The trial of the most prominent political prisoner, Aung San Suu Kyi, ended on 11 August, when the military Junta sentenced her to 18-month house arrest. Aung has been in house arrest for 14 years out of the past 20 years. Her latest term was scheduled to end on 27 May, but she was charged for breaching the terms of house arrest on the pretext of the intrusion of an American man in early May.

The appeal by Aung San Suu Kyi against her conviction and sentence was heard on 18 September for 3 hours, and the verdict is expected to be announced on 2 October. She was not allowed to attend the hearing.

Meanwhile, as the 2nd anniversary of Burma’s Saffron Revolution approached, the International Burmese Monks Organization (IBMO) released a declaration reiterating why protests must be continued. The IBMO also led a Peace March in Mae Sot, Thailand, calling for peace in Burma on the occasion of International Day of Peace on 21 September. Solidarity events on the anniversary were taking place around the world.

Two years ago, in September 2007, the leadership of Burma’s courageous monks inspired a nation-wide uprising against the military regime. To suppress the protestors, the regime arrested more than 3,000 people and killed dozens on 26 September 2007. ACPP immediately issued SUA070928(3) to call for a stop of arbitrary detention and harassment. UA080807(5) was also issued in 2008 at the 20th anniversary of the 8888 Uprising to raise concern on the underlying issues behind the struggle for democracy in Burma.

Sources:
Irrawaddy, South China Morning Post, International Herald Tribune

The UN Secretary-General (UNSG) Ban Ki-moon visited Burma (Myanmar) on 3-4 July with the hope to pressurize the release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners. However, the effectiveness of the visit fell short as the UNSG could not even meet with Aung San Suu Kyi. After the UNSG briefed the Security Council about his visit to Burma on 13 July, Burma’s UN envoy, Mr. Than Swe, announced at the Security Council that the military regime would grant amnesty to some political prisoners on 13 July. The details were yet to be released.

Meanwhile, the trial of the country’s most prominent political prisoner was on-going. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, was charged for violation of terms of house arrest as she ‘harboured’ an uninvited visitor in this early May. The trial is criticized to be highly biased. Throughout the trial, only two out of four witnesses from defense side were accepted, and the trial has been adjourned several times. The concluding arguments were presented on 28 July, and the court would give verdict on 31 July. If Aung San Suu Kyi was convicted, she could be sentenced up to five-year imprisonment, which would greatly diminish her role in the 2010 election.

On Martyr’s Day of Burma, 19 July, pro-democracy activists marched to pay respects to the heroes who fought for independence. Fifty of them were arrested during the march.
Political prisoners are jailed merely for exercising human rights and must not be punished. In Burma, the release of political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, is an indispensable step towards democracy. Concerning the issue of political prisoners in Burma, SUA070928(3), and FYI09-02 were issued in September 2007 and May 2009 respectively.

Sources:
Irrawaddy,
BBC,
News

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was detained in May 2003 after Depayin massacre, in which more than 100 members of National League Democracy, elected Parliament members, were killed and arrested near Depayin, Sagaing Division, under the 1975 State Protection Law. In accordance with the law, the maximum detention period is five years which can only be extended by another year. As such, she must be released by 27 May in 2009.

Outrageously, Aung San Suu Kyi was charged for breaching the terms of house arrest on the pretext of the intrusion of an American man in early May. If convicted, the military regime can impose new detention on her so she cannot exert any influence in the 2010 election. The trial began on 18 May and was expected to last for a few weeks in the Insein Prison. Journalists and diplomats were once allowed to observe the trial on 20 May, but were barred again the following day. Since the new charge was imposed, there have been international protests calling for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed concerns over new charge on Aung San Suu Kyi and promised to go to Burma to demand for her release, as well as other political prisoners.

To pressure the military regime to release Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, the Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now! coordinated by the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) and the Forum for Democracy in Burma was launched. The campaign targets to collect 888,888 signatures from all over the world, by the deadline of 24 May 2009.

There are over 2,100 political prisoners in Burma. The number has almost doubled since mid-2007. In its recent report in May 2009, “Burma's Prisons and Labour Camps: Silent Killing Fields”, AAPP estimated that at least 127 political prisoners are in poor health condition and 19 of them require urgent medical attention.

In the aftermath of the brutal crackdown of the Saffron Revolution in September 2007, ACPP issued SUA070928(3) to call for the release of all protestors at the demonstration, which was spearheaded by Buddhist monks.. An FYI09-02 was also issued to promote the global signature campaign.

 

Sources:
Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now!,
Altsean-Burma,
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) Irrawaddy
Democtatic Voice of Burma

Hotline Asia deeply deplores the relentless persecution of political dissidents in Burma (Myanmar).  According to Irrawaddy, in  mid November, about 80 activists, including monks, students, journalists, a poet and a blogger, have been sentenced to prison terms of up to 65 years for their involvement in the Saffron Revolution in 2007.  While the release of a few political prisoners in September including Win Tin, the longest-serving political prisoners, was good news, the lengthy sentences of activists proved that the military regime did not have any commitment to improve human rights.

On 11 November, at least 23 activists who were involved in the Saffron Revolution in 2007 were sentenced to 65 years in jail in closed-door trials.  Among them, 14 persons belonged to the 88’ Generation Students, the group which led the 8888 Uprising in 1988.  Ashin Gambira, one of the leaders of All-Burmese Monks Alliance who played a prominent role in the Saffron Revolution, was given 12 years imprisonment; the well-known labour activist Su Su Nway and her colleague Bo Bo Win Naing were sentenced to 12 and a half years and 8 years respectively.  Earlier on 10 November, the young blogger, Nay Phone, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for disseminating information of the Saffron Revolution to the international media.  Dissident poet Saw Wai who wrote a poem with the hidden message of “General Than Shwe is mad with power” was sentenced to 2 years.

It is estimated that there are over two thousands political prisoners in Burma.  The new wave of sentence further pushed up the number.  To condemn the military crackdown on the peaceful demonstration and call on release of all political prisoners, Hotline Asia issued SUA070928(3) in September 2007.


Sources:
Irrawaddy
Democtatic Voice of Burma

Hotline Asia deeply deplores the relentless persecution of political dissidents in Burma (Myanmar).  According to Irrawaddy, in  mid November, about 80 activists, including monks, students, journalists, a poet and a blogger, have been sentenced to prison terms of up to 65 years for their involvement in the Saffron Revolution in 2007.  While the release of a few political prisoners in September including Win Tin, the longest-serving political prisoners, was good news, the lengthy sentences of activists proved that the military regime did not have any commitment to improve human rights.

On 11 November, at least 23 activists who were involved in the Saffron Revolution in 2007 were sentenced to 65 years in jail in closed-door trials.  Among them, 14 persons belonged to the 88’ Generation Students, the group which led the 8888 Uprising in 1988.  Ashin Gambira, one of the leaders of All-Burmese Monks Alliance who played a prominent role in the Saffron Revolution, was given 12 years imprisonment; the well-known labour activist Su Su Nway and her colleague Bo Bo Win Naing were sentenced to 12 and a half years and 8 years respectively.  Earlier on 10 November, the young blogger, Nay Phone, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for disseminating information of the Saffron Revolution to the international media.  Dissident poet Saw Wai who wrote a poem with the hidden message of “General Than Shwe is mad with power” was sentenced to 2 years.

It is estimated that there are over two thousands political prisoners in Burma.  The new wave of sentence further pushed up the number.  To condemn the military crackdown on the peaceful demonstration and call on release of all political prisoners, Hotline Asia issued SUA070928(3) in September 2007.


Sources:
South China Morning Post
Irrawaddy

One year after the Saffron Revolution, where mass demonstrations were held to demand for fuel price decrease and democracy last September 2007, arrests of dissidents have not stopped.  According to Democratic Voice of Burma, 10 participants of Saffron Revolution were sentenced to 30 months imprisonment on 28 August 2008.  They were charged with unlawful assembly and disturbing public order under sections 143 and 505(b) of the penal code.

Another activist, U Aye Win, who was arrested for solo protest against fuel price hike in late August 2007 was sentenced to 2 years in prison on the same day.

Even under tense situation in Myanmar (Burma), 150 monks in Sittwe, Arakan State in Western Myanmar, took to the streets on 27 August 2008 to commemorate the first year of crackdown of Saffron Revolution.  It was reported that a monk named U Thawbana was arrested by police after the protest but was released after interrogation.

To condemn the violent crackdown on democratic movement and the arrest of protesters and to call on release of all political prisoners, Hotline Asia issued SUA070928(3) in September 2007.


Sources:
Democratic Voice of Burmat
Narinjara News

During the Saffron Revolution, when monks spearheaded demonstrations against fuel price hike and demand for democracy in September 2007, more than 3,000 people were arrested.  Although the military regime claimed that many of the detainees have been released, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPP) recorded that 700 people, including 196 monks, are still behind bars.  Recently, 10 students, mostly Muslim, who were actively involved in the Saffron Revolution were sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labor by the Kyauktada Township court.  AAPP believed that it was religious discrimination against Muslim students as the sentences were more severe.

In addition, another 100 people were arrested for campaigning for “no” vote in Constitutional Referendum.  Until July 2008, at least 70 of them were still detained.  After Cyclone Nargis struck Burma, many people initiated aid delivery in affected area, and around 20 people were arrested from May to July 2008.  Currently, there are over 2,000 political prisoners in Burma.

Hotline Asia issued SUA070928(3) in September 2007 to call for immediate intervention into the crackdown of Saffron Revolution.


Sources:
Democratic Voice of Burmat
Irrawaddy
US Campaign for Burma

Since the uprising by Buddhist monks in September 2007, censorship across Myanmar has increased. All television and radio stations in Myanmar are government owned. The same is true of the three daily newspapers. Privately owned weekly and monthly magazines, which are far more popular than the dailies, have to submit everything, from editorials, cartoons to advertisements to a government censorship board. Failing to pass the censorship leads to punishments ranging from having the paper closed to lengthy prison terms.

Reporters Without Borders said at least 15 journalists had been arrested since September 2007, several on charges that they spoke to foreign media.

On 26 February 2008, the military government of Myanmar announced it had enacted a law laying out the procedures for a referendum on a new Constitution in May, but did not set a date for the vote. The plans have been widely criticized for failing to include any input from opponents of military rule. The government also said a 45-member Referendum Convening Commission had been established to oversee the process.

In support of the peaceful protestors in Myanmar, Hotline Asia issued SUA070928(3) in September 2007 to urge the authorities to release all monks and civilians arrested in the peaceful marches immediately and unconditionally, as well as to stop further harassment and arbitrary detention that violates people's right to exercise freedom of expression and assembly.

Sources:
South China Morning Post
International Herald Tribune

Htin Kyaw, a prominent activist, started a hunger strike on 30 November 2007 until the end of December 2007 to demand the release of all political prisoners. Three other political prisoners have also have gone on a hunger strike around that period in protest of human rights abuses in the prison, including the prison's inhumane conditions, such as the lack of sufficient food, medicine, medical treatment and the use of torture.

UN Human Rights Council discussed the findings of a report on the human rights situation in Myanmar during its sixth session from 10 to 14 December at the Palais des Nations.

The 32-page report by Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, suggests a number of immediate and transitional measures that the Myanmar government must undertake, including allowing an international commission of enquiry.

In his report, Pinheiro called on the Myanmar government to urgently release all people who have been detained for protesting against the junta rule. Reports from released detainees gave the impression that they had undergone harsh treatment during their interrogation phase. The level of violence and insults against monks and monasteries were particularly shocking.

There was a division among countries at the Human Rights Council while discussing the findings of a report on the human rights situation in Myanmar, with Asian neighbours preferring a more cautious and non-condemnatory tone.

In contrast, other countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, and members of the European Union, were more vocal in condemning human rights abuse in Myanmar.

Hotline Asia issued SUA070928(3) in September 2007 in response to the violent suppression of the peaceful protesters in Myanmar on 25 September.

Sources:
Democratic Voice of Burma
Irrawaddy
IHT
AsiaNews
Reuters
Indian Enews
Mizzima News

More than 100 Buddhist monks marched in northern Myanmar for nearly an hour on 31 October 2007, the first public demonstration since the government's deadly crackdown in September on pro-democracy protesters. According to the monks, the demonstration was a continuation of the protests in September.

Myanmar's military junta has arrested a dozen activists and Buddhist monks in November, despite assurances that it had halted its crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

In October, the official record was that 500 people were still detained. By the end of November, according to the regime, only 93 people remained in detention. However, U.N. human rights investigator Paulo Sergio Pinheiro who visited Myanmar for five days in November to look into allegations of abuse by the ruling military junta and to determine how many people were killed or detained in September, estimated that there is a larger number of people who continue to be detained.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of the Philippines issued statements to urge for improvement of the situation while attending the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in mid-November.

In response to the violent suppression of the peaceful protesters in Myanmar on 25 September, and to support the local people's struggle against poverty and for democracy under the military regime for more than 40 years, Hotline Asia issued SUA070928(3) to urge the authorities to release all who were arrested in the demonstrations and to stop all further harassment and arbitrary detention.

Source:
International Herald Tribune

Hotline Asia would like to share with you that Myanmar authorities have responded to letters addressed to them. While the answers are of little surprise, their action in itself has shown that they care about Myanmar’s international image, giving the international community a chance to pressurize the junta government. Consulate General of the Union of Myanmar of Hong Kong responded with news clippings of the "New Light of Myanmar", the official newspaper. These articles have borne headlines such as "Demonstrators stone security forces" and "BBC and VOA airing lies". The consulate stated that "after reading these, your cloudy views will be clear." In Pakistan, the Embassy of the Union of Myanmar in Islamabad responded with a press release via fax. The statement dated 3 October emphasized "the government of the Union of Myanmar has rendered its fullest cooperation to the United Nations with regard to the current protests agitated by the destructive elements." It also claimed that "the majority people...hold mass rallies to denounce the instigations of some bogus monks and individuals designed to destroy peace and stability"

According to an exile group that tracks political prisoners in Myanmar, the military authorities have arrested at least 5 people on 9-10 October and a member of the opposition party National League for Democracy (NLD) died under interrogation. Security forces have also become more severe in raiding houses and searching those whom they suspect to have been involved in the protests, said the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

The military government said 10 people were killed and nearly 3,000 were arrested during the demonstrations led by the Buddhist monks, with 700 later released. Five hundred people remain in detention, as per official record. Diplomats and dissidents suspect the death toll to be much higher and estimate up to 6,000 people have been seized, including thousands of monks who led the rallies.

Thirteen other leaders of the “88 Generation Students Group” were also reported to be arrested after the protest and the government said they would be tried under the internal security law that carries prison terms of up to 20 years. Relatives of the protesters said that 5 NLD members have been sentenced to long jail terms by closed courts.

The crackdown has sparked various condemnations. Support actions and protests against the regime from all over the world, including Hong Kong, India, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand etc. were broadcasted in the news and printed media. Online petitions and information about international corporate supporters of the military government in Myanmar have also been widely circulated through e-mails and web sites.

Meanwhile, the Myanmar authorities have also responded to international pressure with apparent moves towards talks with the democracy advocate Aung San Suu Kyi. Both the military government and the opposition National League for Democracy appeared to be taking cautious conciliatory steps, but with condition that she must first renounce her calls for international sanctions against the regime. No further news was reported on this.

Small groups of riot police officers patrolled key road junctions and sites where the most intense protests had erupted, but most soldiers were not visible on the streets, and Yangon outwardly seemed normal. Myanmar's ruling generals have restored public Internet access, more than two weeks after cutting web connections to stem the flow of images of mass protests and a ruthless crackdown that outraged the world. Curfew has been reduced to four hours from six, but arrests of opponents and participants in the protests continued despite international pressure for talks with the opposition.

At the United Nations, a non-binding statement has been issued by the 15-member Security Council, to "strongly deplore" the violent repression of peaceful demonstrations by the Myanmar government using force against religious figures and institutions. The Council urged the regime to cease all repressive measures, including detention of protesters, as well as release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi. The full statement can be found at: http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2007/sc9139.doc.htm

The United Nations envoy Ibrahim Gamari has strongly criticized the military government in Burma over the recent detention of several key leaders of the protests. With an unknown number being arrested and killed during the suppression, he said that reports of the arrests, interrogations and intimidation were extremely disturbing and the international Red Cross must be allowed to see the detainees.

In view of the sudden violent suppression of the peaceful protesters in Myanmar on 25 September, and to support the local people's struggle against poverty and for democracy under the military regime for more than 40 years, Hotline Asia issued SUA070928(3) to urge the authorities to release all who were arrested in the demonstrations and to stop all further harassment and arbitrary detention. Hotline Asia is very much concerned about the safety of all the detained protesters who are at risk of torture and mistreatment. It is also important to remind the government of Myanmar that the international community is monitoring them and how they respect the freedom of expression and assembly of its people, as well as their right to security of a person, in accordance with their international obligations.

Sources:
International Herald Tribune
South China Morning Post