Asia-Pacific News
US condemns Myanmar jailings
Nov 12, 2008, 17:01 GMT
Washington - The United States strongly condemned the long prison sentences handed down in Myanmar to more than two dozen political dissidents and democratic activists.
'These brave democracy activists are peaceful citizens whose only crime was to challenge the regime's illegitimate rule,' State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood said Wednesday.
More than 30 dissidents were jailed in connection with anti- government demonstrations that took place in August and September 2007. Some received sentences in excess of 60 years in prison.
Wood said all of Myanmar's more than 2,000 political prisoners should be released immediately, including leading democratic activist Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner who has been under house arrest since 2003.
'We reiterate our call for the regime to cease harassing and arresting civilians for peacefully exercising their internationally recognized human rights,' Wood said.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Asia-Pacific
- 1. Chinese dissidents hail late democracy activist Fang Lizhi
- 2. China "worried" over planned North Korea rocket launch
- 3. Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets Karen rebels
- 4. Chinese schoolboy sells kidney to buy iPad, iPhone
- 5. Myanmar president invites Karen rebels to form party
Older Talkback
