About NASUWT
 NASUWT is the largest trade union representing 285,000
teachers and headteachers in the UK.
 The Union is led by the General Secretary Chris Keates.
 Every year the Union holds Annual Conference to debate
the issues affecting teachers’ working lives.
NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World
NASUWT International Work
 NASUWT officially supports trade unions in four
countries: Burma, Iraq, Zimbabwe and Colombia
 NASUWT is represented on the Executive Board of
Education International, a federation of international
trade unions
 For further information go to
www.nasuwt.org.uk/International
NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World
Burma – Key facts
 Population: 58 million
 Official Language: Burmese
 Currency: Kyat
NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World
Burma – Struggle for Democracy
Burma is ruled by a brutal and corrupt military
dictatorship.
The Burmese Army has been allowed to
torture, rape and kill civilians, including
children, without facing prosecution.
Burma has an appalling human rights record.
Opponents of the dictatorship are tortured or
even murdered.
People are not allowed to gather together in
groups to protest and trade unions are banned
NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World
Aung San Suu Kii imprisoned
Elections are not free and fair. In
1990 elections were held in
which the National League for
Democracy, led by Aung San
Suu Kyi (left), won 82% of the
seats in Parliament.
The dictatorship refused to accept the
election and held Aung San Suu Kyi
under house arrest until 2010.
Further elections were held in 2010,
but they were not open and the NLD
were not allowed to stand. The result
was that the military dictatorship
became a civilian dictatorship.
NASUWT – Supporting Teachers
Around The World
Poor infrastructure in Burma
The Burmese government spends most
of its money on the Army with very little
on proper healthcare, education or
supporting many people who are in
poverty.
The NASUWT supports Burma
Campaign UK to promote human rights
and the growth of democracy. In recent
years this has included donations,
targeted protests, contacting politicians in
the UK to remind them that these
problems still exist in Burma and inviting
speakers to discuss their problems.
NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World
Life in Burma
Left: Burmese monks
Right: Burmese schoolchildren
NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World
Women’s Rights In Burma
 Women’s rights are appalling in Burma. The military
dominate Burmese society and are almost entirely
made up of men.
 According to the Amnesty International forced labour
and human trafficking are common and sexual
violence including torture and rape is used as
instrument of terror.
 Women’s rights groups have been set up along the
borders of Burma, and have worked closely with
human rights groups and trade unions to work to
improve women’s rights in Burma.
Activities
 You could use the information and photos in the
presentation to produce a fact file of the key issues in
Burma.
 Use the information and photos you have researched to
write a letter to your MP about the issues in Burma.
 You could use the information and photos within the
presentation and on the linked websites to produce a
campaigning leaflet or poster identifying why people should
support a campaign for human rights in Burma.
NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World
Links
 For further information, visit:
www.burmacampaign.org.uk
 For further information on the NASUWT’s
campaigns visit www.nasuwt.org.uk/Burma
 To write a letter to your MP visit
www.nasuwt.org.uk/ContactYourMP
NASUWT – Supporting Teachers Around The World