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Situation worsening for detained activists |
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Mizzima News
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Wednesday, 03 January 2007 00:00 |
The Burmese military junta's dilatory tactics has worsened the situation of detained political activists in Burma's notorious Insein prison. The junta is delaying the legal procedure to charge and put them on trial, family members and activists said.
Family members said prominent student leaders Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and Htay Kywe have been detained for over four months, 130 days, without being charged and put on trail. They alleged that the Burmese authorities are violating international laws, which allows only 90 days detention before someone is charged and tried.
Generation Wave, a young Burmese activists group formed after the September protests, however, told Mizzima several other activists have been charged under various articles including article 505 (a) & (b), which is inciting public riots and engaging in disrespectful action against the government.
The group however, said on December 26 Burmese lawyers and judges held a secret meeting where they agreed not to proceed with a formal trial but to sentence them without proper trial.
While the information could not be independently verified, several activists have had their trials deferred without any formal reason.
Meanwhile, 88 generation students have said they will not accept any charges or sentences without proper trial which should be conducted openly.
"They [the three 88 generation student leaders] want their trial to be conducted openly in the public otherwise they will not accept or agree with the charges," a family member of the 88 students, who requested anonymity, told Mizzima.
The Generation Wave said family members of the 88 students are ready to sue the authorities for detaining them for more than four months without trail.
However, when Mizzima contacted, family members of prominent students declined to comment.
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Inside Burma 
