Update: Monks Join Protests in Burma; Officials Respond with Violence
By Jane Clark
September 14, 2007 | Printer Friendly

According to a September 12, 2007 Washington Post article, the number of people detained in Burma since mid-August has passed 150, but activists and civilians continue to protest unaffordable increases in fuel costs (see Burmese Activists Persist in Demonstrations Against Military Government).  Over the weekend, Burmese monks joined the demonstrations.  The Washington Post writes that “they reportedly formed a group called the National Front of Monks and demanded that the junta express regrets over the violence, reduce fuel prices, which previously were subsidized, and begin negotiations with the opposition National League for Democracy and the 88 Generation Students movement.”  The monks have been attacked by government officials as a result of their participation in the protests, and in one instance the monks responded to attacks by taking 13 officials as hostages.  As reported in a September 13, 2007 BBC News article, the monks have said that “if they do not offer an apology for beating the monks in the town of Pakokku, and free detained pro-democracy activists by 17 September, they will not perform any religious duties for the generals.”  Hundreds of monks have marched peacefully around the country, despite encountering violence from government officials.  The Washington Post reports that this has “seemed to add popular legitimacy to the uprising.”

Activists and citizens have also reportedly been tortured as a result of their participation.  Responding to this concern, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is “dispatching his special adviser on Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, to hold talks with the military rulers.”  President Bush and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown have also responded, urging Burmese officials to free the detained activists.  So far, Burma has not responded to international pressure.  A September 14, 2007 Reuters India article reports that many activists have recently had their phone lines cut, and officials continue to monitor monasteries and track down activists who are still in hiding.

On September 11, the U.S. State Department issued the following statement:

“We are concerned for the well-being of the more than 150 Burmese citizens detained since August 19 for their participation in a series of peaceful protests against dramatically increased fuel prices in Burma.  Multiple reports indicate that many of these protestors have been brutally beaten and interrogated.  We call upon the Burmese regime to allow access to prisoners by international humanitarian organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, and renew our call for the immediate release of all political prisoners in Burma.”

References:

Washington Post: Burma Protests Draw Harsh Crack Down

BBC News: Rumbling Protests Worry Burma's Leaders

Reuters India: Myanmar Junta Cuts Phones to Curb Protests