Burmese Regime Increases Pressure on Democracy Activists

The United States condemns the regime’s decision to press criminal charges against ten Burmese pro-democracy activists, including Generation 88 leaders Min Ko Naing and Ko Ko Gyi, for the peaceful expression of their political beliefs. If the regime were serious about engaging in a peaceful transition to democracy, it would stop arresting and prosecuting Burma’s democratic leaders, and instead engage them in a genuine dialogue. The regime’s decision to charge the ten activists for crimes that carry lengthy prison sentences is further evidence that the regime is rejecting all efforts to promote dialogue and national reconciliation, thus not fulfilling the expectations of the UN Security Council as expressed in the October 11 UN Security Council Presidential Statement.

The United States calls on Than Shwe and his regime to release all political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, to cease the arrests and prosecution of democracy and human rights activists, and to begin a meaningful and time-bound dialogue with Burma’s democratic and ethnic minority representatives on a transition to a civilian, democratic government.