Burmese Govt Urged to Refrain from Violence

Burmese Government Strongly Urged to Refrain from Violence toward Protesters

The government of Burma is strongly urged to avoid violence in what could quickly become a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters, Freedom House said today. The organization also urged China and other neighboring countries to publicly urge restraint by the Burmese government.

Public protests that began in response to increased prices last month were strengthened considerably when Burmese monks, who are revered in Burma, joined the demonstrations. The ruling military government responded by imposing a curfew, and has used force against the protesters for the first time today. Reportedly three people may have been killed.

"The world stands behind the brave demonstrators, whose requests are completely reasonable: they have asked the regime to renounce the use of violence and engage in a genuine process of dialogue," said Jennifer Windsor, executive director of Freedom House. "We strongly urge the Burmese government to respond peacefully to their request and allow for the gradual transformation of the Burmese system."

Despite discussion that China has quietly urged Burmese officials to refrain from using force, neither China nor any of Burma's neighbors have publicly denounced the Burmese government's actions to date, nor have they spoken in favor of greater international engagement.

"The governments in the region that have some influence and arguably the most to lose by continued unrest in Burma--namely China, India and neighboring southeast Asian countries--should act now to forestall further violence," said Paula Schriefer, director of advocacy at Freedom House. "In particular, we urge China to drop its opposition to action against Burma at the UN Security Council. If China wants to be seen as responsible members of the international community, now is the time to demonstrate its seriousness."

Burma is considered to be among the world's most repressive regimes. In the 2007 edition of the organization's annual survey, Freedom in the World, the country is considered Not Free, and receives the lowest possible ratings of 7 (on a scale of 1 to 7, with 7 as the lowest) for political rights and 7 for civil liberties. Burma was given a downward trend arrow due to the largest offensive against the ethnic Karen population in a decade and the displacement of thousands of Karen as a result of the attacks.

Freedom House, an independent nongovernmental organization that supports the expansion of freedom in the world, has been monitoring political rights and civil liberties in Burma since 1972.

ENDS

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