Burma's military regime have arrested at least 13 activists, including leaders of a pro-democracy group that staged a rare protest against massive fuel price hikes.
The state-run New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported today that the activists were detained for attempting to undermine the "stability and security of the nation." The detained could face up to 20 years in prison, the paper reported.
A Washington-based activist group, the US Campaign for Burma, said in a release that virtually the entire leadership of the 88 Generation Students was taken to a detention center in Yangon.
Five university students and three members of another activist group also were arrested in separate sweeps by the authorities, the release said.
Members of the 88 Generation Students were at the forefront of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising and were given lengthy prison terms after the rebellion was brutally suppressed by the military.
Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been widely criticized for its human rights violations including the continued house arrest of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. The country has been under military control since 1962.
The arrests at midnight last night came two days after the group led more than 400 people in a protest march through Yangon against the doubling of fuel prices on Aug. 15.
Those reportedly arrested included Min Ko Naing, one of Myanmar's most prominent activists, Mya Aye, Pyone Cho and Yin Htun.
"Their agitation to cause civil unrest was aimed at undermining peace and security of the State and disrupting the ongoing National Convention," the newspaper said, noting this amounted to violating a 1996 law that mandates prison terms of up to 20 years.
The National Convention is drafting a constitution in a so-called roadmap to restore democracy in Myanmar. Critics call the process a sham.
Three members of the Myanmar Development Committee, which had called for a nationwide protest against the sudden hikes, also were arrested along with five university students who were putting up posters demanding the reduction of prices on fuel and basic commodities.
The arrests drew immediate fire from human rights groups.
"The regime has been trying to persuade the international community that it has a roadmap to democracy and will reform, but this exposes the raw truth, the regime will tolerate no dissent, not even peaceful protest," said the London-based Burma Campaign UK.
AP