By Ariel Lin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
YANGON, Myanmar – A special court set up by the Junta government in Myanmar handed out jail terms of up to nine-and-a-half years to 11 more activists, mainly from the opposition NLD party, according to the Associated Press. Earlier this week, five monks were jailed for six-and-a-half years and at least 14 student activists were given 65-year jail sentences for participating in anti-junta protests last year. The sentence of 11 activists brings the total number sentenced this week to more than 60.
It is unclear why the authorities have acted against the opposition now. However, human rights groups say the government is intensifying efforts to curb dissent ahead of elections in 2010. “Now they won’t be able to participate in the election,” said Soe Aung, the spokesman for the National Council for the Union of Burma, a Thailand-based umbrella organization for exile groups. “The generals are trying to put the final nail in the coffin to keep themselves in power forever.”
Myanmar authorities also have split up pro-democracy activists who were given long jail terms this week and transferred them to different prisons around the country, relatives of sentenced activities said. The sister of prominent activist Htay Kywe said she met her brother on Saturday at notorious Insein prison in Yangon, but when she returned on Sunday he had been transferred to a jail about 700 miles from Yangon. “He is very thin and not in good health. I did not think they could be transferred very quickly like this, I am really sorry for this,” she cried. Then, she added: “If we can appeal for him, I will do. He said they have just tried for peace and national reconciliation.”
Nyan Win, the spokesman for the National League for Democracy (NLD) party confirmed the transfers. He told AFP that “It’s like increasing the sentencing. Not only family members but also the person himself or herself is in difficulty.” He said that party lawyers Aung Thein and Khin Maung Shein had also been transferred.
For more information, please see:
AFP – Myanmar activists moved to separate prisons: relatives – 16 November 2008
AP – Myanmar activists moved to separate prisons: relatives – 16 November 2008
AP – Myanmar courts imprison more democracy activists – 17 November 2008
BBC – Burma court jails more protesters – 14 November 2008
Impunity Watch – Myanmar Sentenced 14 Democracy Advocates to Jail for 65 Years – 12 November 2008
