13 Opposition Members Arrested

December 8 (Irrawaddy) - Thirteen members of Burma’s main opposition National League for Democracy, or NLD, were arrested by local police officers on Monday, a senior NLD member said today.

The NLD members in Bogalay, Irrawaddy Division, were arrested for organizing a ceremony to mark the 84th anniversary of National Day in their home town, according to NLD spokesperson U Lwin. He said they were all being held in Phyapon Prison.

The 10th waning day of the Burmese month of Tazaungmone is marked as Burmese National Day. It commemorates a student bycott of Rangoon University that took place in 1920. This year, the day falls on December 6.

“They are likely to be sent to court soon. NLD lawyers went to the township to defend the case,” said U Lwin.

Meanwhile London-based human rights group Amnesty International urged Burma to release all prisoners of conscience immediately and unconditionally and put an end to abuses in the administration of justice.

The Burmese government released 9,248 inmates from jail last month. That number included about 40 political prisoners.

Amnesty International this year said more than 1,350 political prisoners are detained in Burmese prisons. Burma has never admitted to holding political prisoners.

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