No Shots Fired
There are both good and bad ways to go about instituting democratic change. The negative is, for example, exemplified by the actions taken by the United States with regards to Iraq. The positive is exemplified by the actions recently taken by those in Burma that have employed peaceful means to make their intentions known. It may not overthrow the country’s military junta overnight, but is the sort of grassroots movement that will eventually lead to a new reality that is steeped in those vital elements that are necessary in the foundation of a truly independent and vibrant democratic state.
Aung San Suu Kyi, who was democratically elected Prime Minister in 1990, was never allowed to take office and has been under house arrest, for years at a time, since the 90’s. During those years she has not been able to see her children, who reside in the UK, nor was she able to see her husband before he died of prostate cancer. Had she left the country, she would have been refused reentrance.
Today in Burma, 20,000 people took to the streets to protest the government, one that was led by Buddhist monks and nuns. It represents the largest anti-government protest in some 20 years, sparked by a rise in fuel prices some weeks ago.
According to the BBC…
“A huge column of demonstrators made its way through the heart of the city, following an identical route to that used during the failed anti-military uprising in 1988.”
[…]
Our correspondent says the mood was relaxed, even euphoric, with thousands of civilians joining Buddhist monks and nuns, and chanting the key demands of this campaign - reconciliation with the opposition, the release of political prisoners and lower prices.
Apparently unsure what to do, the security forces appear to be standing back for the moment and the next act in the drama is impossible to predict, says our correspondent.”
[…]
“On Friday, the Alliance of All Burmese Buddhist Monks, which is leading the demonstrations, vowed to continue until they had “wiped the military dictatorship from the land”.
The monks have urged the Burmese people to hold prayer vigils in their doorways for 15 minutes at 2000 (1330 GMT) on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Scores of nuns joined more than 2,000 monks in prayer on Sunday at the Shwedagon Pagoda, before marching to the centre of Rangoon.”
One can only hope that foreign interests do not infest this movement with underlying support that is meant to placate regional interests in the future.
The Burmese military Junta is known for its human rights abuses, for the disappearances and imprisonment of political activists. It will therefore be very interesting to see if they employ violence if the protests grow.
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September 23rd, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Hmmmm…I don’t know whether to be impressed, or disheartened that it took a raise in gas prices before anyone felt a need to protest. At least *something* positive seems to be happening.
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:55 pm
This is only the most recent of ongoing protests for many years. Apparently fuel prices increased by 500% after the government gave themselves a raise. Many people were killed in protests of previous. Many countries have already this year been involved in Human Rights issues in this country. Burma, as it is named now was once doing very well under British rule with great protest from Buddhist monks who previously had much control. Burma has it’s own ethnic struggles, and depends on rice exports as well as drug exports apparently to keep the economy going. I’m sure that some other nation will be involved very soon without a doubt. Another country where women and children are they primary victims so I have been told.
September 23rd, 2007 at 5:57 pm
There have been lots of protests in Burma’s past. Most of them have ended in a rather bloody fashion. That considered, I find it really awesome that so many are brave enough to march in the streets. They’re literally risking their freedom, if not their lives in doing so.
September 23rd, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Although the situation in Burma has been really bad for a long while, it really warms my heart to think of the Burmese monks and nuns etc, and how immovable their faith is in regards to attaining peace and freedom from such a regime without the use of force. I really hope things go well.
September 23rd, 2007 at 11:00 pm
Agreed, Ashleigh. The best way to achieve meaningful social change is through constructive nonviolent action.
September 24th, 2007 at 4:57 am
[quote comment="26983"]In actuality, it is not called Burma at present, it is called Myanmar.[/quote]
I believe that’s a name imposed by the SPDC (formerly the SLORC), but the people still call it Burma since they do not recognize the government, however, both are historically and linguistically accurate. I remember going through a brand-new textbook in grade 10/11, called “Horizons,” and replacing Myanmar with Burma (I was *such* a rebel ~:oP ) … and fixing a slew of spelling errors the editors missed. :oP
–Burma!
-What’d you say that for?
–I panicked.
September 24th, 2007 at 5:54 am
[quote comment="26983"]In actuality, it is not called Burma at present, it is called Mynmar.[/quote]
Ah, yes.
I must apologize…all of these name changes on countries have always just served to confuse me…so I tend to stick with the nicer sounding ones…I don’t know why…
look at you…so cute with your informativeness…with the myanmar- umm….ese and such:)
September 24th, 2007 at 7:42 am
We arrive empty - handed….
We leave empty - handed….
In every Beginning
there’s a Clue to
the eventual End….
September 24th, 2007 at 10:14 am
Peaceful protests are truly wonderful; even if the leaders and soldiers are completely heartless i bet it is incredibly difficult for them to do their jobs when it means causing harm to a nun or a monk. It would be a horribly awakaning and damning experience to see yourself harming people who have dedicated their lives to the complete opposite. I hope it stays peaceful.
September 24th, 2007 at 10:37 am
I especially love that the major threat recently of using military force was issued from the Religious Affairs Minister. After having taken a look at the track record of the offenses of the junta, I agree with the general consensus (and the anonymous s.asian diplomat) that the only thing that will prevent/is preventing another horrible massacre (yes, of even monks and nuns) is the ties to China, and China hosting the Olympics shortly.
And really….how bad does your track record of human rights violations have to be in order to have China step in and say “Woah dudes, hold up”…..
September 24th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
[quote comment="26997"]I agree with the general consensus (and the anonymous s.asian diplomat) that the only thing that will prevent/is preventing another horrible massacre (yes, of even monks and nuns) is the ties to China, and China hosting the Olympics shortly.[/quote]
That’s exactly what’s happening. The PRC does not want a bloody suppression staining their precious Olympics. So they’re keeping quiet as a way of telling the junta to hold off unless it’s absolutely necessary (or as a stalling point).
I got a bad feeling tho. This feels like 1935 (or 1932, I can’t tell). Don’t be surprised that if the junta is overthrown, the PLA move in a year after the Olympics to surpress.
September 24th, 2007 at 4:43 pm
It has been mentioned that the younger monks have refused to minister members of military as well as their families. My opinion- a monk should not refuse to minister anyone who might be willing to listen. Could be bad for both sides.Their opinion- I don’t know.
September 25th, 2007 at 1:07 am
Some amazing photographs of the protest:
http://english.dvb.no/photo3.php?cat=6
September 26th, 2007 at 2:30 am
This sounds like it may end up very similiar to gandhi’s nonviolent protests
September 26th, 2007 at 12:19 pm
AP” Security forces in Myanmar opened fire on demonstrators Wednesday, and witnesses said police beat and dragged away dozens of Buddhist monks. As many as eight dead”
Looks like the peace the government was not impressed.
September 27th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Melaina….. Thanks for the link. I have two friends who have been helping the Karen for some time. They tell me things are not too good. Shots have been fired all over the country. I’ve been urging them to leave; as have their hosts. But they are old Asian hands and wouldn’t know where else to go!……..