Economic desperation was the trigger for the peaceful uprising that would come to be known as, “the Saffron Revolution,” named after the color of monks’ robes. In a setting where market prices had already tripled or quadrupled within the past year, in August 2007, the Burmese junta suddenly decided to lift fuel subsidies. As a result, fuel prices skyrocketed as much as 500% overnight, with food and other commodities’ prices following suit.  What did not happen was the same rise in income levels, leaving millions of people across the country unable to perform even the most basic functions such as buying food, traveling, and paying for children education. Tensions began to rise and eventually people took to the streets to protest.

Led by monks, the demonstrations multiplied and swelled in size over a matter of a few days. Crowds filled the streets of more than 25 cities across Burma, with 100,000 peaceful marchers in Rangoon alone. At the same time, machine-gun toting soldiers gathered ominously at intersections. Despite the backdrop of 8888 uprising when soldiers beat and gunned down student protesters with no reservations, many local and international onlookers were convinced that the Saffron Revolution would generate a positive outcome because of the concentration and leadership of Buddhist monks in the movement. Buddhism is the predominant religion in Burma, and the role of monks is held in high reverence. Monks are considered sons of Buddha, and to touch or assault a monk, let alone kill, is considered one of the gravest sins any man can commit.

Unfazed by the night raids and the rumors of mass arrest, on the morning of September 27^th, 50,000 courageous citizens gathered on the streets of Rangoon to demand freedom from fear. Soldiers opened fire on the crowds, killing at least nine unarmed protesters. One of them was Kenji Nagai, a Japanese journalist, whose murder was caught on video that went viral.

With each passing hour, more monks, nuns, and activists were detained as more soldiers filled the streets. The Burmese junta shut down the internet and cell phone service to stifle the flow of information to the outside world. Even so, accounts emerged of a crematorium burning day and night to destroy evidence of regime’s brutality. A Burmese colonel defected after refusing an order to slaughter hundreds of monks.

Soldiers were deployed heavily on the streets of every city and on the premises of emptied monasteries. With the leaders of the movement, including hundreds of monks, civic activists and local residents detained, large-scale demonstrations ceased. Reports suggested that low-level resistance continued, including small demonstrations by civilians and imprisoned monks refusing to receive alms from the generals. The streets of Burma may have quiet down and the day-to-day hustle and bustle resumed, but the sense of dissatisfaction, alienation, and anger against the ruling junta remain palpable.

The Saffron Revolution inspired a new wave of generation of activists, both inside Burma and around the world, who find ways to show their defiance and address their grievances, either in the form of art, literature, or public campaigns as risky as they may be.

After the Saffron Revolution

Immediately after the brutal crackdown by the military, hundreds of protests and vigils took place around the world to honor the courage of those who participated in the biggest show of dissent in Burma since the demonstrations of 1988. People around the world continue to organize events every year to keep the spirit and vision of the Saffron Revolution alive.

Unlike the 1988 demonstrations when over 3,000 protesters died but went unnoticed by the rest of the world, the availability and the widespread use of technology helped the world to witness the Saffron Revolution. Picture, videos updates, and news kept streaming out of the country for the world to see.

Even years after the Saffron Revolution, the regime continues to closely monitor the activities of Buddhist monks, and at times, even arrest and imprison them. In the early months of 2008 alone, the regime arrested 17 monks and gave nine of them long prison sentences. Altogether, it is estimated that around196 monks are detained in Burma’s notorious prisons across the country.

Amidst brutal crackdowns and intimidations, the Buddhist monks continue to play a vital role in Burmese society; from time to time, monks join forces with local residents to engage in welfare and disaster relief. When Cyclone Nargis hit Burma in May 2008, and left a trail of widespread death and destruction, monks collaborated with activists and local residents to deliver much needed aid to cyclone victims.

In October 2007, a group of prominent Burmese Buddhist monks in exile established the International Burmese Monks Organization (IBMO). The organization aims to raise international awareness about Burma’s ongoing political struggles and provides a voice for monks and nuns inside the country who are denied this right. By early 2008, the IBMO comprised over 300 members from 14 countries, and continues to grow today.

International Reaction

The United States, European Union, and Canada have imposed a number of sanctions on the junta, including a freeze on individual bank accounts of generals and their cronies, and restrictions on imports of gems and timber from Burma.

The United States Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against 14 senior officials of the regime. Among those targeted for the sanctions are dictator Than Shwe and Deputy Senior General Maung Aye. This action by the Treasury entails the freezing of assets owned by Burma’s generals and their cronies that are either U.S. based or assets under other financial institutions under the jurisdiction of the U.S. The order also prohibits any U.S. citizens from doing business with the designated individuals.

The US, UK, EU, Canada, Czech Republic, Ireland, Sweden and the Philippines demanded that regime to immediately and unconditionally release the protesters and engage in genuine dialogue with the pro-democracy movement and ethnic groups as part of national reconciliation process.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that the use of force to put down peaceful protests in Burma was “abhorrent and unacceptable”. He also urged the regime to release detainees and start a dialogue with political opponents. The UN Security Council issued a statement “strongly” deploring the regime’s repression of pro-democracy demonstrators and called for the early release of all political prisoners and remaining detainees.

China’s Ambassador to the UN, Wang Guangya, said that China wished to see stability, mutual reconciliation, and progress towards democracy in Burma. Premier Wen Jiabao confirmed China’s shift, and expressed hopes that stability, national reconciliation, and democracy will be achieved as soon as possible through peaceful means. The past five years of increased trade and investment with China in Burma have strengthened the junta’s income sources, and reduced any incentive for them to change their oppressive ways and implement urgently-needed reforms in the country.