[Ed. Note: The Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) broadcast the following story on Dec. 22, 2000.]

Members of the National League for Democracy (NLD)
arrested in September have each been sentenced to 11 years imprisonment by Insein Prison Additional Military Tribunal on Dec. 14. Although the exact number of people sentenced is not known, according to unconfirmed sources, it is believed to be 11 members. They include U Naing Naing, NLD elected representative from Pazundaung Township in Rangoon Division; U Soe Han, Rangoon Division NLD organisation member; U Soe, alias Pyapon Nyi Lone Oo, vice chairman of Dalla Township Organisation Committee; U Tun Myint, NLD central office member; U Soe Naing; and U Aye Kyu. They were sentenced to a prison term of 11 years while the remaining five were given a seven-year term.

The Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) has learned that they were all charged under Section 5-J of the Emergency Provisions Act of 1950 and the Printing and Publishing Law. The NLD members were arrested on Sept. 13 and 14 for issuing a statement when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and NLD leaders were sent back from Dalla and kept under house arrest. The statement, issued as the NLD Members' Statement on Sept. 12, noted that the existence of the NLD and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi lessen the threat of a political impasse and armed conflict, enhance national unity and solidarity and also fulfil the aspirations of farmers, workers, the general populace and students. They asked for the lifting of restrictions on NLD leaders, the reopening of the NLD headquarters and permission to allow the NLD to function freely as a political party.

In connection with the arrest of the NLD members, the NLD Central Committee strongly condemned the actions in its announcement on Sept. 15 and urged the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) to immediately release the arrested NLD members. The DVB has learned that no official statement has been issued by the SPDC regarding the sentencing of the NLD members and their relatives have not been officially informed.