Gordon Brown Calls UN Security Council Meeting As Protester In Burma Is Shot Dead

Gordon Brown has called an emergency UN security council meeting this afternoon to discuss the growing problem in Burma as reports have suggested at least one protester has been killed.

Talking about the situation in Burma, Prime Minister Brown said, “The whole world is now watching Burma. The EU is going to look at a whole range of sanctions that could be imposed.”

It has been claimed that at least one protester has been gunned down by police and five wounded on what is the ninth day of demonstrations.

This is the first time Burma’s military junta has moved against the monks. The protests now remind many of 1988 where the regime brutally crushed student demonstrations, killing thousands of people.

Director of Burma Campaign UK has said today is crucial to the future of Burma,

“Today is a really critical day because the regime has staked its credibility on suppressing the protests. If they carry on, then the regime starts to lose some of its authority because the regime rules by fear.

“If people are seen defying the regime and getting away with it then that will encourage them.”

After the week of demonstrations, the regime banned public gatherings and issued a night-time curfew. It has been reported that the first activist rounded up after the curfew was a comedian who is famous for his anti-government jibes.

The military are expected to respond to protesters who defy the new restrictions with brutal force which will further alienate Burma’s leaders from the international community.

George Bush announced yesterday new sanctions against Burma’s rulers. The US president, speaking at the UN General Assembly, accused the country’s leaders of imposing “a 19-year reign of fear” which denies freedoms of speech, assembly and worship.

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