
February in Norway is freezing. That day, the temperature was around minus 10 degrees Celsius, and with the biting wind, it felt even colder. It was the kind of day when most people would prefer to stay indoors, relaxing in front of the TV. Yet, Karl Johans Gate was bustling with people. Despite the cold, the sun was shining, and in the warmth of its rays, you could see the determination in the faces of the people gathered there. In front of Norway’s grand Parliament building, the flag of Myanmar’s People’s Defense Force (PDF) fluttered fiercely in the wind.
This scene reflected the unwavering stance of Myanmar people in Norway against the military coup and their ongoing struggle for democracy. The crowd sang in unison: “It’s time, brothers and sisters… let’s stand together, united by our blood.” They had been singing this song for four years, since the very beginning of the resistance. WutHmon Win, General secretary of CRPH Support Group, Norway, the event coordinator, addressed the gathering in Norwegian: “Why are we here today? Because we refuse to pass on this injustice, this oppression, to the next generation.”
Indeed, these people had made a firm decision: they would not allow future generations to inherit the burden of political oppression. Many of them had been sending tens of millions of kyats every year from their earnings in Norway to support the revolutionaries inside Myanmar and to help the civilians suffering under military rule. This year’s 4th anniversary anti-dictatorship demonstration was different from previous ones. A significant milestone was the attendance of Trine Lise Sundnes, a Member of Parliament from Norway’s largest political party, the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet). She delivered a speech in solidarity with the Myanmar people.
Also present was Magnus Holtfodt, an advisor from the International Department of the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO). Trine Lise Sundnes stated: “Today marks another day of suffering for the people of Myanmar, with four years of brutal repression, violence, and human rights violations continuing. In our 2023 Labour Party congress, we reaffirmed our support for the Myanmar people and our opposition to the military junta’s terror. It is crucial that the Norwegian government provides assistance to Myanmar through the United Nations and NGOs.” The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) has been working with Myanmar’s labor unions to push for international sanctions against the military regime under Article 33 of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Magnus Holtfodt reaffirmed LO’s commitment to this cause.
Also in attendance was Selma Bratberg, Chair of SAIH (Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund), an organization actively supporting Myanmar’s education and student rights. Audun Aagre, from the Norwegian Burma Committee (NBC), a long-time supporter of Myanmar’s democracy, also spoke at the event, alongside U Thet Tun Oo, Chairman of CRPH Support Group (Norway).
This demonstration was unique. It was held in both Norwegian and Burmese, with significant participation from organizations advocating for Myanmar’s democracy, human rights, and federalism. Importantly, despite the four long years of resistance, the unity and determination of Myanmar people in Norway remained strong. Ethnic groups from all across Myanmar actively participated, proving that the spirit of the revolution was far from fading. “We will not allow our children and grandchildren to suffer under the horrors of dictatorship.”
in the warmth of its rays, you could see the determination in the faces of the people gathered there. In front of Norway’s grand Parliament building, the flag of Myanmar’s People’s Defense Force (PDF) fluttered fiercely in the wind. This scene reflected the unwavering stance of Myanmar people in Norway against the military coup and their ongoing struggle for democracy. The crowd sang in unison: “It’s time, brothers and sisters… let’s stand together, united by our blood.” They had been singing this song for four years, since the very beginning of the resistance. WutHmon Win, General secretary of CRPH Support Group, Norway, the event coordinator, addressed the gathering in Norwegian: “Why are we here today? Because we refuse to pass on this injustice, this oppression, to the next generation.” Indeed, these people had made a firm decision: they would not allow future generations to inherit the burden of political oppression. Many of them had been sending tens of millions of kyats every year from their earnings in Norway to support the revolutionaries inside Myanmar and to help the civilians suffering under military rule. This year’s 4th anniversary anti-dictatorship demonstration was different from previous ones. A significant milestone was the attendance of Trine Lise Sundnes, a Member of Parliament from Norway’s largest political party, the Labour Party (Arbeiderpartiet). She delivered a speech in solidarity with the Myanmar people. Also present was Magnus Holtfodt, an advisor from the International Department of the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO). Trine Lise Sundnes stated: “Today marks another day of suffering for the people of Myanmar, with four years of brutal repression, violence, and human rights violations continuing. In our 2023 Labour Party congress, we reaffirmed our support for the Myanmar people and our opposition to the military junta’s terror. It is crucial that the Norwegian government provides assistance to Myanmar through the United Nations and NGOs.” The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) has been working with Myanmar’s labor unions to push for international sanctions against the military regime under Article 33 of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Magnus Holtfodt reaffirmed LO’s commitment to this cause. Also in attendance was Selma Bratberg, Chair of SAIH (Norwegian Students’ and Academics’ International Assistance Fund), an organization actively supporting Myanmar’s education and student rights. Audun Aagre, from the Norwegian Burma Committee (NBC), a long-time supporter of Myanmar’s democracy, also spoke at the event, alongside U Thet Tun Oo, Chairman of CRPH Support Group (Norway). This demonstration was unique. It was held in both Norwegian and Burmese, with significant participation from organizations advocating for Myanmar’s democracy, human rights, and federalism. Importantly, despite the four long years of resistance, the unity and determination of Myanmar people in Norway remained strong. Ethnic groups from all across Myanmar actively participated, proving that the spirit of the revolution was far from fading. “We will not allow our children and grandchildren to suffer under the horrors of dictatorship.”
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