Student protest march resumes as negotiation is postponed

On February 3, the second day of negotiation, the president gave the order through President Office Minister Aung Min, who represented the government in the four-party talks in Nay Pyi Taw. He suggested the meeting resume after Union Day, on February 12.

The students voted that the president’s decision was unilateral. 

“We tried many times to convince them to proceed with the meeting. They (government side) did not seem to be willing to accept our demand. But we waited patiently,” said Aung Hmaing Hsan from National Network for Educational Reform (NNER, a party in the discussion.

Aung Hmaing Hsan continued that Aung Min summoned three persons from NEER and told them that he received a message from the president.

“In short, the message means the four-party talk will continue after February 12. They said they have other things to do during these days,” he said.

The march started in Mandalay on January 20. On February 3, they arrived in Magway Region, where they were joined by the students from Magway Arts/ Science University. In the region, they were warmly welcome by local residents.

Before their arrival, the authority closed the gates of the university. The rector also warned students not to enter the university compound.

Chairman of the All Burma Students Union Kyaw Ko Ko said that as the negotiation is put off, they would continue marching to Yangon. He said that the government has tried every means to disintegrate them.

Yet, he is convinced that it would be difficult for the authorities to stop the protest, as public support has been growing. 

“We are thankful for public supports. If blood is drawn from any students, there will be a widespread riot,” he said.

When the negotiation took place in Nay Pyi Taw on February 2, they spent a night at Shardaw monastery in Kanpya village in Magway. 

According to Aung Hmaing Hsan from NEER, Aung Min also mentioned on the status of Thein Lwin, a member of National League for Democracy (NLD) who represented NEER in the discussion. The minister said that there may be a question on who is leading NEER, as Thein Lwin did not represent the party. The minister also said that some students do not represent the Democracy Education Movement Leading Committee.

Thein Lwin defended by saying that NEER is a collective group, consisting of representatives from schools, monastic schools, education-related organisations and student and teacher unions.

“The problem between NLD and me is another thing. I am a member of that party, but I personally support the student protest movement. They are demanding education reform and it is fair to make such a demand,” he said.

 Indicating the government’s attempts to break up the protest, a student protester said they had encountered many difficulties such as accommodation. However, the students were enraged the most by the decision to postpone the meeting.

Another protester Min Thway Thit said that the unilateral decision to postpone the meeting is a proof of the government’s stance towards students.   

 “We are without weapons. We have only pens. We are depending on the power of people. We aim to march to Yangon in a peaceful manner side by side with the people. We will seek a peaceful way to overcome all difficulties,” he said. 

The student protesters said security near and around the Education Ministry compound has been tightened. They were also not allowed to rest at a Buddhist monastery in Pobbathiri Township. 

 

NLD denounced

The National League for Democracy (NLD) announced on January 1 that it will take action against NLD member Dr Thein Lwin who participated in the four-party talk on education reform as a representative of the National Network for Education Reform (NNER).

The NNER and student protesters from Democracy Education Movement Committee are not satisfied with the NLD's move. 

The announcement said the NNER representative Dr Thein Lwin does not represent the NLD during the four-party talk. 

Dr Thein Lwin participated in the talk without permission from the NLD Central Executive Committee. 

The NNER sent an open letter to the NLD that Dr Thein Lwin participated in the talk by his own wish as NNER representative. The NNER is bewildered that the NLD would take action against Dr Thein Lwin. Does it mean the NLD disagrees with the student movement for the democracy education? The NLD executive members should explain the announcement, the letter says.

Likewise, the student protesters said that they invited Dr Thein Lwin to participate in the talk not as the NLD representative but as an expert. 

The student protesters denounced that the NLD should not release such announcement which could delay the democracy education movement and four-party talk. 

The NLD released another statement on January 2 after the students criticised the previous statement. 

The second statement said that Dr Thein Lwin attended the four-party talk not as a NLD representative. He is an executive committee member and all members should follow the policy issued by the central executive committee. Therefore, the NLD will take action against him in accordance with the party's rules and regulations.