Thousands have been arrested in the military's crackdown against peaceful demonstrators in Burma. Those who marched in the streets calling for an end to oppression in their country have now been arrested and credible reports state that many are being severely tortured and even killed. Many of the Buddhist monks who lead the demonstrations have been forcibly disrobed and severly beaten.
On Saturday, 4 more leaders of the democracy movement were arrested, including U Htay Kywe and Daw Mie Mie. We are deeply worried for their safety and the thousands already detained, and the others who are being hunted down. The military regime uses beatings, electric shock to all parts of the body including genitals, “water torture”, running iron rods up and down the shins, and the cutting and burning of flesh. Already, activists have been tortured to death. The military regime’s state-owned newspaper made this clear yesterday when it stated “Everyone knows that such national traitors will soon meet their tragic ends,” it said. “The destructive elements will dwindle away like camphor balls.”
The regime must stop these brutal measures and concede to international calls for national reconcilation and a release of all political prisoners.
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