The Norwegian Burma Comittee is following the situation closely as the Burmese military has directly threatened monks involved in protests in the country. Democratic Voice of Burma reports that the Minister for religious affairs brigadier general Thura Myint Maung warned Burma’s monks not to break Buddhist “rules and regulations”. (25-SEP-07)

Based on information received from Norwegian Burma Committee and Democratic Voice of Burma. Adapted by HRH F/ Nina Luhr

Just hours after more than 200,000 monks and civilians were reported protesting around the country he claimed that they represent only 2 percent of the nation-wide monk population and if they do not operate according to Buddhist rules then they will be faced with the law. The military frequently uses the phrase ‘faced with the law’ when preparing to arrest or charge activists and opposition members on political grounds. The day after the leadership of the 88 Generation Students group was arrested during midnight raids, the state-run New Light of Myanmar said the activists had broken the law and would face legal action.

The threats also came as reports emerged from Mytikyina and Monywa of monks being thrown out of their monasteries for taking part in small demonstrations. Residents in Myitkyina told Democratic Voice of Burma yesterday that 30 monks from the Wun Tho monastery were sent back to their home towns by abbot U Wuntha for taking part protests. “The abbot has close ties with the government as he was elected by them as the State’s head monk . . .,” one resident said on condition of anonymity.
In Monywa, almost 200 monks are reported to have been kicked out of their monasteries for taking part in protest marches against military oppression.