For immediate release: October 3, 2007

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) is gravely concerned about the conditions of detention and risk of torture for over 2,000 monks, activists and members of the public who have been arrested since demonstrations against fuel price hikes began in August.

Those arrested are being held in detention centers throughout the country. Many of the detainees sustained injuries during the demonstrations, yet are not being provided proper medical attention. Detainees with preexisting health conditions are denied access to necessary medications. All those being held are not given enough food or water, and many are kept in crowded facilities where the spread of disease is likely. The AAPP has learned that detainees are being subjected to physical torture such as beatings and being forced to stand in various positions for long periods of time.

The AAPP is particularly concerned about the monks who are boycotting the military regime whereby they refuse to accept the offerings presented by authorities. If the monks refuse to eat the food provided in detention in accordance with the boycott, the AAPP fears that they will be subject to beatings and other forms of physical torture to force them to eat. Many monks have already been subjected to disrobing and forced to wear the clothing of regular civilians.

Several monks are essentially held under house arrest in many monasteries. Surrounded by military troops, the monks are unable to collect alms from surrounding residents which is necessary for their daily meals. Any supplies stored in the monasteries will be quickly used up rending the monks without food or ability to procure more.

As the climate of suppression and arrests continues, the AAPP calls on the ICRC to demand access to detention centers where those arrested are being held.

The AAPP welcomes the UN Human Rights Council’s resolution condemning the military regime’s crackdown. Further, we call on the SPDC to allow the U.N. special rapporteur for the human rights situation in Myanmar, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, to initiate an independent investigation into the human rights violations that have occurred as a result of the military regime’s crackdown on the ongoing demonstrations.###

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
For more information:
Tate Naing at 66- 081-287 8751
Bo Kyi at 66- 081-324 8935