MYANMAR: Video illustrates violence and arrests suffered by Myanmar monks in junta's crackdown
Record ID:
644337
MYANMAR: Video illustrates violence and arrests suffered by Myanmar monks in junta's crackdown
- Title: MYANMAR: Video illustrates violence and arrests suffered by Myanmar monks in junta's crackdown
- Date: 14th October 2007
- Summary: (W3) YANGON, MYANMAR (RECENT) (REUTERS) MONK ADDRESSES CROWD THROUGH LOUDSPEAKER TO APPLAUSE AND CHEERS MONKS MARCH WITH LOUDSPEAKERS CROWD WATCHES MARCH FROM BEHIND RAILING, SOME CLAPPING TWO MEN WASH BARE FEET OF YOUNG MONK AS HE STANDS IN STREET MONKS LEAD CROWD OF WAVING PEOPLE, TO APPLAUSE PAN DOWN SHWEDAGON PAGODA TO CROWD LISTENING TO MONK WITH LOUDSPEAKER; MEMBERS OF CROWD CLAP AND RAISE THEIR FISTS CHANTING MONKS BEGIN MARCH SOLDIERS AND BARRIERS BLOCK ROAD AFTER ALLOWING MILITARY VEHICLES TO PASS CROWD GATHERS COLUMN OF MONKS, WITH CIVILIANS ON EACH SIDE, REACHES MILITARY BLOCKADE MONK IS CHASED AFTER HAVING MONASTIC CLOAK RIPPED OFF; SOLDIERS LOAD PEOPLE ON TO TRUCKS MORE SOLDIERS FACE ANOTHER COLUMN OF MONKS FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD MONKS ARE LOADED INTO TRUCKS SOLDIERS WITH SHIELDS RUN OUT OF SHOT AS TRUCKS BEGIN TO MOVE OFF SOLDIERS WITH SHIELDS STAND IN LINE ACROSS ROAD EXPLOSIONS IN FRONT OF SOLDIERS; PEOPLE RUN AS SMOKE OBSCURES VIEW OF ROAD VARIOUS OF SMOKE AND FLAMES MONKS SEATED ON FLOOR INSIDE ROOM; MONK WITH DRESSED HEAD INJURY SPEAKING VARIOUS OF BROKEN GLASS AND OTHER ITEMS, INCLUDING STOPPED CLOCK, ON FLOOR VARIOUS OF SMASHED ENTRANCE TO BUILDING PILE OF BROKEN GLASS AT BOTTOM OF STAIRS
- Embargoed: 29th October 2007 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Myanmar
- Country: Myanmar
- Topics: Police,Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA372O0S68D80LLCNPB62TY34KI
- Story Text: Footage recently smuggled out of Myanmar shows the suppression of pro-democracy protests led by Buddhist monks in September.
It illustrates how the monasteries generated the biggest challenge to Myanmar's military rulers in 20 years, and how the monks became the focus of the crackdown that followed.
The video was shot by pro-democracy activists and obtained by journalist Yotam Feldman, who covered the demonstrations for Israel's Haaretz newspaper before authorities expelled him from Myanmar.
On September 26th, Myanmar security forces used tear gas to disperse monks trying to enter Yangon's Shwedagon Pagoda, the starting point for mass protests. Scores of monks were arrested and witnesses said that some were beaten as they were taken away.
Hundreds more monks were then rounded up in overnight raids on at least 15 Yangon monasteries. One section of video shows the damage left by security forces.
One recently released monk told Reuters that they were beaten and kept in animal-like conditions during days of interrogation. He requested anonymity because of the threat of repercussions against those who speak out against the regime.
The monks have reported six of their brethren killed in the raids and clashes with riot police and soldiers.
Through its rigidly controlled state media, the junta admits 10 people were killed in the crackdown, although Western governments say the toll is likely to be much higher. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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