MONTREAL – Sept. 28, 2006 – Rights & Democracy strongly condemns the detention of Burmese democracy activists Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and Htay Kywe, who were taken from their homes in Rangoon yesterday by state police in advance of celebrations marking the founding of Burma’s National League for Democracy in 1988. Rights & Democracy calls for their immediate and unconditional release, and that of all political prisoners in Burma.

 

The three former student leaders had only recently been freed after serving nearly 16 years in prison for their involvement in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising against Burma’s ruling military regime. According to news reports, members of the regime’s Special Branch police sought the three men for “discussions.” However, they remain in custody and their families have expressed concern for their safety.

 

In 1999, Rights & Democracy named Min Ko Naing and Dr. Cynthia Maung of Burma co-laureates of its annual John Humphrey Freedom Award for their outstanding contribution to human rights. At the time, Min Ko Naing was 10 years into a 20-year prison sentence for his prominent role in the 1988 uprising. He was released in November, 2004.

 

“These intimidation tactics and the ongoing repression of Burma’s courageous pro-democracy movement highlight the need for swift international action on the human rights crisis in Burma,” said Jean-Louis Roy, President of Rights & Democracy. “How many more must Burma’s military arbitrarily arrest before we decide enough is enough?”

 

On Sept. 15, the United Nations Security Council voted 10-4 with one abstention in favour of a motion that deemed Burma a threat to international peace and stability and called for Burma’s inclusion on the Security Council’s formal agenda. The motion, led by the United States, followed a report authored by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Vaclav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic, calling for Security Council action on the human rights situation in Burma. Rights & Democracy, whose involvement with Burma’s struggling democracy movement dates to 1990, contributed to the international campaign in support of the report with letters to Kofi Annan, the United Nations Secretary-General, and Stephen Harper, Canada’s Prime Minister.