112 political prisoners still behind bars: report
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) says Myanmar has 112 political prisoners in its jails and 486 activists currently awaiting trial for activities as of the end of October.
The AAPP’s monthly report said 10 political activists were arrested in total, eight of whom were detained in October, adding that nine political prisoners were reported to be in bad health.
The Letpadan case was still not resolved and 61 students and activists remained locked up on charges relating to their participation in the National Education Law protests in March, it stated.
Election candidate Myat Nu Khaing, arrested for her alleged participation in a peaceful demonstration in December 2014, raised concerns over the legitimacy of Sunday’s election.
The report said many verdicts were issued in October with sentences long enough to keep activists in jail until after the election.
Thirteen land rights activists at Michaungkan village, Thingangyun Township, Yangon Region, were sentenced to four months for a protest demanding the return of their seized land or compensation. It was taken by the military in the 1990s.
Five environmental activists were sentenced to five months for allegedly destroying mangrove trees, the report said.
Four students, Naing Ye Wai, Aung Hsan Oo, Git Too and Nyan Linn Htet, who were arrested on July 1 for anti-education law graffiti, were sentenced to between three and six months imprisonment.
Letters calling for President Thein Sein to release the political prisoners in July ahead of the November 8 election were ignored.
