Tenasserim Student Unions Network

The Tenasserim Student Unions Network is made up of 11 university, college and basic education student unions in the region, formed for political, educational and regional affairs. According to the network's statements, it was formed before August 11, 2018.

On December 17, 2018, it issued the network's first warning (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid0UMbBHjVRYPUWSMap985XMRdpbPnYWoS1skm9R2bePPekZRk3uKwHDdpbrTNbBjael), condemning the Ministry of Home Affairs over the hunger strike by Lashio Technological University Students' Union chair Sai Kyaw Zaw Han while detained for protesting, and stating that responsibility would lie with the Ministry of Education if it did not resolve the matter.

On the February 1, 2021, military coup, it stated (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid0emCFV7YtUx9qrZcLhJPi76BxqGt5HoJWjUfs2TBU34vemWDY3e2uZhZ3jWt6UFEul) that seizing power without any unrest requiring a declaration of emergency was pushing to destroy the country's stability, and that the military alone would be responsible for any bloodshed. It urged (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid02Bnf54Bf4d6TFyjiNGfQwLqpt1mcX66KMFcaMEZMAe6eYj6W1QN6zL2MPjCMFFfFl) education staff to oppose the coup and to demand the release of all detained national leaders and representatives. Member unions of the network made similar demands and appeals (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2775520549366570&set=pcb.2775520739366551). Member unions also jointly held anti-dictatorship protests in their towns and called for a "school boycott strike".

On February 4, 2022  (https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=4938699306168521&set=pcb.4938699539501831), the network was renamed the "Tenasserim-based Student Unions Network" and expanded, and released the list of member unions. When armed conflicts following the Spring Revolution led to displaced people in the region, the network raised funds and provided help for relief, and raised logistics funds for Spring Revolution armed forces.  

It has taken part in campaigns (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid0UVLvuMiXJB8DkLWJjNMjdkrUeo1XLbn6wPC7qtcV5X83VrkgpHtBYceMMgSFmtqLl) calling on the Chevron group, which continues to work with the terrorist military, not to recognize the junta as Myanmar's government. As political activity, union students have held discussion circles titled "Uproot Fake Unionism".

On May 31, 2022, it adopted the TSUN Charter (https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=5272772626094519&set=pcb.5272753126096469). The charter contains six basic principles, six objectives and seven programmes. It stated (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid0SHtwAqwXtbB9YZdvpnZy4ef7pe3zfRZNRGg4MiVdksJGHvA3UeYja6X1CQU9LTJQl) that only seven unions were able to take part in adopting the charter and that it would continue to invite the remaining unions. At the same time, it also adopted (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid02532DnUCWFmRW9VbeJqh2SnFptQAu5f11KpgxqEPV6uSt1NEBcFP1pSBxYkaceacHl) the network's flag and logo.

In June 2022, the network discussed interim basic education matters with the Tanintharyi Region Basic Education Teachers' Union and township education boards, including the emergence of federal schools at basic education level (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid02BN5RPds2WB6dLrtMY44UriQKYcbXiRQiu13WVvWxhU7CykLJLrkSGdieik8GtzqYl).

On the 60th anniversary of Seven July Day, July 7, together with Mon- and Karen-based student unions, it issued an appeal (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=5369021499802964&set=pcb.5369021799802934)  to revolutionary groups and the public. It urged that the Implementation of Justice is a public duty entrusted by the revolution, and that the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), the National Unity Government (NUG) and political groupings need to make efforts to adopt and implement concrete actions and policies for justice.

On July 25, it stated (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid0HZhxSF734Ev1BGShvKYqu19UKbLzrXEZrkwYNpzWnj8A2gFdJwq9x8CpsYVWmpxDl) that the terrorist junta's execution of Ko Jimmy, Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, Ko Aung Thura Zaw and Ko Hla Myo Aung was a challenge to the people, and showed that ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus, being urged by the UN, ASEAN and international organizations, was not working. On August 22, together with 864 organizations, it signed a demand (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=5499468936758219&set=pcb.5499471100091336) objecting to and condemning the UN Special Envoy's meeting with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and calling on the UN General Assembly to withdraw her mandate.

At a full network meeting on August 30, it decided (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid02YGrasVqMtUFoQL8x4FuquYGyGEoMZdjpgykE1ZZ7bZfQAd4KfiK1gT6Gx85wUvuzl) to confirm the "Dawei University Students' Union", which had not joined when the charter was adopted, as a member union.

On the October 19 bombing at the Insein Prison visitors' office in Yangon and shooting from a security tower that killed civilians, it stated (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid0gkdV7LJfmWxSZwtsdvAagNDkjjWP6HaGm3oqpBXyzsnxSmpcUCg8YXNzXH1fY7q7l) that attacking a public place is a violation of the laws of war and that whichever organization committed it must take responsibility and be held accountable. When the Insein Prison military tribunal sentenced to death on November 30, under Section 302(a), seven Dagon University students arrested on April 21, 2022, it declared (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid0UYqd9qsK1HBcVwbeETh6MK7gmLVdvEMnsBoyWxFW6TPqXomzyWPBNfDiHf6Y4zcZl) that this was merely using the judicial system as a weapon, and that the struggle against injustice must be fought to the end.

On January 1, 2023, it issued a recommendation paper (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid02TvFb1VVYjGairBhW1fhQtSeLWpQwzRfmh4RWooZs6APCWTFrZqk54C3QyGScnGiSl)  on regional political organizing. The paper urges local people themselves to build a Tenasserim National State (or federal unit) that guarantees freedom and equality. On March 3, it launched the Progressive Youths Voice of Tenasserim (PYTV) to bring the voices of young people in the region's revolutionary forces to the public.

On April 25, when the terrorist junta increased the life sentence of Ko Kaung Set Paing, ground operations officer of the North Okkalapa Township Students' Union (ABFSU), to the death penalty, the network issued a statement (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid0q7XFKwgutRKQ4h27Za7hMCEAw5JQ52ULwBaEXMFkRbHXAF2sGxfCSUxPs8gYphdsl) strongly condemning it and saying that efforts to uproot dictatorship must be strengthened through greater unity.

The network has also introduced the "Tenasserim Vision – Youths Talk Series" and "Youth Voices: Views and Aspirations" programmes, aimed (https://www.facebook.com/tenasserimsun/posts/pfbid02hX5R1MwgLkxt4dbswhjrKE6JfhKfiWqRDraYw4VWom1HF2JMLTEGTbDMepdXKqMPl) at building a federal union, strengthening practical political and revolutionary thinking among the public, and finding common ground among diverse groups' shared aspirations. Through these programmes, it broadcasts to the public the political aspirations, difficulties and challenges of armed and unarmed forces in the region taking part in the Spring Revolution.

On November 17, when the National League for Democracy (NLD) Central Working Committee announced that it had approved draft laws on preparations for interim arrangements and an interim constitution, the network, together with 21 regional political groupings, issued a position (https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=842773140978984&set=pcb.842773180978980) saying this lacked the views of regional groups and was a blatant violation of Part (1) of the Federal Democracy Charter. It also said it regards this as ignoring and insulting efforts to bring about a Tenasserim federal state. Currently, the network operates through the activities of its member unions rather than as a political movement.

Contact

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