ICRC won’t be allowed to see disrobed Buddhist monks in prisons

DVB ( Feb 23-24 )

A directive from the director of Tennesserim Division prison authorities in southern Burma says that Buddhist monks who were arrested, forcibly disrobed and sent to the frontline areas last month must not be allowed to meet representatives of the ICRC based in Rangoon.

The directive was sent during a visit to Tennesserim Division by a four person strong team of the ICRC. The team was at Tavoy on 21 February and expected to visit Taung Thonelone and Metta ‘ye phet’ police controlled labour camps.

There are many Buddhist monks who were forcibly disrobed and sent to the frontline areas which are to be visited by the team inside Myeik (Mergui) and Bokpyin townships along the Thai-Burma border.

More than 300 monks were arrested and disrobed by Burma’s military authority, State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) during the so-called religious riots last years in Mandalay and Rangoon.