Burma lies about death toll

After the peaceful protest made by the monks in September, it was thought that perhaps that there would be a peaceful outcome, since it is very dishonorable to kill or harm a monk. However, as they marched peacefully in defiance to the military regime currently controlling Burma (now Myanmar), police shot into the crowds. Burma had originally reported that only 15 were killed. An American human rights group, Human rights watch, has been observing the situation carefully and it continues to find that Burma tends to exaggerate on the low end in regards to people being arrested, imprisoned and even killed. In all actuality, at least 20 were killed in the protest, if not more. Burma says that it has released most of the prisoners from that protest, and only approximately 80 remains. Families attest otherwise, far more than 80 families disagree with officials. At least 596 monks were imprisoned in the September protest, and 2,927 families in all. Burma officials report that this is an exaggeration.
Whether or not it is dishonorable to harm a monk, it seems that the military regime could care less. They obviously have alternative motives that have nothing to do with religion or faith, and especially not democracy or equity. The Human rights watch group has committed to continue to watch the situation and report back their findings. It seems that they continuously come out on top in accusing Burma of it's iniquities against its people. I think it's interesting that we are in Iraq to protect people under oppression, yet not so quick to wage war with the military regime in Burma. I'm not sure if that is our place, but the article talked about the people of Burma, and how they had ideas about democracy, and they wanted to share it with someone who could enact it. It also said that the Burmese people were extremely proud of their country, and it's been a difficult plight to observe and even participate in the current situation. It seems that this country may not improve until some action is taken by an outside source.
http://voanews.com/english/2007-12-07-voa19.cfm