was hospitalized. The Burmese government detained and kept Aung San Suu Kyi imprisoned because it viewed her as someone "likely to undermine the community peace and stability" of
8395-566: The many people throughout the world who are striving to attain democracy, human rights, and ethnic conciliation by peaceful means. In 1995 Aung San Suu Kyi delivered the keynote address at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing . On 9 November 1996, the motorcade that Aung San Suu Kyi was traveling in with other National League for Democracy leaders Tin Oo and Kyi Maung , was attacked in Yangon . About 200 men swooped down on
8510-404: The military and the police illegally detained and imprisoned tens of thousands of leaders of the Burmese pro-democracy movement, as well as intellectuals , artists , students , and human rights activists. Pyone Cho , one of the leaders of the uprising, spent 20 years of his adult life in prison. Ko Ko Gyi , another leader of the uprising, spent 18 years of his life in prison . Min Ko Naing
8625-447: The military shoots, it has no tradition of shooting into the air. It shoots straight to kill. On 18 September 1988, the military retook power in the country. General Saw Maung repealed the 1974 constitution and established the State Law and Order Restoration Council ( SLORC ), "imposing more Draconian measures than Ne Win had imposed." After Maung had imposed martial law, the protests were violently broken up. The government announced on
8740-410: The military-led government. Activists have compared the current coup resistance movement to the 8888 Uprising. Before the crisis, Burma had been ruled by the repressive and isolated regime of General Ne Win since 1962. The country had a national debt of $ 3.5 billion and currency reserves of between $ 20 million and $ 35 million, with debt service ratios standing at half of the national budget. In
8855-484: The month as the protests spread throughout Burma from Rangoon . Large scale protests were reported in Pegu , Mandalay , Tavoy , Toungoo , Sittwe , Pakokku , Mergui , Minbu and Myitkyina . Demonstrators in larger numbers demanded multi-party democracy, which marked Ne Win's resignation on 23 July 1988. In a valedictory address given that day, Ne Win affirmed that "When the army shoots, it shoots to kill." He also promised
8970-511: The motorcade, wielding metal chains, metal batons, stones and other weapons. The car that Aung San Suu Kyi was in had its rear window smashed, and the car with Tin Oo and Kyi Maung had its rear window and two backdoor windows shattered. It is believed the offenders were members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA) who were allegedly paid Ks. 500/- (@ USD $ 0.50) each to participate. The NLD lodged an official complaint with
9085-470: The party. In 1990, the military junta called a general election , in which the National League for Democracy (NLD) received 59% of the votes, guaranteeing NLD 80% of the parliament seats. Some claim that Aung San Suu Kyi would have assumed the office of Prime Minister. Instead, the results were nullified and the military refused to hand over power, resulting in an international outcry. Aung San Suu Kyi
9200-570: The police, and according to reports the government launched an investigation, but no action was taken. ( Amnesty International 120297) Aung San Suu Kyi was placed under house arrest for a total of 15 years over a 21-year period, on numerous occasions, since she began her political career, during which time she was prevented from meeting her party supporters and international visitors. In an interview, she said that while under house arrest she spent her time reading philosophy , politics and biographies that her husband had sent her. She also passed
9315-551: The positive changes in those countries' policies toward Burma". Ban responded to an international campaign by flying to Burma to negotiate, but Than Shwe rejected all of his requests. On 11 August 2009, the trial concluded with Aung San Suu Kyi being sentenced to imprisonment for three years with hard labour . This sentence was commuted by the military rulers to further house arrest of 18 months. On 14 August, US Senator Jim Webb visited Burma, visiting with junta leader General Than Shwe and later with Aung San Suu Kyi. During
9430-478: The prosecution was permitted to call 14 witnesses. The court rejected two character witnesses, NLD members Tin Oo and Win Tin , and permitted the defence to call only a legal expert. According to one unconfirmed report, the junta was planning to, once again, place her in detention, this time in a military base outside the city. In a separate trial, Yettaw said he swam to Aung San Suu Kyi's house to warn her that her life
9545-451: The protesters. Ne Win ordered that "guns were not to shoot upwards," meaning that he was ordering the military to shoot directly at the demonstrators. Protesters responded by throwing Molotov cocktails , swords, knives, rocks, poisoned darts and bicycle spokes. In one incident, protesters burned a police station and tore apart four fleeing officers. On 10 August, soldiers fired into Rangoon General Hospital, killing nurses and doctors tending to
9660-616: The protests, but information quickly spread through the students. After receiving Least Developed Country status from the United Nations Economic and Social Council ( ECOSOC ) in December 1987, government policy requiring farmers to sell produce below market rates to create greater revenue for the government sparked several, violent rural protests. The protests were fanned by public letters to Ne Win by former second in command Brigadier General Aung Gyi from July 1987, reminding him of
9775-408: The protests. Intelligence Chief General Khin Nyunt , held English-language press conferences which were aimed at giving foreign diplomats and the media a favourable account of the SLORC's response to the protests. During this period, more restrictions were imposed upon the Burmese media , denying it the relative freedom to report news which it had been able to exercise at the peak of the protests. In
9890-430: The protests. The 1995 film Beyond Rangoon is a fictionalized drama which is based on the events that took place during the uprising. The uprising led to the death and imprisonment of thousands of individuals. Many of the deaths occurred inside the prisons, where prisoners of conscience were subjected to inhumane torture and deprived of basic provisions, such as food, water, medicine, and sanitation. From 1988 to 2012,
10005-477: The public. Prior to this, circulated denominations were of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 kyats. The stated reason for the demonetisation was to combat black market activity. The public was given only a short period of time to exchange their 20, 50, and 100 kyat bills, and only 25% of the value of surrendered bills were reimbursed. On 10 November 1985, a week after the initial announcement of demonetisation, new denominations of 25, 35, and 75 kyat bills were announced, with
10120-401: The rear, clubbing several students to death and raping others. Several students recalled the police shouting, "Don't let them escape" and "Kill them!". Following the latest protests, authorities announced the closure of universities for several months. By June 1988, large demonstrations of students and sympathisers were a daily sight. Many students, sympathisers and riot police died throughout
10235-471: The regime would have collapsed if the United Nations and neighbouring countries had refused to recognise the legitimacy of the coup. Western governments and Japan cut aid to the country. Among Burma's neighbours, India was most critical; condemning the suppression, closing borders and setting up refugee camps along its border with Burma. By 1989, 6,000 NLD supporters had been detained and those who fled to
10350-478: The scene with the help of her driver, Kyaw Soe Lin, but was arrested upon reaching Ye-U . The government imprisoned her at Insein Prison in Rangoon. After she underwent a hysterectomy in September 2003, the government again placed her under house arrest in Rangoon. The results from the UN facilitation have been mixed; Razali Ismail , UN special envoy to Burma, met with Aung San Suu Kyi. Ismail resigned from his post
10465-474: The senior leadership in Naypyidaw . State television broadcast Aung San Suu Kyi with Gambari, stating that they had met twice. This was Aung San Suu Kyi's first appearance in state media in the four years since her current detention began. The United Nations Working Group for Arbitrary Detention published an Opinion that Aung San Suu Kyi's deprivation of liberty was arbitrary and in contravention of Article 9 of
10580-544: The state-run radio that the military had assumed power in the people's interest, "in order to bring a timely halt to the deteriorating conditions on all sides all over the country." Tatmadaw troops went through cities throughout Burma , indiscriminately firing on protestors. Although an exact body count has not been determined as bodies were often cremated, it is estimated that within the first week of securing power, 1,000 students , monks , and schoolchildren were killed , and another 500 were killed whilst protesting outside
10695-409: The streets of Rangoon became a focal point for other demonstrations, which spread to other states' capitals. Upwards of 10,000 protesters demonstrated outside the Sule Pagoda in Rangoon , where demonstrators burned and buried effigies of Ne Win and Sein Lwin in coffins decorated with demonetised bank notes. Further protests took place around the country at stadiums and hospitals . Monks at
10810-419: The swimmer, who pleaded exhaustion, was allowed to stay in her house for two days before he attempted the swim back. Aung San Suu Kyi was later taken to Insein Prison , where she could have faced up to five years' confinement for the intrusion. The trial of Aung San Suu Kyi and her two maids began on 18 May and a small number of protesters gathered outside. Diplomats and journalists were barred from attending
10925-435: The symbolic colour for democracy was displayed on banners. Two days later, doctors , monks , musicians , actors , lawyers , army veterans and government office workers joined the protests. It became difficult for committees to control the protests. During this time, demonstrators became increasingly wary of "suspicious looking" people and police and army officers. On one occasion, a local committee mistakenly beheaded
11040-667: The threat of a crackdown by the military. On 22 September 2007, although still under house arrest , Aung San Suu Kyi made a brief public appearance at the gate of her residence in Yangon to accept the blessings of Buddhist monks who were marching in support of human rights. It was reported that she had been moved the following day to Insein Prison (where she had been detained in 2003), but meetings with UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari near her Rangoon home on 30 September and 2 October established that she remained under house arrest. On 3 May 2009, an American man, identified as John Yettaw , swam across Inya Lake to her house uninvited and
11155-553: The time playing the piano and was occasionally allowed visits from foreign diplomats as well as from her personal physician. Although under house arrest, Aung San Suu Kyi was granted permission to leave Burma under the condition that she never return, which she refused: "As a mother, the greater sacrifice was giving up my sons, but I was always aware of the fact that others had given up more than me. I never forget that my colleagues who are in prison suffer not only physically, but mentally for their families who have no security outside—in
11270-415: The trial; however, on one occasion, several diplomats from Russia , Thailand and Singapore and journalists were allowed to meet Aung San Suu Kyi. The prosecution had originally planned to call 22 witnesses. It also accused John Yettaw of embarrassing the country. During the ongoing defence case, Aung San Suu Kyi said she was innocent. The defence was allowed to call only one witness (out of four), while
11385-552: The two numbers are divisible by 9, which was considered lucky by Ne Win. Students in particular were angry at the 1987 demonetisation as savings for tuition fees were wiped out instantly. Students from the Rangoon Institute of Technology ( RIT ) rioted throughout Rangoon , smashing windows and traffic lights down Insein Road , and universities in Rangoon temporarily closed. The government later allowed for reimbursement of up to 100 kyat so that students could return home instead of rioting in
11500-400: The visit, Webb negotiated Yettaw's release and deportation from Burma. Following the verdict of the trial, lawyers of Aung San Suu Kyi said they would appeal against the 18-month sentence. On 18 August, United States President Barack Obama asked the country's military leadership to set free all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi. In her appeal, Aung San Suu Kyi had argued that
11615-593: The wounded. State-run Radio Rangoon reported that 1,451 " looters and disturbance makers" had been arrested. Estimates of the number of casualties surrounding the 8-8-88 demonstrations range from hundreds to 10,000; military authorities put the figures at about 95 people killed and 240 wounded. Lwin's sudden and unexplained resignation on 12 August left many protestors confused and jubilant. Security forces exercised greater caution with demonstrators, particularly in neighbourhoods that were entirely controlled by demonstrators and committees. On 19 August, under pressure to form
11730-404: The years leading up to the crisis, General Ne Win had imposed two instances of sudden currency demonetisation that declared certain circulated denominations of currency invalid. These instances led to instantaneous loss of savings for many Burmese citizens and economic instability. On 3 November 1985, the Burmese government declared notes of 20, 50, and 100 kyats invalid, without prior warning to
11845-618: Was "in danger". The national police chief later confirmed that Yettaw was the "main culprit" in the case filed against Aung San Suu Kyi. According to aides, Aung San Suu Kyi spent her 64th birthday in jail sharing biryani rice and chocolate cake with her guards. Her arrest and subsequent trial received worldwide condemnation by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon , the United Nations Security Council , Western governments, South Africa , Japan and
11960-399: Was arrested when he made his return trip three days later. He had attempted to make a similar trip two years earlier, but for unknown reasons was turned away. He later claimed at trial that he was motivated by a divine vision requiring him to notify her of an impending terrorist assassination attempt. On 13 May, Aung San Suu Kyi was arrested for violating the terms of her house arrest because
12075-573: Was born in Rangoon , British Burma . After graduating from the University of Delhi in 1964 and St Hugh's College, Oxford in 1968, she worked at the United Nations for three years. She married Michael Aris in 1972, with whom she had two children. Aung San Suu Kyi rose to prominence in the 8888 Uprising of 8 August 1988 and became the General Secretary of the NLD, which she had newly formed with
12190-584: Was born in 1977. Between 1985 and 1987, Aung San Suu Kyi was working toward a Master of Philosophy degree in Burmese literature as a research student at the School of Oriental and African Studies ( SOAS ), University of London . She was elected as an Honorary Fellow of St Hugh's in 1990. For two years, she was a Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS) in Shimla , India . She also worked for
12305-433: Was convicted of two further charges of corruption and she was sentenced to two terms of three years' imprisonment to be served concurrent to each other. On 30 December 2022, her trials ended with another conviction and an additional sentence of seven years' imprisonment for corruption. Aung San Suu Kyi's final sentence was of 33 years in prison, later reduced to 27 years. The United Nations , most European countries , and
12420-499: Was growing resentment towards military rule and there were no channels to address grievances, further exacerbated by police brutality , economic mismanagement and corruption within the government. By mid-March, several protests had occurred and there was open dissent in the army. Various demonstrations were broken up by using tear gas canisters to disperse crowds. On 16 March, students demanding an end to one party rule marched towards soldiers at Inya Lake when riot police stormed from
12535-433: Was noted as having a talent for learning languages. She speaks four languages: Burmese , English (with a British accent ), French , and Japanese . She is a Theravada Buddhist. Aung San Suu Kyi's mother, Khin Kyi , gained prominence as a political figure in the newly formed Burmese government. She was appointed Burmese ambassador to India and Nepal in 1960, and Aung San Suu Kyi followed her there. She studied in
12650-450: Was on this day, too, that the junta made its first determined attempt at repression. Soldiers opened fire on the demonstrators and hundreds of unarmed marchers were killed. The killings continued for a week, but still the demonstrators continued to flood the streets. A general strike, as planned, began on 8 August 1988. Mass demonstrations were held across Burma as ethnic minorities, Buddhists , Christians , Muslims , students , workers and
12765-524: Was once a popular Burmese pop singer. She worked at the United Nations for three years, primarily on budget matters, writing daily to her future husband, Dr. Michael Aris . On 1 January 1972, Aung San Suu Kyi and Aris, a scholar of Tibetan culture and literature, living abroad in Bhutan , were married. The following year, she gave birth to their first son, Alexander Aris , in London ; their second son, Kim Aris,
12880-408: Was placed in solitary confinement for nine years for his role as a leader of the uprising. Because the uprising began as a student movement , many of the individuals who were arrested , imprisoned , tortured , and killed by the police and the military were high school and university students . Many of the student leaders of the uprising became lifelong human rights activists and leaders of
12995-532: Was placed under house arrest at her home on University Avenue ( 16°49′32″N 96°9′1″E / 16.82556°N 96.15028°E / 16.82556; 96.15028 ) in Rangoon, during which time she was awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990, and the Nobel Peace Prize one year later. Her sons Alexander and Kim accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on her behalf. Aung San Suu Kyi used
13110-499: Was the son of a Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) official, was arrested and later released for injuring a student. Students protested at a local police department where 500 riot police were mobilised and in the ensuing clash, one student, Phone Maw , was shot and killed. The incident angered pro-democracy groups and the next day more students rallied at the RIT and spread to other campuses. The students, who had never protested before, increasingly saw themselves as activists . There
13225-402: Was under military rule. Today, the uprising is commemorated by Burmese expatriates and citizens. In Thailand , students also commemorate the uprising every 8 August. On the 20th anniversary of the uprising, 48 activists were arrested for commemorating the event in Burma. The event garnered much support for the Burmese people internationally. Poems were written by students who participated in
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