Joint-Statement of the Overseas Mon Organizations on the 63rd Anniversary of the Mon

National Day

January 30, 2010

Today marks the 63rd anniversary of the Mon National Day which will be held in several
locations around the world. The Mon people observe this auspicious day by saluting the Mon
national flag and remembering the thousands who have sacrificed and dedicated their lives in the
past and those who continue to do so for the Mon national cause. The Mon National day was
founded to commemorate the last Mon Kingdom, Hongsawatoi (Bago/Pegu) which was founded
by two Mon brothers, Samala and Vimala in 572 A.D. However, the kingdom was occupied
and destroyed by the Burman king, Alaung Paya in 1757 A.D. Since the invasion of our land and
the mass murder of our people in 1757, the Mons lost their independence and become a people
without a country.

Although Burma gained independence from the British in 1948, our human rights are denied and
our freedoms to govern and educate our own people are ignored. The political situation in Burma
is a classic David and Goliath struggle. The Burmese government continues to divide the country
by rejecting the rights of the ethnic nationalities and is one of the most repressive regimes in the
world. They treat the ethnic nationalities with no humanity and are intolerant to opposition and
remove any who question its authority by locking them up in prison and torturing them.

The Mons from around the world came together to form the Mon Affaires Union (MAU) in 2007
followed by the 5th Mon National Conference in 2009. They passed a number of resolutions to
address the political and social problems in Monland in Lower Burma. One of the resolutions is
to boycott the Burmese military regime’s sponsored election in 2010. Therefore, we urge all
Mons to respect and implement these resolutions and to strongly oppose the general election.

While the ethnic nationalities and Burmese democratic forces repeatedly demand the
establishment of a federal union, the Burmese military regime (SPDC) persists to enforce its rule
with the deceptively “seven steps” road map to democracy, which many believe is a “sham
election.” The fifth step of the road map is the general election to be held later this year in 2010,
the sixth is the convening of the elected representatives, and the seventh is the building of the
country into a democratic nation. Although the regime claims that the election will be free and
fair and conducted through a democratic process, the current political situation in Burma proves
otherwise in which people have faced hostility and violence. Those who question the election are
arbitrarily arrested and beaten up by the regime’s thugs. Earlier this month, the regime arrested a
Mon monk, Ven. Ajjea, in Mon State accusing him for taking part in an anti-election campaign.
He was inhumanly tortured, hospitalized, and portrayed as a traitor. Moreover, the regime’s
sponsored constitution is written to serve the interests and legitimize the military’s rule in
Burma. Therefore, we urge all Mon to join hands with the other ethnic nationalities and the
Burmese democratic forces to protest against the election.
Although the regime has been advocating for the building of a democratic and modern Burma, it
continues to practice its bloodied “divide and rule” policy in order to disunite the ethnic
nationalities. It also continues to repress our cultural celebrations such as Kachin Manau Festival
and the Mon National Day’s celebrations. Recently, the regime ordered a Burmese historical
text which had chronicled our history of the Mon Kingdom, Suvannabhumi (Thatôn), to be
removed from Mon National Day’s signboards and posters.

It is very important for our people to make the right decision on the upcoming election. Wars
have occurred between the Mon and the Burmese in the centuries past, however, today we hold
firmly to peace and endeavor to fight the aggressive policies which are imposed on us. We lost
our sovereign Kingdom and became a people without a country. If we support the regime’s
election and constitution, we will be enslaved by Burmese military regime forever.

Therefore, we urge:

1. All Mon people from around the world to stand firm by coming together to unite and struggle
for our inalienable rights and freedoms.

2. All people of Burma must protest by boycotting 2010 election.

3. The international community must not recognize or support the 2010 election unless the
Burmese military regime is willing to reform the political situation in more inclusive terms, with
more of a focus on the response and the political involvement of the ethnic nationalities, review
the constitution so that it is representative of the people, and release all political prisoners prior
to the elections, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The statement is jointly issued by:

1. Australia Mon Association (AMA)

2. Euro Mon Community
3. Mon Canadian Society
4. Monland Restoration Council (USA)

5. Mon Women's Association of America

6. Mon Women’s Organization of Canada

7. National League for Consolidating and Aiding (Mae Sot, Thailand)
8. Mon National Democratic Front (Liberated Area)
9. Mon Unity League (Thailand)
10. Mon Refugees Organization, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

11. Mon Youth Association (Malaysia)

12. Overseas Mon Women’s Organization (Mae Sot, Thailand)

Media Contacts:

Nai Siri Mon Chan (Australia) Tel: +61-430-136-541

Nai Kasuah Mon (Thailand) Tel: + (66) 081-365-9140
Nai Kun Yekha (USA) Tel: 260-515-9885 (cell)
Nai Ong Chem Tala (Canada) Tel: 403-973-7499