Dear Friends,
There is heavy presence of army in the City of Rangoon. However, today was another day of defiance as the people still tried to sneak around and group for protests. In afternoon around 2 pm, an estimated 20 youths were arrested near Sule area, in Rangoon, as they were attempting to hold demonstrate, about 1,500 protesters marched from Insein to Thamine junction at about 1:30 pm local time. In Taunggoke, Arakan State, about 8 monks and 5,000 people demonstrated, according to the local report.
In spite of the media reports of military taking control, young activists on the ground have been speaking to the Burmese media that they will continue with their defiance. How and when are to be seen.
People in the country are well informed of the visit of Mr. Gambari and have high expectation that his presence will prevent the authorities from using force to crack down on the peaceful demonstrators and that he will be able to achieve something concrete from his talks with the SPDC generals. He met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon on Sunday and also met with Acting Prime Minister Thein Sein. He is scheduled to meet with Senior General Than Shwe tomorrow Oct 2.
About 2,400 monks and more than 3,000 people have been arrested over the last week, and people on the ground estimate the death toll of at least 200. More arrests of Buddhist monks and cut-off communication between monks and local people have been reported in some areas including in Shan State and Mon State.
About 1,974 monks and nuns currently detained in Inn Sein GTI (General Institute of Technology) will be transferred to Ka Baw Valley (a prison-like place) in Sagaing Division. There was an eyewitness report of an elderly monk beaten up by belt for refusing to take the alms in this compound.
Meanwhile, the regime has forced thousands of people in Kachin State for mass rallies in its attempts to orchestrate the show-off to the international community that their sham National Convention is “supported by the people”. This attempt of forcibly collecting people to come for mass rallies is also a mean to counter the current peaceful demonstrations. Those who cannot go must pay fine to the authorities.
The following is the update for 29 September - 1 October 2007. Since there is a lot of news on Burma, my sincere apology in advance as the APPPB updates may not be able to include every information and news. However, we will try the best to keep you updated of what’s happening on the ground and around the world responses and actions.
There are enormous supports from democratic governments and people around the world continue to mount. Please see some of these in the update below and also on the APPPB Blog, apppb.blogspot.com.
In Solidarity,
Khin Ohmar
Coordinator, APPPB
I. On the Ground inside Burma:
UK Ambassador Mark Canning told the BBC that there were around 15,000 troops in Rangoon.
Sources report that protests in Burma have not completely died down and Aljazeera’s correspondent on the ground confirmed on Sunday that that is the case after talking to some people on the streets and in the tea shop.
Rangoon University of Dental Medicine, Nursery Training (Moulmein), Hpa-An University, and Government Technical College were already closed down and University of Distance Education will hold three separate examinations (IMNA, 1/10/07).
(Yet to be confirmed): There are reports that the military trucks going around the suburbs in Rangoon and re-collecting the bodies of those who died in the brutal crackdown. Some reports said the soldiers threaten the family members of the death by saying they would do something to the whole suburb. After taking the dead bodies away the soldiers left 20,000 Kyat (Burmese currency equivalent of 15 USD) to the family.
Tea sippers at some tea shops were also arrested by the raiding soldiers around Rangoon.
About 2,000-3,000 monks were arrested as of 3:00 pm today.
II. UN & International Governments Responses:
* UN: The UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari arrived in Burma's new capital on Saturday, Sept 29, to seek fresh meetings with the country's ruling military junta. Mr. Gambari met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon on Sunday and also met with Acting Prime Minister of the ruling junta, Thein Sein. He is scheduled to meet with Senior General Than Shwe tomorrow Oct 2.
* ASEAN: Breaking its protocol, ASEAN had issued a strong and sharp statement on Burma last week and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, now an ASEAN Chairman, has expressed concerns and hoped that UN Envoy Mr. Gambari will be given access to all parties to work way forwards. Mr. Lee also told the Burmese regime chief Than Shwe that the ASEAN fully backs the mission to Burma by UN Special Envoy.
* China: China has begun to adopt a critical tone on Burma, saying it hoped the Burmese government could "properly deal with its domestic social conflicts." Premier Wen Jiabao called Sunday on Burma to seek a peaceful solution.
* Japan: A senior official said that Japan is considering sanctions or other actions to protest the ruling junta's brutal crackdown on Buddhist monks and pro-democracy protestors, which left a Japanese journalist dead. Japan will urge the junta to respond to the international community’s concerns over the brutal crackdown and pressure the regime to make progress toward democratization.
* Sweden & Spain: The Ambassadors of both Spain and Sweden to Thailand presented their Joint Statement regarding the current human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar and take questions at the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand in Bangkok, today Oct 1 at 5 pm.
* Japan MPs for Democracy in Burma (Sept 28): The Japanese Parliamentary Group Supporting Democratization in Myanmar (Minshuka Giren) hold emergency meeting with MOFA and Japanese NGOs. Minshuka Giren published the emergency statement.
III. Solidarity Actions in the Region & Around the World:
A. Collective Calls from Regional & International Organizations:
1) HR Orgs Appeal to Asian Governments (Oct 1): Human rights organisations from Asia have written to all Asian governments urging action regarding the ongoing situation in Burma, targeting in particular the Asian members of the Human Rights Council (HRC) who meet in Geneva for a Special Session on Burma on tomorrow, 2nd and Wednesday 3rd October. In addition, two Burmese human rights activists, Naw Zipporah Sein and U Aung Myo Min will at the Session to help ensure that the HRC comes up with an adequate resolution.
2) Nonviolence Peaceforce International (Oct 1): International Civil Society Organizations from
48 countries, gathered at the Nonviolent Peaceforce International Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, issued a statement and affirmed its commitment to advocate for and provide when able nonviolent civilian peacekeeping to deter violence.
3) Democracy Coalition Project Call on UNHRC: DCP based in Washington DC and Brussels has put out an urgent action alert calling on the UN Human Rights Council to pressure Burmese military junta to receive High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Louise Arbour to visit Burma and to establish a panel of human rights experts led by the Special Rapporteur Paulo Sergio Pinheiro to deal with human rights violations in Burma.
4) LP & CALD Call on SPDC Engage with Protesters (Oct 1): Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), which is presently chaired by the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP), has expressed full support for the rising tide of democratic protests led by monks in Burma. CALD has passed a resolution calling on the international community and the United Nations Security Council to support calls for political dialogue and press Burma towards democratization.
5) Japan NGOs Calls on SPDC & Japan Gov’t (Sept 28): People's Forum on Burma (PFB), Human Rights Now, Amnesty International Japan, Alliance of Concerned Individuals about Burma (Japan) and Burmese Relief Center released the concerted NGOs' joint statement denouncing the violence by Burmese junta and urged to stop bloody crackdown, and call Japanese government to take strong action immediately for the situation of Burma.
6) Cambodian NGO Coalition (Sept 28): The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 23 NGOs, issued a press release and statement, held a vigil and appealed to the UN, the UNSC and particularly the ASEAN to take urgent action. Also called for the Cambodian government to contribute in urging the Burmese military junta to stop such grave breach of human rights.
7) Solidarity Actions for People Advocacy (Oct 1): HR organizations in the Asia region through SAPA network submitted a joint statement to HR Council in Geneva today and called on the Council to send a fact-finding mission for recent violence and an independent monitoring team, mandated to assess the broader human rights situation and to supervise implementation of the recommendations of the fact-finding mission. They also urge the Asian members of the Human Rights Council, and in particular the (ASEAN), to take a leading role on this issue and urge the SPDC to immediately cease its violent acts; to bring to justice those opened fire on unarmed civilians, and those who ordered such attacks; to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners, as well as those arrested in the aftermath of the recent demonstrations; and to engage immediately in inclusive and meaningful dialogue on democratic reform with all stakeholders.
B. Solidarity Activities in the Region & Around the World:
1) Cambodia: Cambodians gathered in front of Burmese Embassy (28/9/07).
2) Canada: The Mon Canadian Society, 88 Burmese student generation and other nationalities of Burma in Calgary, Canada, held a peaceful protest (29/9/07).
3) India: Indian Buddhist monks in New Delhi protested against Burmese military regime yesterday (BKK Post, 1/10/07).
4) Philippines: Workers and solidarity activists gathered and picketed in front of Burmese Embassy in Manila today (1/10/07). Free Burma Coalition – Philippines and APSOC held series of demonstrations in cities like Manila and Davao. Actions involved activists shaving heads to show their solidarity with Buddhist monks in Burma.
5) New Zealand: All ethnic people from Burma in New Zealand and New Zealanders friends at Wellington city will have the first protest tomorrow on the 2nd of October 2007 at 9 am (New Zealand time). The second protest will be on 6th of Oct 2007 -the Day of International Action for a Free Burma Worldwide.
6) Mae Sod, Thailand: Burmese migrant workers in Mae Sod, Thailand held a demonstration in support of the monks and people in Burma and some were arrested by Thai authorities. (30/9/07)
7) Bangkok, Thailand: Demonstrators in Bangkok gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy at 4:30 pm today (01/10/07) and call on China to facilitate democratic dialogue between all parties concerned including the freedom fighters and the military to restore peace in Burma and to stop supporting the junta with arms and money. Eleven monks and 45 Thai nationals held a protest in front of SPDC Embassy.
8) Sweden: A great manifestation - about three thousand the rally (29/09/07).
9) Czech Republic: People in Need, Burma Centre Prague and Amnesty International held together a solidarity rally in Prague on Sept 29, Saturday. Approximately two hundred people attended, including one member of Czech parliament. Another event will take place in front of Chinese embassy in Prague on Oct 4, Thursday and will call on to Chinese to take a firmer stand in the whole matter.
10) Singapore: About sixty Burmese held a protest in solidarity with monks and people. (30/09/07)
11) Japan: Sept 28 – More than 400 Burmese protested in front of the Burmese embassy and UN building. They conducted protests since 25th Sept. On the day, demonstrators offered flowers for mourning a Japanese journalist and all the people who were killed in Burma.
Sept 29 – More than 400 demonstrated in front of the Burmese embassy. Some Japanese monks joined the protest.
Sept 30 –PFB, Human Rights Now, Pease Boat, and Amnesty International - Japan, marched on the streets and called for the Japanese citizens join Candlelight Vigil while some Burmese started 48 hours hunger strike in front of UN building. Also in Nagoya, Osaka and Hiroshima cities, there will be some actions.
12) Malaysia: Thousands gathered to show their support for the people in Burma.
13) There were also a number of protests in India, USA, Canada, Norway, and also in UK.
About 3,000 people joined the protest in UK.
There is heavy presence of army in the City of Rangoon. However, today was another day of defiance as the people still tried to sneak around and group for protests. In afternoon around 2 pm, an estimated 20 youths were arrested near Sule area, in Rangoon, as they were attempting to hold demonstrate, about 1,500 protesters marched from Insein to Thamine junction at about 1:30 pm local time. In Taunggoke, Arakan State, about 8 monks and 5,000 people demonstrated, according to the local report.
In spite of the media reports of military taking control, young activists on the ground have been speaking to the Burmese media that they will continue with their defiance. How and when are to be seen.
People in the country are well informed of the visit of Mr. Gambari and have high expectation that his presence will prevent the authorities from using force to crack down on the peaceful demonstrators and that he will be able to achieve something concrete from his talks with the SPDC generals. He met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon on Sunday and also met with Acting Prime Minister Thein Sein. He is scheduled to meet with Senior General Than Shwe tomorrow Oct 2.
About 2,400 monks and more than 3,000 people have been arrested over the last week, and people on the ground estimate the death toll of at least 200. More arrests of Buddhist monks and cut-off communication between monks and local people have been reported in some areas including in Shan State and Mon State.
About 1,974 monks and nuns currently detained in Inn Sein GTI (General Institute of Technology) will be transferred to Ka Baw Valley (a prison-like place) in Sagaing Division. There was an eyewitness report of an elderly monk beaten up by belt for refusing to take the alms in this compound.
Meanwhile, the regime has forced thousands of people in Kachin State for mass rallies in its attempts to orchestrate the show-off to the international community that their sham National Convention is “supported by the people”. This attempt of forcibly collecting people to come for mass rallies is also a mean to counter the current peaceful demonstrations. Those who cannot go must pay fine to the authorities.
The following is the update for 29 September - 1 October 2007. Since there is a lot of news on Burma, my sincere apology in advance as the APPPB updates may not be able to include every information and news. However, we will try the best to keep you updated of what’s happening on the ground and around the world responses and actions.
There are enormous supports from democratic governments and people around the world continue to mount. Please see some of these in the update below and also on the APPPB Blog, apppb.blogspot.com.
In Solidarity,
Khin Ohmar
Coordinator, APPPB
I. On the Ground inside Burma:
UK Ambassador Mark Canning told the BBC that there were around 15,000 troops in Rangoon.
Sources report that protests in Burma have not completely died down and Aljazeera’s correspondent on the ground confirmed on Sunday that that is the case after talking to some people on the streets and in the tea shop.
Rangoon University of Dental Medicine, Nursery Training (Moulmein), Hpa-An University, and Government Technical College were already closed down and University of Distance Education will hold three separate examinations (IMNA, 1/10/07).
(Yet to be confirmed): There are reports that the military trucks going around the suburbs in Rangoon and re-collecting the bodies of those who died in the brutal crackdown. Some reports said the soldiers threaten the family members of the death by saying they would do something to the whole suburb. After taking the dead bodies away the soldiers left 20,000 Kyat (Burmese currency equivalent of 15 USD) to the family.
Tea sippers at some tea shops were also arrested by the raiding soldiers around Rangoon.
About 2,000-3,000 monks were arrested as of 3:00 pm today.
II. UN & International Governments Responses:
* UN: The UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari arrived in Burma's new capital on Saturday, Sept 29, to seek fresh meetings with the country's ruling military junta. Mr. Gambari met Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon on Sunday and also met with Acting Prime Minister of the ruling junta, Thein Sein. He is scheduled to meet with Senior General Than Shwe tomorrow Oct 2.
* ASEAN: Breaking its protocol, ASEAN had issued a strong and sharp statement on Burma last week and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, now an ASEAN Chairman, has expressed concerns and hoped that UN Envoy Mr. Gambari will be given access to all parties to work way forwards. Mr. Lee also told the Burmese regime chief Than Shwe that the ASEAN fully backs the mission to Burma by UN Special Envoy.
* China: China has begun to adopt a critical tone on Burma, saying it hoped the Burmese government could "properly deal with its domestic social conflicts." Premier Wen Jiabao called Sunday on Burma to seek a peaceful solution.
* Japan: A senior official said that Japan is considering sanctions or other actions to protest the ruling junta's brutal crackdown on Buddhist monks and pro-democracy protestors, which left a Japanese journalist dead. Japan will urge the junta to respond to the international community’s concerns over the brutal crackdown and pressure the regime to make progress toward democratization.
* Sweden & Spain: The Ambassadors of both Spain and Sweden to Thailand presented their Joint Statement regarding the current human rights situation in Burma/Myanmar and take questions at the Foreign Correspondent Club of Thailand in Bangkok, today Oct 1 at 5 pm.
* Japan MPs for Democracy in Burma (Sept 28): The Japanese Parliamentary Group Supporting Democratization in Myanmar (Minshuka Giren) hold emergency meeting with MOFA and Japanese NGOs. Minshuka Giren published the emergency statement.
III. Solidarity Actions in the Region & Around the World:
A. Collective Calls from Regional & International Organizations:
1) HR Orgs Appeal to Asian Governments (Oct 1): Human rights organisations from Asia have written to all Asian governments urging action regarding the ongoing situation in Burma, targeting in particular the Asian members of the Human Rights Council (HRC) who meet in Geneva for a Special Session on Burma on tomorrow, 2nd and Wednesday 3rd October. In addition, two Burmese human rights activists, Naw Zipporah Sein and U Aung Myo Min will at the Session to help ensure that the HRC comes up with an adequate resolution.
2) Nonviolence Peaceforce International (Oct 1): International Civil Society Organizations from
48 countries, gathered at the Nonviolent Peaceforce International Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya, issued a statement and affirmed its commitment to advocate for and provide when able nonviolent civilian peacekeeping to deter violence.
3) Democracy Coalition Project Call on UNHRC: DCP based in Washington DC and Brussels has put out an urgent action alert calling on the UN Human Rights Council to pressure Burmese military junta to receive High Commissioner for Human Rights Ms. Louise Arbour to visit Burma and to establish a panel of human rights experts led by the Special Rapporteur Paulo Sergio Pinheiro to deal with human rights violations in Burma.
4) LP & CALD Call on SPDC Engage with Protesters (Oct 1): Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), which is presently chaired by the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP), has expressed full support for the rising tide of democratic protests led by monks in Burma. CALD has passed a resolution calling on the international community and the United Nations Security Council to support calls for political dialogue and press Burma towards democratization.
5) Japan NGOs Calls on SPDC & Japan Gov’t (Sept 28): People's Forum on Burma (PFB), Human Rights Now, Amnesty International Japan, Alliance of Concerned Individuals about Burma (Japan) and Burmese Relief Center released the concerted NGOs' joint statement denouncing the violence by Burmese junta and urged to stop bloody crackdown, and call Japanese government to take strong action immediately for the situation of Burma.
6) Cambodian NGO Coalition (Sept 28): The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 23 NGOs, issued a press release and statement, held a vigil and appealed to the UN, the UNSC and particularly the ASEAN to take urgent action. Also called for the Cambodian government to contribute in urging the Burmese military junta to stop such grave breach of human rights.
7) Solidarity Actions for People Advocacy (Oct 1): HR organizations in the Asia region through SAPA network submitted a joint statement to HR Council in Geneva today and called on the Council to send a fact-finding mission for recent violence and an independent monitoring team, mandated to assess the broader human rights situation and to supervise implementation of the recommendations of the fact-finding mission. They also urge the Asian members of the Human Rights Council, and in particular the (ASEAN), to take a leading role on this issue and urge the SPDC to immediately cease its violent acts; to bring to justice those opened fire on unarmed civilians, and those who ordered such attacks; to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners, as well as those arrested in the aftermath of the recent demonstrations; and to engage immediately in inclusive and meaningful dialogue on democratic reform with all stakeholders.
B. Solidarity Activities in the Region & Around the World:
1) Cambodia: Cambodians gathered in front of Burmese Embassy (28/9/07).
2) Canada: The Mon Canadian Society, 88 Burmese student generation and other nationalities of Burma in Calgary, Canada, held a peaceful protest (29/9/07).
3) India: Indian Buddhist monks in New Delhi protested against Burmese military regime yesterday (BKK Post, 1/10/07).
4) Philippines: Workers and solidarity activists gathered and picketed in front of Burmese Embassy in Manila today (1/10/07). Free Burma Coalition – Philippines and APSOC held series of demonstrations in cities like Manila and Davao. Actions involved activists shaving heads to show their solidarity with Buddhist monks in Burma.
5) New Zealand: All ethnic people from Burma in New Zealand and New Zealanders friends at Wellington city will have the first protest tomorrow on the 2nd of October 2007 at 9 am (New Zealand time). The second protest will be on 6th of Oct 2007 -the Day of International Action for a Free Burma Worldwide.
6) Mae Sod, Thailand: Burmese migrant workers in Mae Sod, Thailand held a demonstration in support of the monks and people in Burma and some were arrested by Thai authorities. (30/9/07)
7) Bangkok, Thailand: Demonstrators in Bangkok gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy at 4:30 pm today (01/10/07) and call on China to facilitate democratic dialogue between all parties concerned including the freedom fighters and the military to restore peace in Burma and to stop supporting the junta with arms and money. Eleven monks and 45 Thai nationals held a protest in front of SPDC Embassy.
8) Sweden: A great manifestation - about three thousand the rally (29/09/07).
9) Czech Republic: People in Need, Burma Centre Prague and Amnesty International held together a solidarity rally in Prague on Sept 29, Saturday. Approximately two hundred people attended, including one member of Czech parliament. Another event will take place in front of Chinese embassy in Prague on Oct 4, Thursday and will call on to Chinese to take a firmer stand in the whole matter.
10) Singapore: About sixty Burmese held a protest in solidarity with monks and people. (30/09/07)
11) Japan: Sept 28 – More than 400 Burmese protested in front of the Burmese embassy and UN building. They conducted protests since 25th Sept. On the day, demonstrators offered flowers for mourning a Japanese journalist and all the people who were killed in Burma.
Sept 29 – More than 400 demonstrated in front of the Burmese embassy. Some Japanese monks joined the protest.
Sept 30 –PFB, Human Rights Now, Pease Boat, and Amnesty International - Japan, marched on the streets and called for the Japanese citizens join Candlelight Vigil while some Burmese started 48 hours hunger strike in front of UN building. Also in Nagoya, Osaka and Hiroshima cities, there will be some actions.
12) Malaysia: Thousands gathered to show their support for the people in Burma.
13) There were also a number of protests in India, USA, Canada, Norway, and also in UK.
About 3,000 people joined the protest in UK.
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