Ethnic parties call for release of activists in Burma

Irrawaddy - Violet Cho
Sun 26 Aug 2007

A statement issued on Saturday from representatives of 12 ethnic opposition parties in Burma called for the immediate release of human rights activists and protesters arrested after demonstrations against a sharp spike in fuel and commodity prices in the country.

The statement was released by the Shan National League for Democracy and 11 other ethnic parties representing Arakan, Chin, Kachin, Karen, Karenni and Mon states, and the Zomi National Congress.

“We want the SPDC [State Peace and Development Council] to release the leading human rights activist Min Ko Naing and his fellow 88 Generation Students group leaders, as well as those who have been dragged from their homes for participating in a peaceful protest,” Fu Cin Sian Thang, the chairman of the ZNC, told The Irrawaddy on Sunday.

He added: “The ongoing arrests and crackdown on pro-democracy supporters will not solve the political conflict in Burma. We strongly urge the Burmese regime to start calling for a ‘tripartite dialogue’ with the National League for Democracy and different ethnic parties in the country.”

Since protests over the rise in fuel and commodity prices began on August 19, Burmese authorities have arrested and detained at least 63 people. Thirteen of those—arrested prior to the demonstrations—were leading members of the pro-democracy opposition 88 Generation Students group.

The former student leaders, which include Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi, were arrested and interrogated for allegedly undermining stability and security in the country and for disrupting the National Convention by “committing terrorist acts,” according to Burma’s state-run newspaper The New Light of Myanmar.

The report added that the former student leaders would be dealt with according to existing laws and that each could face up to 20 years in prison.

Meanwhile, the EU on Saturday expressed concern over the recent arrests and condemned Burma’s military government for detaining individuals for exercising their basic right to peaceful demonstrations.

Popular protests in the last week, many of which have been initiated by the 88 Generation Students Group, are widely supported by the people of Burma, according to prominent Burmese human rights activist Su Su Nway.

“Because of political and economic pressure, we understand that people are not able to be directly involved in the protests, but they have provided food and water, and they even applaud and cheer for those who hold the protests,” Su Su Nway told The Irrawaddy on Sunday.

“These kinds of actions highlight the expectation of Burmese people and clearly show that they also do not like the repressive military government,” she added.

Residents not active in the protests have turned in increasing numbers to radio programs broadcast by the BBC Burmese Service, Voice of America and Radio Free Asia to keep track of details about the protests.

Outside the country, members of exile political parties and social activists in South Korea and Thailand organized protests outside Burmese embassies in Seoul and Bangkok on Sunday.

“We believe the massive increase in commodity and fuel prices has sent the Burmese population further into poverty, so we are urging the regime to lower the prices,” said Zaw Moe Aung, a committee member of the National League for Democracy-Liberated Area (South Korea), which helped organize the South Korea protest.