A leading human rights defender in Burma, U Myint Aye, was arrested on 30 September 2006 and is being detained in an unknown location without access to a lawyer. Three days prior to his arrest he issued a statement calling for the release of three student leaders who were involved in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising and pointed out human rights violations that had been committed.
U Myint Aye has a long history of promoting and defending human rights in Burma. He established the group’ Human Rights Defenders and Promoters’ and is the former Chairman of the National League for Democracy in Burma. U Myint Aye was arrested and detained on four previous occasions between 1998 and 2004. He actively participated in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising as well as the U Thant affair in 1974. 
