Annual Report presented at the 2005 Annual General Meeting

Presented by Than Aung (Vice-President) April 22 2005

1. People Situation

There are almost no social services in Burma. At the same time, the people are getting poorer and the authorities have reduced the health care and education budgets. As the expense of providing social services became too much, the responsibility of providing them was transferred from the state to the private sectors. United Nations agencies and international development agencies have been giving social support, but almost no support has been given by the authorities. It is common practice that the military government makes private citizens pay for things, such as building schools, and calls this "self-help". Therefore, social conditions have deteriorated more than ever before, especially public health care system.

Since the military took the power in 1988, the education system has been systematically repressed. The cost of education has become higher with the rise in general commodity prices. The small salaries of school teachers does not provide social opportunity and economic crisis has made even primary school students drop out to look for jobs. Students have little interest in education system because of the economic crisis. The junta used to close the universities whenever there was a student demonstration. The other significant factor in education in Burma is that military education has been separated from public education. Military Medical College, Military Engineering College, Military Nurse College, Military Technology College, Cooperative College and National Races Development University are given priority over public universities and colleges.

The military authorities are directly involved in creating the curriculum of the schools. The teachers and students who want a modern education are not satisfied with the basic education infrastructure. In this way, the military junta has systematically destroyed the current education structure.

2. The situation of Burmese military junta

The Burmese military junta became (officially) a disunited gang of criminals since the SPDC has purged the powerful Chief of Military Intelligence and the then Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt. The SPDC has disolved the Military Intelligence headed by Gen. Khin Nyunt and put all his followers into custody and confiscated their business and removed all of them from their offices.

The Burmese military junta have increased the criminal activities against all opposition parties and all individuals ever since. They have extended one more year Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo's house-arrest duration. Their latest action against opposition parties was that they arrested leaders of Shan National League Democracy including its leader U Khun Htun Oo.

The Burmese military junta has reconeved the so-called "National Convention" on 17th May 2005. Almost all participants are chosen by SPDC. The NLD Party is not invited to this National Convention.

3. The situation of Pro-democracy groups

Approximately 1500 political prisoners including the following leaders are still in Burmese prisons or under house arrest:

• Daw Aung San Suu Kyi - National League for Democracy (NLD)
• U Tin Oo - National League for Democracy (NLD)
• U Khun Htu Oo - Shan National League for Democracy (SNLD)

4. A brief account of the activites of Burma Watch Internation during 2003-2004

Based on aforementioned political and social situations, Burma Watch International has undertaken a number of activities including:

• writing letters to Canadian Parliamentary Friends of Burma
• participating in Burma Forum Canada
• participating in the Working Group On Investments in Burma
• meeting with the Hon. David Kilgour (MP)
• organizing local participation in online signature campaigns for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's selection as one of "Asia's Heroes for 2004"
• holding Gathering Meetings for Burma Watch members in Edmonton

We would like to say many thanks to all the individuals and organizations that have shown their strong support to our great cause -- Burma's struggle for democracy, justice and freedom.