Their rights have to be guarded by the government. The rights of ethnic nationalities include the right to develop their own culture, to develop their own kind of social system. In Burma today, although the military regime claims that it has achieved unity with the ethnic nationalities, the truth is that our ethnic nationalities are suffering greatly from repression of all kinds. For example in the Mon state, in recent years since this military regime came to power, the teaching of Mon language in schools has been prohibited. Now if this is not an infringement of the cultural rights of an ethnic people, what is.
Language is very important.
Language is one of the most important parts of any cultural package. If a people are not allowed to teach their own language how are they expected to pass on their cultural heritage. This is just an example of the kind of social and cultural injustice that exists in Burma today. In order to remove these injustices, the ethnic nationality peoples, like the rest of the people of Burma must be given a voice. They must be given a right to express their opinions, to be able to work for their aspirations, to be able to enjoy the full rights of citizens of a free democratic nation.