Statement
September 6, 2007

Buddhist monks joined in the demonstrations as a large-scale monk's movement occurred yesterday at Pakokku Myot, Magwe Division in Burma. Five hundred monks started a protest march from a monastery on the west side of Pakokku. As they walked through town, they were reportedly cheered on by more than 10,000 bystanders who turned out to watch the demonstration.

Two Burmese military platoons dispersed the monks by firing warning shots into the air although the monks were only peacefully chanting metta and praying for everyone to be free from the oppression of others. Then the military troops dragged away and beat the monks, as well as onlookers, with bamboo sticks. A few monks were tied to lamp-posts and severely beaten. At least one monk reportedly sustained a serious head injury, and several were arrested.

On August 19th, peaceful protests began throughout Burma after Than Shwe's regime suddenly increased fuel prices, by up to 500%. Thousands of people from different parts of the country joined in the demonstrations. During the peaceful demonstrations, over 150 human rights activists and peaceful protesters were arrested by security forces and civilian militias of Than Shwe's regime, beginning on August 21st. Some activists were violently attacked by the militia and got serious injuries.

Buddhist monks have a long history of peaceful social activism in Burma. The majority of Burmese populations are Buddhist. Monks rely on the donations of the community for their daily needs, such food and medicine, so they cannot ignore community problems. Monks try to help solve the hardship of people by being socially active. For example, Venerable Saya Daw U Ottama and U Wisarya are well known in Burma for their efforts to help the people during the period of Burma's independent struggle

More recently, monks have been peacefully demonstrating since the military coup in Burma in 1988. Many monks were shot to death during the democratic demonstrations. Additionally, over 500 monks were detained, imprisoned and sent to labor camps. Nineteen monks died in labor camps and prisons.

We, the AAPP, strongly denounce the Burmese junta's behavior in the violent attacks on monks in Pakokku on September 5th. We strongly ask for the regime to announce publicly and take action against the individuals who committed the attacks.

We would like to request that the State Monk Coordination Committee and well-known venerable monks be careful not to support the regime, either by action or inaction. We would like to request senior monks to speak to the regime against the use violent attacks; and not only monks but also peaceful demonstrators.

We also request that Sangha organizations around the world condemn the Burmese military regime for its violent attacks on monks in Burma.

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
More Information, contact to: Ko Tate Naing at (+66)- 81-287 8751
Ko Bo Kyi at (+66)- 81-324 8935