Majnukatilla, Delhi – In a unique bonding of sorts Tibetans and Burmese activists met here at the screening of the internationally renowned film ‘Burma VJ’ that documents Burmese struggle against the military Junta. The screening was organized by Friends of Tibet in coordination with Delhi regional chapters
of the Tibetan Youth Congress and Tibetan Women’s Association and the TCV youth Hostel.
After screening the film at the Tibetan Youth Hostel on 12th December the film came to Samye ling Tibetan refugee camp here. ‘Burma VJ’ tells the story of guerilla video reporters of Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) who risked their lives shooting videos of the protests in Burma against the Junta and disseminating them across the world.
At a time when the Burmese military government had banned international media access to Burma, just like China did in Tibet in 2008, these guerilla video reporters risk everything and tell the world what they witnessed through amateur video footages . “This is perhaps the best example of use of technology for
revolution, a lesson Tibetans can learn,” said Norsang a Tibetan youth activist.
Htarwara, a Burmese monk activist who took part in the 2007 Saffron
Revolution was also present at the screening. “Being Buddhist, facing this military brutality in our respective countries we are brothers and sisters, we must support and stand with each other in solidarity. I bring to you our support from the people of Burma,” said Htarwara.
“China has bought rights to exploit natural gas in my country and in turn PRC is strengthening the military dictatorship in Burma,” said Kim of the Burma Centre
Delhi.
Detailing the 2007 Burmese uprising Kim said, “More than 100,000 monks and
70,000 students took to streets, and following the September 26-27 military
crackdown at least 400 demonstrators were killed, more than 40,000 protestors
were arrested, about 1000 are still in police detention.”
Tibetan activist Tenzin Tsundue of the Friends of Tibet said, “the Burmese and Tibetan response to the brutal military crackdown has been one that of compassion and this force not only fights the repression but gives the strength to survive the corrupt dictatorship”.
