US Senate Hears Testimony of Venerable Ashin Nayaka on Burma

Narinjara
12/5/2007


Dhaka: The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom on Tuesday heard the testimony of Venerable Ashin Nayaka, who is a leading member of the International Burmese Monks Organization and a visiting professor at Columbia University, on the issue of oppression in Burma and the situation after the monk-led protests.
Ashin Nayaka said, "The senate hearing was held at the Raybum House office building from 2:30 to 4:30 on 3 December, 2007, and I spoke about many things of Burma after the Saffron Revolution."

He also said that he discussed the issue of religion in Burma, the repression of the people by the military, and US police options for Burma after the recent so-called Saffron Revolution that was led by monks.

During the hearing, he also stated before the commission that the very existence of monastic life is being destroyed by the military regime in Burma, and that the country will face bloodshed again if the international community, including the UN Security Council, can't find a collective and effective strategy to stop this evil regime from its arresting and killing.

He also said that as long as the UN Security Council could not make the regime engage in meaningful and time-bound dialogue with the democratic opposition led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, for a peaceful transition to democracy, the spiritual revolution of the monks and people will continue, and another brutal crackdown will be unavoidable.

Ashin Nakaya spoke out about the military government's killing of monks, who are highly respected by the people in a country where Buddhism is the major religion. The junta has emptied monasteries, which are not only places of worship and religious functions, but also for education, maintenance of culture, and caring for HIV/AIDS patients and orphans - duties which the regime has neglected. Burma's military regime has forcibly disrobed monks, beaten them, and assaulted them severely.

Today, he said, we know that several leading monks in Burma are still on the run. We do not know with any accuracy how many monks have been killed, or how many were forcibly disrobed. We do not know how many are in prison, or how many monks have been taken to secret locations. There is a terrible secrecy and silence over Burma.

"We remain steadfast in our commitment to the freedom in our country and the freedom in our own hearts. All these things Americans value and cherish. Freedom for the people of Burma cannot be denied. The cost of that freedom is the only question in Burma," He said to the senate.

The venerable monk thanked President Bush and the First Lady, the United States Congress, and the American people for their support of the Burmese people in their struggle, and asked President Bush to make Burma his legacy of freedom.