Despite widespread international criticism, the crackdown by Myanmar's military junta continues. According to Amnesty International, the regime arrested four more key dissidents at the weekend. Among them is a prominent member of the Generation 88 group, which led the pro-democracy movement that was brutally crushed 20 years ago, leaving an estimated 3,000 dead.

Last month’s pro-democracy protests, which began with discontent against the government’s decision to hike the fuel prices, triggered a similar crackdown, although the number of dead is unclear. Human rights groups say that the military regime is hiding the real death toll and the numbers are much higher than the official figure of twelve.

The junta’s brutal tactics have forced several people, including monks, who are highly revered in the country, to flee, as explained by this monk to a German TV network ARD:

"As I fled with other monks, we were all alone and totally desperate. There were numerous raids going on in our monasteries and there was no one we could ask for help. All the monks who had a chance to escape left Yangon."

Protests won't stop

Rights activists are also concerned about the fate of at least 1,000 people, who were arrested during last month’s protests. Hlaing Moe Than, a pro-democracy activist based in Thailand, said the regime has nothing to gain from arrests and brutality and it was "mistaken" if it thought the protests would stop.

UN envoy Ibrahim Gambari has said the crackdown is "extremely disturbing" and has urged the junta to stop it immediately. He is currently on a visit to Asia to gather support for tougher action against the junta.

At the start of his tour, Gambari met Thai premier Suryud Chulanont, who assured him of his support. Suryud Chulanont also proposed a regional forum, which would include China and India, to push the military junta towards democratic reform.

Gambari's so-called "shuttle diplomacy" will take him to Malaysia and then to Japan, Indonesia, India and China, which are Myanmar's closest allies and trading partners. He is seeking a co-ordinated diplomatic front, which could force the junta to change its course. He is expected to return to Myanmar for more talks by November.