Over the past 10 days, hundreds of people have taken part in some of the largest demonstrations held in Burma in a decade.
The protests were sparked by the military regime’s decision to raise fuel prices by 500 per cent. In response, the regime has launched a severe crackdown on protestors. Over 100 people have been arrested in the last week, including almost all the leading pro-democracy activists, and demonstrators have been savagely attacked by police and pro-junta mobs.
The following is a list of statements made by governments and NGOs about the crackdown:
Václav Havel
Statement on the situation in Burma
Prague, 23 August 2007
After nineteen years of having their basic human rights trampled, the people of
Burma are again in the streets – and so is the army. Although dozens of
opposition leaders including former student leader Min Ko Naing have been
arrested, hundreds of residents are gathering to show their determination to live
in a free and prospering country. In this time, the attention of the international
community, in particular the UN Security Council, and world media should be
focused on Burma and support the justified demands of its inhabitants.
I urge the
military government of Burma to listen to the demands of its fellow citizens, to
release Aung San Suu Kyi, Min Ko Naing and other political prisoners and to
not attempt to remain in power through force. I call for peaceful dialogue
between the government and the citizens of Burma, so as to avoid repeating the
unfortunate events of 1988.
