Burma frees 91 detainees, makes new arrests

DVB ( July 22,2003 )

It has been learned that just as the SPDC (State Peace and Development Council) has released some detainees on one side, it has continued to arrest more prisoners on the other. Military Intelligence personnel and local police force members raided Thwe Say Kan and Popa Yone monasteries in Rangoon and detained some Mon monks alleging that Mon monks have been engaging in political activities.
According to a news report from Independent Mon News Agency, authorities arrested three members of Mon National Democratic Front in recent days. The SPDC Military Intelligence personnel also raided New Mon State Party member Nai Yet Kha's house in Moulmein and seized all the documents. Furthermore, regional authorities have been keeping a close watch on the activities of the Mon students.

Similarly, two NLD (National League for Democracy) members have been arrested in Kawthaung, Tenasserim Division, under Section 5-j (of the Emergency Provisions Act) by the SPDC. Those arrested were NLD members U Than Tun and U Kyaw Kyaw alias Ko Than Gyaung. They were arrested on 3 July for distributing the People's Desire leaflets and accused of engaging in activities creating mistrust in the government.

According to the latest news report from AFP, the SPDC has released 91 people detained following the 30 May Tabayin incident. The SPDC Foreign Ministry press release said the majority of those released were NLD members and they were sent back to their homes. However, the SPDC failed to mention how many were arrested in the Tabayin incident, how many are still being detained, and no indication is given on when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi will be released.

Although the SPDC has been releasing those detained following the 30 May Tabayin incident, DVB has learned that they had to sign an undertaking, that they would not say anything to anybody, prior to their release.

( BBC monitoring service )