Burma Military regime arrested 5 student leaders including the country’s second most prominent leader, Min Ko Naing. The arrest took place as the UN Security Council met to discuss Burma for the first time in history on Friday, 29 September. Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and Htay Kywe were arrested by Special Police Force on 27 September as they prepared to attend the 18th anniversary of the founding of the National League for Democracy, the political party led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that won 82% of the seats in parliament in Burma’s last democratic election. (8-OCT-2006)
By Thun Cho, Rafto Human Rights House
Pyone Cho and Min Zeya were arrested again by Special Police Force on 30 September as they have called on SPDC junta to release the three arrested leaders immediately.
During the arrests, the authorities only gave the reason that was the excuse of holding talks with Senior Government officials. However, their families and relatives haven’t contacted them yet where they are and what is going on, and all are very concerned.
Min Ko Naing who has won numerous international awards for his peaceful and non-violent calls for change in Burma including the Student Peace Prize, considered the ‘junior’ Nobel Peace Prize, in Norway.
On 2 October, junta announced in their own media, News Light of Myanmar that they have been investigated for preventing from bombing and violent movement and mob inside Burma during UNSC meeting on Burma agenda. However, 88 Generation Student Group responds that they do no relate to any violent Action.
This group also began signature campaign for their arrest as collecting the people. They received over a thousand of signatures until yesterday. In campaign letter expressed that ‘the current situation of the Union of Burma is its most challenging stage. To solve all problems in Burma, it is a right time to hold a tripartite dialogue amongst the ruling military regime- State Peace and Development Council, the National League for Democracy which won the 1990 general election, and ethnic nationalities. For the national interest and national reconciliation in Burma, therefore, we hereby sign and express our willingness. – For the release of all political prisoners, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin Oo, Khun Tun Oo and other ethnic leaders, and 88 generation student leaders such as Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Min Zeya, Htwe Kywe and Pyone Cho and; – For the substantive political talks and dialogue in Burma.’
Other Burmese opposition and student organizations have also supported to release them and become political dialogue in Burma by several ways.
