88 movement is the biggest popular uprising

On August 8 Burma will be commmemorating the 20th anniversary of 8-8-88 popular uprising, the biggest mass movement in contemporary Burmese history.

People from all walks of life took part in it.

Does this movement bring people's aspiration for democracy?

What is your opinion?

We would like to hear from you.

The programme took place on 06 August 2008.

8888 Special Have Your Say

The followings reflect the balance of opinions received so far...

It leads to nowhere. It did bring people's aspiration for democracy a decade ago. However, it no longer does in the 21st century. It is a sad story though.
Tide Rain, Canada

Apparently, the current situation of Burma is in downward trend in terms of national spirits, brain drain, gap between the rich and the poor and human right violation. However it is unfair to say that 8888 uprising lead to it. Burmese people's involvement in 8888 was enough to make the positive changes. Failure to do so is the greatest ever loss for the people of Burma. There are a lot of people who are responsible for that. They are now inside and outside of the country and probably preparing for 2010 election in the hope of grapping one seat in the military led parliament, shouting that they are fighting for rights for their people. Actually, they are very similar to the military generals in nature and doing business for their own profits. All of them should be ashamed of taking advantages on political crisis of their own country. Eventually, only the ordinary people of the country are real victims.
Pautkyine, NZ

The ambition is the best thing that 1988 uprising has left behind.   Tom Tun, Calgary, Canada

I met 8.8.88 affair and I participated in it. We demonstrated our wish. Nowadays, although we really hate our government and dictators, we don't dare to speak it openly because they are very cruel Generals. People want to change their government and policy. I think that another people uprising will be very close in the future.
Patriotic Naing, Yangon, Burma

20 years is between one quarter and one third of a normal human life span. For the country, 20 years is merely a fraction of time. As country growing older the history of the country is increasing as well.

Since gaining independence in 1948, there have been revolutions such as 7th July of 1962, 1974, 8.8.88 and 2007. I can guarantee that there will be a lot more to come if army of Burma do not realize that their policy does not work for country peace and prosperity.

However good ambitions can not be destroy, the harder oppress and destroyed the stronger it gets.
Tom Tun, Calgary, Canada

Burmese people's involvement in 8888 was enough to make the positive changes.   Pautkyine, NZ

8-8-88 is the major TIPPING point in military-ruled Burma, spanning 26 years of unchallenged autocracy by so-called army-backed BSPP (Socialist Party) - showing the world, WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN NO MATTER HOW STRONG YOU ARE. Of course the citizens then are no match for the automatic gun-fire. But the people there had made a point that the era of AUTOCRATS are almost 'OVER'. Only some time needed to call it 'OUT' yet. There is NO argument that it had shown the whole world- It is not only for the better BURMA, but also for the better WORLD for a better TOMORROW.
Aung M. O., Singapore

The 20th anniversary years is the GREAT year and we remember 1948-1958-1968-1978-1988-2008 are the quite different years in Burma history. The POLITICAL momentum of today is the highest in those two decades of Burma.

The SPDC have a lot of FOUL and mistakes since 1988 and not standing as sincerely and Constitution was drafted by 45 Selected member is the BIGGEST wrong function and killing the monks and students are the second mistake. The third mistake is allowing to defy the Monks, NLD and politicians are also third mistake. The fourth and never start the National matter of Federal matter. All the time military is accusing to our citizen as kind of INSURGENT. Therefore the public is also suffering the POOREST living standard and lowest education standard.

The 8888 movement will get the GOAL in very near future because the SPDC and all of their trend and their strategy were known by public. This time, NLD must show their effective and confrontation of Parliament or Interim Government.
Aung Moung, Pakokku, Burma

I hope, we can do it again.
Naw Naw, Malaysia