Ongoing Arrests of Political Activists in Burma

The United States condemns the Burmese regime’s continued arrest of democracy activists and harassment of Buddhist monks. Recent reports of monastery closings by Burma’s ruling generals also are deeply troubling. This repression belies the regime’s claims to cooperate fully with the United Nations, which has repeatedly sought an end to the detention of political activists. These continuing arrests bring into serious question Senior General Than Shwe’s commitment to a genuine dialogue on a transition to democracy in Burma.

The United States reiterates its call for Than Shwe to release Aung San Suu Kyi and countless other detainees and political prisoners as a necessary condition for a genuine dialogue with democratic and ethnic minority groups on a transition to a civilian, democratic government in Burma.