The Update List on Latest Arrests of Political Prisoners in Burma

INFORMATION FROM NCGUB
1 September 2005, Thursday

Burma's military regime has been cracking down upon the National League for Democracy and the ethnic parties and groups who raised the Democracy Question in Burma. People are disappointed that the junta has not yet created the necessary conditions for genuine political reforms. These conditions include lifting the house arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, reopening all the offices of the NLD, declaring a nationwide ceased-fire and releasing all political prisoners.

Burma's Democracy Icon Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been denied her liberty for almost two-thirds of the last 16 years. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and all political prisoners detained solely on the basis of their peaceful political activities. Those political dissidents must be released immediately and unconditionally.

The worst is that last February the military regime arrested 10 Shan leaders who attended a meeting in Taunggyi, the capital of the Southern Shan State, including Khun Htun Oo (Chairman of Shan Nationalities League for Democracy), Sao Hso Ten (Chairman of the Shan State Peace Council), 82-year-old Shan veteran politician U Shwe Ohn and U Kyaw Win (Inntha National Organization -INO).

Moreover, in last February and March 2005, the junta has arrested at least five opposition Members of Parliament elected in the 1990 elections. There are 13 Members of Parliament in the junta's notorious prisons. According to media records, there are scores of fresh arrests in last two months.

We believe that while the civil war is at large, human rights violations are increasing and over 1400 political prisoners are languishing in the junta's notorious prisons, the national convention which will resume in coming December cannot produce a valid constitution representing the people's desire.

To spotlight the current Burma's gloomy political atmosphere, we would like to share an update document on latest arrests of the political prisoners.

Please click here for the details.