Seminar: Myanmar Spring Revolution

It is nearly 3 and half years since the 1 February 2021 military coup in Myanmar. The situation in Myanmar is critical as the political, humanitarian and security situation in Myanmar continues to deteriorate. Despite this the people of Myanmar have demonstrated resistance, resilience, and great resolve in the face of unspeakable violence and human rights abuses.

National governments, regional and global organisations, civil society, human rights defenders and the Myanmar diaspora are calling for the Myanmar regime to cease violence against civilians, release those unjustly detained, allow safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian assistance, and return Myanmar to the path of inclusive democracy. During this seminar, our speakers will talk to these important issues followed by audience Q&A. 

 This event is hosted by the Queensland Myanmar Youth Collective, CRPH/NUG Support Group (Queensland) and UQ's Asia-Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect.

Professor Sean Turnell is an Australian Economist and former economic policy advisor to State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. He has been a Senior Economic Analyst at the Reserve Bank of Australia, a policy adviser to a range of international institutions including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank and is an honarary professor of economics at Macquarie University. Following a military coup in Myanmar, Sean was detained in 2021 and incarcerated for 650 days on charges of being a spy before being released and deported back to Australia. His book An Unlikely Prisoner recounts his experience. Despite these hardships, Turnell’s dedication to supporting Myanmar’s economy remains unwavering.

Ma Thida is a remarkable Burmese individual who wears multiple hats: she is a surgeon, writer, poet and a human rights activist. In 1993, she was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for her active support to democracy and opposition to the military. Despite her hardships, she received multiple international human rights awards, including the Reebok Human Rights Award and the PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award. Her resilience, activism and literary contributions continue to inspire those who seek positive change in Myanmar and beyond.

Dr Tun Aung Shwe serves as Australia’s representative of the National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar. He studied public health and health management at UNSW and was serving as a consultant for the development of social cohesion in Myanmar when the military attempted a coup. After, he became a pro-democracy activist and is a founding member of CRPH/NUG Support Group (Australia), a political platform set up to advocate and implement campaigns and grassroot action as one team, one voice.