Myanmar: Still locking up political prisoners

Jonathan Rozen

Despite reforms, lifting of sanctions and 'opening', political activists in Myanmar continue to face arrests.

Following a student demonstration in 1998, Khin Cho Myint was arrested after being given up by one of her colleagues. She was interrogated, sitting on a stool, in Insein prison for 48 hours before being sent to solitary confinement for one week.

Four months later she was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

"During 1997 and 1998 my role in All Burma Federation of Student Union [ABFSU] was to keep active communication between key members in Myanmar and key members who had fled to Thailand," Myint told to Al Jazeera.

"I was charged with section 5/j, of the Emergency Provision Act and section 17/1 of the Unlawful Association Act."

As Myanmar opens to the world, political prisoners remain a major human rights issue in the country. Despite Myanmar President Thien Sien's promise to release all political prisoners by the end of 2013, the number of those behind bars has again climbed and activist groups are expressing growing concern.

"Not only did he fail to keep this promise, since then scores of peaceful activists, human rights defenders and journalists have been arrested or imprisoned in connection with their peaceful activities," Laura Haigh, Myanmar researcher-campaigner for Amnesty International, told Al Jazeera.

Read more: http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2015/06/myanmar-locking-political-prisoners-150624122256188.html

It is important for the entire world to acknowledge that very, very little has changed in Burma. A bit of window dressing, and little more money for the people, and a minor liberalization of the media. But, Than Shwe, and his top 60 or 70 generals still control nearly everything, and are earning billions off the drug trade and gem sales. They still control the country with an iron fist. About the only thing that has changed, was Washington's willingness to relax the embargo, so China could import mining equipment for less money. It is mostly a case of the US bowing down to Chinese pressure.

Uninspiring journalism:

Thailand Myanmar: Still locking up political prisoners