JOINT STATEMENT ON BURMESE MILITARY REGIME'S ARREST OF MON MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT DR. MIN SOE LIN

November 25, 1997

We, Monland Restoration Council of USA, Mon National Association of Canada, and Australia Mon Association of Australia, strongly condemn the Burmese military regime for its arrest of Mon Member of Parliament Dr. Min Soe Lin. Dr. Min Soe Lin was arrested on November 6, 1997 under the Emergency Act for peacefully organizing the 50th anniversary of Mon National Day celebration on February 23, 1997. He was elected by various Mon organizations to the secretary general of Mon State Commission for the Golden Jubilee Mon National Day. He is also one of Mon members of parliament elected in 1990 general election. However, his party, the Mon National Democratic Front Party, was banned on 19 March, 1992.

The entire Mon nation has become "a people without a country" under the oppression of the Burmans since 1757. Use of Mon language and practice of Mon culture are forbidden. The military even bans the celebration of Mon National Day. Those who organize Mon National Day celebration are arrested, tortured, and sentenced to long terms imprisonment. Besides, the Burmese military has systematically destroyed Mon national education system in order to terminate the existence of Mon literature and culture. The worst of all is that the military conducts "ethnic cleansing policies" to wipe out diverse ethnic groups. Human rights violations such as rapes, forced labors, forced relocation, and summary executions of innocent civilians are widespread all over Mon State where "ethnic cleansing policy" has been employed.

Ethnic cleansing is not a solution to Burma's current crisis. Neither Peace nor Development can be achieved under the "ethnic cleansing policies." As long as we Mons and other ethnic nationalities are denied the rights to self-determination and equality, Burma will never enjoy peace and freedom.

We strongly demand the Burmese military regime:

To immediately release Mon Member of Parliament Dr.Min Soe Lin and other political prisoners.

To stop human rights violations in Monland.

We request the international community:

To pressure the Burmese Military regime for a dialogue comprised of elected representatives, ethnic leaders, and military's representatives.

Central Committee

Monland Restoration Council (USA)

Mon National Association (Canada)

Australia Mon Association (Australia)