Burma’s prominent pro-democracy activists were threatened with "punitive punishment" if they continue political activities, an article in a state-run newspaper reported Monday. The leaders of the 88 Generation Students “will get punitive punishment imposed by the people soon…[which] may be much more severe than legal action,” according to an article titled “To national traitors under the name of students” written by Ko Ke in The New Light of Myanmar.
Pro-democracy Activists Threatened in State Press
By Htet Aung, The Irrawaddy, June 11, 2007
Burma’s prominent pro-democracy activists were threatened with "punitive punishment" if they continue political activities, an article in a state-run newspaper reported Monday. The leaders of the 88 Generation Students “will get punitive punishment imposed by the people soon…[which] may be much more severe than legal action,” according to an article titled “To national traitors under the name of students” written by Ko Ke in The New Light of Myanmar.
The article accused the former student leaders of “making a lot of exaggerations and lies. "They may meet their end,” the article said. Stories in the press frequently verbally attack the activists, but the attack this time is considered to be more severe. The 88 Generation Students, led by Min Ko Naing, has recently undertaken several peaceful public campaigns to encourage people to express their views about life in Burma. A campaign is underway to create a petition with more than 500,000 signatures.
“This article has proven that Burma is a lawless country,” said Bo Kyi, a joint secretary of the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) in response to the newest threat to the pro-democracy student leaders. “The military regime itself is breaking the law in the country,” he said. The group of 88 Generation Students declined to comment on the article.
In a letter sent to the embassies of China and Russia earlier this month, the 88 Generation Students said Burma is now witnessing the junta’s “increased attacks, arbitrary arrests and unfair imprisonment of peaceful democracy activists more brutal and more severe than before.” The attacks on pro-democracy groups increased after China and Russia vetoed a proposal to place Burma on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council.
There have been brutal attacks on pro-democracy activists in the past, such as the Depayin massacre in which Burma’s democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and her motorcade were attacked and scores of her supporters were killed or injured.
Burmese regime-backed members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association and the Swan Arr Shin paramilitary groups who called themselves "dutiful citizens" staged confrontations with pro-democracy activists who prayed at Rangoon pagodas last month for the release of Suu Kyi.
National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma
http://www.ncgub.net/article.php/2007061210474672