Amnesty says Myanmar detainee at risk of torture

The Associated Press ,  Bangkok   |  Sun, 09/14/2008 10:06 AM  |  World

A prominent anti-government activist recently arrested in Myanmar is at risk of torture, the human rights group Amnesty International said.

Nilar Thein, 36, had been on the run for more than a year after the military government cracked down on activists from the 88 Generation Students group, the London-based group said Saturday. She was arrested Wednesday in Myanmar's biggest city, Yangon, as she was going to visit the mother of a detained comrade.

"She is under interrogation in Aung Tha Pyay Detention Center in Yangon ... and is at risk of torture and other ill-treatment," said a statement e-mailed by Amnesty.

The junta rarely comments on accusations by international rights groups and had issued no public reaction as of Sunday.

Some members of the 88 Generation Students group were arrested soon after organizing anti-government demonstrations in August last year to protest economic hardships and demand democratic reform. Nevertheless, the demonstrations continued and grew as monks and ordinary civilians joined to call for democratic and economic change.

The army violently suppressed the protests in late September 2007. The U.N. estimated at least 31 people were killed.

Hundreds of demonstrators were arrested and many fled the country or went underground. Nilar Thein's husband, Kyaw Min Yu - also known as Ko Jimmy - was one of 13 members of the 88 Generation group arrested on Aug. 22 last year.

Amnesty said Nilar Thein led a demonstration of about 500 people the day after his arrest, then went into hiding, leaving their baby daughter behind in the care of her in-laws.

According to Amnesty, Nilar Thein was imprisoned twice before for her pro-democracy activities. In December 1996 she was arrested for participating in student demonstrations and sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. She was released in 2005.

Authorities have tightened security since the last week of August to pre-empt any demonstrations marking the first anniversary of last year's protests.

The junta have arrested nearly 300 people for peaceful political activities in 2008, Amnesty International said.
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