The World Council of Churches (WCC) has declared 21 September as The International Day of Prayer for Peace. This day offers faith communities in all places the opportunity to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies.

The South African Council of Churches (SACC) today salutes the courage of thousands of Burmese democracy activists – including growing numbers of Buddhist monks – who have embarked on a campaign of peaceful protest in defiance of devastating price increases imposed by the military junta in August.

The SACC is deeply concerned about the brutal tactics used by the junta to break up these protests. Since 21st August, 150 activists have been arrested. Many others have been tear-gassed and beaten. It is reported that one monk died after he and fellow-monks were attacked on 5th September by pro-junta paramilitaries.

The detainees include prominent members of the 1988 Generation Students movement who have already served lengthy jail terms for earlier pro-democracy activities, and who have spent the last three years calling for dialogue and a peaceful transition to democracy. The SACC is worried about their safety, following eyewitness reports that at least five detainees have been severely tortured, among them the ’88 Generation leader, Min Ko Naing.

On 18 September protests in Burma gathered a new intensity when the country’s Buddhist monks assumed the vanguard. Since then they have been peacefully marching through towns and cities all over the country. As they walk, they chant the Metta Sutta (the Buddha’s words on loving kindness). Some carry their alms bowls upside down: to symbolise their decision to refuse alms from the military authorities until the junta apologises for its violence.

A similar alms boycott in 1990 provoked a heavy crackdown from the authorities, with raids on monasteries and the arrest of hundreds of monks. Ordinary people have flocked to the streets to support the monks’ actions. Onlookers have shown their support by offering drinking water, and by forming human chains to keep the monks safe from militias used by the authorities to incite violence.

“We appeal to the United Nations Secretary-General to take urgent action before the situation inside Burma deteriorates further,” said SACC President, Professor Tinyiko Maluleke. “As South Africans”, said Maluleke, “it is time to take a stand, and to honour the request from Burmese Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi who once asked us to use our liberty to promote peace in Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi’s voice has been silenced since the junta placed her under house arrest, but her words must awaken our conscience today.”

The SACC also notes with concern the reports of increasing intimidation of Burmese journalists who are trying to bear witness to the ongoing protests.

“This looks like a desperate attempt by the military authorities to prevent news from Burma reaching the outside world,” said Maluleke, “but history has shown us that when a country unites for peaceful change, not even the most brutal regime can stem the tide. Today the SACC’s message to the people of Burma is simple and clear: we are walking with you. Your struggle is ours.”

For more information, contact: Rev Luke Pato, Acting General Secretary of the SACC (083 357 3961) or Dr Thein Win, a Burmese exile and Chairperson of the Free Burma Campaign, South Africa (072 838 6999).