Since
yesterday we have not been able to contact any of the five monks who
led the peaceful protest calling for the release of political prisoners
and an end to the civil wars in Burma that began last Monday in
Mandalay.
The last information that we could confirm was that the five monks
had been ordered to return to their individual hometowns with
transportation arranged by the authorities this afternoon (Friday 18
November). Two local journalists confirmed us today that all five monks
have arrived in Monywa in Sagaing Division, but the local Sangha did not accept them.
They have split up into two groups now and are heading for remote areas.
Yesterday,
the authorities reportedly delivered a guarantee via the Mahanayaka
(Sangha Council) that the five monks would not be detained for their
peaceful protest.
The restrictions preventing the media in Burma from reporting
anything about the monks’ protest are seemingly still in effect, and
with nothing new to report, Burmese media organizations-in-exile have
also been quiet.
This procedure shines a clear light on the actual state of Freedom of speech in Burma. The
Burmese Buddhist Sangha is evidently still under a enormous amount of
pressure not to tollerate monks who dare to speak out.
International Organizations and Indivuduals who advokate Human Rights
should take a close look on the fate of these five monks. We encourage
people around the world to continue to keep an eye out for any
developments in an effort to ensure that no one is imprisoned or harmed
for their participation in the protest.
The Best Friend would like to sincerely thank artist and filmmaker Jeffrey Durkin for
his creation and donation of two graphics in support of Ashin Sopaka
and the other monks in Mandalay. Jeffrey is currently working on a
documentary film about the intersection between street art, Buddhism,
and the struggle for human rights in Burma. See more about his film here, and feel free to share and use his “Support for Ashin Sopaka” images.
Download Image 2 >>
http://www.thebestfriend.org/2011/11/18/mandalay-peace-protest-%E2%80%93-sangha-under-pressure/
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