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Party Statements: Statement
in Solidarity with the Protestors in Myanmar
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Statement in Solidarity with the Protestors
in Myanmar (Burma)
by Tino Rozzo for
the Faith and Socialism Commission
The Faith and Socialism Commission of the Socialist Party USA reaffirms
its commitment to nonviolence and its abhorrence for violence and
militarism. We encourage diplomacy for resolving conflicts.
We would like to express our support for the Buddhist monks and others
who are engaged in peaceful demonstrations in Myanmar (Burma). We
are saddened to learn that the military dictatorship responded
violently and caused numerous fatalities. Furthermore, the government
imprisoned many citizens and monks, and the whereabouts of many
citizens are still unknown. In addition, the military government
is responsible for looting and destroying many Buddhist temples and
monasteries.
Peace cannot be established through violence. Violence gives rise
to enmity and continues the cycle of revenge. Shakyamuni Buddha
once taught, "Everyone fears violence. Everyone cherishes
life. Seeing others as oneself, one should neither kill nor allow
others to be killed" (Dhammapada 130).
Myanmar is a country with a deep Buddhist history. Ninety percent
of its citizens are devout Buddhists. The Faith and Socialism
Commission is shocked and concerned that the military dictatorship of
this country is responding to the Buddhist monks' peaceful
demonstrations with deadly violence and incarcerations.
The Faith and Socialism Commission calls on the government of Myanmar
to immediately release the monks and others it has detained. We
further call on the governments and religious leaders (Buddhist and
non-Buddhist) of the world to exert peaceful pressure on the military
dictatorship of Myanmar until there are democratic reforms, freedom of
expression, and free and open elections.
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