End the military junta's rule!
Just Peace and Democracy in Burma Now!

drafted by: Asian Students Association
co-sign: Hong Kong Federation of Students

29th September 2007

We, the students and youth of the world, condemn in the strongest possible terms the violent attacks by the State Peace and Development Council on the rights and lives of the Burmese youth and people.

Today, we bear witness to the growing discontent among the Burmese people against the 20 years of the SPDC's military rule.

We bear witness to the collective decision of the Buddhist monks, one of the most respected groups in Burma/Myanmar, to take to the streets their strong sentiments on the military government.

We bear witness to the swelling of the people's support to the Buddhist monks' daily marches and joined in their chants and calls. Later we have learned that pockets of protests across the country have ensued prior to these demonstrations.

Recently, we have seen how the SPDC has responded to the monks, youth and people's demands for the immediate retraction of the price hikes of fuel and basic commodities, an apology from the government for hurting the monks and desecrating their temples, the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and all political detainees, the democratization of Burma and a genuine reconciliation that the SPDC itself has mouthed all these years.

They responded with brute force, arbitrarily shooting at the protesters killing some of the monks and the civilians, ransacking and desecrating the pagodas, disrobing and detaining the monks, arresting, detaining and torturing student leaders and other progressives.

Fascism has reared its ugly head in Burma as the SPDC openly attacks its people to salvage its losing hold on political power. It has wielded state terrorism as the primary form of defense instead of heeding to the Burmese people's call for justice, peace and genuine democracy.

Twenty years is enough. And it is what the people of Burma/Myanmar now courageously and steadfastly demand.

We express strong solidarity with the Burmese students, youth and people inside Burma as well as those taking refuge along the borders of Thailand, India, Laos and China. We express solidarity with them as they struggle for genuine national reconciliation, the immediate overthrow of the military junta and the establishment of a government that will truly serve the nation and people’s interests.

This struggle is not only hoped by those in Burma but in many countries who continue to face state-sponsored terrorism, like the Philippines. This struggle is likewise hoped by those who continue to live under the U.S. military occupation, like Iraq. This struggle is likewise hoped by the peoples of Palestine, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Nepal and many other countries who are working for peace based on justice, democracy and liberation from any form of foreign intervention.

Stop state-sponsored terrorism!
End the military junta's 20-year rule!
Just peace and democracy for the people of Burma!
Long live international solidarity!