Published
Monday, March 10, 2008 - 16:04
Anti- Burmese referendum rally in Cox's Bazar
Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh: Monks of the exiled International Thasana Ushaung Sangadaw Union of Burma (Cox's Bazaar branch), some monks from Chittagong Hill Tracts and some others, accounting for 30 participants on March 9, staged protests in Cox's Bazaar demanding that the newly drafted constitution of Burma be scrapped and all political detainees should be released.
Cox's Bazaar, Bangladesh: Monks of the exiled International Thasana Ushaung Sangadaw Union of Burma (Cox's Bazaar branch), some monks from Chittagong Hill Tracts and some others, accounting for 30 participants on March 9, staged protests in Cox's Bazaar demanding that the newly drafted constitution of Burma be scrapped and all political detainees should be released.
They were supposed to demonstrate in Cox's Bazaar, but later the authorities of Bangladesh did not allow them to demonstrate. So, they held a meeting in a monastery and spoke to participants and some journalists.
The exiled Sayadaw Sanga League feared injustice, discrimination and violence, would increase in Burma after the passage of the constitution in the forthcoming referendum.
Chairman Sayadaw Ashan Magiya, founder member of the Sanga's Union of Burma and chairperson of the Sanga's Union , led the peaceful procession in Cox's Bazaar in the evening and later handed over a memorandum to the concerned authorities.
Sayadaw Madiya said,"The newly drafted constitution which is to be approved by the forthcoming referendum is exclusively drafted by the junta, which does not reflect the opinions and attitudes of the 1990 elections winners, ethnic leaders and people's desire. It has been done to legitimize military rule”.
Sayadaw further said that the military regime was still refusing to resolve the political problems by political means and shamelessly trying to go ahead with the junta's unilateral roadmap for the perpetuation and consolidation of military dictatorship. Now the junta is planning to hold a 'constitutional referendum' openly in accordance with the roadmap through coercion and intimidation.
"This move explicitly shows again that it opposes the 'dialogue' demanded wholeheartedly by the entire people, including ethnic and pro-democracy forces. We regard this move as a challenge to the entire people, including the women," Secretary Sayadaw Thawara said.
The forum urged the Burmese people to cast 'no' vote in the 'national referendum' which was to approve the constitution. The function started at noon and was over at about 3 pm.
They were supposed to demonstrate in Cox's Bazaar, but later the authorities of Bangladesh did not allow them to demonstrate. So, they held a meeting in a monastery and spoke to participants and some journalists.
The exiled Sayadaw Sanga League feared injustice, discrimination and violence, would increase in Burma after the passage of the constitution in the forthcoming referendum.
Chairman Sayadaw Ashan Magiya, founder member of the Sanga's Union of Burma and chairperson of the Sanga's Union , led the peaceful procession in Cox's Bazaar in the evening and later handed over a memorandum to the concerned authorities.
Sayadaw Madiya said,"The newly drafted constitution which is to be approved by the forthcoming referendum is exclusively drafted by the junta, which does not reflect the opinions and attitudes of the 1990 elections winners, ethnic leaders and people's desire. It has been done to legitimize military rule”.
Sayadaw further said that the military regime was still refusing to resolve the political problems by political means and shamelessly trying to go ahead with the junta's unilateral roadmap for the perpetuation and consolidation of military dictatorship. Now the junta is planning to hold a 'constitutional referendum' openly in accordance with the roadmap through coercion and intimidation.
"This move explicitly shows again that it opposes the 'dialogue' demanded wholeheartedly by the entire people, including ethnic and pro-democracy forces. We regard this move as a challenge to the entire people, including the women," Secretary Sayadaw Thawara said.
The forum urged the Burmese people to cast 'no' vote in the 'national referendum' which was to approve the constitution. The function started at noon and was over at about 3 pm.
