VARIOUS: Buddhists and activists around the world rise in support of the people of Myanmar

Buddhist and activist throughout the Asian continent demonstrate against violent measures employed against pro-democracy protesters in Myanmar. Protests, demonstration and demands have been held throughout the Asian continent on Monday (October 1) to show full support to the pro-democracy protesters in Myanmar. In Manila, activists gathered in front of Myanmar embassy, burning image of Myanmar's Senior General Than Shwe and condemning the military's use of violence against anti-junta protesters in Yangon. Spokesperson for Free Burma Coalition-Philippines Egoy Bans said that they hope the international community will put more pressure on Myanmar's military government. In Tokyo, exiled and ex-patriate Myanmar residents staged a silent protest and hunger strike in front of the United Nations house, and urged the U.N. to prepare for stronger sanctions against Myanmar. Some 12 Buddhists monks and 40 laypeople staged a protest outside the Myanmar embassy in Bangkok to urge the Myanmar government to stop using violence. They held banners saying "Stop killing monks and people now" and said Buddhist prayers for the people of Myanmar. "This is an act of destruction against Buddhism, the same thing that the Taliban did when they destroyed the Bamyan Buddhas and other historic items of Buddhism destroyed in Pakistan," said Tee Rawit Chantavitcho, one of the Buddhist monks taking part. "So we are Buddhists and we are calling for Buddhists worldwide to condemn the junta." In a letter to the Ambassador of Myanmar in Thailand, the monks asked that the government gives the Buddhist monks and people a chance to negotiate frankly and peacefully. They also said Myanmar should allow other countries to observe what is going on inside its borders. In the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, dozens of Buddhist monks from Myanmar and Sri Lanka held a protest outside the United Nations office calling for its intervention in Myanmar. Carrying banners condemning the military crackdown in Myanmar they called for U.N. intervention to bring democracy to the country. Activist in Cambodia also showed their support to the pro-democracy protesters in Myanmar. They gathered in front of the Myanmar embassy in Phnom Penh, holding different banners and picture of Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

ITN Source | October 1, 2007

Tags:. .pressure. .historic. .destroyed. .borders. .bans