Burma launches activist crackdown

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6661549.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Dozens of opposition activists in Burma have been detained by the authorities while highlighting the plight of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

The arrests came as groups tried to attend prayer vigils.

Later this month the authorities are expected to review, and probably extend, Ms Suu Kyi's house arrest.

This week, more than 50 former world leaders signed a letter demanding her immediate release. She has now spent more than 11 years in detention.

Feared

The activists were detained on the streets of Rangoon.

They were in small groups heading to or from various temples where opposition supporters had been holding vigils for Aung San Suu Kyi.

Those arrested on Tuesday are still being held. Another group of 15 seized on Wednesday have now been released.

Many of the protesters are members of Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, which won a landslide election victory 17 years ago - a result rejected by the military which has persecuted the NLD ever since.

The Burmese military insists it is following its own roadmap to democracy.

These latest arrests show how much the generals still fear Aung San Suu Kyi and how little they care about international condemnation.