(IUSY Statement 25th September 2007)
Since the 15th August, protests have been sparked by actions undertaken by the ruling junta in Burma, in particular their decision to double fuel prices which have hit people hard in the impoverished nation.
On 5th September the junta injured several monks at a protest in Pakokku, apologies were not forthcoming which drew fresh protests by monks and daily marches in Burmese cities have gradually gathered in size since 18th September. On the 22nd September 1000 monks marched to the home of Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon. On the 24th September new Rangoon marches draw at least 50,000.
Several thousand monks and civilians in Burma’s main city Rangoon have defied military orders and have begun fresh anti-government protests. Earlier today lorries with loudspeakers warned residents that the protests could be ‘dispersed by military force’. The protesters have been handing out pictures of Burmese independence hero Aung San, the deceased father of Aung San Suu Kyi. They are also carrying flags, including some bearing the image of a fighting peacock used by the students during the 1988 pro-democracy uprising.
Students are also openly marching today as opposed to simply forming a chain and clapping on Monday. The junta which violently repressed the 1988 protests killing some 3000 people finally broke its silence over the mounting protests saying yesterday that it was ready to “take action” against the protesters.
IUSY calls on the military junta to avoid bloodshed and allow for dialogue on the basis of democracy to address the issues of the Burmese people that are marching on the country’s streets. Moreover IUSY strongly urges the junta to take this opportunity to launch a process of real political reform.
In the coming days at the UN General Assembly, many countries particularly the US will be putting pressure on Asian countries to tackle the mounting instability and political oppression in Burma. IUSY firmly believes that the UN can provide a framework that will aid Burma to make a transition through political reform to a real democracy.
China is one of the closest allies of the ruling junta in Burma, but so far it has not made a public comment about the protests there. But China will be concerned about two things: the stability of Burma and the image of China. A stable Burma is important for China, as it is a corridor to the Indian Ocean and also a valuable trading partner. So instability or even war in Burma is not in Chinas interest. But neither is a bloodily crackdown, because China is worried about its own image in the run up to the next years Beijing Olympic Games. IUSY calls on China to play a more proactive role in relation to the question of Burma and support a move to pressure the junta into political reform and allow for a return to democracy and social and economic development which will benefit all Burmese people.
Since the 15th August, protests have been sparked by actions undertaken by the ruling junta in Burma, in particular their decision to double fuel prices which have hit people hard in the impoverished nation.
On 5th September the junta injured several monks at a protest in Pakokku, apologies were not forthcoming which drew fresh protests by monks and daily marches in Burmese cities have gradually gathered in size since 18th September. On the 22nd September 1000 monks marched to the home of Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon. On the 24th September new Rangoon marches draw at least 50,000.
Several thousand monks and civilians in Burma’s main city Rangoon have defied military orders and have begun fresh anti-government protests. Earlier today lorries with loudspeakers warned residents that the protests could be ‘dispersed by military force’. The protesters have been handing out pictures of Burmese independence hero Aung San, the deceased father of Aung San Suu Kyi. They are also carrying flags, including some bearing the image of a fighting peacock used by the students during the 1988 pro-democracy uprising.
Students are also openly marching today as opposed to simply forming a chain and clapping on Monday. The junta which violently repressed the 1988 protests killing some 3000 people finally broke its silence over the mounting protests saying yesterday that it was ready to “take action” against the protesters.
IUSY calls on the military junta to avoid bloodshed and allow for dialogue on the basis of democracy to address the issues of the Burmese people that are marching on the country’s streets. Moreover IUSY strongly urges the junta to take this opportunity to launch a process of real political reform.
In the coming days at the UN General Assembly, many countries particularly the US will be putting pressure on Asian countries to tackle the mounting instability and political oppression in Burma. IUSY firmly believes that the UN can provide a framework that will aid Burma to make a transition through political reform to a real democracy.
China is one of the closest allies of the ruling junta in Burma, but so far it has not made a public comment about the protests there. But China will be concerned about two things: the stability of Burma and the image of China. A stable Burma is important for China, as it is a corridor to the Indian Ocean and also a valuable trading partner. So instability or even war in Burma is not in Chinas interest. But neither is a bloodily crackdown, because China is worried about its own image in the run up to the next years Beijing Olympic Games. IUSY calls on China to play a more proactive role in relation to the question of Burma and support a move to pressure the junta into political reform and allow for a return to democracy and social and economic development which will benefit all Burmese people.
No comments:
Post a Comment