Military can terrify the public but cannot kill the conscience of the people. Despite the brutal crackdown on democracy movement in Burma in 1988, until now the desire for freedom, justice and democracy still prevails in the hearts of people. Despite a ruthless military regime, citizens and monks in Burma once again stand up to challenge the totalitarian power of the junta. As students and friends of Human Rights Studies, Mahildol University, we call for the international community to intervene in the gross human rights violations in Burma. We pay our highest respect to the people who risk their lives to confront with the military in Burma.

When the demonstration first sparked off in Rangoon on 24 August 2007 as the military government increased the fuel price and ultimately made all the prices of daily necessity soared, the suffering of poverty transformed towards deep anger to the dictatorial regime. Even though there was strong suppression in Rangoon, the demonstrations swept throughout the country. We believe the changes must be initiated by people inside Burma. At the same time the international society should not be indifferent to the people who are suffering.

While the Burmese government was suppressing the demonstrations, Chinese State Councilor, Tang Jiaxuan, met with Burma's Foreign Minister U Nyan Win, urging the Burmese government to "resume domestic stability in the earliest time possible, properly address related issues, vigorously promote national reconciliation, and unswervingly advance the process of democratization suited to the national realities of Myanmar...accords with the fundamental interest of the People of Myanmar." According to the Amnesty International, China regularly supplied the Burmese army with military equipment since 1988 and became the most important trading partner in 1990s. As China is one of the influential players in Burmese politics, we strongly condemned the Chinese government double-faced policies on Burma.

Inspired by the courage of people in Burma, we join the voices of the people in Burma in their fight against the Burmese junta. We strongly demand the followings:

1. The Burmese government must stop suppressing the peaceful demonstration of the people and release all the political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi.

2. The Security Council of United Nations must bring the Burma issue into agenda and China and Russia must not shield Burma by making use of their veto power.

3. All governments, especially the Chinese government, should not support the military governments with arms and trade.

4. More investment means more forced labour and financial support to the junta. All corporations should take into consideration of human rights violation before making any investments in Burma.

5. Thai government should not restrain any solidarity movements concerning political situation in Burma and respect the rights of the people for freedom of assembly and expression according to its commitment to the international human rights laws.

Even though the suppression is strong, we know that people will persist. We whole-heartedly hope the flame of freedom, justice and democracy will eliminate the darkness in Burma. Solidarity with the people in Burma!

Concern Group for Democracy in Burma,

Human Rights Studies,

Mahidol University, Thailand

CHAN, Sze Wan Debby (China), M.A. Student of Human Rights Studies, 2007

ABBOUD, Noufal (Sweden), M.A. Student of Human Rights Studies, 2007

HAMIM, Anis (Indonesia), M.A. Student of Human Rights Studies, 2007

ARYAL, Sanjaya (Nepal), M.A. Student of Human Rights Studies, 2007

BANGPRAPHA, Wanee (Thailand), PhD. Student of Human Rights Studies, 2007

SUNTARADEJA, Medhapan (Thailand), M.A. Student of Human Rights Studies, 2007

MALIKAEW, Sutthida (Thailand), M.A. Student of Human Rights Studies, 2007

NAPAUMPORN, Bongkot (Thailand), M.A. Student of Human Rights Studies, 2007

KLANGNARONG, Supinya (Thailand), Lecturer, Human Rights Studies

WAHYUNINGRUM, Yuyun (Indonesia), MA student 2006

LARNEY, Marjorie Lea (USA), M.A. in Human Rights, Mahidol University, 2003

WIRATRAMAN, R. Herlambang Perdana (Indonesia), Deputy Director Human Rights Law Studies, Faculty of Law, Airlangga University, Surabaya-INDONESIA