Please do not close your eyes to the events in Myanmar. Without internet access, and in a nation that is closed to the outside media, the protesters are in grave danger.
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Myanmar breaks up rallies, cuts Internet - Yahoo! News
YANGON, Myanmar - Soldiers clubbed and dragged away activists while firing tear gas and warning shots to break up demonstrations Friday before they could grow, and the government cut Internet access, raising fears that a deadly crackdown was set to intensify.
Troops also occupied Buddhist monasteries in a bid to clear the streets of Myanmar's revered monks, who have spearheaded the demonstrations.
The government said 10 people have been killed since the violence began earlier this week, but British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he believed the loss of life in Myanmar was "far greater" than is being reported. Dissident groups have put the number as high as 200, although that number could not be verified.
From Amnesty International:
At least 500 people were reported to have been arrested in a crackdown on anti-government protests in Myanmar by the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).
The crackdown escalated on the evening of 25 September in the former capital Yangon, the second-biggest city, Mandalay, and also Meiktila, Pakokku and Mogok. There have been at least nine reported fatalities and Amnesty International has learned that many people have gone into hiding.
Some people were reported to have been arrested in the evening of 24 September, but most were seized during the following 48 hours, as the crackdown by security forces escalated. Among those arrested were hundreds of monks in Yangon.
Others arrested include:
- Famous comedian and former prisoner of conscience Zargana
- Myint Myint San (f), National League for Democracy (NLD) member
- Paik Ko (m), NLD Member of Parliament, Pakokku
- Par Par Lay (m), comedian (pictured)
- Tin Aung (m), NLD Member of Parliament
- Tin Ko (m), NLD youth member in Meiktila
- U Win Naing (m), politician
Amnesty International believes these and other detainees are at grave risk of torture or other ill-treatment.
The security forces have reportedly beaten demonstrators with batons, used tear gas on crowds that defy orders to disperse and fired warning shots into the air. Despite the high tension, thousands of people continue to take to the streets in continued anti-government protests.
Read the latest news on the situation in Myanmar
Join the global protest!
Amnesty International members across the globe have begun a series of demonstrations outside Myanmar’s embassies and high profile public locations calling for the Myanmar authorities not to respond with violence and to respect the human right to peaceful protest.
Join a demonstration in your town or city: your support is urgently needed. Some of the following demonstrations organised by or with AI include:
- Belgium: Saturday 29 September at noon, at "Place De la Liberte"
- Canada: Saturday 29 September in Victoria, Regina, Toronto
- Czech Republic: Saturday 29 September in the centre of Prague
- Germany: Saturday 29 September in Berlin
- Hong Kong: Evening of Friday 28 September and Saturday 29 September
- Ireland: Saturday 29 September at 2pm in Dublin
- Italy: Afternoon of Friday 28 September in Rome; and Saturday in Milan
- Japan: Daily in Tokyo
- Luxembourg: Afternoon of Friday 28 September
- Malaysia: Morning of Friday 28 September
- Nepal: Monday 1 October, 2pm, in Kathmandu
- Netherlands: Saturday 29 September, Amsterdam
- Norway: Friday 28 September in Oslo
- Philippines: Daily events
- Spain: Friday 28 September in Bilbao; Sunday 30 September in Castelldefels, Madrid, Molins de Rey and Tarragona
- Switzerland: Saturday 29 September, at noon in Geneva
- Thailand: Morning of Friday 28 September
- UK: Sunday 30 September at 11:30am, Trafalgar Square
- USA: Monday 1 October, noon in New York
Take action!
Call on the Myanmar authorities to release protesters
Foreign Minister Nyan Win
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Naypyitaw
Union of Myanmar
Fax: +95 1 222 950 OR +95 1 221 719
E-mail: mofa.aung@mptmail.net.mm
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