Myanmar Protests

In August, 2007, sharp increases in fuel prices instituted by the Myanmar military junta sparked pro-democracy protests in Burmese capital of Rangoon. The protests, led by young Buddhist monks, grew in size through August and into September until the government ordered a military crackdown, resulting in several deaths.

Fast Facts:

August 5, 2007: Fuel prices rise
August 19: First protest marches in Rangoon
September 21: Burmese Buddhist Monks emerge to co-ordinate the protests
September 22: Monks enter the home of dissident Aung San Suu Kyi
September 24: Tens of thousands march on Rangoon. Violent clashes follow. 3 deaths
September 25: Dusk-to-dawn curfew introduced
September 26: UN urges restraint. China vetoes sanctions
September 27: At least nine are shot dead in Rangoon
Protests initially led by students and opposition political activists

Background

Since 1962, a military junta has ruled Burma by force. In 1989, the junta changed the name of the nation to Myanmar, claiming that Burma was a colloquial name given to the country by the British, who ruled Burma until 1947. Dissent and freedom of speech in Myanmar are highly restricted, and the results of democratic elections in 1990 were annulled by the military rulers. In 2007, after sharp increases in fuel prices, Buddhist monks, who are typically young men performing religious obligations for a number of years, began to help organize peaceful marches throughout the country.

Crackdown

For a time, it seemed as if the junta would permit the protestors to continue to march, even as they began to gather around the home of dissident pro-democracy activist Aung San Suu Kyi. However, on September 27, 2007, tanks and troops were sent in to halt the protests, and in the resulting violence, at least nine protestors were shot dead. Images of the crackdown were televised around the world, resulting in an international outcry, but as of April 2008, no significant action. According to a December 2007 United Nations report, 31 individuals were killed, 74 remained missing, and 500 to 1000 people were still detained as a result of the protests.