Dear Friends,
On September 24, the World has witnessed the perseverance and aspiration of the people of Burma for democracy as more than one hundred thousands Buddhist monks and people have joined the nationwide general strike called by the All Burma Monk Alliance as they peacefully marched on the streets of total of twenty-six (26) cities and towns across the country.
26 cities and towns that demonstrations took place were: Rangoon, Mandalay, Mogok, Sitthtwe, Myitkyina, Tavoy, Pegu, Nat-Mauk, Dike-oo, Pyar Pone, Yay-Za-Gyo, Pakokku, Aunglan, Sin-Phu-Kyun, Ye-Nan-Chaung, Moulmein, Kawt-Ka-Reit, Bassein (Pa-Thain), Shwe Bo, Bamaw, Kalay, Nat-Ta-Lin, Hmaw-Bi, Kyauk-Pa-Daung, Kun-Gyan-Kone, and Taung-Twin-Gyi.
Three demands by Protesters: 1) For the people to be able to meet their basic needs; 2) release of all political prisoners and 3) for the national reconciliation.
Burmese Celebraties Joined the Movement: A number of well known celebraties, actors and actresses, led by the well known actor Kyaw Thu and Zarganar, most reknown Stairist, who was previously imprisoned by the regime for his political jokes in the '90s, joined the movement as they started giving interviews with Burmese media about the "Supporting Committee for Sangas" which was formed to support the needs of monks and for the peaceful movement by the monks and people.
The Regime plans to take “Legal Action”: In the first official reaction to a week of escalating protests led by the monks, state television and radio just reported that the country's religion minister, Brigadier General Thura Myint Maung, had issued a warning to senior clergy saying “If the monks go against the rules and regulations in the authority of the Buddhist teachings, we will take action under the existing law."
This phenomena is same when the regime cracked down on the 1991’s monk religious boycott. Speaking to senior members of the State Monks Council, he said the protests were incited by "destructive elements who do not want to see peace, stability and progress in the country," reported by AFP.
On Tuesday, September 25, the people will carry on holding peaceful demonstrations. With this announcement of threat by the regime, this is the time the world leaders take immediate action to stop the Burmese regime from carrying out this plan of violent crackdowns on the peaceful protesters. Please spread the word as loud as possible across the world and take any actions to
prevent another killing field in Burma.
Below please find the brief update for Sept 22-24. FYI – since Sept 24, I have begun to use the SMS text message system of immediate updating for those of you based in Thailand as the protests proceed in Burma. I’m sorry that I am unable to provide this service for all. But I will try to send out this update on regular basis as much as possible, while you are also receiving information through international media.
Violent crackdowns or use of other means of crackdowns such as cutting off communication lines (phone lines, internet servers, etc..) by the authorities are quite possible as the demonstrations will continue to escalate in the coming days, some Burmese activists and solidarity friends outside Burma have begun to organize "Candle Light Vigils for Burma" in their respective countried to show their support for the peaceful protesters in Burma. The Burmese and friends of Burma in Helsinki, Finland has informed that they will hold the Vigil on next Tuesday, October 2.
Please kindly let me know your plan to join this action in your area. And thanks for all the solidarity messages you’ve been sending as organizations and individuals.
In Solidarity,
Khin Ohmar
Coordinator, APPPB
I. Monk Protests Escalating:
1) Rangoon, Rangoon Division (Sept 23): Today, the Saffron Revolution found its highest support to this date. In downtown Rangoon, 10,000 laypeople and 10,000 monks demonstrated. The strike was joined by about 200 Buddhist nuns for the first time. However, unlike yesterday, the monks were blocked from passing in front of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house. In contrast to previous days, political slogans were shouted in addition to chanting Metta radiation prayers.
2) Magwe, Magwe Division (Sept 23): About 300 monks demonstrated and they were supported by thousands of townspeople.
3) Minbu, Magwe Division (Sept 23): Also in Minbu, about 50 monks made a protest procession in the town.
4) Sagaing Division (Sept 23): Some 100 monks demonstrated in Monywa. About 240 monks peacefully demonstrated in Shwebo and about 2,000 people joined the monks. In Kalaymyo, about 500 monks peacefully march along the main streets on the town from 7.00 am to 11.00 am.
5) Mandalay Division (Sept 23): Some 3,000 monks demonstrated in Mandalay and converged on Mahamuni Pagoda. Some 500 hundred monks also demonstrated in Kyaukbadaung.
6) Arakan State (Sept 23): Some 400 monks demonstrated in Minbya, Arakan State on Sept 22 and 50 monks walked in protest in Rathetaung, Arakan State, today supported by 600 people.
7) Kachin State (Sept 23): Some 300 monks demonstrated in Bhamo, and another 300 monks demonstrated in Myitkyina supported by thousands of people. Kachin Baptist Council will also hold prayers for peace tomorrow.
8) Sagaing, Sagaing Division (Sept 22): About 200 monks marched in a peaceful demonstration.
9) Monywa, Sagaing Division (Sept 22): About 300 monks continued their protest march.
10) Shwebo, Sagaing Division (Sept 22): More than 150 monks demonstrated and were supported by 1,000 laypeople.
11) Rangoon, Rangoon Division (Sept 22): About 5,000 monks demonstrated and were supported by more than 5,000 laypeople.
12) Kamaryut, Rangoon Division (Sept 22): Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, dressed in yellow, came out of her home, where she is under house arrest, to pay respect to protesting monks who marched in front of her home on Rangoon’s University Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
13) Bahan, Rangoon Division (Sept 22): About 1,000 monks marched peacefully from Shwedagon Pagoda in Bahan Township on Saturday morning.
14) Kungyangone, Rangoon Division (Sept 22): About 500 monks from at least 22 monasteries in Kungyungone walked in protest supported by 5,000 townspeople.
15) Kawthmoo, Rangoon Division (Sept 22): About 100 monks demonstrated supported by about 1,000 people.
16) Chinese Embassy, Rangoon (Sept 22): About 1,000 monks protested in front of the Chinese Embassy, which is being regarded as the main prop of Burmese military regime.
17) Mandalay, Mandalay Division (Sept 22): About 10,000 monks marched peacefully in Mandalay on Saturday, the largest city in upper Burma, AP reported. It was the largest number of monks to march in a single protest demonstration so far. There are about 200 Buddhist monasteries in Mandalay.
18) Yenangyaung, Mandalay Division (Sept 22): At least 200 monks demonstrated for the first time and were cheered by about 3,000 people.
19) Taungdwingyi, Magwe Division (Sept 22): About 100 monks and nearly 10,000 people demonstrated.
II. Junta’s Response
1) Hospitals Given Directives (Sept 23, DVB): Some hospitals in Rangoon were given directives by the Health Ministry to be prepared for possible emergency situations ahead.
2) Abbots Pressured by Authorities (Sept 22, Mizzima): In a bid to avoid further unrest created by young monks, the authorities pressurized abbots of some monasteries in Insein Township in Rangoon to send back young novices to their respective home towns. However, unconfirmed reports suggest that the novices, instead of going back to their home towns have joined other monks in Rangoon and continue to take part in the demonstrations.
3) General Than Shwe Order (Sept 22, BBC): Sources close to the War Office in Nay Pyi Taw said that Senior General Than Shwe once again gave instructions to use violence in dispersing the monks who have been peacefully marching while reciting prayers.
III. Update on the Detained Activists and the ’88 Generation Students:
1) The health condition of Htin Kyaw (Sept 23, DVB): The health of Ko Htin Kyaw who led protests against the rise in commodity prices has been deteriorating due to torture in interrogation center.
2) The 88 Generation Student Call on Peace: The ’88 Generation Students called on all walks of life in Burma to join demonstrations on September 24. A leader of the Group on the run Htay Kywe gave interviews to Burmese media from his hiding.
3) Detainees on Hunger Strike (Sept 22, PDC/NCUB): Since Sept 22, some activists and NLD members being detained at the No. 7 Riot Police Battalion near Syriam (Thanlyin) have been staging hunger strike against authority concerned for not providing enough food, blanket, mosquito nets and proper medical care.
4) ‘The 88 Generation Student’ (Sept 22): ‘The 88 Generation Student’ urged the
general public to help monks who have been consistently in the protests.
(http://burmese.dvb.no/news.php?id=2041)
IV. Solidarity Actions around the World:
1) Burmese and Indian activists call for greater Indian support (Sept 22, Mizzima) - At least nine Burmese democracy activists and more than 20 Indian supporters on Saturday held a protest rally in New Delhi demanding that India lend its support to the Burmese democracy movement, as the time is ripe with continued protests and unrest in Rangoon and parts of the country.
2) Burmese Monks in India (Sept 22, DVB): Over 50 monks currently studying at India’s Narlada University chanted Metta Suttra to support the current monk protests in Burma.
V. International Responses:
1) AIPMC (Sept 24): urged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to use its influence to push bloc member Myanmar to reform.
2) France Warns the Junta against Crackdown (Sept 23, AFP): France warned the SPDC that it would be held accountable if it cracked down on protesters who have taken to the streets in large numbers in Yangon, as said by foreign ministry spokesman Frederic Desagneaux. France is holding talks with its EU partners on the situation in Burma, in particular with Britain "due to its strong and long-standing involvement in this issue," he added.
3) Germany (Sept 23): Germany added its voice to the chorus, with the foreign ministry in Paris warning that the junta would be held accountable for any harsh crackdowns.
4) US (Sept 23, AFP): At the UN General Assembly opening in New York, where world leaders are expected to push the generals to adopt democratic reforms, US national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the US is consulting with allies and friends in the regions on ways to encourage dialogue between the Burmese regime and those seeking freedom."
5) UN (Sept 23, AFP): UN Secretary General "calls upon the Myanmar authorities to continue to exercise restraint," said a statement issued by his spokeswoman Michele Montas.
6) ASEAN Leader Appeals (Sept 23, AP): The ASEAN Secretary General urged Burmese junta to avoid any ‘strong action’ against growing anti-government protests, in hopes of avoiding violence.
(http://www.burmanet.org/news/2007/09/23/associated-press-asean-leader-appeals-
for-restraint-amid-myanmars-growing-anti-government-protests/#more-8977
7) Message from His Holiness the Dalai Lama (Sept 23): Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, offered his support and urged the generals to refrain from violence, in a message released by his office. "As a Buddhist monk, I am appealing to the members of the military regime who believe in Buddhism to act in accordance with the sacred dharma in the spirit of compassion and non-violence," he said. (http://h1.ripway.com/APPPB/DALIALAMAsmessage.pdf)
8) Ethnic Nationalities Council (Union of Burma) (Sept 22) – The Ethnic Nationalities Council (ENC) praised monks’ protests against the military regime in Burma.
(http://www.encburma.org/enc/ENC%20Statment%20_Septmeber,%2022_.pdf)
9) Asian Human Rights Commission - Burma: Protests fast accelerating towards uprising ‘The protests that began in Burma during August to voice public frustration and discontent over sharp price rises have in the last week fast accelerated--under the guidance of the Buddhist clergy, the Sangha--towards an uprising to end the country's military dictatorship.’
(http://www.ahrchk.net/statements/mainfile.php/2007statements/1207/ )
10) Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Sept 21) - The demonstrations are no longer being spearheaded by pro-democracy activists, but by revered Burmese Buddhist monks. In order to avoid an outcome similar to the 1988 crackdown, FORUM-ASIA urges the ASEAN to immediately engage Burma on this crisis. (http://www.forum-asia.org/ index.php?option =com_content&task=view&id=1034&Itemid=32)
11) Church World Service (Sept 21): Church World Service, a global humanitarian agency joins the voices of many calling for the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary General to reexamine its position on Burma in the light of the recent events and take urgent action to prevent the repeat of the situation that claimed 3,000 lives in 1988. (http://www.churchworldservice.org/news/archives/2007/09/766.html)
12) International Network of Engaged Buddhists (Sept 20): The International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB), a global network of activists, spiritual leaders, organizations and academics of all Buddhist sects, issued a statement of support for demonstrations in Burma and urge the SPDC to apply and practice Panna (wisdom), Metta (loving-kindness) and Karuna (compassion) in responding to the current situations.
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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said yesterday that he is pleased that the military regime in Burma has agreed to a visit by his Special Envoy, Ibrahim Gambari, who has been dispatched to the region in response to the deteriorating situation in the country.
