Från Burma-utredaren på Internationella Sekretariatet 2008-05-02
MYANMAR
It's been reported that over 70 activists have been arrested during the three-day period between 26 - 28 April after trying to stage demonstrations in the context of the upcoming constitutional referendum. Sporadic street protests erupted in several cities in Myanmar last weekend. More than 50 demonstrators, led by some 20 monks, tried to make their way to the country's famous Shwegadon Pagoda in Yangon on Saturday 26 April. Police prevented them from entering the temple and quickly herded them away. There was another small protest at the city's Tamwe Bazaar. More than a hundred protesters also took to the streets in Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine state in western Myanmar. There were also unconfirmed reports of small demonstrations in several other cities over the weekend. The authorities have stepped up controls over the population ahead of the referendum, with monks kept under suveillance while security has increased in Yangon reportedly to prevent further bomb attacks following the two bomb blasts in the city on 21 April, which the government has blamed on an armed exiled student group.
Efforts to pass a Security Council Presidential Statement (PRST) on Myanmar have stalled as China is refusing to consider any PRST until after the 10 May constitutional referendum. It's reported that the United States circulated on 23 April a tougher second draft statement to the Security Council scolding Myanmar for ignoring UN demands to free prisoners and deal fairly with the opposition. Washington was hoping the Security Council would unanimously agree to issue the non-binding statement without further delay so that the SPDC can reflect on its message before the referendum.
On 29 April, the European Union called for an international arms embargo on the SPDC. This follows the UK government's earlier statement that it would support a call for a UN arms embargo (they have however not led the way on this). The European Union also extended its sanctions targeting the SPDC for 12 months and warned of tougher sanctions if the generals fail to improve human rights. The current range of sanctions cover travel, investment and trade.
During the Myanmar PM's official three-day visit (29 April - 1 May) to Thailand, the Thai PM Samak Sundaravej said the SPDC would not release Aung San Suu Kyi and that "they're keeping her on the shelf." Samak added that other countries may not agree with the idea of "shelving Mrs Suu Kyi" but he would have no problems with it. "This is the way of a 50 per cent democracy," he said.
Together with colleagues in the International Legal Organisations department, the team prepared a submission to the UN WGAD ahead of their session next week when they'd consider a recent SPDC's reply concerning the cases of three high-profile activists detained in the crackdown last year. The team addressed the SPDC's claims about the three activists Htay Kywe, Mie Mie and Aung Thu and provided information on their latest situation.
Several detained activists belonging to the 1988 Generation Students Group are said to be held
incommunicado amid mounting concerns about the lack of healthcare provided to ailing prisoners.
Additionally, they are confined to their cells and haven't been allowed to take any exercise for several
weeks, which further compounds their health problems.
Bo Lindblom, Byv. 32, SE-31295 Laholm
, 0430-223 64