The Buddhists monks and the military government of Burma have been at odds for some time now, but just recently has this resentment for one another escalated to a much higher degree than was predicted.
In Bangkok, Thailand, Burma's military dictatorship is trying to pin down monk rallies and protests, and prevent them from further continuation. Several movements that are monstrous in size have been struck up by the Buddhist monks, demanding reform politically and economically from their military dictatorship.
Official casualties have been reported, as violent police retaliation to the demonstrations led to the death of two monks and one other civilian. Because of the monk's social status, they have become more than a nuisance for the Burmese government, because they are able to enlist more followers than many other reformists are capable of. Because of the general public's view of the monks' moral infallibility, the demonstrations have become a fight of good versus evil.
Burma has been run by military rule since 1962, under various masks and guises, supposed to give the impression of different governments, when in reality they have all primarily been the same. A man named Ne Win, a socialist, ruled the country until 1988, when a revolt due to his incapacity to rule caused him to step down. Another power took his place, and lost in an election in 1990.
Despite losing the election to Suu Kyi's party, a group of activists whom have aligned themselves with one another, the government refused to step down, prompting additional protests. The protest as of recent have been caused by Burma's withdrawal of fuel-price subsidies.
At first it was simply a group of students that protested, which was broken up quickly. The violent dispersal of a peaceful monk rally, leading in the deaths reported earlier lead to the escalation of monk activist activity that may be seen today.
Response: Monk Protests in Burma
I believe in the cause that the monks are representing, because I support the ideal that the government is created to serve the people, and not the other way around. Burma claims to be making steps toward democracy, but as far as I can tell there is no headway being made. Buddhist monks are a righteous, spiritual group of people, in my opinion, and I believe their voices should be heard, and have some kind of impact on the world today.
The U.S. has done little more than publicly denounce Burma's government and put in place a series of restrictions, but something more must be done to help these people who fight bravely against their oppressors day in and day out. They strongly lash out against those who are stronger than they are, and I believe we all can learn a lesson of these brave men in red.
The fact that an election was held in 1990, and the government that lost the election refused to give up power infuriates me as it violates the rules of the “democracy” they claim to represent. This is no government of the people, no matter how hard the government tries to convince the general public otherwise.
The monks see that the common people of Burma are being taken advantage of, and someone must step in to help them. It is shocking that a dispute over fuel-price subsidies can escalate into a conflict that involves loss of life.
The monks are clearly in the right, but it is clear that they may not be able to overcome the government on their own, as unlike their opponents, they cannot resort to violence. Freedom of speech is clearly non-existent as well, as outspoken opposition leaders have been killed, jailed, or placed under house arrest. This abuse of power in Burma cannot be allowed to survive.
