Date: 1 December 2004

The ruling Burmese military regime recently announced that it abolished the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and that it would suspend prison terms of convicts and release them after reviewing the irregularities of the NIB’s procedures. The international community has praised the regime for this announced action.
In fact, arrest of prisoners of conscience under successive military regimes came about under the orders and instructions of the NIB. The so-called Police Department, the Special Branch (SB), the Bureau of Special Investigation (BSI) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), all included in the NIB, performed their duties according to instructions which came from the Military Intelligence Service (MIS). In addition, arrest, interrogation, trial and imprisonment of political activists, as well as transfer of political prisoners, truncation of their legal prison remission, and extension of their detention beyond their due release were all actions conducted only by the instructions of the MIS.
The military regime’s recent announcement to release more than 9000 prisoners is merely a disingenuous message which is intended to convince the international community that the regime has released political prisoners. Yet, the figure is a hastily compiled list of prison inmates who were about to finish their respective terms – criminals who were due for release within a few days or weeks.
In reality, the military regime is brashly and audaciously engaging in improper actions such as presenting bogus information to the international community that the renowned journalist U Win Tin has been on the list for release. At the same time, the regime has extended the prison term of MP-elect Dr. Than Nyein and transferred him to a remote prison. The military authorities have also extended the house arrest of the Noble Peace Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by charging her under the Article 10 (B) of the broadly worded 'State Protection Law’. Moreover, the authorities have yet to make an official investigation into the Depayin Massacre.
Therefore, we at the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) strongly condemn the military regime for its inappropriate actions such as not complying with its promises, continuing to issue inappropriate orders and decrees, and failing to apply the law equally to all citizens. At the same time, we intensely urge the international community as well as the people of Burma to raise objection and complaint against the relentless deceitfulness of the Burmese military regime.

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
For more information:
Tate Naing (+66)1 287 8751
Bo Kyi (+66)1 324 8935