The Citizen On Mars :: Myanmar's Quest For Freedom :: September

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The Citizen On Mars is by P.B. Masdal. Blogging on Philippine Politics, Global Issues, Finance, Economics, Environmental Concerns, Social Matters, Web Designs and Personal Lives. Writing from Zamboanga City, Philippines.

September 25, 2007

Myanmar's Quest For Freedom

By P.B. Masdal |

Posted In : Global Politics, Current Events

Something so important is brewing over there in Myanmar right at this very moment, even as we speak. Tens of thousands of people have gathered and joined the monks-led protests against the generals ruling within the SLORC (State Law and Order restoration Council), swooping down through the main avenues and streets of Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city. The mass action is now entering into it’s fourth day and most recent reports on it have seen the generals finally issuing a grave warning, threatening an intense crackdown against the monks, who are mainly well-revered by the people of Myanmar and had generally been immune from the restrictive hand of the military rule over there.

It is not so clear yet what cause or causes the Buddhists monks have mainly voiced-out in this yet another major protest action (a student-led protest against SLORC had been crushed in 1998) but it is generally seen that the military junta over there had been so fraught with human rights abuses, various brutalities that consists of forced labor and violent repression against ethnic minorities, particularly the Karen group where many of them have retreated towards the borders or had even taken refuge into neighboring countries such as Thailand.

The Myanmar situation had long been an issue in the ASEAN leadership where Myanmar remains the only member-country with a military junta as a form of government and America and Europe had long criticized ASEAN for being too lax on Myanmar, citing it’s far-from-ideal human rights record and repression of democracy. Now, ASEAN is forced to take issue on the brimming scenario over there in Yangon. Would they support the anti-government move? Would it prod the military junta to take strength? Or would ASEAN continue to be silent over the boisterous issue that is Myanmar—-like a whiny child?

At least, US President George Bush has already taken note on what’s happening in Yangon and had today announced more sanctions against the military junta or its members, as well as to their financial supporters, which are mostly coming from China and India, Myanmar’s two closest allies, perhaps showing to us that America is not merely interested in oil-rich regions, but as well as in others.

Whatever becomes of the mass protest in Yangon, I hope nothing extraordinarily violent would inure, despite that in every move against a government, violence (or some form of it) may always exist. I hope the generals would keep their composure and not step back in time and become beastly in engaging the protesters in the streets. We have been placed in the same situation once before—-or twice even—-first in 1986 along EDSA and then in 1991 when former President Joseph Estrada was forced to step down.

I hope so well that something good emanates for Myanmar after this—-like freedom and democracy.

64 Comments »

ipanema says; September 25, 2007 @ 6:52 pm

perhaps the biggest so far in the days when they started this. monks in this part of the world are highly respected. this march is perhaps a big challenge to the military government. i am waiting for its development in the days to come. will it topple the junta or those in power?
eric says; September 25, 2007 @ 6:55 pm

I really hope that nothing happens to these monks like the atrocities that the Tibetan monks experienced from the Chinese communists.
Major Tom says; September 25, 2007 @ 7:25 pm

To ipanema: Same here, it’s interesting how the revered buddhists monks can hold sway over the military government there or would patience of the generals would run out on them. I just hope no violence would happen in any eventuality.
Major Tom says; September 25, 2007 @ 7:27 pm

To eric: That’s what I imagine in my mind and hope it won’t happen as such. Reminds me of the movie “Seven Years In Tibet” where the monks there where mercilessly machined-gunned by chinese Red Army soldiers. It is fearful times in Myanmar at this time.
intsik says; September 26, 2007 @ 2:50 am

what happened to the tibetan monks was also a very sad news. we just really hope that the people of myanmar will stand by their well-loved monks.
myepinoy says; September 26, 2007 @ 5:09 am

This event in Myanmnar has put the military government in quandary. The monks are highly regarded by the people and touching them may agitate or anger the citizenry including some men in uniform, a situation which the government is trying hard to diffuse. Although this thing is not allowed under the present rule, they allowed them (monks) hoping that it will just die down naturally.

The situation may start something that the military government does not want.
Eric says; September 26, 2007 @ 5:14 am

I pray that this ends with no blood shed. The people and monks don’t deserve to mistreated anymore. They just want life liberty and the persuit of happiness. If the government can have it then they should be entitled to it. What always amases me is how a government can get there military to do there dirty work. Just like back here in America. They follow blindly and as long as they are doing good the heck with the rest.. This world is getting farther behind instead of progressing ahead.
Major Tom says; September 26, 2007 @ 7:58 am

To intsik: That seems to be what’s happening—-the people backing the monks to hell or high water. This makes this latest protest an unprecedented scenario for the military junta, and they seem to be at a lost on how to tackle this.
Major Tom says; September 26, 2007 @ 8:00 am

Tp myepinoy: It’s a dilemma and a major headcahe the military got over there…
Major Tom says; September 26, 2007 @ 8:09 am

To eric: While every government or State has it’s won prerogative on how to choose forms of governance and how to be governed, still remains the dictum that in certain instances, some government may just be futile and patently lacking in mandate, such as the Pol Pot regime in Cambodia years ago and the Chinese intrusion in Tibet.

In Myanmar, the military junta there had time and time again seen as a forced government yet ASEAN had recognized them despite of this and the rest of the world is a little amazed by this, how a regional group like ASEAN—-which was actually initiated and formed to mainly avoid communism—-could tolerate such very fragile setup such as Myanmar. The government there is allegedly still practicing forced labor and does undertake some sort of ethnic cleansing as a policy. ASEAN should act on this properly and at the most apt time.
Pajamas Media says; September 26, 2007 @ 8:27 am

The Saffron Revolution

Will Myanmar succeed in peacefully overthrowing it’s military government. Richard Fernandez of Pajamas Media looks at the possibilities….
Schumey says; September 26, 2007 @ 8:28 am

I don’t think the junta will be too dumb as to directly assault members of the faith. Should they be too stupid enough, then it could spend disaster for them.

As for the ASEAN, they have actually accomplished nothing since its birth. Its nothing but a feel good association and should be abolished.
snglguy says; September 26, 2007 @ 9:05 am

It’s a surprising move by the once-silent Buddhist monks who aren’t known to meddle in such worldly matters. But I guess they too have their limits towards oppression. Just how this will all end still remains to be seen. Kumbaga, “pahabaan ng pisi”...
Wil says; September 26, 2007 @ 1:27 pm

Those are brave monks to stand against repression. I can only hope and pray that the situation is resolved peacefully.
Richmond says; September 26, 2007 @ 3:24 pm

May naalala akong movie. Di ko lang maalala yung title.
Sidney says; September 26, 2007 @ 4:24 pm

Those Generals are ruthless. I fear the worst.
Major Tom says; September 26, 2007 @ 7:14 pm

To schumey: Last time I checked the news, analysts say the protest would like just fizzle down, with the curfews being implemented now.

ASEAN is such a lameduck on things like this. I thought leaders like President Arroyo and other ASEAN head of state would give some statements—-but none up to this time.
Major Tom says; September 26, 2007 @ 7:19 pm

To sngl: I was hoping that some vital changes would be reached through this major protest. Curfews had been implemented there and probably intense crackdown on the clergies. Maybe, the military junta there should start considering holding general elections and slow change towards a publicly approved system of government.
Major Tom says; September 26, 2007 @ 7:22 pm

To Wil: Courageous and heroic; I just wish they won’t be cowed by this and keep on fighting for thir people’s freedom and rights.
Major Tom says; September 26, 2007 @ 7:25 pm

To Richmond: Most probably it’s “Seven Years In Tibet” that’s on your mind, with Bratt pitt on the lead.
Major Tom says; September 26, 2007 @ 7:30 pm

To Sydney: I ahve similar notions. I’ve read about forced labor there and very cruel ethnic repression. I just couldn’t believe that ASEAN is allowing something to happen like this within its ranks…
pining says; September 26, 2007 @ 8:27 pm

I was hoping that because the eyes of the world is on them, they won’t touch, let alone kill a monk… but apparently one already died. How tragic…
vic says; September 26, 2007 @ 9:32 pm

The Military Junta of Myanmar is immune to any outside pressure, thus can use whatever measures necessary to maintain its power. Unless the whole world, Asean countries in particular impose a no-nonsense sanctions, particularly with Military Supplies, then it will be very hard for the Internal protests to topple the Military Regime..It’s been in power now for 19 years and was able to impose its will among the masses, just like the Communist party of China, but at least the Chinese authority started the reform from the Top…
Major Tom says; September 26, 2007 @ 9:43 pm

To Pining: That’s sad really. Recent updates over there had the generals ordered a crackdown on the ranks of the clergy. Let us see how the people would react on these developments.
Major Tom says; September 26, 2007 @ 9:47 pm

To vic: Apparently, the China government have enormous support towards the military junta and Pres. Bush had pointed this connection out so clearly. It becomes a complicated issue that way since America is also so keen in pleasing China because of economic concerns, China having such a huge market for every product America could offer. Maybe ASEAN could do something palpable about the Myanmar issue, particularly on huma rights issues and non-popular government system. It (ASEAN) should have some sway over it’s member nation—-at least. Otherwise, it is completely useless.
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