Joint Statement 63MND

8/14/2019 Joint Statement 63MND

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Joint-Statement of the Overseas Mon Organizations on the 63rd Anniversary of the Mon

National Day

January 30, 2010

Today marks the 63rd anniversary of the Mon National Day which will be held in severallocations around the world. The Mon people observe this auspicious day by saluting the Mon

national flag and remembering the thousands who have sacrificed and dedicated their lives in thepast and those who continue to do so for the Mon national cause. The Mon National day was

founded to commemorate the last Mon Kingdom, Hongsawatoi (Bago/Pegu) which was foundedby two Mon brothers, Samala and Vimala in 572 A.D. However, the kingdom was occupied

and destroyed by the Burman king, Alaung Paya in 1757 A.D. Since the invasion of our land andthe mass murder of our people in 1757, the Mons lost their independence and become a people

without a country.

Although Burma gained independence from the British in 1948, our human rights are denied andour freedoms to govern and educate our own people are ignored. The political situation in Burma

is a classic David and Goliath struggle. The Burmese government continues to divide the countryby rejecting the rights of the ethnic nationalities and is one of the most repressive regimes in the

world. They treat the ethnic nationalities with no humanity and are intolerant to opposition andremove any who question its authority by locking them up in prison and torturing them.

The Mons from around the world came together to form the Mon Affaires Union (MAU) in 2007

followed by the 5th Mon National Conference in 2009. They passed a number of resolutions toaddress the political and social problems in Monland in Lower Burma. One of the resolutions is

to boycott the Burmese military regimes sponsored election in 2010. Therefore, we urge allMons to respect and implement these resolutions and to strongly oppose the general election.

While the ethnic nationalities and Burmese democratic forces repeatedly demand theestablishment of a federal union, the Burmese military regime (SPDC) persists to enforce its rule

with the deceptively seven steps road map to democracy, which many believe is a shamelection. The fifth step of the road map is the general election to be held later this year in 2010,

the sixth is the convening of the elected representatives, and the seventh is the building of thecountry into a democratic nation. Although the regime claims that the election will be free and

fair and conducted through a democratic process, the current political situation in Burma provesotherwise in which people have faced hostility and violence. Those who question the election are

arbitrarily arrested and beaten up by the regimes thugs. Earlier this month, the regime arrested aMon monk, Ven. Ajjea, in Mon State accusing him for taking part in an anti-election campaign.

He was inhumanly tortured, hospitalized, and portrayed as a traitor. Moreover, the regimessponsored constitution is written to serve the interests and legitimize the militarys rule in

Burma. Therefore, we urge all Mon to join hands with the other ethnic nationalities and theBurmese democratic forces to protest against the election.


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Although the regime has been advocating for the building of a democratic and modern Burma, itcontinues to practice its bloodied divide and rule policy in order to disunite the ethnic

nationalities. It also continues to repress our cultural celebrations such as Kachin Manau Festival

and the Mon National Days celebrations. Recently, the regime ordered a Burmese historical

text which had chronicled our history of the Mon Kingdom, Suvannabhumi (Thatn), to be

removed from Mon National Days signboards and posters.

It is very important for our people to make the right decision on the upcoming election. Wars

have occurred between the Mon and the Burmese in the centuries past, however, today we holdfirmly to peace and endeavor to fight the aggressive policies which are imposed on us. We lost

our sovereign Kingdom and became a people without a country. If we support the regimeselection and constitution, we will be enslaved by Burmese military regime forever.

Therefore, we urge:

1. All Mon people from around the world to stand firm by coming together to unite and struggle

for our inalienable rights and freedoms.

2. All people of Burma must protest by boycotting 2010 election.

3. The international community must not recognize or support the 2010 election unless the

Burmese military regime is willing to reform the political situation in more inclusive terms, withmore of a focus on the response and the political involvement of the ethnic nationalities, review

the constitution so that it is representative of the people, and release all political prisoners priorto the elections, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The statement is jointly issued by:

1. Australia Mon Association (AMA)

2. Euro Mon Community

3. Mon Canadian Society

4. Monland Restoration Council (USA)

5. Mon Women's Association of America

6. Mon Womens Organization of Canada

7. National League for Consolidating and Aiding (Mae Sot, Thailand)

8. Mon National Democratic Front (Liberated Area)

9. Mon Unity League (Thailand)

10. Mon Refugees Organization, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

11. Mon Youth Association (Malaysia)


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12. Overseas Mon Womens Organization (Mae Sot, Thailand)

Media Contacts:

Nai Siri Mon Chan (Australia) Tel: +61-430-136-541

Nai Kasuah Mon (Thailand) Tel: + (66) 081-365-9140

Nai Kun Yekha (USA) Tel: 260-515-9885 (cell)

Nai Ong Chem Tala (Canada) Tel: 403-973-7499

Documents

Joint Statement 63MND