Dear All,
This is an update for you on the latest developments in and outside Burma over the past 3 days.
If you want to take an action on the web, there is an online petition to the UN Secretary General
calling for the UN intervention on the current situation in Burma at: http://www.petitiononline.com/kha8954b/petition.html
In Solidarity,
Khin Ohmar
Coordinator, APPPB
I. Update on the ’88 Generation Students Group (Sept 1):
Today the ’88 Generation Students have issued their second statement since the arrests of other ’88 student leaders like Min Ko Naing and Min Zeya. In the statement, they called on the military regime to resolve the root causes of current problems by peaceful means in stead of using violence and to release detained protesters. They also called on the junta’s paramilitary wing USDA to join hands with them and stand up for the people.
II. At least Six More Arrests:
1) Ko Than Tin, another ’88 Generation Student Group member has been arrested approximately two days ago.
2) 3 people were reportedly arrested in Sittwe on Aug 28 for offering drinking water to Buddhist monks who were staging a peaceful protest. Names unknown.
3) Two protesters, Ko Sithu and Ko Than Lwin, who protested in Taunggote were also arrested on Aug 31.
The security especially in those cities where the protests took place has been heavily tightened.
III. More Protests:
Over the past three days since Aug 29, at least (5) protests took place in different parts of the country.
Aug 29:
1) About 1,000 people joined the protest in Sittwe, Rakhine State of western Burma. The first protest in Sittwe on Aug 28 was joined by about 300 mainly Buddhist monks.
2) A group of about 100 students in Tavoy Township Tenasserim Division southern Burma launched a protest against the massive fuel price hike and the consequent increase in prices of essential commodities by going around the town on motorcycles chanting slogans.
Aug 30: About 30 people including 12 elected MPs from the 1990 elections staged a peaceful march for about an hour in Mandalay – 1st action in the second largest city since the protests started on 19 Aug.
Aug 31:
1) The activists who have been detained in Kyaikasan Interrogation Center in Rangoon for staging protest on 29th at Hledan are staging a hunger strike in the Interrogation Center as authorities refused to provide medical treatment to an injured protester.
2) About 200 people led by some local NLD members took a peaceful march towards pagoda in Kyauk-pa-daung.
3) In Taunggote, another town of Rakhine State, two protesters held placards which read “Reduce Commodities Prices”. These two protesters have also been arrested.
IV. Students and Monks under Watch:
It’s been reported that with the protests spreading to others parts of the country the military regime issued the orders to school teachers on Aug 27 to monitor students' activities. At the same time the regime has ordered abbots in cities like Rangoon, Mandalay and Sittwe to control their monks and novices in the monasteries and stop their involvement in the protests.
This imposed restrictions and tightening of security on students and monks is not surprising as we know well that students and Buddhist monks are always at the forefront of any social and political movements throughout Burma’s history ever since the struggle for independence from British.
There was another protest by students in Moulmein, Mon State on Aug 24 but was reportedly cancelled due to tightened security around the university.
V. Actions “Towards Free Burma” Around the World:
There have been increased actions by the Burmese expatriate communities and supporters around the world condemning the military regime and calling for the UN and international governments to take concrete actions to put pressure on the regime.
(A) Coming Actions:
1) Bangkok, Thailand (September 2): Another protest will be staged by Burmese activists and Thai solidarity friends in front of Burmese regime’s Embassy organized by Burmese and Thai organizations.
2) London, UK (September 4): A 24-hours Hunger Strike will be staged by about 40 plus Burmese and friends of Burma to show support to the activists inside Burma. It’s organized by London-based Burmese groups like Burmese Muslim Association. If you want to join this action, please sign up at: www.burmacampaign.co.uk/eu_action.html
3) Netherlands (September 7): On Sept 7 at 12.00 noon Burmese activists will hold a protest in front of the Indian embassy against the Indian government’s Shwe gas development with the Burmese military and then protesters will walk to the Portuguese embassy to join others in the main Europe-wide protests which will be held at 13.30.
4) Japan (Aug 28, 29, 30, 31, and Sept 3, 4): There will be series of demonstrations by Burmese democracy activists in Japan in coming days. They held demonstrations last week as well.
(B) Last Week Actions:
1) Europe-wide Protests (Aug 31): About 60 joined protest at Portuguese Embassy in London which was a part of 15 Countries’ “Join Day of Action” for Burma calling on the EU Presidency to increase pressure on the military regime. Protests took place in at least 14 countries across Europe, including UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Czech Republic, Ireland, Denmark, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Norway, Italy, Netherlands, and Romania. A group Burmese people demonstrated in front of the Peace Palace in The Hague joining this Europe-wide protest at Portuguese embassies around Europe.
The day of action is in response to the failure of the European Union to take any concrete action in response to the Burmese military regime’s crackdown on peaceful protestors in Burma. European Campaign groups are calling for EU Foreign Ministers who will meet in Portugal on 7th and 8th of September to put Burma on the agenda and discuss strengthening the EU Common Position.
2) London, UK (Aug 28): More than 80 people joined a demonstration at the British Foreign Office in London organized jointly by Burma Campaign UK, Burmese Democratic Movement Association, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide and called on the UK government to take action.
The EU and many governments, with the exception of governments of Asia, have all made statements condemning the recent arrests, but none have followed up with any concrete action. EU Ministers meet on 7th September and the Burma Campaign UK is calling on them to discuss stronger measures against the Burmese regime.
3) San Francisco, CA, USA (Aug 28): About 50 people joined the protest in front of the Federal Building/the office of the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco, which was organized jointly by Burmese American Democratic Alliance and Burmese American Women Association and local Burmese.
4) Canada (Aug 26): Burmese dissidents and supporters in Vancouver, Canada held a demonstration organized by local Burmese dissident group, Burmese Students’ Democratic Organization (BSDO) and other local activists.
VI. Statements, Press Releases, etc:
More Burmese and international organizations have also joined this worldwide protests by issuing statements and press releases condemning the Burmese regime and demanding the release of detained protesters. All statements and press releases can be viewed at: http//apppb.blogspot.com
I. Statements by Burma Groups:
1) Arakan Liberation Party (ALP)
2) Burmese Women’s Union (BWU)
3) Karen National Union (KNU)
4) National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)
5) Women organizations of Burma based in India
6) Women’s League of Chinland
II. Statements by International Communities:
7) Hollywood Celebrity Jim Carrey calls for Burma (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NySuaJ2B20E)
8) ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation representing 168 million working men and
women in 153 countries and territories)
9) Frontline – The International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
10) Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (Aug 30)
III. Statements by International Governments and Lawmakers:
11) Swedish MPs
12) Japanese MPs (Aug 29)
13) Asean Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (Aug 28)
14) Australian MP Robert McClelland (Aug 29)
15) US Senators Mitch McConnell, leader of the Senate's Republican minority, and Dianne
Feinstein, Democratic chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary terrorism subcommittee (Aug 29)
16) US President Bush (Aug 30)
17) US First Lady Laura Bush called on UN Secretary General (Aug 31)
This is an update for you on the latest developments in and outside Burma over the past 3 days.
If you want to take an action on the web, there is an online petition to the UN Secretary General
calling for the UN intervention on the current situation in Burma at: http://www.petitiononline.com/kha8954b/petition.html
In Solidarity,
Khin Ohmar
Coordinator, APPPB
I. Update on the ’88 Generation Students Group (Sept 1):
Today the ’88 Generation Students have issued their second statement since the arrests of other ’88 student leaders like Min Ko Naing and Min Zeya. In the statement, they called on the military regime to resolve the root causes of current problems by peaceful means in stead of using violence and to release detained protesters. They also called on the junta’s paramilitary wing USDA to join hands with them and stand up for the people.
II. At least Six More Arrests:
1) Ko Than Tin, another ’88 Generation Student Group member has been arrested approximately two days ago.
2) 3 people were reportedly arrested in Sittwe on Aug 28 for offering drinking water to Buddhist monks who were staging a peaceful protest. Names unknown.
3) Two protesters, Ko Sithu and Ko Than Lwin, who protested in Taunggote were also arrested on Aug 31.
The security especially in those cities where the protests took place has been heavily tightened.
III. More Protests:
Over the past three days since Aug 29, at least (5) protests took place in different parts of the country.
Aug 29:
1) About 1,000 people joined the protest in Sittwe, Rakhine State of western Burma. The first protest in Sittwe on Aug 28 was joined by about 300 mainly Buddhist monks.
2) A group of about 100 students in Tavoy Township Tenasserim Division southern Burma launched a protest against the massive fuel price hike and the consequent increase in prices of essential commodities by going around the town on motorcycles chanting slogans.
Aug 30: About 30 people including 12 elected MPs from the 1990 elections staged a peaceful march for about an hour in Mandalay – 1st action in the second largest city since the protests started on 19 Aug.
Aug 31:
1) The activists who have been detained in Kyaikasan Interrogation Center in Rangoon for staging protest on 29th at Hledan are staging a hunger strike in the Interrogation Center as authorities refused to provide medical treatment to an injured protester.
2) About 200 people led by some local NLD members took a peaceful march towards pagoda in Kyauk-pa-daung.
3) In Taunggote, another town of Rakhine State, two protesters held placards which read “Reduce Commodities Prices”. These two protesters have also been arrested.
IV. Students and Monks under Watch:
It’s been reported that with the protests spreading to others parts of the country the military regime issued the orders to school teachers on Aug 27 to monitor students' activities. At the same time the regime has ordered abbots in cities like Rangoon, Mandalay and Sittwe to control their monks and novices in the monasteries and stop their involvement in the protests.
This imposed restrictions and tightening of security on students and monks is not surprising as we know well that students and Buddhist monks are always at the forefront of any social and political movements throughout Burma’s history ever since the struggle for independence from British.
There was another protest by students in Moulmein, Mon State on Aug 24 but was reportedly cancelled due to tightened security around the university.
V. Actions “Towards Free Burma” Around the World:
There have been increased actions by the Burmese expatriate communities and supporters around the world condemning the military regime and calling for the UN and international governments to take concrete actions to put pressure on the regime.
(A) Coming Actions:
1) Bangkok, Thailand (September 2): Another protest will be staged by Burmese activists and Thai solidarity friends in front of Burmese regime’s Embassy organized by Burmese and Thai organizations.
2) London, UK (September 4): A 24-hours Hunger Strike will be staged by about 40 plus Burmese and friends of Burma to show support to the activists inside Burma. It’s organized by London-based Burmese groups like Burmese Muslim Association. If you want to join this action, please sign up at: www.burmacampaign.co.uk/eu_action.html
3) Netherlands (September 7): On Sept 7 at 12.00 noon Burmese activists will hold a protest in front of the Indian embassy against the Indian government’s Shwe gas development with the Burmese military and then protesters will walk to the Portuguese embassy to join others in the main Europe-wide protests which will be held at 13.30.
4) Japan (Aug 28, 29, 30, 31, and Sept 3, 4): There will be series of demonstrations by Burmese democracy activists in Japan in coming days. They held demonstrations last week as well.
(B) Last Week Actions:
1) Europe-wide Protests (Aug 31): About 60 joined protest at Portuguese Embassy in London which was a part of 15 Countries’ “Join Day of Action” for Burma calling on the EU Presidency to increase pressure on the military regime. Protests took place in at least 14 countries across Europe, including UK, France, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, Czech Republic, Ireland, Denmark, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Norway, Italy, Netherlands, and Romania. A group Burmese people demonstrated in front of the Peace Palace in The Hague joining this Europe-wide protest at Portuguese embassies around Europe.
The day of action is in response to the failure of the European Union to take any concrete action in response to the Burmese military regime’s crackdown on peaceful protestors in Burma. European Campaign groups are calling for EU Foreign Ministers who will meet in Portugal on 7th and 8th of September to put Burma on the agenda and discuss strengthening the EU Common Position.
2) London, UK (Aug 28): More than 80 people joined a demonstration at the British Foreign Office in London organized jointly by Burma Campaign UK, Burmese Democratic Movement Association, and Christian Solidarity Worldwide and called on the UK government to take action.
The EU and many governments, with the exception of governments of Asia, have all made statements condemning the recent arrests, but none have followed up with any concrete action. EU Ministers meet on 7th September and the Burma Campaign UK is calling on them to discuss stronger measures against the Burmese regime.
3) San Francisco, CA, USA (Aug 28): About 50 people joined the protest in front of the Federal Building/the office of the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Francisco, which was organized jointly by Burmese American Democratic Alliance and Burmese American Women Association and local Burmese.
4) Canada (Aug 26): Burmese dissidents and supporters in Vancouver, Canada held a demonstration organized by local Burmese dissident group, Burmese Students’ Democratic Organization (BSDO) and other local activists.
VI. Statements, Press Releases, etc:
More Burmese and international organizations have also joined this worldwide protests by issuing statements and press releases condemning the Burmese regime and demanding the release of detained protesters. All statements and press releases can be viewed at: http//apppb.blogspot.com
I. Statements by Burma Groups:
1) Arakan Liberation Party (ALP)
2) Burmese Women’s Union (BWU)
3) Karen National Union (KNU)
4) National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB)
5) Women organizations of Burma based in India
6) Women’s League of Chinland
II. Statements by International Communities:
7) Hollywood Celebrity Jim Carrey calls for Burma (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NySuaJ2B20E)
8) ITUC (International Trade Union Confederation representing 168 million working men and
women in 153 countries and territories)
9) Frontline – The International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
10) Asia Pacific Solidarity Coalition (Aug 30)
III. Statements by International Governments and Lawmakers:
11) Swedish MPs
12) Japanese MPs (Aug 29)
13) Asean Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (Aug 28)
14) Australian MP Robert McClelland (Aug 29)
15) US Senators Mitch McConnell, leader of the Senate's Republican minority, and Dianne
Feinstein, Democratic chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary terrorism subcommittee (Aug 29)
16) US President Bush (Aug 30)
17) US First Lady Laura Bush called on UN Secretary General (Aug 31)
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