Japanese Trade Union Confederation (RENGO)

KOGA says!
Statement on Present Situation of Burma

In Burma, it is reported that the demonstration opposing to substantial fuel price raises forced by the military government swelled up in size to about 100,000 participants on September 25.

The Buddhist monks who took the lead of the demonstration gave a strong warning to the military government by refusing contributions from the military men. The demonstration of this time was caused not only by economic difficulties which directly hit impoverished life of the people, but also it was an outcome of a strong will of the Burmese people to aspire for freedom and democracy who had been continuously oppressed by the military dictatorship over the last many years.

Indeed, Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) which won an overwhelming victory in the General Election in 1990, is still under house arrest. Moreover, under continuous oppression, six trade union activists who tried to prepare the May Day events sentenced to imprisonment of 28 years recently.

JTUC-RENGO demands that the military government should seriously take the will of the Burmese people clearly shown in the demonstration. A national dialogue for democracy should be immediately started. The participants of the demonstration should never be oppressed by armed force.

Viewing the present situation of Burma where the tension is growing more and more, JTUC-RENGO demands the United Nations Security Council to take up the Burmese issue urgently and to take a concrete action. JTUC-RENGO also demands that all political prisoners are released immediately.

JTUC-RENGO will continue to watch the development in Burma very closely and to demand democratization of Burma in cooperation with the international trade union movement as well as with the people concerned in Japan.