Kim Aris, the son of Burma’s jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and the grandson of the nation’s independence leader General Aung San, spoke during a Martyrs’ Day event held virtually by the National Unity Government (NUG) on Saturday.
“We honour and remember all the martyrs who gave their lives for Burma’s independence, including my grandfather, General Aung San, and the countless individuals from diverse ethnic communities who stood together in the struggle for freedom in the past, and those who continue to struggle for fundamental freedoms today,” Aris said.
Martyrs’ Day, observed on July 19, commemorates the assassination of Aung San and six other cabinet members, as well as two officials, in 1947 – months before Burma gained independence from British rule on Jan. 4, 1948.
Recognized as a national day of mourning, Martyrs’ Day is observed across Burma with a moment of silence or gestures of respect to those tragically killed. At exactly 10:37 a.m., the time of day the assassinations took place, citizens bow their heads or sound car horns and sirens to honour the fallen leaders.
The NUG stated on July 19 that it pays tribute to all the martyrs of various ethnic groups who have opposed and fought against injustice across successive eras and made sacrifices for the common good in Burma. Its armed wing, the People’s Defence Force (PDF), held ceremonies in areas under the control of resistance forces nationwide.
Regime media reported that Min Aung Hlaing, held a ceremony on Saturday at the Martyrs’ Mausoleum in Yangon’s Bahan Township. This marked the first time the regime leader has attended a Martyrs’ Day event since the 2021 military coup he led by ousting Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) government.
Military officials laid wreaths and paid respects under heightened security, Yangon residents told DVB. Aung San Suu Kyi has been absent from Martyrs’ Day events for five consecutive years as she remains in prison, where the 80-year-old is serving a 27-year sentence, held by the regime in its purpose-built capital Naypyidaw.
The U.K., the U.S., and Australia each issued statements of solidarity with the people of Myanmar and reaffirming their support for Myanmar’s democratic aspirations.
“The British Embassy joins the Myanmar people in paying tribute to those who have lost their lives in pursuit of a better future for Myanmar. Very sadly, this includes the inexcusable killing of many civilians,” the U.K. embassy stated.
The U.S. Embassy expressed its honour to “the nine fallen leaders” and added that “their legacy continues to inspire efforts toward peace, unity, and justice for all.”
The Australian Embassy also paid tribute, recognizing both the original martyrs and those who “continue to strive for a brighter future.”
Seventy-eight years since the assassination of General Aung San, and Martyrs’ Day remains a symbol of national resistance. Since the uprising to the 2021 coup began, it has gained renewed significance as a reminder of both past sacrifice and ongoing struggle for the liberation of the country once-and-for-all from military rule.
The Myanmar Peace Monitor reports that about 96 towns have been seized from the regime by resistance forces, which includes some key ethnic armed groups. In the lead-up to Min Aung Hlaing’s planned elections this December, regime forces have launched counteroffensives to regain lost territory.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has documented that a total of 6,974 people have been killed for opposing the 2021 coup. Over 22,000 arrested over the last four years are currently imprisoned across the country.
