2008 Woodie Awards
Myanmar lifts ban on curfew and assembly
Katy Osborne
Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: World Views
- Page 1 of 1
Last Saturday, the junta, or military regime, announced in Yangon, Myanmar, that the civilian curfew and ban on the assembly would be lifted. The curfew, which banned people from leaving their homes between 9pm and 5am, was instated on September 25 by Myanmar's military government. The regime had also prohibited gatherings of more than five people at one time.
The curfew and ban on the assembly were created in response to the anti-government protests that began in August. The demonstrations have been led mainly by Buddhist monks, who expressed anger towards the rise in fuel prices. The protests, however, quickly perpetuated into pro-democracy protests.
The respected Buddhist monks intended for peaceful demonstrations, but the military turned to force and violence in order to detain thousands of civilians. Formally known as the country of Burma, Myanmar's military claims that ten civilians were left dead; however diplomats and activists suggest that the actual number is much higher.
Since order has been reestablished and the citizens will regain some of their liberties, the termination of the curfew and ban on the assembly could be seen as progress, but many interpret this as a bad sign. After lifting the bans, the military regime is confident that they have regained absolute control over the country; they feel that they have "cleansed" the monasteries of dissidents by jailing or expelling the monks back to their villages.
The military government exerts tight control and, therefore, the demonstrations have been monumental and necessary for democratic progress. The protests have been the largest display of dissent in the past two decades, suggesting that the citizens are not happy with their government's actions. The repressive regime claims that they are working towards establishing democracy through their own seven-step plan; however the demonstrations indicate that the government is not making sufficient progress.
Since world leaders, especially the United States, have tightened their policies and continue to punish the government's violent behavior, these protests have put Myanmar in the spotlight. President Bush ordered the Treasury Department to freeze the United States' assets in Myanmar, and the US government has also begun reforming our exportation policies with Myanmar. He also encouraged China and India to put more pressure on Myanmar to establish democracy. The pro-democracy protests have also hurt the economy considering tourism has drastically decreased, and countries are more hesitant to trade with and support Myanmar's economy.
Over the past few years, the United States has urged the junta to negotiate with the leader of the National League for Democracy (the party most opposed to the current regime), Aung San Suu Kyi, in order to make progress towards democracy. Suu Kyi has been detained for twelve of the last eighteen years, and the military has accused her of working with other nations to sabotage the junta's agenda for democracy.
The military leader of the junta, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, claims that he is willing to meet with Suu Kyi under the condition that she meets certain conditions, which include renouncing support for foreign countries' economic sanctions that target to deprive the nation. No substantial progress, however, has been made. Both sides are hesitant to meet due to their conflicting political views; however, in order for any political, economical and social progress to be achieved in Myanmar, compromises must be made.
The curfew and ban on the assembly were created in response to the anti-government protests that began in August. The demonstrations have been led mainly by Buddhist monks, who expressed anger towards the rise in fuel prices. The protests, however, quickly perpetuated into pro-democracy protests.
The respected Buddhist monks intended for peaceful demonstrations, but the military turned to force and violence in order to detain thousands of civilians. Formally known as the country of Burma, Myanmar's military claims that ten civilians were left dead; however diplomats and activists suggest that the actual number is much higher.
Since order has been reestablished and the citizens will regain some of their liberties, the termination of the curfew and ban on the assembly could be seen as progress, but many interpret this as a bad sign. After lifting the bans, the military regime is confident that they have regained absolute control over the country; they feel that they have "cleansed" the monasteries of dissidents by jailing or expelling the monks back to their villages.
The military government exerts tight control and, therefore, the demonstrations have been monumental and necessary for democratic progress. The protests have been the largest display of dissent in the past two decades, suggesting that the citizens are not happy with their government's actions. The repressive regime claims that they are working towards establishing democracy through their own seven-step plan; however the demonstrations indicate that the government is not making sufficient progress.
Since world leaders, especially the United States, have tightened their policies and continue to punish the government's violent behavior, these protests have put Myanmar in the spotlight. President Bush ordered the Treasury Department to freeze the United States' assets in Myanmar, and the US government has also begun reforming our exportation policies with Myanmar. He also encouraged China and India to put more pressure on Myanmar to establish democracy. The pro-democracy protests have also hurt the economy considering tourism has drastically decreased, and countries are more hesitant to trade with and support Myanmar's economy.
Over the past few years, the United States has urged the junta to negotiate with the leader of the National League for Democracy (the party most opposed to the current regime), Aung San Suu Kyi, in order to make progress towards democracy. Suu Kyi has been detained for twelve of the last eighteen years, and the military has accused her of working with other nations to sabotage the junta's agenda for democracy.
The military leader of the junta, Senior Gen. Than Shwe, claims that he is willing to meet with Suu Kyi under the condition that she meets certain conditions, which include renouncing support for foreign countries' economic sanctions that target to deprive the nation. No substantial progress, however, has been made. Both sides are hesitant to meet due to their conflicting political views; however, in order for any political, economical and social progress to be achieved in Myanmar, compromises must be made.
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