OneWorld.net (U.S.)

Nominated by: OneWorld editors

Burma's revered Buddhist monks took to the streets in September, initially to protest a steep fuel hike, but later to challenge the long-ruling military junta. While the regime change they sought was not achieved as of today, the monks were able to unite the country -- and the international community -- in a powerful call for democracy and freedom in this highly impoverished and repressed country.

© racoles (flickr)The well-documented daily mass demonstrations, in which almost half a million Burmese -- mostly monks -- participated, and the subsequent violent crackdown by the military, helped create diplomatic pressure and renewed official dialogue with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has largely remained in detention since 1989.

A very religious country, the Buddhist monks play a key role in determining Burma's future. Much of the country joined in support as the national protests intensified and moved to incorporate more demands, such as the release of political prisoners, including Suu Kyi, and for the ruling junta to recognize and apologize for atrocities committed.

Burma, and its leaders, had not seen such a huge demonstration of anger since 1988, when 3,000 people were killed following a violent crackdown.

In 2007, Burma's monks knew a lot was at stake when they chose to defy the government. Indeed, many were killed and arrested by the Burmese military. But their defiance could well mark the beginning of the end of brutal military rule, which has been continuous since 1962.

Click here for OneWorld's Full Coverage on Myanmar (formerly Burma), where you can also subscribe to our RSS feed on the country.For the latest on cyclone relief efforts in the country, see OneWorld's Myanmar cyclone alert.

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