General Board of Global Ministries The United Methodist Church 475 Riverside Drive New York, NY 10115 Tel: 212/870-3921 email: info@gbgm-umc.org The Reverend R. Randy Day, General Secretary of the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church Image by: GBGM Administration

New York, NY, September 29, 2007 -- An urgent appeal for actions and prayers to avoid bloodshed and achieve freedom for the people of Myanmar was issued on September 29 by the chief executive of the international mission agency of The United Methodist Church.

The Rev. R. Randy Day is especially concerned that current demonstrations against the repressive government of the Asian country not result in a mass slaughter such as happened 20 years ago when protestors challenged the government.

Myanmar was formerly known as Burma and is widely recognized as the most repressive country in the world. The current demonstrations are led by Buddhist monks.

Day commended President George W. Bush of the United States for bringing sanctions against government figures in Myanmar, and he urged China, Myanmar's chief trading partner, to take positive action.

The full text of the statement follows:

The People of Myanmar Deserve Liberty and Prayers

The people of Myanmar are again demanding liberty from a harsh, repressive government. They are being led by courageous Buddhist monks. Again, the government shows signs of responding with deadly force as it did in 1988, when government troops shot 3,000 peaceful demonstrators.

I urgently call upon all United Methodists and our partners in mission to join in prayer for a just peace and a future of freedom in the country formerly known as Burma. Let us also urge governments that honor human rights to use their influence with Myanmar's government to move toward democratic policies and practices and to refrain from violence in response to the peaceful protestors.

President George W. Bush of the United States is to be commended for bringing sanctions against high government officials in Myanmar because of the regime's intolerable repression. China, the chief trading partner of Myanmar, should also take positive action to reduce oppression in Myanmar through economic policy. We also appeal to the United Nations to exercise all possible avenues to promote non-violence and freedom in Myanmar.

The Board of Global Ministries is in touch with members of a small Christian community in Myanmar; they tell us that change is essential, but are hoping for peaceful, non-violent transition. They pray for wisdom and courage from above.

Let us all pray:

• That the monks and other protestors will be strong in their witness,
• That the government will exercise restraint in dealing with the protestors,
• That the soldiers who wield guns will consult their consciences before shooting at protestors , even if they are so ordered,
• For all of the people of Myanmar, who have suffered greatly, and for those who have endangered themselves by daring to join the monks, and
• For the small minority of Methodists and other Christians in Myanmar, that our brothers and sisters in faith will remain safe and be aware in their hearts of our love and care for them.

The Rev. R. Randy Day
General Secretary
General Board of Global Ministries
The United Methodist Church
September 29, 2007

See Also: Update on Human Rights in Myanmar (Burma)

	See Also... Topic: Advocacy |  Christian love |  Communities |  Ecumenical |  Human rights |  International affairs |  Justice |  Peace |  Prayers |  Violence |  Statements |  Geographic Region: Myanmar-Burma |  Source: GBGM Press Releases
	Print this page E-mail this article

View Listing of Missionaries Currently Working in: Myanmar-Burma |

Date posted: Sep 28, 2007