The Statement on the 63rd Anniversary of Mon Revolution Day

August 25, 2010 marks the 63^rd Anniversary of Mon Revolution Day. In order to regain Mon national sovereignty and the rights to self-determination the Mon have been waging a just war against the successive governments in Burma for over 60 years, since 1948. Since then, many Mon patriots, leaders, and comrades have sacrificed their lives, belongings, time and energies for Mon national cause. Therefore, on this essential occasion we, all Mon in Monland and overseas, pay our deepest respects and honours to those Mon patriots, leaders, and comrades who have made noble and supreme sacrifices for our Mon.  At the same time, we, all Mon around the world, reaffirm our unwavering commitments and determinations that we will follow the revolutionary path paved by our leaders, patriots, and comrades until we reach the ultimate goals of Mon national sovereignty and the rights to self-determination.

In light of the current political situation in Burma, the armed revolution is still the only practical way to achieve the ultimate goals of Mon national sovereignty and self-determination. Hence, it is extremely essential now for our Mon to develop a greater revolutionary awareness and determination. As long as the rights of ethnic nationalities are not fully guaranteed, Mon armed forces and armed revolution must always be in place to fight for our rights and protect our Mon people.  The military regime still refuses to recognize and guarantee the democratic rights and the rights of ethnic nationalities in Burma.

In addition, against the will of people in Burma, the military regime drafted an undemocratic constitution, forcefully gets it approved in 2008’s referendum, and now is eager to hold its own election in November 7, 2010. It is obvious that the 2008’s constitution and the 2010’s election fail to fulfill the desire of our Mon for a genuine federal union in which the Mon have democratic and national rights to govern our own people in Mon State and work harmoniously with other states and divisions for a peace, prosperity and development of the federal union.

According to the 2008’s constitution, the Chief Minister of Mon State will be appointed by the President, and 25 percent of state’s parliamentary seats will also be allocated to the military personnel. Therefore, the 2010’s election and any election based on the 2008’s constitution will not fulfill the aspirations of our Mon. Both two major Mon political parties, the New Mon State Party (NMSP) and Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF), have categorically rejected the 2008’s constitution and the 2010’s election as it does not guarantee Mon national rights. The SPDC 2008’s constitution and the 2010’s election are specifically designed to prolong the military rule, deny the genuine federal system and marginalize the roles of ethnic nationalities in active participation and managing their own state affairs. Therefore, we should ignore the military regime sponsored election and, instead focus on other national duties such as supporting our Mon national revolution, strengthening our national unity, and unity with other democratic and ethnic forces in our country.

Finally, on the occasion of the 63^rd anniversary of Mon Revolution Day, we would like to urge all Mon around the globe, in Monland and overseas, to develop a greater revolutionary awareness, strengthen our national unity and work cooperatively with Mon political and revolutionary parties such as the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Mon National Democratic Front (MNDF), and the Mon Affairs Union (MAU) for our ultimate goals of Mon national sovereignty and the rights to self-determination. Based on current political developments, armed revolution is still the only practical way to achieve the ultimate goals of Mon national sovereignty and self-determination.The 2010’s showcase election will not fulfill and guarantee these goals.   In order to realize these goals, all Mon around the world, Mon in Monland, the Mon armed resistance groups on the border and Mon in overseas must work hand in hand in a rock-solid unity. The responsibilities to regain our sovereignty and the rights to self-determination rest not only on the Mon armed resistance groups but also on all of us no matter where we are and whatever social groups we represent.  Therefore, we urge all Mon around the globe to work hand in hand in a rock-solid unity in order to realize the ultimate goals of Mon national sovereignty and the rights to self-determination.

This statement is jointly issued by:

1. 63^rd Mon Revolutionary Day Working Committee (Malaysia)

2. Mon Youth Organization (Malaysia)

3. Overseas Mon Coordinating Committee (OMCC)  (OMCC is comprised of Monland Restoration Council (USA), Mon Canadian Society, Australia Mon Association, and Euro Mon Community)

Media Contacts:

Nai Siri Mon Chan (Australia) Tel:  +61-430-136-541, Nai Bannya Htaw Weang (USA) Tel: 716-948-6611 (cell), Nai Layeh Mon    (Canada) Tel: 403-313-5157,  Nai Hong Mahn (Malaysia) Tel : 01-654-8430

This post is in: Press Release