Violence intensifies in Burma

UPDATE
(30 September) On Saturday September 29, Wangari Maathai hand-delivered a statement from six of the seven women Nobel Peace Laureates to Ban Ki Moon, calling for the immediate release of their sister Nobel Laureate – Aung San Suu Kyi, imprisoned in Burma. Read more here.

(28 September 2007) State media has reported that nine individuals have been killed by the ruling junta’s brutal crackdown, though witnesses estimate the death toll as much higher. Although pro-democracy activists were the chief casualties, one Japanese journalist was also a victim of the rampage. Recent protests, led by Buddhists clergy, have swelled to an estimated 100,000 despite the violence.

An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council was called on Wednesday afternoon to address the escalating violence. Though all members supported a UN envoy, China once again acted against the majority and rejected imposing sanctions on Burma, arguing that the government-ordered violence was an internal matter.

Saturday, 29 September, Wangari Maathai delivered a letter on behalf of

Aung San Suu Kyi greeting the monks in front of her home, the first time she has been seen in more than 3 years

The Nobel Women’s Initiative Condemns Burma Arrests

The Nobel Women’s Initiative condemns the Burmese government for its continued suppression of the democratic rights of its citizens and calls for the immediate release of all protestors arrested for participating in demonstrations against the regime’s exorbitant increase in fuel prices. It is unacceptable that the citizens of Burma be denied the right to free speech and peaceful protest.

“The brave activists facing down the Burmese regime this week is an example of the courage and determination shown everyday by the Burmese people. Our sister Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and so many other women and men have risked their safety to return to the streets day after day, year after year, to demand the most basic rights and freedoms. For 17 years now Suu Kyi has paid the price, imprisoned in her home, while the regime pads its pockets and brutalizes its people. This recent crackdown on political dissidents is just another illustration of the regime’s complete and utter disregard for democracy and human rights. Enough is enough. We have passed the point for ‘urging’ the international community to act on this situation. Failing to do so at this point is an atrocity,” said Jody Williams.

With almost 90 percent of Burma’s citizens living at or below a dollar a day, the recent cuts in government fuel subsidies have created a dire situation for the country’s poor. Fuel prices have catapulted 100 percent and the cost of cooking gas has increased by a reported 500 percent. Desperation has forced Burmese citizens to the streets and resulted in more than 100 arrests of some of Burma’s most prominent activists. The government has violently suppressed protestors’ efforts through overt intimidation, attacks and arrests. The continued display of resistance by Burmese activists is exceptional given the risk they knowingly face when speaking out against the hard-line government.

The Nobel Women’s Initiative acknowledges the remarkable boldness of all Burmese protestors and in particular the work of our sister activists. Women have played an important role in the recent demonstrations- organizing a march on August 22 that grew to more than 300 protestors. Despite peacefully exercising their political rights they have been continually plagued by harassment and abuse.

“We are outraged at the use of gender-based violence and verbal abuse as weapons against women leading the protests. Women in Burma have a long history of active participation in the forefront of resistance movements during times of crisis, and again women are now taking a leading role to show their defiance against the regime’s unlawful acts and injustice.” (Women’s League of Burma)

The Nobel Women’s Initiative again condemns China, Russia, and South Africa for their failure to support the January Security Council Resolution on Burma. We urge these governments to renounce their prior positions and join other members of the Council in taking immediate steps to resolve the current crisis and help bring about national reconciliation and democracy in Burma.