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On Sept. 26, the whole world witnessed the brutal, repressive and undemocratic nature of the Burmese military regime – which calls itself the State Peace and Development Council – as the army opened fire into the protesting crowds. Despite the worldwide attention created by the Saffron Revolution, the protesters’ demands are still far from being met. Rather, political oppression in the country seems worse than ever.
In preparation for the Saffron anniversary the SPDC has intensified its hunt for all pro-democratic forces in the country. In August at least 39 activists were arrested, and this month appears to be just as bad. In the first 10 days of September at least 18 National League for Democracy members in Magwe Division were arrested, along with three monks, four youths and one journalist in Rangoon.
Two of the youths, Kyaw Oo and Saw Maung, are members of Generation Wave, an activist group that emerged from the September movement. On the Generation Wave website, www.generationwave.co.cc, the group calls for the release of all its detained members.
On Sept. 10, Nilar Thein, a prominent leader of the ’88 Generation Students group who has been in hiding from the authorities since August 2007, was arrested. Several groups, including Amnesty International and the Women’s League of Burma, have raised their concern over her wellbeing, knowing the risks of torture and ill-treatment. Nilar’s husband, Kyaw Min Yu, another prominent leader of the ’88 Generation Students, has been imprisoned since last August.
As the Saffron anniversary approached, security tightened in the cities and towns where protests took place last September. Suspicious eyes of security forces, including members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association, are everywhere monitoring people’s movements. Citizens are stopped and searched even on buses. Monks and monasteries are also kept under firm surveillance.
According to the Assistant Association for Political Prisoners, the Malayone Monastery, located in Rangoon's Thanlin Township, was raided early on the morning of Sept. 5 – the one-year anniversary of the beating of monks in Pakokku, an incident that sparked the monks to take to the streets in the Saffron Revolution.
To further control the situation during the anniversary, the SPDC also appears to be trying to block the information flow in and out of the country. Last week several exile Burmese media websites, including The Irrawaddy, the Democratic Voice of Burma and New Era, came under cyber attacks. As Aung Zaw from the Irrawaddy puts it, “I am not alone in believing that the junta is behind the attack, just as it was behind the shutdown of Internet access in Burma during last year's uprising.” The Internet connection inside Burma has also been running slow, most likely for the same reason.
Meanwhile, court hearings have begun for the group of activists who initiated last year’s demonstrations by silently marching in protest against the hike in fuel prices on Aug. 19. The group consists of 35 leaders from the ’88 Generation Students and affiliated activists detained in Insein Prison. The hearings started on Aug. 28 and have continued every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
The detainees are on trial for between six and nine charges, including “crimes” such as contact with illegal organizations, illegal printing, illegal use of electronic devices, and criticizing the national convention. The ’88 Generation Students are also accused of committing depredation of foreign governments at peace with Burma, a charge which relates to their open criticism of China and Russia for using their veto power against the Burma resolution in the U.N. Security Council.
Despite almost one year of detention in the notorious Insein Prison, the activists seem to be strong and unbound. They have made three demands: that they not be handcuffed when taken to the court hearings; that media be allowed in the courtrooms; and that the hearings be open to the public.
So far the demands have not been met, and only family members and lawyers can be present for the hearings. One outspoken lawyer representing the detainees was recently barred from entering the hearing room.
The hearings are scheduled earlier but usually begin late in the afternoon. Public prosecutors and government attorneys are provided with luxury facilities including transport, while the detainees’ lawyers have to stand and wait outside until the hearings begin. According to reports, more than 100 witnesses will be brought to testify at these hearings, which may go on for many months.
Also the prominent monk U Gambira has been taken to Ah-lon Township Court. He demanded a trial in accordance with religious rules in which he would be allowed to wear his robe and stand trial before monk judges before being taken to a laymen’s court. His demands have not yet been met.
Several other detainees have already received long prison sentences for taking part in last year’s protests. Recently a prison court in Thayet in central Burma sentenced 11 men, including NLD members, to two to nine years in jail. Charges included inciting public disturbances, discrediting the government and participating in public demonstrations.
Since the Saffron Revolution the number of political prisoners has increased from approximately 1,150 to more than 2,100. There are strong reasons to be concerned about their physical and mental wellbeing, as there have been reports of severe torture. Many detainees have been tortured several times in rounds during interrogations.
The immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners, including of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, should be the first priority for the United Nations and the international community in their efforts to resolve the crisis in Burma.
Despite heavy oppression and surveillance, pro-democracy activists and supporters inside Burma continue to express their discontent with the regime by carrying out small-scale anti-regime activities. Last week people witnessed leaflets being spread over the roads in some public areas in Rangoon.
The activist group Generation Wave has pasted A4 paper posters with General Than Shwe’s picture and the text “Dictator General Than Shwe wanted by the new generation youths for being responsible for the deteriorating economic, social, health, and education conditions in people’s lives.”
The same group carried out a “red paint campaign” last month to commemorate the 20th anniversary of 8888. The 8888 anniversary was also marked by many young people wearing black or red colors on university campuses in Rangoon.
In Sittwe, Arakan State, anti-regime flyers have been spread during the last two months, and monks have attempted several protests which had to be cancelled as authorities found out about the plans. On Sept. 9, security forces stormed Sittwe University as several Arakanese students commemorated the historical monk U Ottama’s contribution to Burma’s independence movement by wearing T-shirts with his image.
Around the globe expatriate Burmese communities and supporters are preparing to commemorate the Saffron anniversary by organizing various events and actions. In Belgium and Bangladesh, activists and supporters have already held demonstrations while a number of activities including protests, vigils and public seminars will be held during this week in many other countries including Indonesia, Thailand, the United States and many European countries.
One year after the Saffron Revolution the movement for democracy in Burma is still strong. It took 27 years for South Africa to end its apartheid regime. The struggle for democracy in Burma has gone on for 20 years now. There must be a light at the end of the tunnel, and the resilience of the people of Burma will pay off.
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(Khin Ohmar is coordinator of the Asia Pacific Peoples' Partnership on Burma, based in Thailand. She can be contacted at appartnership@gmail.com. Her blog may be found at http://apppb.blogspot.com.)
