Hot Spots of the World: Myanmar Junta Warns of More Arrests

by

Erik Dell

Three weeks ago, the Armed Forces of Myanmar were faced with a huge crowd of protesters. The military decided to suppress the demonstrations violently, a strategy that resulted in thirteen deaths and over one thousand arrests. Even after the demonstrators were dispersed, troops continued to patrol the area overnight to locate and arrest those who managed to escape them.

Buddhist monks, the driving force of the protest, drew around one hundred thousand people out onto the streets.

Alarmingly, many Buddhist monks were arrested. Some have disappeared amidst rumors of deaths

The turmoil in Myanmar has affected some deeply. One mid-ranking soldier of the Buddhist faith fled to Thailand to escape a regime, that was killing his fellow Buddhists.

Images and video clips of this bloody action taken by a repressive government has leaked out to the world. The world has reacted.

The European Union (EU) increased the severity of their sanctions against Myanmar. The EU also is asking that neighboring states bring pressure to bear on Myanmar.

Japan is deciding whether to cut aid to Myanmar because of the death of a Japanese reporter who was at the protest.