Birmanie: cinq arrestations supplémentaires de membres du groupe Génération étudiante 88

Dear Acting Prime Minister,

I am deeply concerned following reports of the arrest and detention of another five members of the '88 Generation Student Group in the early hours of 13 October 2007. The five are Htay Kywe, a former leader of the pro-democracy student protests in 1988 and four other members of the group: Mie Mie (also known as Thin Thin Aye), Ko Aung Thu, Zaw Htet Ko Ko and Hein Htet (also known as Aung Gyi). All five were arrested, along with a sympathiser who had been helping them, when security forces raided the hide-out where they had evaded arrest since the crackdown on opposition groups by Burmese military leaders.

According to eye-witness reports, on 13 October 2007, at approximately 5.30am, around 70 members of the Burmese security forces raided the hide-out where Htay Kywe, Mie Mie, Ko Aung Thu, Zaw Htet Ko Ko and Hein Htet had been in hiding since the nationwide demonstrations, which began on 19 August 2007, prompted the issue of arrest warrants against those perceived to be leaders of the protest movement. At present the whereabouts of the five '88 Generation Student Group members is unknown and there is great concern that they are at significant risk of ill-treatment while detained.

In particular, there are fears for the welfare of Htay Kywe, who had been at the top of the list of opposition leaders sought by the State Peace and Development Council since the arrest of all other '88 Generation leaders on 21 August and 10 October 2007. Front Line believes that the members of the '88 Generation Student Group are being targeted as part of an attempt to silence independent voices calling for respect for human rights in Burma.

These latest arrests have taken place as the United Nations Security Council has called on the Burmese government to cease the detention of members of opposition movements, stating that it "strongly deplores the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators", such as those arrested on 13 October 2007.

I urge the authorities in Burma to:

1. Immediately and unconditionally release Htay Kywe, Mie Mie (also known as Thin Thin Aye), Ko Aung Thu, Zaw Htet Ko Ko and Hein Htet (also known as Aung Gyi), as it is believed they have been detained solely on account of their peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights;

2. Ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all of the afore-mentioned individuals whilst in detention, and that they are given regular access to family, lawyers, and medical attention if necessary;

3. Ensure, furthermore, that the treatment of the detainees, while in custody, adheres to all those conditions set out in the 'Basic Principles for Treatment of Prisoners'.

Yours sincerely