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UPDATE (Burma): Thousands of monks and protestors in Rangoon defy threats from regime

September 25, 2007

UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Update on Urgent Appeal

25 September 2007

[RE: UA-260-2007: BURMA: At least 65 persons reported arrested over protests against fuel prices; UP-114-2007: BURMA: Despite over 100 arrests, protests continue; still no action by UN; UP-119-2007: BURMA: Monks hold government officials as hostages; more protests and arrests around the country; UP-120-2007: BURMA: First report of death in fuel protests; courts closed; monks to refuse donations from officials; UP-124-2007: BURMA: Monks on the march, boycotting military regime across country]
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UP-125-2007: BURMA: Thousands of monks and protestors in Rangoon defy threats from regime

BURMA: Arbitrary arrest; assault; torture; denial of right to free expression; poverty; un-rule of law
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SPECIAL WEBPAGE
BURMA: 2007 PROTESTS
http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/burmaprotests/

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Dear friends,

Threats from the military regime in Burma have failed to get thousands of protestors of the streets again today, 25 September 2007. Here the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) gives the latest information and some on events of recent days. Please do everything you can to support the courageous struggle of Burma's people against their brutal government: there are only two ways forward for them from here -- real political and social change, or renewed heavy repression, torture, imprisonment and killing. At this critical moment, please join their struggle.

LATEST UPDATE OF SEPTEMBER 25

Despite heavy threats of a crackdown by the military regime (AS-233-2007), tens of thousands have again come out in protest today. In an interview with Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) radio, prominent actor and social activist Kyaw Thu said that they would not back down or be intimidated by the regime. Today he and comedian Zarganar (who has been jailed previously) led over 20 famous actors, artists and writers to give alms to the monks at the Shwedagon Pagoda. They said that they have also prepared for doctors to be quickly on site in the event of violence.

According to DVB, over 10,000 monks left from Shwedagon at 1pm and marched through Bahan Township together with members of the public (see latest citizens' photos at Saffron Revolution). A witness said that it was the largest gathering at Shwedagon in the eight days since the protests began. Some protestors waved red Fighting Peacock flags of the student groups that led the protests in 1988. Others carried banners calling for the release of political prisoners, national reconciliation, and saying that "this is a non-violent people's action". The monks again recited the Metta Sutta (loving kindness discourse). The protest march ended about 5pm.

Meanwhile, in Taunggok, Arakan State (western Burma), over 40,000 are reported to have come out to protest, and also in Monywa, Sagaing Division over 200 monks led some 10,000 citizens in marches there. Details on other protests around the country are still reaching the AHRC.

Detainees on hunger strike
According to a report from the Thailand-based Political Defiance Committee (PDC), over 40 of the more than 100 persons abducted and detained in the first days of the protests are being held at the camp of Riot Police Battalion No. 7 at Thanlyin, a few miles from Rangoon. (Regarding earlier detentions see: UP-114-2007; AS-201-2007). Since September 20 some have reportedly gone on hunger strike over the poor conditions under which they are being held.

SOME OF THE OTHER PROTESTS
On September 24, about 20,000 monks in Rangoon headed for the two holy sites in the city, Shwedagon Pagoda and Sule Pagoda. The monks marched in five columns, scratching more than a kilometer. They were joined by thousands of civilians who locked their arms to protect the monks, cheering and chanting for them. The crowd occupied five blocks and is estimated at around 100,000.

Fifty members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) also joined the march, brandishing their party flag. Celebrities including comedian Zarganar and poet Aung Way were in the crowd too.

Doctors and nurses were reportedly sent to Shwedagon Pagoda fearing the bloodshed.

Several high schools were closed in Rangoon; some government offices and private business were reportedly closed too, fearing possible violence.

On September 24 protest took place in 25 towns in the country. Hundreds of thousands of monks and members of the public marched in Pegu, Mandalay, Sagaing and Magwe, as well as in towns in Mon, Arakan and Kachin states and Kawthaung in Tenasserim Division.

On September 21, about 200 monks in Rangoon gathered at 10:30am in Maelahmuh Pagoda, North Okklapah Township, and started marching. Despite the heavy rain and flooding, they were joined by hundreds of onlookers and monks from other townships.

Monks from Tamwe township also marched to the town hall and back. According to eyewitnesses, there were at least 1500 monks and thousands of followers.

On the same day, the All Burma Monks Alliance issued a statement to entire clergy and Burmese people, addressing the military junta as “common enemy” of the whole people and urging the speedy formation of People’s Alliance led by the clergy to “struggle peacefully against the evil military dictatorship until its complete downfall.”

Over 1000 monks demonstrated in Pakhokku, Magwe division on the same day. Monks in Shwebo, Sagaing division, Mogoke, Daik-Oo town, Pegu division and Monywa also staged protests.

On September 22, 2000 monks in Rangoon marched towards Hledan along Pyi Road and approached the home of the pro-democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on University Avenue. She came to the gate and paid respect to the protesting monks while the crowd shouted “Long Life Aung San Suu Kyi”. This was her first public appearance since May 2003.

In Mandalay, an estimated 10,000 monks marched through the city, the procession occupied three blocks of the street. Monks also held protests in division capital Sagain and Monywa of Sagain division, Yenanchaung, Magwe division

On September 23, 400 monks and other demonstrators in Rangoon tried to approach the residence of Aung San Suu Kyi again, but they were barred by security forces. Reports said the security around her residence was also increased, with about 20 government-organized thugs and a dozen riot police posted on the nearby street.

On the same day, about 20,000 monks, nuns and demonstrators marched from Shwedagon Pagoda, passing the US Embassy to Sule Pagoda in the city centre. Bystanders joined hands in a human chain to protect the monks. They shouted support for Aung San Suu Kyi during the march, and demanded her release and the release of all political prisoners, an end to the economic hardship and an apology for the ill-treating of the monks (UP-119-2007).

Monks in Myikyina, Kachin state first joined the protest, and the demonstration in Mandalay, Magwe, Minbu and Monywa continued.

This is only a partial list of the numbers of events that have been documented and reported through so many sources, and there are likely to be many other events going on that have not been reported at all. The important thing to understand is that this is a nationwide protest movement and that a full uprising against the military regime is now fully underway. For further details please look at earlier and other reports on the AHRC webpage: http://campaigns.ahrchk.net/burmaprotests/

TIGHTENED SECURITY MEASURES AND MEDIA CENSORSHIP
Sources close to the War Office revealed that the junta leader Senior General Than Shwe again gave instructions to allow violent crackdown on the protests. There are also reports that 200-300 troops under Division No 77 which is responsible for the security of Rangoon were ordered to disguise as monks, and they would create disputes among the monks to justify the military dispersal. Some person

Than Shwe has also ordered cabinet minister Major General Htay Oo and Rangoon commander to cut the access to food, finance, information and civilians from the monks.

The government also tightened media control. According to a statement issued by Reporters without Borders and the Burma Media Association on September 20, there are at least 24 serious violations on the freedom to report since the protests broke out last month. The government has censored independent reports on the protests, and ordered private media to give reports in favour of the government. The government requested the state media to portray the protesters as agitators creating violence, and accused the foreign media as creating unrest. The comment is also echoed by the statements of the International Federation of Journalist and Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) on September 21, which complained about the government censorship on media covering the protests.

US SANCTION AND INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
The US is going to impose new sanctions to Burma, including a visa ban to key members of the military regime and targeting the assets tied to them. Details will be announced later by President George W Bush in the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

Other countries and organizations have also voiced their concerns in the situation in Burma. The UK ambassador to Burma Mark Canning expressed his concerns in the possible counter action from the government, and said Burma is now in uncharted territory.

The Dalai Lama also extended his support and solidarity with the peaceful demonstrations and prayed for the success of the movement and early release of Aung San Suu Kyi. Different religious organizations, including South African Council of Churches and Buddhist Peace Fellowship in the US, voiced their support to the democratic movement in Burma.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
The protest in Burma has entered a critical phrase. While the Burmese monks and civilians bravely march on the street to show their discontent to the regime, your support is crucial to their struggle. Please act now to show your solidarity and support with the Burmese people, and press the international community to act.

You may refer to previous appeals and updates for templates of letters that you can use to support the people's struggle in Burma (UA-260-2007; UP-114-2007).

If you are in a representative democracy, please personally contact your local member of parliament, foreign minister or equivalent and press him or her on what is being done by the government of your country to increase multilateral pressure and draw attention to the situation there.

If you are living in a place where there is a consulate or embassy of Burma, please consider organising protest actions outside it to raise attention to what is happening in the country at present.

If you are a member of a Buddhist religious order, please ask your local community to consider joining the boycott against all persons connected with the military regime of Burma (see AHRC call for a global boycott: AHRC-PL-037-2007).

If you are a member of any other religious community, please arrange prayer meetings and other activities for the people of Burma who are struggling at this time against overwhelming odds.

People in Burma have been living under the military regime for two decades and are long forgotten by the world. They have taken the first steps in fighting for their freedom, your action is a great support to them. Please act now!

Thank you.

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrchk.org)

Document Type :
Urgent Appeal Update
Document ID :
UP-125-2007
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Extended Introduction: Urgent Appeals, theory and practice

A need for dialogue

Many people across Asia are frustrated by the widespread lack of respect for human rights in their countries.  Some may be unhappy about the limitations on the freedom of expression or restrictions on privacy, while some are affected by police brutality and military killings.  Many others are frustrated with the absence of rights on labour issues, the environment, gender and the like. 

Yet the expression of this frustration tends to stay firmly in the private sphere.  People complain among friends and family and within their social circles, but often on a low profile basis. This kind of public discourse is not usually an effective measure of the situation in a country because it is so hard to monitor. 

Though the media may cover the issues in a broad manner they rarely broadcast the private fears and anxieties of the average person.  And along with censorship – a common blight in Asia – there is also often a conscious attempt in the media to reflect a positive or at least sober mood at home, where expressions of domestic malcontent are discouraged as unfashionably unpatriotic. Talking about issues like torture is rarely encouraged in the public realm.

There may also be unwritten, possibly unconscious social taboos that stop the public reflection of private grievances.  Where authoritarian control is tight, sophisticated strategies are put into play by equally sophisticated media practices to keep complaints out of the public space, sometimes very subtly.  In other places an inner consensus is influenced by the privileged section of a society, which can control social expression of those less fortunate.  Moral and ethical qualms can also be an obstacle.

In this way, causes for complaint go unaddressed, un-discussed and unresolved and oppression in its many forms, self perpetuates.  For any action to arise out of private frustration, people need ways to get these issues into the public sphere.

Changing society

In the past bridging this gap was a formidable task; it relied on channels of public expression that required money and were therefore controlled by investors.  Printing presses were expensive, which blocked the gate to expression to anyone without money.  Except in times of revolution the media in Asia has tended to serve the well-off and sideline or misrepresent the poor.

Still, thanks to the IT revolution it is now possible to communicate with large audiences at little cost.  In this situation there is a real avenue for taking issues from private to public, regardless of the class or caste of the individual.

Practical action

The AHRC Urgent Appeals system was created to give a voice to those affected by human rights violations, and by doing so, to create a network of support and open avenues for action.  If X’s freedom of expression is denied, if Y is tortured by someone in power or if Z finds his or her labour rights abused, the incident can be swiftly and effectively broadcast and dealt with. The resulting solidarity can lead to action, resolution and change. And as more people understand their rights and follow suit, as the human rights consciousness grows, change happens faster. The Internet has become one of the human rights community’s most powerful tools.   

At the core of the Urgent Appeals Program is the recording of human rights violations at a grass roots level with objectivity, sympathy and competence. Our information is firstly gathered on the ground, close to the victim of the violation, and is then broadcast by a team of advocates, who can apply decades of experience in the field and a working knowledge of the international human rights arena. The flow of information – due to domestic restrictions – often goes from the source and out to the international community via our program, which then builds a pressure for action that steadily makes its way back to the source through his or her own government.   However these cases in bulk create a narrative – and this is most important aspect of our program. As noted by Sri Lankan human rights lawyer and director of the Asian Human Rights Commission, Basil Fernando:

"The urgent appeal introduces narrative as the driving force for social change. This idea was well expressed in the film Amistad, regarding the issue of slavery. The old man in the film, former president and lawyer, states that to resolve this historical problem it is very essential to know the narrative of the people. It was on this basis that a court case is conducted later. The AHRC establishes the narrative of human rights violations through the urgent appeals. If the narrative is right, the organisation will be doing all right."

Patterns start to emerge as violations are documented across the continent, allowing us to take a more authoritative, systemic response, and to pinpoint the systems within each country that are breaking down. This way we are able to discover and explain why and how violations take place, and how they can most effectively be addressed. On this path, larger audiences have opened up to us and become involved: international NGOs and think tanks, national human rights commissions and United Nations bodies.  The program and its coordinators have become a well-used tool for the international media and for human rights education programs. All this helps pave the way for radical reforms to improve, protect and to promote human rights in the region.