Burmese monks address human rights abuses
by Erin Doniger
News | 10/27/09
Posted online at 1:33 AM EST on 10/27/09
"I realized that I couldn't die in a prison, and I would rather leave Burma and continue the struggle for Burma [in the U.S.]," Gawasita said.
The monks now travel to universities as a part of a tour organized by Amnesty International USA's Group 113 based in Somerville, Mass., to share their inspirational stories of a peaceful effort to gain democracy in their home country.
At the end of the event, students and faculty were asked to sign a petition addressed to leaders of the Burmese government to free Burma.
The petition asked Dictator Senior General Than Shwe, in particular, the Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently placed under detention by the militia.
Amnesty International Brandeis chapter co-president Chris Lau '12 said that he was very happy with the event turnout.
"[The event] was a great chance for Amnesty International to gain visibilty on campus," he said.
Attendee Matthew Zunitch '13 said in an interview, "I might be a little biased because I am in the 'War and Possibilities of Peace class' and have seen a lot of similar events recently, … but I thought their individual testimonies were really moving."
The monks now travel to universities as a part of a tour organized by Amnesty International USA's Group 113 based in Somerville, Mass., to share their inspirational stories of a peaceful effort to gain democracy in their home country.
At the end of the event, students and faculty were asked to sign a petition addressed to leaders of the Burmese government to free Burma.
The petition asked Dictator Senior General Than Shwe, in particular, the Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, who is currently placed under detention by the militia.
Amnesty International Brandeis chapter co-president Chris Lau '12 said that he was very happy with the event turnout.
"[The event] was a great chance for Amnesty International to gain visibilty on campus," he said.
Attendee Matthew Zunitch '13 said in an interview, "I might be a little biased because I am in the 'War and Possibilities of Peace class' and have seen a lot of similar events recently, … but I thought their individual testimonies were really moving."
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