Monks militate against govt brutality
Several thousand Buddhist monks launched a nationwide protest across Burma on December 12, calling on the government to apologize for injuring monks during the crackdown on anti-mining protests last month.
The bloody crackdown against monks in Monywa in Sagaing Division, central Burma was launched by police on Nov. 29 and injured about 100 monks. The monks mobilized to call for the government to stop a China-financed copper mine project in central Burma - thought to be the largest in southeast Asia and a project protesters claim will only benefit the government and China, but not local residents.
In Mandalay, Burma's second biggest city, Buddhist monk U Thaw Bita said, “We strongly condemn these violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters including monks.”
U Pa Mauk Kha, a Rangoon-based monk addressed the crowd, “The government should brief civilians about the copper mining projects. They should explain the strenghts and weaknesses of the project.”
Due to the copper mine project, there are dislocations, land confiscations, deforestation and toxic water. Over 7,800 acres of land from 26 villages nearby Latpadaung mountain range were seized. Local villagers also complained about toxic water, but the government did not respond.
The copper mine project is operated by China-financed Wanbao company and the Burmese army's biggest holding firm, the Union of Myanmar Economic Holding Limited (UMEHL) also known as U Pai company. Wanbao is in fact owned by the Chinese arms manufacturer Norinco, which reportedly supplying weapons to the Burmese army.
About 50 monks protested in front of Burmese embassy in Bangkok, Thailand, on Nov. 30, calling on the Burmese government to take responsibility for injured civilians, to immediately organize an investigation commission and to take legal action against those responsible for the crackdown. They also demanded legal action by the UN for damages to the natural environment.
On Dec. 12, several hundred Buddhist monks joined peaceful protests initiated by a group known as Buddha Disciples. About 1000 private individuals also joined the rally, marching in the heart of Rangoon city alongside the monks, holding hands to form a human shield around the crowd.
The same day, thousands of protesters also launched separate protests in Burma’s major cities and towns and cities such as Mandalay, Pakokku and Monywa.
Observers said that the protest movement against the copper mine project is expected to grow, since it is led by Buddhist monk and Burma is a Buddhist-dominated country.
Chan Htun, a veteran politician in Rangoon who was former Burmese ambassador to China said he worries about nationwide unrest against the government as the monks get involved in the protest and they attract widespread support from civilians.
“I want to urge all concern stakeholders to solve the problem respectfully because it can spread nationwide as monks get involved in the protest,” said Chan Htun.
“Even though Chinese and Burmese authorities are in good relationship, public sentiments against China can grow, as Buddhist monks have been brutally beaten and burnt in the Buddhism nation” in the past, he added.