Eleven student activists were arrested last week for distributing leaflets in Rangoon urging an election boycott, according to a leading student group.
Five of the arrested students were later released but the remaining six are still in custody, said spokesman Zarni of the underground All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) on Wednesday.
The ABFSU named the six as technology students Tha Htoo Aung and Zarni Lin; Zin Min Htet, an extra-mural student; Kyaw Thiha and Kyaw Thu Soe, who are studying geography; and economics student Ye Lin Phyo.They were arrested for distributing the leaflets on the Dagon University campus.
Zarni said the leaflets reminded citizens of their right not to vote and containing the messages: “If you vote the USDP [the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party], monks and people will be killed again” and “the 2008 constitution and elections guarantee that military rule will be prolonged.”
Zarni told The Irrawaddy the authorities had acted illegally by arresting the students because the election law allowed citizens to refrain from voting.
State media reported in August, however, that anyone who “disrupts” the election could face a punishment of up to 20 years imprisonment under the State Emergency Act 3.
Dagon University’s rector, U San, declined to comment on the arrests when The Irrawaddy contacted him on Wednesday. “I don’t have information about it,” he said.
A junior official at the university, however, confirmed the arrests.
Dissident sources inside Burma said stickers and leaflets are appearing in Rangoon and Mandalay urging an election boycott. The campaign is reportedly organized by the ABFSU, the 88 Generation Students group and Generation Wave.
According to a Burmese human rights group in Thailand, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP), 282 student activists are currently in custody in Burma.
Among them is ABFSU leader Kyaw Ko Ko, who is serving an eight year sentence in Taunggyi Prison imposed in March 2008 because of his involvement in the September 2008 demonstrations.
Source:http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19581
Five of the arrested students were later released but the remaining six are still in custody, said spokesman Zarni of the underground All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) on Wednesday.
The ABFSU named the six as technology students Tha Htoo Aung and Zarni Lin; Zin Min Htet, an extra-mural student; Kyaw Thiha and Kyaw Thu Soe, who are studying geography; and economics student Ye Lin Phyo.They were arrested for distributing the leaflets on the Dagon University campus.
Zarni said the leaflets reminded citizens of their right not to vote and containing the messages: “If you vote the USDP [the junta-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party], monks and people will be killed again” and “the 2008 constitution and elections guarantee that military rule will be prolonged.”
Zarni told The Irrawaddy the authorities had acted illegally by arresting the students because the election law allowed citizens to refrain from voting.
State media reported in August, however, that anyone who “disrupts” the election could face a punishment of up to 20 years imprisonment under the State Emergency Act 3.
Dagon University’s rector, U San, declined to comment on the arrests when The Irrawaddy contacted him on Wednesday. “I don’t have information about it,” he said.
A junior official at the university, however, confirmed the arrests.
Dissident sources inside Burma said stickers and leaflets are appearing in Rangoon and Mandalay urging an election boycott. The campaign is reportedly organized by the ABFSU, the 88 Generation Students group and Generation Wave.
According to a Burmese human rights group in Thailand, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP), 282 student activists are currently in custody in Burma.
Among them is ABFSU leader Kyaw Ko Ko, who is serving an eight year sentence in Taunggyi Prison imposed in March 2008 because of his involvement in the September 2008 demonstrations.
Source:http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=19581
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