Democracy News

Burma Junta Imprisons More Democracy Advocates
By Lauren Crook
November 21, 2008 | Printer Friendly

CNN reports that Burma’s military junta continues to crackdown on the country’s vocal underground pro-democracy movements, with “at least 70 activists receiving prison sentences within the last 2 weeks.” Jail terms imposed range from 2 ½ to 65 years depending on the severity of the offenses. Observers note that the length of the prison sentences seem to indicate they are aimed at keeping political dissidents from participating in the 2010 elections, in which the military is expected to unfairly dominate in line with the promulgation of a new constitution.

Those recently sentenced included 23 members of the 88 Generation Students, all sentenced to 65 years; 3 student activists sentenced to 6 ½ years for “causing public alarm” and “insulting religion;” protest organizer Htin Kyaw who was given a 12 ½ year term; popular comedian and activist Zarganar who was sentenced to 45 years; a hip-hop star who received 6 years for being part of a political youth group; and over 20 women and Buddhist monks. The CNN report notes that perhaps admitting a “weakness by the…military rulers,” many of the harsher punishments were doled out to individuals who utilized the internet to convey their pro-democracy, anti-junta message.

Burma has been publicly criticized by international sources for the junta’s cruel and undemocratic use of the military to stifle opposition groups. Their actions have often utilized violent means to contain peaceful, non-violent protestors and demonstrators.

Both the US and the UN have described the trials for the hundreds of democracy advocates arrested as “opaque” and “lacking due process,” writes the International Relations and Security Network. The New York Times notes that after sentencing, most prisoners are “dispatched to the furthest corners” of the nation, making it exceedingly difficult for their friends or relatives to deliver food or medicine, increasing the already elevated rate of in-prison deaths.

At least 2000 political prisoners are suffering in Burmese prisons, even after the junta pardoned several groups of prisoners for good behavior over the past few months. The political prisoners include head of the National League for Democracy and Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi.

References:

New York Times: Myanmar Junta Jails Comedian for 45 Years

CNN: Myanmar courts sentence student activists

Associated Press: Myanmar courts imprison more democracy advocates

International Relations and Security Network: A long week in Burma