Jul 24, 2006

Shan: Memorial Ceremony in honor of Dr. Chao Tzang Yawnghwe


On the 2nd anniversary of Dr. Chao Tzangs passing away, the Shan EU Group is holding on 24 July 2006 a Memorial Ceremony in honor of Dr. Chao Tzang Yawnghwe, and is launching a Petition Letter Campaign for the immediate release of Hkun Htun Oo and other Shan State Leaders.
Below is a press release from the Shan EU Group:

It has been two years since our much-honored Dr. Chao Tzang Yawnghwe passed away, but he is still remembered among us as a great idol that fought for equality, self-determination, federalism and democracy in Burma.

Dr. Chao Tzang Yawnghwe, also known as Uncle Eugene, was the son of the first President of the newly independent Union of Burma. Before passing away on 24th July 2004, he had worked in the political movement opposing Burmas military regime for 41 years.

Dr. Chao Tzang Yawnghwe dedicated his entire life to work for the freedom of not only the Shan people, but all the people of Burma from the oppressive regime. During his lifetime, he made a great contribution to the political movement, being a co-founder and member of the Presidium of the United Nationalities League for Democracy (Librated Area), advisor of the National Reconciliation Program (NRP), Ethnic Nationalities Solidarity and Cooperation Committee, National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma and Chair of the Working Committee of the Ethnic Nationalities Council, which is the non-Burman grouping coordinating for Tripartite Dialogue.

He was deeply committed to the advocacy process to bring about tripartite dialogue between the junta, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung Sun Suu Kyi whose party won the 1990 election, and the ethnic groups.

Moreover, he was one of the most supportive leaders of the advancement of women and young people.

Therefore, on the 2nd anniversary of Dr. Chao Tzangs passing away, on 24 July 2006 we are holding a Memorial Ceremony in honor of Dr. Chao Tzang Yawnghwe, and, to continue our struggle for political and social change in Burma, we are launching our Petition Letter Campaign for the immediate release of Hkun Htun Oo and other Shan State Leaders.

To commemorate his dedication to the freedom of all people from Burma, we the Shan Youth Committee would like to urge the international community, especially the ASEAN:

•to condemn these unlawful imprisonments and demand the immediate release of Hkun Htun Oo and other Shan State leaders, Aung San Suu Kyi, and all political prisoners in Burma
•to pressure Burmas military regime to immediately implement a nationwide ceasefire and begin tripartite dialogue with the National League for Democracy and genuine representatives of the ethnic nationalities to begin a meaningful process of political reform
•to act immediately to bring Burma to the UN Security Council