Burma Peoples Protests

MYANMAR/BURMA: The moment for decisive action has arrived

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is writing to you further to our letter of August 24 concerning the protests in Myanmar (Burma) following the dramatic increases in fuel prices there of the same month. In our previous letter, we urged you to pay serious attention to the small but burgeoning demonstrations in August, and […]

UPDATE (Burma): Monks on the march, boycotting military regime across country

Dear friends, The recent dramatic and historic developments in Burma, with thousands of monks taking to the streets, have received a lot of international attention in recent days. Here the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) gives a short summary of some of the latest events and also add comments and information on some incidents and […]

WORLD: AHRC appeals for global Buddhist boycott of Burma regime

(Hong Kong, September 20, 2007) The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on Thursday urged the Buddhist community worldwide to join with monks in Burma and boycott anybody from or associated with its military regime. “We urge the honourable members of the Sangha (Buddhist community) everywhere to follow the example set by their counterparts in Burma […]

BURMA: The alms bowl and the duty to defy

One of the greatest legacies that Gautama Buddha left to the ascetics who followed his path was the requirement that they obtain their food and other needs in the form of alms from the people. The giving and receiving of alms is thus a profound act of adherence to his teachings and among the most […]

UPDATE (Burma): Two years’ jail for praising Buddhism; four years for solo protest

Dear friends, Further to our previous recent updates on the situation in Burma, this is the first appeal by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on specific cases of sentencing and imprisonment arising out of the protests of the last two months. Here we give the details of a man who has been sent to […]

BURMA: Courts shut down because of protests

The Asian Human Rights Commission has been informed that courts in Burma’s largest city, Rangoon, have stopped operating. As has been widely reported, protests began in Burma after an increase in fuel prices of two to five times on August 15. Since August 20, all cases going to the ordinary courts around the city have […]

UPDATE (Burma): Monks hold government officials as hostages; more protests and arrests around the country

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been receiving daily updates on the dramatic protests against mid-August fuel price increases in Burma. On September 6, the protests went to a new level when for the first time the army intervened directly and monks responded by holding officials as hostages. More protests and arrests […]

BURMA: International community is failing the people of Myanmar again

1. On 15 August 2007, the Government of Myanmar increased the cost of all vehicle and generator fuels, over which it holds a monopoly, without prior announcement. As has been widely reported internationally, the diesel fuel prices doubled; compressed natural gas prices, used for some vehicles and cookers, increased five-fold. The increased prices had a […]

BURMA: AHRC petitions governments, launches webpage on protests

(Hong Kong, August 31, 2007) The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on Friday launched a new webpage and began petitioning individual governments on the recent dramatic protests against fuel price increases in Burma. The Hong Kong-based regional rights group is sending letters and information packets to diplomatic missions throughout the territory calling for much stronger […]

UPDATE (Burma): Despite over 100 arrests, protests continue; still no action by UN

Dear friends, Despite great personal risks, people in Burma are continuing to come on to the streets in protest two weeks after the military regime there suddenly multiplied the cost of fuels without prior warning. Since the appeal issued by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on August 26 (UA-260-2007), daily demonstrations have spread across […]

BURMA: What will it take for the UN to act?

To the surprise of many, the protests against sharp fuel rises in Burma have continued for a second week, despite constant arrests and harassment of demonstrators and their leaders by plain-clothed police, government officials and gangs of thugs mobilised for the purpose, while soldiers are reported to be watching and waiting in the wings in […]

BURMA: At least 65 persons reported arrested over protests against fuel prices

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been following closely events in Burma since the government multiplied the cost of fuels there without warning over a week ago, prompting public protests. Latest reports from many sources indicate that at least 65 persons have now been taken into custody in connection with the demonstrations. […]

MYANMAR/BURMA: People of Myanmar deserve far more from UN than trivial and belated comments

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is writing to you with regards to your statement of 23 August 2007 concerning the consequences of the August 15 increase to fuel prices in Myanmar (Burma) and repeated protests in the former capital that are now reported to be spreading to other parts of the country. The AHRC […]

BURMA: Dramatic price rises, protests and arrests oblige international response

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been following with deep concern and interest the tense situation in Burma since last Wednesday, 15 August 2007, when the military government dramatically increased the costs of all vehicle fuels by up to five times the previous level, without prior announcement. The price increases were immediately passed on […]

UPDATE (Burma): First report of death in fuel protests; courts closed; monks to refuse donations from officials

Dear friends, This is the latest update by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) on the protests against fuel price increases in Burma: a leader of the protests has reportedly been tortured to death; courts in Rangoon have been closed for more than two weeks; arrests have continued, particularly in the delta area; monks in […]

FORWARDED APPEAL(Burma): Appeal to China to take action on Burma

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is forwarding an appeal that was posted on Thailand news site Prachatai, asking the government of China to use its leverage to bring reconciliation and peace in Burma. If the email bounces back, please check here: http://en.beijing2008.cn/bocog/contactus/. Please use a different subject line so your email does not […]

FORWARDED APPEAL(Burma): Appeal to China to take action on Burma

Dear friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is forwarding an appeal that was posted on Thailand news site Prachatai, asking the government of China to use its leverage to bring reconciliation and peace in Burma. If the email bounces back, please check here: http://en.beijing2008.cn/bocog/contactus/. Please use a different subject line so your email does not […]