Crackdown in Burma: Family of fleei

[caroline@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Crackdown in Burma: Family of fleeing activist seized


Media Release
26 July, 1999

Crackdown in Burma: Family of fleeing activist seized

The family of a democracy activist has been arrested in Burma in retaliation
against him.=A0 Eight family members have been detained, including his wife
and
three-year-old daughter.=A0 The activist, Kyaw Wunna, had been involved in
planning a commemorative march to the General Aung San Memorialin Pegu.
Military Intelligence officers were unable to locate Kyaw Wunna, and so
arrested his family members instead.

Eleven other activists who took part in distributing pamphlets about the march
were also arrested between 19 and 24 July 1999 in Pegu. All of those arrested
are believed to be undergoing interrogation by Military Intelligence Unit 3 in
Pegu.=A0 The march was planned for July 19, the anniversary of the
assassination of General Aung San and several other Cabinet members in
1947.=A0
General Aung San was the father of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Between 16 and 18 July, pamphlets announcing the march were distributed, along
with pictures of Aung San Suu Kyi and buttons with General Aung San's
photograph. At the same time, Burmese language stickers saying "Which path
will
you follow: General Aung San or General Ne Win?" appeared around the city.=A0
According to a resident of Pegu, slogans had also been spray painted on
several
buildings reading, 'Reduce commodity prices', 'Increase civil servants'
salaries', 'We don't need the SPDC' and 'Support the CRPP' (Committee
Representing the People's Parliament).

To prevent the march seven military trucks, each carrying 20 soldiers, circled
the township on 18 and 19 July. Riot police, military intelligence and
ordinary
police were posted at every major intersection and school throughout the city.
As a result, the march did not take place. 

The names of the arrested family members are:  
1. U Aye Swe, aged 55, Chairman of the Shin Saw Pu ward Peace & Development
Council, Pegu (uncle of Kyaw Wunna),=20 
2. Daw Tin Tin, aged 50, Executive member of Myanmar Mother & Child Welfare
Association, Pegu (wife of U Aye Swe),=20 
3. Kyaw Kyaw Oo, aged 33 (son of U Aye Swe and Daw Tin Tin),=20 
4. U Zaw Myint, aged 49 (uncle of Kyaw Wunna),=20 
5. Daw Tint Tint, aged 47 (wife of U Zaw Myint),=20 
6. Ko Zaw Zaw Latt, aged 20, Army Boxing Trainer at Infantry Battalion 101 in
Pegu (son of U Zaw Myint and Daw Tin Tin), and=20 
7. Kyaw Wunna's wife, Ma Khin Khin Leh, aged 33, teacher at middle school No.
8, New Oakthar township in Pegu, and their three-year-old daughter.=20 
The names of the 11 arrested activists are:=20  
1. U Ba Chit, aged approximately 48,=20 
2. U Ye Tint, aged approximately 45, English tutor,=20 
3. U Win Myint, aged approximately 45, Mya Kan Thar Caf=E9 shopkeeper,= =20 
4. Dr. Shwe Bo, aged approximately 45, a female medical doctor, Pegu General
Hospital,=20 
5. Ma Thida Htway, aged 27, Taungoo township Primary School teacher and 3rd
year
female university student,=20 
6. Ko Lwin Moe Myint, aged 27, 2nd year university student and former 1988
student leader,=20 
7. Ko Myint Oo, aged 30, roadside vendor and former 1988 student leader in
Pegu,=20 
8. Ko Ah Thay Lay, aged 21, finished 10th standard and awaiting university
entrance,=20 
9. Ko Hla Win, aged 23, finished 10th standard and awaiting university
entrance, and=20 
10.-11. Two female doctors, names unknown, aged approximately 30-35 years,
employed at Pegu General Hospital.



All Burma Students' Democratic FrontFor further information, please contact 01
253 9082, 01 654 4984

All Burma Students' Democratic Front
P.O. Box 42, Hua Mark P.O, Bangkapi, 10243, Bangkok
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