Planned 2010 Elections Not Credible if Opposition Remains in Prison
Human Rights Watch, September 16, 2009

(Washington, DC) - Burma's military government has more than doubled the number of political prisoners in the past two years, including more than a hundred imprisoned in recent months, Human Rights Watch said today in a new report. Sentenced to long prison terms for their involvement in peaceful demonstrations in 2007, and for assisting civilians in the wake of the devastating Cyclone Nargis in 2008, the political prisoner population has reached more than 2,200.

After the 1988 people’s uprising in Burma, thousands of  people were arrested and imprisoned. Nearly all have faced torture or ill-treatment at the hands of  the authorities. Such torture and ill-treatment has resulted in death for many.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has documented the cases of 127 democracy activists who died after enduring torture or ill-treatment in custody. Due to the political situation in Burma, all cases of death in custody are not known. Further, many details of the known cases cannot be collected.

(DVB)–Two opposition party members have been arrested whilst praying for the release of political prisoners in Burma, including opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

During a National League for Democracy weekly prayer meeting yesterday in Rangoon’s Twante township, police arrested the township’s vice chairman Chit Pe and chief organizer Maung Soe Wai.

(Irrawaddy) WASHINGTON — The US State Department today said time is running out for the Burmese junta to make progress in restoring democracy and releasing political prisoners including Aung San Suu Kyi.