Young People’s Revolution: The Future of Democracy in Myanmar
German Solidarity Myanmar organised a very interesting event last week in Berlin: a panel discussion on Myanmar’s Revolution, with Burmese food served after. The four prominent activists Esther Ze Naw, Bhone Thit, Francesca, and Kristen focused on the role of youth in Myanmar´s Spring Revolution. In the lively and emotional discussion this group of leading student activists and human rights defenders, who are playing leading roles in civil society, unions, strike committees, explained how they are managing to set up new democratic institutions and alternative governance structures in the liberated areas, despite airstrikes and horrendous atrocities committed by the Junta every day. The discussion focused on three inter-related themes: the role of the youth for a democratic and federal Myanmar, best practices in liberated areas and building democratic structures and institutions.
The highly committed youth activists have set up new, democratic, federal and local structures of governance. In the past 10 years before the 2021 Coup, Generation Z in Myanmar (16-25 years) have had a taste of what democracy could look like and are determined not to go back to the old military days. The junta underestimated the resistance and resilience of the young generation. The panelists explained how they take their destiny into their own hands, despite the daily struggles on the ground, of which there are many. Most people in Myanmar never wished to take up arms, but they had no choice after their peaceful demonstrations were so brutally crushed. They wished “to build a new house as a federal union structure”.
It was emphasized that Burmese and ethnic minority groups in Myanmar have learned to trust each other and support each other in the common struggle against the oppressive junta. Decades of violence and discrimination have unleashed great distrust between the majority Bamar people and the ethnic minorities. The panelists agreed that it is impossible now to return to normal life. The military needs to return to the barracks and be held accountable for their crimes. It was stressed that Kachin people act out of love, and not hatred. It is love that gives people energy and motivation to continue. This was a very emotional moment.
The film “Comradeship” gave a good insight into the daily struggles of dealing with death of combatants and friends, and how the often desperate attempts to recover the dead bodies express the deep humanity within the resistance groups.
In the second part of the panel, the activists stressed the need of mental health programs in the context of violence, torture and trauma. The daily air strikes, abuse and mistreatment of the civilian population has inflicted a whole society with trauma and depression. Nevertheless, it was underscored that so many young people are active in their states. Particularly Karenni state stands out, with its remarkable progress on the ground, and the building of administrative structures and medical facilities – while the conflict is going on.
Another assertion is that a new education system is needed to replace the brainwashing machine of the Burmese state. The panelists argued that nothing less than a revolution is needed to transform administrative structures and social services provision in Myanmar. The panelists mentioned the torture they and their colleagues have to endure, and the need for protection of activists and human rights defenders in Thailand.
The expansion of local governance structures in Karenni and Kachin state were repeatedly mentioned and stand out. Both groups have advanced to implement lived federalism and democratic institutions. The groups are engaged in sustained political dialogue about the forthcoming federal union. In sum, the young panelists provided us with deep insights about the daily struggles and what is needed in the future. All panelists called up on us to realised that Myanmar’s revolution is unique in Southeast Asia and deserves much more support than it currently gets.
