By Ariel Lin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

YANGON, Myanmar – A prison court in the central Myanmar City of Thayet sentenced 10 men to jail.  Four of them are the members of the ‘National League for Democracy’ (NLD) from Yenanchaung, Chauk and Magwe of Magwe Division and seven people from Pakokku.  They were arrested in connection with last year’s uprising, and sentenced to various prison terms ranging from two to nine years by Judge Daw Soe Soe Khet this week.  Charges brought against them included inciting public disturbances, discrediting the government, and participating in public demonstrations, several of the men’s wives said.

Tun Tun Nyein, NLD Youth Wing member from Chauk in Magway Division, was given 2-1/2 years for taking part in a demonstration.  “I felt it is unfair as he is innocent. He was just following protesting monks while they were marching in procession. He is my eldest son. I feel extremely sorry to hear the sentence. Please don’t neglect and ignore my son,” mother of Tun Tun Nyein said.

Ko Htay Win, NLD member from Natmauk, in Magway Division, was given two years for taking part in a demonstration.  “Day by day, we have come to realize more and more that we will suffer when we become involved in politics,” Myint Oo’s wife, Sanda Win, said.  Her husband, she said, “has suffered for the past year, and now, after a year, they have sentenced him. I don’t know how difficult or complicated it must have been to question and interrogate him, for it took a year to come up with an answer. We had expected this right from the beginning.”

Amnesty International also reports that police in Myanmar have arrested an anti-government activist after she spent a year in hiding, and says she now faces the risk of torture.  Authorities detained Nilar Thein, known for her role in anti-government protests in 1988 and 2007, while she visited the mother of a jailed associate in Rangoon, according to Amnesty International.  Another activist, Tun Myint Aung, voiced concern and called for her release.

For more information, please see:

Democratic Voice of Burma – Eight sentenced for political activities and media contact – 12 September 2008

Radio Free Asia – Burmese Court Sentences 10 – 12 September 2008

Radio Free Asia – Burmese Activist Arrested – 16 September 2008

Mizzima – Magwe Division activists sentenced to long prison terms – 12 September 2008