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Joint Statement on the 60th Anniversary of Mon National Day (February 2, 2007)
The first Waning of Mide ( February 2, 2007 ) marks the auspicious 60th anniversary of our Mon National Day. On this date, Mon people around the globe celebrate the founding of the Hongsawatoi kingdom, for it was on the first waning day of Mide that the Mon sovereign kingdom, known in history as Hongsawatoi, came into existence in 1116-Buddhist era (573 CE). Consequently, with the aim of cultivating a national spirit among our Mon brothers and sisters and of making us aware of our proud heritage of sovereignty and prosperity, Mon leaders came together in 1947 and unanimously decided that the first Waning of Mide, according to the Mon lunar calendar, would be recognized as our Mon National Day. From that time until today, Mon people, wherever we are, celebrate our National Day.From the time of the founding of the Mon kingdom, Hongsawatoi, in 573 CE until 1757 CE, when it was invaded and occupied by the Burmans, we enjoyed freedom and prosperity for many centuries. Mon civilization was among the most distinctive and influential in precolonial Southeast Asia . However, with the fall of the sovereign kingdom of Hongsawatoi , we Mon became a people without a country and were subsequently reduced to a minority race in Burma . This year, 2007, marks the 250th anniversary since we lost our kingdom, sovereignty and freedom. To commemorate this 250th anniversary of the Fall of the Mon kingdom we will be holding a special commemoration this year and we urge all Mon regardless of class and status, young and old, to join hand in hand in our national struggle in order to regain our long-lost sovereignty and freedom.Today, the situation in Monland continues to deteriorate. The basic rights of the Mon people are trampled upon and acute discrimination and marginalization of our brothers and sisters persist in every sphere of human endeavour. All efforts to promote a tripartite dialogue between the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the ethnic nationalities, have proved fruitless. The SPDC has demonstrated an absolute lack of interest in all efforts to resolve the differences and to bring about national reconciliation. On the contrary, the SPDC continues to aggravate the level of repression inside Burma including in our Monland. In spite of the ceasefire agreement between the SPDC and the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the situation in Monland continues to deteriorate and militarization of our homeland goes unchecked. Illegal detention, arrest, confiscation of land, forced labour, torture and executions continue unabated throughout Monland.Therefore, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Mon National day, we urge all Mon people around the world to celebrate our National Day with the essence of national spirit. We should bear in mind that 250 years have past since we lost our sovereignty, freedom and kingdom and that the tasks of regaining our long-lost sovereignty and national dignity rest upon all of us, no matter where we are, what civil society we represent and what political organization we are affiliated with. We should disregard party politics and the differences that exist among us, and instead work hand in hand for our common goal of national liberation, sovereignty and dignity. It was a genuine spirit of patriotism that gave birth to our Mon National Day. This same spirit gives us strength to forge ahead in the cause of freedom in unity and solidarity. On this day, we re-assess the course of our freedom struggle and re-vitalize and re-strategize our movement, efforts and resources to realize our ultimate and sacred goal of Mon national liberation. There is much work ahead, but we should never doubt that with rock-solid national unity and the consolidated effort of all Mon in our Monland, overseas and everywhere in the world that we will inevitably achieve our ultimate and sacred goal of national liberation, sovereignty and dignity.Therefore, on this 60th Mon National Day, we urge:(1) All Mons around the world to unite and to work together for Mon national liberation;(2) The SPDC to immediately release Nai Yekha, Nai Cheem Gakao and all political prisoners in Burma including Hkun Htun Oo and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi;(3). The SPDC to immediately desist from its extensive militarization and offensive in Mon State, especially in Southern Ye Township and in other ethnic nationalities areas, and to cease immediately all human rights violations including the summary executions, torture and rape inflicted on Mon and all other ethnic nationalities; (4). The SPDC to immediately initiate a genuine tripartite dialogue comprised of the leaders of the ethnic nationalities, elected representatives, and members of the military regime as recommended by the United Nations.
this statement is jointly issued by: Mon Community around the world
The first Waning of Mide ( February 2, 2007 ) marks the auspicious 60th anniversary of our Mon National Day. On this date, Mon people around the globe celebrate the founding of the Hongsawatoi kingdom, for it was on the first waning day of Mide that the Mon sovereign kingdom, known in history as Hongsawatoi, came into existence in 1116-Buddhist era (573 CE). Consequently, with the aim of cultivating a national spirit among our Mon brothers and sisters and of making us aware of our proud heritage of sovereignty and prosperity, Mon leaders came together in 1947 and unanimously decided that the first Waning of Mide, according to the Mon lunar calendar, would be recognized as our Mon National Day. From that time until today, Mon people, wherever we are, celebrate our National Day.From the time of the founding of the Mon kingdom, Hongsawatoi, in 573 CE until 1757 CE, when it was invaded and occupied by the Burmans, we enjoyed freedom and prosperity for many centuries. Mon civilization was among the most distinctive and influential in precolonial Southeast Asia . However, with the fall of the sovereign kingdom of Hongsawatoi , we Mon became a people without a country and were subsequently reduced to a minority race in Burma . This year, 2007, marks the 250th anniversary since we lost our kingdom, sovereignty and freedom. To commemorate this 250th anniversary of the Fall of the Mon kingdom we will be holding a special commemoration this year and we urge all Mon regardless of class and status, young and old, to join hand in hand in our national struggle in order to regain our long-lost sovereignty and freedom.Today, the situation in Monland continues to deteriorate. The basic rights of the Mon people are trampled upon and acute discrimination and marginalization of our brothers and sisters persist in every sphere of human endeavour. All efforts to promote a tripartite dialogue between the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the ethnic nationalities, have proved fruitless. The SPDC has demonstrated an absolute lack of interest in all efforts to resolve the differences and to bring about national reconciliation. On the contrary, the SPDC continues to aggravate the level of repression inside Burma including in our Monland. In spite of the ceasefire agreement between the SPDC and the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the situation in Monland continues to deteriorate and militarization of our homeland goes unchecked. Illegal detention, arrest, confiscation of land, forced labour, torture and executions continue unabated throughout Monland.Therefore, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Mon National day, we urge all Mon people around the world to celebrate our National Day with the essence of national spirit. We should bear in mind that 250 years have past since we lost our sovereignty, freedom and kingdom and that the tasks of regaining our long-lost sovereignty and national dignity rest upon all of us, no matter where we are, what civil society we represent and what political organization we are affiliated with. We should disregard party politics and the differences that exist among us, and instead work hand in hand for our common goal of national liberation, sovereignty and dignity. It was a genuine spirit of patriotism that gave birth to our Mon National Day. This same spirit gives us strength to forge ahead in the cause of freedom in unity and solidarity. On this day, we re-assess the course of our freedom struggle and re-vitalize and re-strategize our movement, efforts and resources to realize our ultimate and sacred goal of Mon national liberation. There is much work ahead, but we should never doubt that with rock-solid national unity and the consolidated effort of all Mon in our Monland, overseas and everywhere in the world that we will inevitably achieve our ultimate and sacred goal of national liberation, sovereignty and dignity.Therefore, on this 60th Mon National Day, we urge:(1) All Mons around the world to unite and to work together for Mon national liberation;(2) The SPDC to immediately release Nai Yekha, Nai Cheem Gakao and all political prisoners in Burma including Hkun Htun Oo and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi;(3). The SPDC to immediately desist from its extensive militarization and offensive in Mon State, especially in Southern Ye Township and in other ethnic nationalities areas, and to cease immediately all human rights violations including the summary executions, torture and rape inflicted on Mon and all other ethnic nationalities; (4). The SPDC to immediately initiate a genuine tripartite dialogue comprised of the leaders of the ethnic nationalities, elected representatives, and members of the military regime as recommended by the United Nations.
this statement is jointly issued by: Mon Community around the world