US, Canada, UN protest Burma crackdown
The US and Canada on Wednesday condemned the Burmese military junta’s crackdown on popular demonstrations in Rangoon, protesting against the recent sharp rise in fuel prices. The UN too expressed its concern over the detention of Burmese activists who participated in the protests.
Widespread international condemnation has greeted the junta’s actions, with demands for the immediate release of detained activists.
“The United States calls for the immediate release of these activists and for an end to the regime’s blatant attempt to intimidate and silence those who are engaged in peaceful promotion of democracy and human rights in Burma,” said US State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos in Washington.
Gallegos said: “The United States government condemns the Burmese regime’s arrest of Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and several other pro-democracy activists on August 22 for organizing peaceful demonstrations to express public concern about recent increases in the price of fuel.”
Gallegos reiterated the US demand that the military regime should engage in a meaningful dialogue with the leaders of the Burmese democracy movement and ethnic minority groups and make tangible steps towards a transition to a democratic system.
Responding to a question, Gallegos said, “We are going to continue pushing the human rights issues. We are going to continue supporting those individuals and groups inside Burma who wish to live in a free society with the ability to express their rights.”
The office of UN secretary-general told The Irrawaddy, “The UN views the events on the ground with concern, but we are for now simply monitoring the situation and trying to get the facts.”
Condemning the detention of the leaders of the 88 Generation Students group, the Canadian Foreign Minister, Maxime Bernier, said: “Their arrest is yet another example of the Burmese authorities’ continued disregard for freedom and democracy. Canada calls for their immediate and unconditional release.”
Urging Burma to respect the human rights of the people of Burma, he said: “We further call upon the Burmese authorities to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners and to engage in a genuine dialogue with members of the democratic opposition”
The New York-based Human Rights Watch called for the Burmese government to immediately release protesters arrested for peacefully demonstrating against the deteriorating economic system.
“The government’s strategy of arbitrarily arresting its critics reinforces the severe hardships the people of Burma are going through,” said Arvind Ganesan, the director of the business and human rights program at Human Rights Watch.
“The recent price hikes in Burma make it harder for ordinary people to sustain themselves by driving up prices of essential goods and services. Peaceful protest should not land them in jail,” he said.
“The way the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] made this decision and responded to the ensuing public outcry demonstrates its gross disregard for the rights to freedom of information and assembly, and the right of its people to benefit from the country’s natural resource wealth.”
Meanwhile, the Washington-based advocacy group the US Campaign for Burma announced it would hold a demonstration at the Burmese Embassy to show solidarity against those who are protesting against military rule inside the country.
Expressing concern for the safety of the leaders arrested by the junta, Aung Din, the policy director at the US Campaign for Burma said: “Min Ko Naing and the other leaders arrested have all been severely tortured during previous incarcerations, and we are gravely concerned for their immediate well-being.”
He urged China and the United Nations to take immediate action to ensure their safety and release.
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