JUNTA IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON CATHO

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Subject: JUNTA IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON CATHOLIC PRAYER MEETINGS



Media Release - 05/99
January 19, 1998

                                    
    BURMESE MILITARY IMPOSES RESTRICTIONS ON CATHOLIC PRAYER MEETINGS

The Burmese Military's No. 7 Tactical Command has ordered the
Roman Catholic community in Pekhon, Shan State not to organize
any activities involving more than 10 people at a sacred
religious site. 

The order came in late November when a group of 30 young
villagers from Jayrawbalo village in Pekhon went to the Mother
Mary's Cave to carry out cleaning before the annual religious
ceremonies in early December. Major Kyaw Soe, from the Burmese
army troops stationed on the mountain where the cave is located,
stopped the group entering the cave and banned altogether any
activities involving more than 10 people.

The township authorities also summoned members of the committee
formed to organize the religious festivities and warned them to
follow the order strictly. They were told to submit the number of
Christians who would participate in the activities to the
authorities. The authorities turned down the committee's request
to hold prayer meetings on a village-by-village basis at
different times during the festival.

On December 3 more than 15,000 Catholics went to the mountain to
hold a religious ceremony.  However they were not allowed to
ascend the mountain to worship at the cave. The prayer meeting
therefore had to be held at an open space in the village.

Father U Htun Maung, who was leading the services, was repeatedly
warned by the authorities to watch over the worshippers. The
incident has created a great deal of dissatisfaction and
resentment amongst the Catholic community against the Burmese
army.

All Burma Students' Democratic Front

For more information please contact 01-654 4984, 01-253 9082