Statement on the 18^th anniversary of the General Uprising in Burma

(August 8, 2006)

Eighteen years ago today, people from all walks of life took to the streets and demanded democracy in Burma .  The general uprising continued on for about a month until the Burmese military put the peaceful demonstrations to a stop by killing thousands of demonstrators including many young students.  Many who participated in the uprising were arrested, tortured, and raped.  Thousands had to flee to the border with Thailand to escape from the atrocity.  On this 18^th anniversary, we pay our tribute to those who lost their lives during the demonstrations and in the struggle for democracy and human rights in Burma .  We also pay our sincere respects to courageous individuals who have carried on the struggle under the oppression of the military regime until the present day.  

During the 18 years of military rule, human rights violations have escalated in Burma .  Human rights abuses such as rapes, forces labors, and tortures are widespread especially in ethnic areas.  Due to the military operations against ethnic minorities in Burma , over one million refugees fled to Thailand and other neighboring countries and over a half million were internally displaced.  Moreover, the social and economic situations in Burma have been deteriorated; Drug and human trafficking are widespread and the spread of HIV/AIDS is on the rise. 

The international community has repeatedly called on the regime for national reconciliation and restoration of democracy in Burma .  However, the regime has chosen to ignore any calls for a democratic change in the country. Instead, the regime has been expanding militarization in Mon State as well as other ethnic regions in order continue pursuing its ethnic cleansing policy and has made every attempt to abolish the democratic forces.

On this historic occasion, we strongly urge the international community to support the efforts to bring the Burma ’s case to the United Nation Security Council. 

We also call for the military regime to

(1)  immediately stop the practice of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and all forms of human rights violations against the Mon and all other ethnic nationalities,

(2) immediately withdraw its military forces from the homeland of the Mon and other ethnic nationalities,

(3) immediately initiate a genuine tripartite dialogue comprised of leaders of ethnic nationalities, elected representatives, and military regime

    as recommended by the United Nations,

(4) immediately release all political prisoners including Nai Yekha and Nai Cheem Gakao (Myo Htwe).

This statement is jointly issued by:      

1. The Australia Mon Association (AMA)

2. Euro-Mon Community

3. Mon Canadian Society of Alberta

4. Monland Restoration Council ( USA )

5. Mon National League for Consolidating and Aiding (Mae Sot, Thailand )

6. Mon Women's Association of America

7. Mon Unity League ( Thailand )

8. Overseas Mon National Students’ Organization ( Thailand )