Church of Scotland calls for 'peaceful resolution' to Burma Crisis

The Convener of the Church of Scotland's Church and Society Council, Morag Mylne, has called for a "peaceful and speedy resolution" to the civil unrest in Burma after the country's military rulers used force to break up pro-democracy demonstrators on Wednesday.

Burma's military junta used tear gas and baton charges against crowds of frustrated Buddhists and civilians taking part in the largest protests against the regime in 20 years. Hospital and monastery sources confirmed that two monks and a civilian were killed in the demonstrations on Wednesday.

The US and the EU have appealed to the UN Security Council to consider imposing sanctions.

Ms Mylne expressed her "sadness at the lack of progress in relation to restoring a democratic government to Burma".

In 2004, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland condemned the widespread human rights abuses, forced labour and cultural genocide of ethnic minority groups in Burma. It also urged the British Government to continue to press for a return of democratic government in Burma and to discourage western companies from investing and operating there.

Mylne joined the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Sheilagh Kesting, in asking for prayers for the people of Burma and for a "peaceful and speedy restoration of democracy to their country" in light of the latest crisis.

An estimated 100,000 people joined in protests on the streets of Rangoon on Wednesday, the largest uprising since 1988 when soldiers shot dead an estimated 3,000 protestors.

China and Russia, which have friendly relations with Burma, have so far blocked attempts by the UN to impose sanctions.