Protests continue in Burma despite government threats
Buddhist monks in Burma (officially Myanmar) re-launched their protests today despite government orders to stay out of politics, The Canadian Press reported.
About 4,000 monks gathered at Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda for the eighth day of peaceful protests.
“The protest is not merely for the well being of people but also for monks struggling for democracy and for people to have an opportunity to determine their own future,” one monk told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity fearing reprisals from officials. “People do not tolerate the military government any longer.”
On Monday, the protests in Yangon reached 100,000, making it the largest protest since the pro-democracy march in 1988. Protests in Myanmar began on August 19 against current economic conditions. The monks, however, took charge last week, and with the public joining the protests, there is a demand for national reconciliation and freedom for political prisoners, as well as adequate food, shelter and clothing.
The government of Myanmar has been cautious when dealing with the monks, not wanting to provoke the public. The White House has also threatened Myanmar with more sanctions, while U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon stated that he hoped the government would “seize this opportunity” to include all opposition groups in the political process.
For the full article, click here.
About 4,000 monks gathered at Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda for the eighth day of peaceful protests.
“The protest is not merely for the well being of people but also for monks struggling for democracy and for people to have an opportunity to determine their own future,” one monk told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity fearing reprisals from officials. “People do not tolerate the military government any longer.”
On Monday, the protests in Yangon reached 100,000, making it the largest protest since the pro-democracy march in 1988. Protests in Myanmar began on August 19 against current economic conditions. The monks, however, took charge last week, and with the public joining the protests, there is a demand for national reconciliation and freedom for political prisoners, as well as adequate food, shelter and clothing.
The government of Myanmar has been cautious when dealing with the monks, not wanting to provoke the public. The White House has also threatened Myanmar with more sanctions, while U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon stated that he hoped the government would “seize this opportunity” to include all opposition groups in the political process.
For the full article, click here.
posted by Gillian @ 9/25/2007 03:31:00 PM
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