We observe with great sadness and concern the transformation of the protest demonstrations against the government in Myanmar/Burma, which started almost a month ago and grew with the participation of tens of thousands of people especially in the previous capital Yangon at the beginning of this week, into armed conflict, resulting in the death of 9 persons and the wounding of many people.

We urge the government and all parties concerned to act with restraint and to solve the problem through reconciliation, without resorting to violence, and we hope that stability and security, based on human rights and fundamental rights and freedoms, will be restored as soon as possible.