ABSDF Denounces Arrests of 54 Activ

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Media Release 
October 8, 1998

ABSDF Denounces Arrests of 54 Activists by Burmese Military

The All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) denounces the recent
arrests of 54 pro-democracy activists by Burma's ruling military junta.
Those arrested include 23 members of the National League for Democracy
(NLD), three of whom are Members of Parliament (MPs).

The three MPs arrested are U Toe Po from Yephyu Constituency, U Soe Myint
from Minbu Constituency 1 and U Kyaw Min from West Bassein Constituency 2.

The junta announced that the arrests were made in connection with an
international co-ordinated plot to incite anarchy and topple the military
regime. 

The ABSDF believes the arrests are a sign that the junta has no commitment
to implement democratic change or to enter into a substantive dialogue with
the NLD. The ABSDF is also gravely concerned about the military's treatment
of the recently arrested people, and the conditions of political prisoners
in Burma. 

The ABSDF demands that the junta immediately release all political
prisoners, and calls on the international community to exert increased
pressure on the military government.  

Following the NLD's call in May for the People's Parliament to be convened,
the military has engaged in the largest crackdown on the democracy movement
since 1990.

Aung Thu Nyein, General Secretary of the ABSDF said, "Most of the so-called
criminals accused of jeopardising the nation are young students who have
the sympathy and support of the majority of the people. We are all
oppressed people and always try to work together to seek our freedom. We
will always co-ordinate with the oppressed people of Burma as a united
movement until our goals have been achieved.

"The recent demonstrations are a sign of the people's profound unhappiness
with the current political and economic situation, and their desire for
major change. It is the military government itself which is obstructing
peace and development, and continued arrests and repression by the military
junta will only exacerbate the problems."

The military authorities are still holding nearly 2000 pro-democracy
activists in detention.  Of those, almost 1000 are members of the NLD,
including 203 MPs from the 1990 General Election.  The remainder is
comprised of students and other activists.

All Burma Students' Democratic Front

For more information, please contact 01-253 9082, 01-654 4984