Political prisoners abound in Burma

The Nation ( BKK ), Published on Sep 19, 2001
By Ko Zarny (MAE SOT)

Regarding the news article "Restrained NLD Anniversary" in your September 17 issue, the reader will think that the Burmese junta is not too bad on the opposition after reading the current Burma related news.

Most are saying that the junta has released over 100 political prisoners after they started talks with Aung San Suu Kyi. Actually, most were released from military camps, so called government "guest houses". (They were arrested with Aung San Suu Kyi in the railway station in September of last year and detained for months.) Some were released from prison as their prison periods were completed. Very few were released before their prison periods were completed.

The junta seems to be very soft on the opposition as ILO and UN special representatives have been visiting Burma lately. However, only a small number of political prisoners have been released. There are some 1,800 activists in Burmese prisons according to Amnesty International.

You also mentioned that, "the only senior NLD member now in detention is Suu Kyi". That's totally wrong. How about Win Tin, secretary of the NLD and a prominent journalist? He was sentenced to three years imprisonment in 1989. He was given another 11 years when he was about to be released. In 1996, he was given another seven years for reporting to the UN. Moreover, there are many prominent activists in prison now. About four dozen activists are still detained although they have completed their prison periods. Please, keep your eye on the whole area and don't dance according to the song of the junta.

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