Peaceful protesters arrested in Burma

30 August 2013: At least six Burmese activists in Rangoon have been arrested following their protests against the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession law on Tuesday.

The peaceful protesters are charged with holding a demonstration without obtaining permission from the authorities, according to media reports.

They were detained under Section 18 of the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession, which requires an official permit for organizing a rally.

Phil Robertson, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, said early this year: “The government’s prosecution of peaceful demonstrators reveals troubling limits on Burma’s respect for basic rights.

The Burmese government should promptly amend the 2011 Law Relating to Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession to conform with international human rights standards, including eliminating prison terms for permit violations, Human Rights Watch said.

Meanwhile, Naw Ohn Hla has been sentenced to two-year imprisonmnet for her role in a protest against the Letpadaung copper mine, according to RFA.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) last month said over a hundred political and human rights activists are currently awaiting trial, having been arrested for expressing their views in peaceful demonstrations. #