Statement
Date: May 12, 2007

17 activists were detained in the first week of May 2007. Some of them were arrested because they held a demonstration asking the regime to provide the people with access to 24 hours of electricity and to lower commodity prices. One former political prisoner sat a solo demonstration asking for the regime to transfer the power to the winning party. Some of them were detained because they attended a workshop about worker rights.

Even though the military regime in Burma claims internationally and domestically that they are building the country with disciplinary democracy, they never abide the rule of law of the country and good governance. Moreover, the regime itself commits crimes and breaks the rule of law. The fact that the above mentioned were arrested proves the regime's real attitude.

Last month, the regime's thuggish group fiercely attacked human rights activists in front of people at Irrawaddy division. Even though those who were attacked by this thuggish group could reveal the name of their attackers, no one has taken action but those who were attacked were placed in prison. Such kinds of events prove that it is the state's policy to first try to kill the activists by what appears to be a mob attack, but when that is not a success, the regime sued the activists.

Moreover, the regime arrested two activists because they were accused of failing to report to the local authorities that they were sleeping in other's homes or apartments. They were given 7 days imprisonment and they were sent to a labor camp. The worst cases are of detained activists who are denied meeting with their families and are often even denied medical treatment.

The Depaying massacre, in which Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and her members were attacked on May 30, 2003, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and U Tin Oo's house arrest, and the ongoing attacks against human rights activists are well documented evidence about the state's policy to kill and to arrest activists.

It is clear that the regime's practices in Burma absolutely contradict any international human rights standards and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Therefore we call on governments around the world to put pressure on the regime to stop such kinds of brutal killing.

Moreover, we the AAPP want the regime in Burma to know that if you still commit human rights violations, you cannot expect for the lifting of sanctions to Burma. To ease sanctions in Burma, you must first stop human rights violations in Burma.

For information:

Contact to : Tate Naing – 66-081-2878751
Bo Kyi- 66-081-3248935