Monks Killed in Burma Protests
Updated: 13:32, Wednesday September 26, 2007
At least two monks have been killed in violent protests in Burma - Gordon Brown has called for a UN security council meeting this afternoon to discuss the growing crisis.
Monks carried surgical masks to protect against tear gas"The whole world is now watching Burma," Mr Brown said.
"The EU is going to look at a whole range of sanctions that could be imposed."
At least two protesters are reported to have died, one being gunned down by police and five wounded as demonstrations continued for a ninth consecutive day.
It is the first time Burma's military junta has moved against the monks, reviving memories of 1988 when the regime brutally crushed student demonstrations, killing thousands.
Around 5,000 Buddhist monks and another 5,000 students marched through Rangoon - more than 35,000 monks were on the streets on Tuesday.
Bloggers have posted pictures and videos of the daily demonstrations on the web, bypassing government censorship and its control of the media.
Around 80 monks were arrested at Rangoon's Shwedagon pagoda and others were beaten as they tried to enter the building complex. One exiled dissident group said 300 monks had been arrested across the city.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said protesters had turned and applauded the British Embassy in Rangoon as they marched past.
Mark Canning, Britain's ambassador to Burma, said there had been "serious and disturbing" violence carried out against the monks by police.
He met with the junta's leaders on Tuesday to warn them of the repercussions of violently suppressing the demos.
He described the meetings as "up and down" and "not a meeting of minds".
Fires burn at the entrance of Shwedagon pagodaMark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, told Sky News today was crucial to Burma's future.
"Today is a really critical day because the regime has staked its credibility on suppressing the protests," he said.
"If they carry on, then the regime starts to lose some of its authority because the regime rules by fear.
"If people are seen defying the regime and getting away with it then that will encourage them."
Tim Marshall, Sky's foreign affairs editor, said pressure from Britain had stopped more violence.
"It is these kinds of warnings that may have put the brakes on - sure there has been gunfire and baton charges, but there has not been a wholesale massacre."
The regime finally moved to ban the demonstrations yesterday, banning public gatherings and issuing a night-time curfew.
The first known activist rounded up was a comedian famed for his anti-government jibes.
It is feared the regime will move to stop the protests with overwhelming force and mass arrests - that could further alienate Burma's leaders from the international community.
When faced with a similar crisis in 1988, the government crushed a student-led democracy uprising and killed thousands, imposing a military dictatorship characterised by secrecy and paranoia.
US President George Bush yesterday announced new sanctions against Burma's rulers.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, the US president accused the country's leaders of imposing "a 19-year reign of fear" that denies basic freedoms of speech, assembly and worship.
The protests were triggered by a 200% rise in fuel prices, which have caused much hardship in a country crippled by widespread poverty and corruption.
Updated: 13:32, Wednesday September 26, 2007
At least two monks have been killed in violent protests in Burma - Gordon Brown has called for a UN security council meeting this afternoon to discuss the growing crisis.
Monks carried surgical masks to protect against tear gas"The whole world is now watching Burma," Mr Brown said.
"The EU is going to look at a whole range of sanctions that could be imposed."
At least two protesters are reported to have died, one being gunned down by police and five wounded as demonstrations continued for a ninth consecutive day.
It is the first time Burma's military junta has moved against the monks, reviving memories of 1988 when the regime brutally crushed student demonstrations, killing thousands.
Around 5,000 Buddhist monks and another 5,000 students marched through Rangoon - more than 35,000 monks were on the streets on Tuesday.
Bloggers have posted pictures and videos of the daily demonstrations on the web, bypassing government censorship and its control of the media.
Around 80 monks were arrested at Rangoon's Shwedagon pagoda and others were beaten as they tried to enter the building complex. One exiled dissident group said 300 monks had been arrested across the city.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said protesters had turned and applauded the British Embassy in Rangoon as they marched past.
Mark Canning, Britain's ambassador to Burma, said there had been "serious and disturbing" violence carried out against the monks by police.
He met with the junta's leaders on Tuesday to warn them of the repercussions of violently suppressing the demos.
He described the meetings as "up and down" and "not a meeting of minds".
Fires burn at the entrance of Shwedagon pagodaMark Farmaner, director of Burma Campaign UK, told Sky News today was crucial to Burma's future.
"Today is a really critical day because the regime has staked its credibility on suppressing the protests," he said.
"If they carry on, then the regime starts to lose some of its authority because the regime rules by fear.
"If people are seen defying the regime and getting away with it then that will encourage them."
Tim Marshall, Sky's foreign affairs editor, said pressure from Britain had stopped more violence.
"It is these kinds of warnings that may have put the brakes on - sure there has been gunfire and baton charges, but there has not been a wholesale massacre."
The regime finally moved to ban the demonstrations yesterday, banning public gatherings and issuing a night-time curfew.
The first known activist rounded up was a comedian famed for his anti-government jibes.
It is feared the regime will move to stop the protests with overwhelming force and mass arrests - that could further alienate Burma's leaders from the international community.
When faced with a similar crisis in 1988, the government crushed a student-led democracy uprising and killed thousands, imposing a military dictatorship characterised by secrecy and paranoia.
US President George Bush yesterday announced new sanctions against Burma's rulers.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York, the US president accused the country's leaders of imposing "a 19-year reign of fear" that denies basic freedoms of speech, assembly and worship.
The protests were triggered by a 200% rise in fuel prices, which have caused much hardship in a country crippled by widespread poverty and corruption.
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