It was 1988 when the populace started to raise some glimmer of hope. Tired of the one-party rule, economic deprivation, and oppression, the people of Burma staged protests that eventually led to a popular uprising called the 8888 or the Four Eights Uprising.But in a classic move by the ruling class, a "faction" within the military led by General Sau Mung seized power and violently crushed the uprising and established a new order. It was more of a facelift to the old.
The Burmese people, ever hungry for liberty and in pursuit of their democratic ideals, tried. And so did the thousands of students, and monks, and other ordinary citizens that were killed in the process. More people eventually died in the purge by the so-called military intelligence.
It was a cry for help. And the world was not paying attention.
Perhaps until the people ran out of tears, and more blood came out of their sunken eyes, we would start to notice.
The main repercussion of the famous uprising was not so significant until it was somehow proved that it eventually gave way for parliamentary elections two years later. In 1990 pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy topped the national parliamentary elections, only to be annulled later by the regime.
And the military, in its effort to protect the country's "stability and security", placed Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest. Even a Noble Peace Prize wouldn't deter the junta to change its mind.
Recently, thousands of Buddhist monks were on the streets again for days, defying the junta's call to do otherwise. It continues to attract a few thousands more. Once again, as they did in the past, they are trying to catch the world’s attention to their pitiful circumstance.
And as I watched in disbelief events in the country known as Myanmar, a protester running away from the men in uniform fell. He was just lying there in the pavement. Amidst the chaos in the background, I could see no movement. He was just there... dead.
The main repercussion of the famous uprising was not so significant until it was somehow proved that it eventually gave way for parliamentary elections two years later. In 1990 pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy topped the national parliamentary elections, only to be annulled later by the regime.
And the military, in its effort to protect the country's "stability and security", placed Aung San Suu Kyi under house arrest. Even a Noble Peace Prize wouldn't deter the junta to change its mind.
Recently, thousands of Buddhist monks were on the streets again for days, defying the junta's call to do otherwise. It continues to attract a few thousands more. Once again, as they did in the past, they are trying to catch the world’s attention to their pitiful circumstance.
And as I watched in disbelief events in the country known as Myanmar, a protester running away from the men in uniform fell. He was just lying there in the pavement. Amidst the chaos in the background, I could see no movement. He was just there... dead.
It was just like watching an amateur hunter in action. Aim for the flock and surely you'll hit a duck.
In probably the same scenario thirty or even ten years ago, a protester was murdered. On live broadcasts, murders are being committed, the victims helplessly evident and the perpetrators quite obvious. But justice, as it always was, will still remain quite an illusion.
In cold-blood, in broad daylight, without much of a twitch in the eye for the loss of human life, the military regime of Myanmar had done it yet again. Such arrogance.
Now the world is watching. But are we really?
In probably the same scenario thirty or even ten years ago, a protester was murdered. On live broadcasts, murders are being committed, the victims helplessly evident and the perpetrators quite obvious. But justice, as it always was, will still remain quite an illusion.
In cold-blood, in broad daylight, without much of a twitch in the eye for the loss of human life, the military regime of Myanmar had done it yet again. Such arrogance.
Now the world is watching. But are we really?
The Burmese people are endlessly crying for help. As much as they pray to their beloved Buddha, their tears are not just for their own people but ultimately, for the rest of the world.
And all we could do is watch.
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