20 Years Since Thousands of Pro-Democracy Activists Killed in Burma

(08 Aug 08 - RV) Today marks twenty years since Myanmar’s military junta suppressed a bid by more than a million peaceful protesters to restore democracy.

Thousands were killed in the 1988 demonstrations.

The junta was on high alert today with riot police guarding the country’s main city of Yangon and the home of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

In Myanmar, also known as Burma, the military junta arrested 48 activists for a protest to mark the anniversary.

Mark Farmaner is Director of the Burma Campaign UK.

He says that despite the support, the international community needs to take stronger action to achieve democracy in the country.