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Western Buddhist teachers implores President Obama to press Burma on crimes against ethnic nationalities
by WESTERN BUDDHIST TEACHERS FOR A FREE BURMA, The Buddhist Channel, Nov 15, 2010
Washington DC, USA -- On November 1, 2010, the who's who of Buddhist teachers in the United States wrote a letter to President Barack Obama, imploring his administration to "to repudiate the results of the upcoming election" in Burma.
They have also asked for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry, to have the Burmese junta "account for allegations concerning Crimes against Humanity perpetrated against ethnic nationalities."
Here is the letter in full:
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Dear President Obama,
As you know, the upcoming elections in Burma, scheduled for November 7th cannot be legitimate without participation of the National League for Democracy (NLD).
The NLD is boycotting this sham process because the Burmese military regime has designed electoral laws that insure that a rigged and non-representative election will transpire precluding the participation of Burma’s 2100 political prisoners and other democracy supporters. As leaders in the western Buddhist community, we implore you to repudiate the results of this upcoming election.
We appreciate your Administration’s support for a Commission of Inquiry. We urge the U.S. government to exercise all diplomatic means to call the Burmese junta to account for allegations concerning Crimes against Humanity perpetrated against ethnic nationalities.
It is essential that the international community witness your clear and unwavering support for the freedom of the Burmese people at this pivotal time in their history.
We thank you in advance for your care and wisdom in responding to this urgent request and we look forward to your reply.
Respectfully submitted,
Jack Kornfield Sharon Salzberg Tara Brach Tenzin Robert Thurman Rev. Hozan Alan Senauke Lama Surya Das Bhikkhu Bodhi Jon Kabat-Zinn Lama Palden Robert Joshin Althouse Rev. Susan Myoyu Anderson Sally Armstrong Carolyn Atkinson Pascal Auclair Martin Aylward Rev. Zentatsu Richard Baker Ezra Bayda Mitra Bishop Melissa Blacker Bruce Seiryo Blackman Joe Bobrow Dae Bong Sunim TilmannLhundrupBorghardt Merle Boyd Irene Bumbacher Mitchell Cantor Eugene Cash Ven. David Chutiko John Crook Dhammarati Gaylon Ferguson James Ford Gil Fronsdal John M. Gage Michael Grady Elizabeth Hamilton Rev. Zenkei Blanche Hartman Kip Ryodo Hawley Taigen Henderson Joan Hoeberichts Amy Hollowell Paul Jeffrey Hopkins Zen Master SoengHyang Mushim Ikeda-Nash Rev. Keido Les Kaye Sumi Kim Liana Kornfield Rev. Taigen Dan Leighton Stanley Lombardo Berry Magid John Makransky GenjoMarinello Rev. NicoleeJikyo McMahon Rev. Wendy EgyokuNakau AriyaNani Ethan Nichtern Wesley Nisker Rev. Tonen O’Connor Rev. Enkyo O’Hara Peter O’Hearn Rev. Joen Snyder O’Neal Michael O’Sullivan JiHyangPadma Rev. Tony Patchell Rev. Josho Pat Phelan Rev. Dosho Port Rev. Susan Jion Postal Rev. Taihaku Priest Dr. Christopher Queen Jason Quinn Rev. Densho Quintero Sylvan Genko Rainwater Rev. Zuiko Redding Caitriona Reed Julie Regan Alison Reitz Nicholas Ribush Joan Rieck ShardaRogell Judith Roitman Sandra Roscoe Rev. DaigakuRumme Santikaro Rev. Seisen Saunders Katharina Schmidt Gina Sharpe TulkuSherdor Jason Siff ElihuGenmyo Smith Tempel Smith Ralph Steele Abbot Myogen Steve Stucky Rev. Heng Sure Thanissara Karma LesheTsomo Fred Von Allmen Alan Wallace Rev. Jisho Warner Arinna Weisman Dr. Jan Willis Diana Winston Elizabeth A. Wood Larry Yang Shinzen Young
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