The Global Student Forum (GSF) issues the following statement regarding the recent military attack on the Budalin Student Union office in Myanmar, which resulted in the tragic death of three student leaders.
In a shocking event, the military reportedly stormed the student union office, leading to the deaths of student leaders - Ko Kyaw Win Thant, Ko Kyal Sin Nyein Chan, and Ko Thuta Nay. This incident represents a clear violation of human rights and an assault on our democratic values.
We vehemently condemn the Myanmar military for their heinous actions that have not only led to the loss of young lives but also to the destruction of critical student infrastructure. Such actions are an affront to academic freedom, democracy, and governance. They undermine the ability of students to engage in political activism and protect their rights, limiting the capacity of student organisations to function.
The situation highlights the precarious condition students find themselves in, due to the violent political conflict. The distressing impact of the issue on the quality of education, human rights, and democratic values cannot be understated. Students have been suppressed with alarming ferocity since the military coup in February 2021, and such a hostile environment is not conducive to learning and living.
GSF calls upon the international community, educational institutions, and human rights organisations worldwide to stand in solidarity with the students of Myanmar. We urge stakeholders to condemn these actions and advocate for stringent measures to ensure the safety and rights of students. We further call for an end to the military violence and oppression that threatens the academic freedom and lives of students in Myanmar.
We stand in solidarity with the students in Myanmar and will persist in our advocacy for their academic freedom and right to live in a peaceful, just society. This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for us to fight for a safer, more equitable world for all students.
