ENGLISH DEYEA NEWS

by Phanida | Chiang Mai – Protests from the international community notwithstanding the Burmese military junta turns a deaf ear and continues to hand out long prison terms to pro-democracy activists with at least 15 more being sentenced to prison terms of up to 11 years today.

The 'National League for Democracy' (NLD) party members from Hlaing Tharyar Township, who had staged protests against rising fuel prices were sentenced to seven and-a-half years in prison each by the court. The hearing was in-camera, inside the Insein prison. Those sentenced are U Tin Yuu, Ko Than Naing, Ko Soe Min Min, Ma Hla Hla Maw, Ko Thant Zin Myo, Ko Kyaw Soe Win, Ko Sann Win, U Win Myint, Ko Aung Min Naing, Ko Myo Kyaw Zin and Ko Yan Naing Tun (Kemmendine). They were charged with four cases including 'inducing crime against public tranquility'.

Moreover 88 Generation Students from Kamayut Township, Ko Myo Yannaung Thein and Ko Min Min Soe, who were arrested on 14 December, last year, were sentenced today to two years in jail each for 'inducing crime against public tranquility'. Poet Min Han who was arrested on January 3 this year, was given a 11 year prison term by the court in session inside the Insein prison on four counts including 'inducing crime against public tranquility'.

An 88 Generation Student close to Ko Min Han said, " Ko Min Han is a staunch supporter of the 88 Generation Students group and ABFSU student union formed in 2007. He is also the leader of the Poets' Union and private businessmen".

Similarly the 'All Burma Federation of Students Union' (ABFSU) member Ma Hanny Oo (21), who led the protest staged in front of Yuzana plaza in September 2007 was sentenced to nine and-a-half years in prison by Tamwe Township court. She is a final year student of 'Law'.

"My daughter suffered much. I don't care about her punishment as her fellow student leaders were given 65-year prison terms. There would not be much difference in submitting an appeal so I won't submit an appeal for her," her father U Tun Oo said.

Her defence lawyer U Aung Thein was charged under section 3 of 'Contempt of Court Act' and sentenced to four months in jail in absentia on November 7. After five days, his client Ma Hanny Oo was given a prison term too.

According to Thai based 'Association for Assisting Political Prisoners' (AAPP), a total of 53 activists of the NLD 88 Gen Students and political activists have been given prison terms between November 5 and 11.

NLD spokesman U Nyan Win commenting on the long prison terms said "I see it as political repression. They are determined to go ahead with their one-sided constitution which has no popular support. They are heading for fresh elections in this current political situation. So they are putting more pressure on all political activists including the people and handing out harsh prison terms".