unlawful arrest and detention

Burma’s border security force Nasaka arrested seven supporters of the National Democratic Party for Development (NDPD) on November 4, just three days ahead of Burma’s first national election in more than 20 years, said a politician from south Maungdaw.

The detained have been identified as Aman Ullah, 40, Ibrahim, 40, Mohmed Ali, 50, and Rafique, 28, all from Aley Than Kyaw village, two from Myint Hlut and one from Du Nyaungpin gyi in Maungdaw Township, and are reportedly still being held at Nasaka Camp 7 in Aley Than Kyaw.

Since May 5th, 2010, joint forces of the Mon State Peace and Develop Council (SPDC) and members of Township Peace and Development Councils (TPDC), Police forces, People’ militia, Immigration and Military Intelligence have been cracking down on residents and family members whose names have not been listed on their families’ lists in a township Mon State. Residents claimed that some family members have been arrested and had fines extorted as punishment for failing to present their names on the families’ list.

Lawyer U Aye Myint, leader of Guiding Star Organization based in Pegu Division, stated that Ko Zaw Min Oo, a farmer from Wayonson village, Hlegu Township, Rangoon Division was arrested by authorities for criticizing the USDP campaign of loaning money to get votes for upcoming elections.

Ko Moe Kyi, a human rights activist for Naga people, stated that Lt. Zaw Zaw from Light Infantry Battalion 222, based in Homalin Upper Sagaing Division arrested 5 leaders of NUP on 18 August who were imprisoned in Khamti prison, without trial, sentenced for 3 years imprisonment.

U Aye Myint, leader of the Guiding Star Organization, said that Daw Than Pu, a former member of the NLD, and another person have been arrested by authorities in Pegu. They had been distributing leaflets with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's portrait and a statement saying that anyone can choose not to vote because they have the right not to vote.

Daw Khin Htay Kywe, the defense lawyer of Rev. Okkantha (aka) Rev. Zaw Lat who was detained in
Insein prison under the charge of possessing anti-election leaflets, stated that a Special Court opened in
Insein Prison compound and recently sentenced Rev. Monk Okkantha to 15 years.

Ko Zarni, the Spokesperson of All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), stated that 11 students from Dagon University and Hmawbe Institute of Technology were arrested by security troops following their distribution of leaflets urging people to boycott the elections.

http://monnews.org/

Riot police surround ‘no-vote’ campaigners in Rangoon
Monday, 01 November 2010 18:05 Ko Wild

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Riot police in the Rangoon suburb of North Okkalapa surrounded “no-vote” campaigners yesterday as they attempted to distribute information about Burma’s first national elections on Sunday, witnesses and activists said.

The activists’ goal was to inform the public that citizens were legally entitled to boycott the vote, one told Mizzima, adding that the campaigners feared the police would attack them.

Burmese authorities in Three Pagodas Pass (TPP) town on the Thai Burma-Border, last night arrested over 50 TPP residents who were caught out along the main road after 9 pm at night.

As of October 27th, the residents of TPP are subject to a 9 pm curfew. News of the curfew has reportedly not been widely circulated.

According to an arrested resident, the arrested individuals included children, adults, and youths. Reportedly, those arrested widely claimed they had not heard about TPP’s newest curfew.