ABSDF: More than 300 students arres

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Media Release
September 10, 1998

More Than 300 Students Arrested Since June

The Burmese military junta has detained more than 300 students
across the country since June this year according to sources in
Rangoon. 

The majority of the detained students are from Rangoon and
Mandalay. However, a number of students have also been arrested
in other cities across the country including Pyinmana, Pakokku,
Yenanchaung and Chauk in central Burma, and Moulmein, Mergui and
Yei in south Burma.

All Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) Foreign Affairs
Secretary Aung Naing Oo said that since August 24 in Rangoon
alone, the military has detained 235 students.  This comprises 70
students from Rangoon University, 85 from the Rangoon Institute
of Technology (RIT), 50 from the Government Technical Institute
and 30 students from various high schools. 

"The students have been arrested for various political reasons
ranging from distributing pro-democracy leaflets and posting
anti-military posters to demonstrating against military rule and
calling for dialogue between the military and the NLD. 

"In many cases, students are actually charged under repressive
laws, such the 1950 Emergency Provisions Act and the 1962
Printers' and Publishers' Registration Act. 

"Given the current tension in the country, more arrests are
expected.  However, despite the crackdown, more student
demonstrations are expected to take place."

The crackdown on the students began after the National League for
Democracy (NLD) demanded on June 23 that the junta convene
parliament within 60 days.  A number of student protests in the
past week have resulted in increased arrests. Sources in Rangoon
said that riot police have been posted at many high schools in
the wake of demonstrations staged by high school students
yesterday.  

Meanwhile the NLD stated in a news release yesterday that 521
members of the NLD, including 187 members of parliament (MPs),
have been arrested since May.

The military has not publically announced the arrests, making it
difficult for observers to state precisely the number of people
detained. However, the ABSDF estimates that more than 900
political arrests have taken place since May, including MPs from
all opposition parties, opposition party officials, students,
Buddhist monks and other political activists.

All Burma Students' Democratic Front 

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