Leaked internal report reveals the staggering scale of those arrested during Saffron

By Assistance Association for Political Prisoners - Burma • September 26, 2011

On this day, the 4th anniversary of the Saffron Revolution, a leaked internal document from the Special Branch of the police force reveals for the first time the exact number of those who were arrested and detained during Saffron. Until now, previous military regimes and the current U Thein Sein regime have routinely refused to acknowledge the mass arrests, detentions, and imprisonments of those who dissent, leaving the domestic and international community to guess at the true scale of the repression.

The document, dated October 3, 2007, sheds light on the peaceful protestors who were arrested, detained, and more disturbingly, lost their lives during the Saffron Revolution. The chart, attached below, confirms that the regime initially arrested 2,314 protesters within one week of the brutal crackdowns. According to the figures reported by the various security units in Rangoon, at least 3 of the protesters had died, 6 had been immediately hospitalized and at least 1,604 were still detained, all within 8 days of the beginning of the regime’s response.

In a country that shuns transparency, there are no publicly available records indicating any prisoners’ arrest details, their charges, where they are held, or releases. AAPP demands transparency and compliance with fully functioning democratic institutional practices. This cannot happen until all political prisoners are unconditionally released.

Some questions remain regarding the protesters who were detained, including what charges and sentences they were subjected to. If there is nothing for U Thein Sein’s regime to hide, then the full reports revealing information of those who were arbitrarily arrested and unlawfully detained should be made public, including the names and details of those who remain in prison.

The public should not be fooled by claims of Burma’s fast track to democracy. Until the pillars of democracy are founded – including transparency, basic civil and political rights, and fully democratic elections – anything else falls short of substance.

On this day, the fourth anniversary of the Saffron Revolution, AAPP honors all those who have pressed for democratic change and who continue to endure the challenges while struggling for a fully democratic Burma.

Table of arrests/transfers/releases and current detainees by security forces regarding unrests sparked by riots in Rangoon
Date: October 3, 2007

Security Unit/Detention Center	Received	Transferred	Released	Dead	Hospitalized	Remaining in D.C.
No. 5 Police Battalion	51	–	20	–	–	31
No. 8 Police Battalion	91	2	50	–	–	39
Kyikekasan Center (Transit)	336	–	250	1	1	84
GTC Detention Camp	1828	219	160	2	5	1442
Insein Prison	8	–	–	–	–	8
Total	2314	221	480	3	6	1604

Explanation:

1.	Arrested	2093
2.	Released	480
3.	Dead	3
4.	Hospitalized	6
5.	Remaining	1604

* This chart is a direct translation of the leaked internal report.

For more information: Tate Naing (Secretary): +66 (0) 81 287 8751
Bo Kyi (Joint Secretary): +66 (0) 81 962 8713

This post is in: Press Release

Leaked internal report reveals the staggering scale of those arrested during Saffron

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