Troops in Burma are now being used to clear the streets of pro-democracy demonstrators. Burma, which gained independence from Britain in 1948, has been ruled by a military junta since 1962. This is the biggest pro-democracy demonstration in Burma since 1988 and Buddhist monks, revered in that country, have taken part in marches. Rumoirs have circulated that many of the demonstrators have been taken to the notorious Insein prison, which was built by the British when they ruled Burma and which was once the British Empire's biggest prison. The British built thousands of prisons in Burma, and they are used today to house political prisoners.
Burma uprising: Troops open fire to clear protesters off the streets
27th September 2007
Daily Mail
Burma gained independence from Britain in 1948 and has been ruled by a military junta since 1962
At least nine people, including a Japanese national, were killed and 11 injured today as soldiers in Burma opened fire on thousands of anti-government protesters who defied a government crackdown, the government said.
The military regime announced a 10-minute deadline for protesters to clear the centre of Rangoon or be shot.
As the ultimatum expired, troops fired automatic weapons straight into the crowds of red-robed monks and civilians.
A man lies injured today after police and military officials fired upon and then charged at a crowd of thousands protesting in Rangoon's city centre
Protesters run for their lives today in Rangoon
The protesters' sandles are scattered on the street after soldiers fired warning shots into the crowd today
The bloodshed followed escalating fury by the Burmese junta at the nine days of peaceful protests by about 70,000 monks and pro-democracy supporters.
Tear gas and warning shots were first fired repeatedly over the heads of a crowd near the Sule pagoda.
But the demonstrators became more bold, with groups chanting "Give us freedom, give us freedom!" as soldiers fanned out across the Rangoon streets.
The reaction from around the world was of horror.
The European Parliament immediately passed an emergency motion calling for restraint.
The army intensified the crackdown today in downtown Rangoon, telling protesters they had 10 minutes to go home or be shot
Riot police arrive at the scene of a crowd of thousands protesting at Rangoon's city centre today
It is the 10th day of the largest challenge to the junta since a pro-democracy uprising was brutally suppressed in 1988 and up to 3,000 people were killed.
The Burmese government admitted one man was killed in Rangoon but dissidents claimed there were at least eight deaths in the past few days.
Soldiers mounted early morning raids on Buddhist monasteries, beating and arresting more than 100 monks.
A monk at Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery in a Rangoon suburb pointed to bloodstains on the concrete floor.
He said several of his fellows were beaten and at least 100 of its 150 monks taken away in vehicles.
Monks pray at a police block in downtown Rangoon yesterday
"Soldiers slammed the monastery gate with the car, breaking the lock and forcing it into the monastery," said the monk, who did not give his name for fear of reprisals.
"They smashed the doors down, broke windows and furniture. When monks resisted, they shot at the monks and used tear gas and beat up the monks and dragged them into trucks."
Helpless: a novice monk watches troops charge at monks outside the Shwedagon pagoda in Rangoon
Police barricades have been set up around the Shwedagon pagoda and Rangoon city hall, two of the focal points for the demonstrations.
In Mandalay, 430 miles north, five army trucks with soldiers and three fire trucks drove into the Mahamuni pagoda, where hundreds of monks were locked inside by security forces. Another 60 soldiers blocked the road from the centre of the city.
Yesterday, security forces arrested Myint Thein, the spokesman for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's political party, family members said. An executive of her National League for Democracy, Hla Pe, was also arrested, according to exiled league member Ko Maung Maung.
An Asian diplomat today confirmed that Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi remained at her Rangoon home and had not been imprisoned.
Rumours had circulated that she had been taken to the notorious Insein prison, which was built by the British and was once the British Empire's largest prison.
The protests were sparked by high fuel prices but have been inflamed by pent-up opposition to harsh military rule and poverty.
Protesters want more democratic freedoms, the release of political activists and economic reforms.
Gordon Brown warned: "The whole world is now watching Burma and its illegitimate and repressive regime should know that the whole world is going to hold it to account. The age of impunity in neglecting and overriding human rights is over.
"I think the international pressure that can be made to be felt in the next few days is incredibly important. I want to see the whole of the world getting together on this, each continent of the world can come together."
Bare-headed, showing immense courage, monks protest through Rangoon knowing the tyrannical regime may massacre them
Burma had one of the worst human rights records in the world, Mr Brown said - a country of just 20 million people with 1,000 political prisoners and 500,000 political refugees, poets and journalists tortured for speaking out.
He said: "Through their dignified but resolute protests, the Burmese people are reminding the world of the decision they made as long ago as 1990 to reject military rule and embrace democracy.
"They are telling us once again of the failure of the Burmese regime to respond to the need for change. I am appalled by the violence used by the Burmese authorities to try to suppress the peaceful demonstrations."
EU leaders made it clear at a meeting yesterday that they would not hesitate to impose expanded sanctions, Mr Brown said.
He finished: "The people of Burma are demonstrating extraordinary bravery in making their voices heard despite the threats and violence they face. The international community must match their commitment in finding a solution to the unacceptable situation in Burma.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said before leaving for New York for a UN Security Council meeting:
"It is very important that we continue to maintain this unanimous international call for restraint."
He said Suu Kyi "will know that the world is on her side and a democratic Burma must be the end result".
Protests round the world today: May Htet Thar, aged 3, joins more than 100 protesters calling for an end to the violence in Burma during a rally in Sydney, Australia
dailymail.co.uk
Burma uprising: Troops open fire to clear protesters off the streets
27th September 2007
Daily Mail
Burma gained independence from Britain in 1948 and has been ruled by a military junta since 1962
At least nine people, including a Japanese national, were killed and 11 injured today as soldiers in Burma opened fire on thousands of anti-government protesters who defied a government crackdown, the government said.
The military regime announced a 10-minute deadline for protesters to clear the centre of Rangoon or be shot.
As the ultimatum expired, troops fired automatic weapons straight into the crowds of red-robed monks and civilians.
A man lies injured today after police and military officials fired upon and then charged at a crowd of thousands protesting in Rangoon's city centre
Protesters run for their lives today in Rangoon
The protesters' sandles are scattered on the street after soldiers fired warning shots into the crowd today
The bloodshed followed escalating fury by the Burmese junta at the nine days of peaceful protests by about 70,000 monks and pro-democracy supporters.
Tear gas and warning shots were first fired repeatedly over the heads of a crowd near the Sule pagoda.
But the demonstrators became more bold, with groups chanting "Give us freedom, give us freedom!" as soldiers fanned out across the Rangoon streets.
The reaction from around the world was of horror.
The European Parliament immediately passed an emergency motion calling for restraint.
The army intensified the crackdown today in downtown Rangoon, telling protesters they had 10 minutes to go home or be shot
Riot police arrive at the scene of a crowd of thousands protesting at Rangoon's city centre today
It is the 10th day of the largest challenge to the junta since a pro-democracy uprising was brutally suppressed in 1988 and up to 3,000 people were killed.
The Burmese government admitted one man was killed in Rangoon but dissidents claimed there were at least eight deaths in the past few days.
Soldiers mounted early morning raids on Buddhist monasteries, beating and arresting more than 100 monks.
A monk at Ngwe Kyar Yan monastery in a Rangoon suburb pointed to bloodstains on the concrete floor.
He said several of his fellows were beaten and at least 100 of its 150 monks taken away in vehicles.
Monks pray at a police block in downtown Rangoon yesterday
"Soldiers slammed the monastery gate with the car, breaking the lock and forcing it into the monastery," said the monk, who did not give his name for fear of reprisals.
"They smashed the doors down, broke windows and furniture. When monks resisted, they shot at the monks and used tear gas and beat up the monks and dragged them into trucks."
Helpless: a novice monk watches troops charge at monks outside the Shwedagon pagoda in Rangoon
Police barricades have been set up around the Shwedagon pagoda and Rangoon city hall, two of the focal points for the demonstrations.
In Mandalay, 430 miles north, five army trucks with soldiers and three fire trucks drove into the Mahamuni pagoda, where hundreds of monks were locked inside by security forces. Another 60 soldiers blocked the road from the centre of the city.
Yesterday, security forces arrested Myint Thein, the spokesman for opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's political party, family members said. An executive of her National League for Democracy, Hla Pe, was also arrested, according to exiled league member Ko Maung Maung.
An Asian diplomat today confirmed that Nobel Peace Prize laureate Suu Kyi remained at her Rangoon home and had not been imprisoned.
Rumours had circulated that she had been taken to the notorious Insein prison, which was built by the British and was once the British Empire's largest prison.
The protests were sparked by high fuel prices but have been inflamed by pent-up opposition to harsh military rule and poverty.
Protesters want more democratic freedoms, the release of political activists and economic reforms.
Gordon Brown warned: "The whole world is now watching Burma and its illegitimate and repressive regime should know that the whole world is going to hold it to account. The age of impunity in neglecting and overriding human rights is over.
"I think the international pressure that can be made to be felt in the next few days is incredibly important. I want to see the whole of the world getting together on this, each continent of the world can come together."
Bare-headed, showing immense courage, monks protest through Rangoon knowing the tyrannical regime may massacre them
Burma had one of the worst human rights records in the world, Mr Brown said - a country of just 20 million people with 1,000 political prisoners and 500,000 political refugees, poets and journalists tortured for speaking out.
He said: "Through their dignified but resolute protests, the Burmese people are reminding the world of the decision they made as long ago as 1990 to reject military rule and embrace democracy.
"They are telling us once again of the failure of the Burmese regime to respond to the need for change. I am appalled by the violence used by the Burmese authorities to try to suppress the peaceful demonstrations."
EU leaders made it clear at a meeting yesterday that they would not hesitate to impose expanded sanctions, Mr Brown said.
He finished: "The people of Burma are demonstrating extraordinary bravery in making their voices heard despite the threats and violence they face. The international community must match their commitment in finding a solution to the unacceptable situation in Burma.
Foreign Secretary David Miliband said before leaving for New York for a UN Security Council meeting:
"It is very important that we continue to maintain this unanimous international call for restraint."
He said Suu Kyi "will know that the world is on her side and a democratic Burma must be the end result".
Protests round the world today: May Htet Thar, aged 3, joins more than 100 protesters calling for an end to the violence in Burma during a rally in Sydney, Australia
dailymail.co.uk