Release peaceful Myanmar protestersAt least 500 people were reported to have been arrested in a crackdown on anti-government protests in Myanmar by the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SPDC).
The crackdown escalated on the evening of 25 September in the former capital Yangon, the second-biggest city, Mandalay, and also Meiktila, Pakokku and Mogok. There have been at least nine reported fatalities and Amnesty International has learned that many people have gone into hiding.
Some people were reported to have been arrested in the evening of 24 September, but most were seized during the following 48 hours, as the crackdown by security forces escalated. Among those arrested were hundreds of monks in Yangon.
Others arrested include:
* Famous comedian and former prisoner of conscience Zargana
* Myint Myint San (f), National League for Democracy (NLD) member
* Paik Ko (m), NLD Member of Parliament, Pakokku
* Par Par Lay (m), comedian (pictured)
* Tin Aung (m), NLD Member of Parliament
* Tin Ko (m), NLD youth member in Meiktila
* U Win Naing (m), politician
Amnesty International believes these and other detainees are at grave risk of torture or other ill-treatment.
The security forces have reportedly beaten demonstrators with batons, used tear gas on crowds that defy orders to disperse and fired warning shots into the air. Despite the high tension, thousands of people continue to take to the streets in continued anti-government protests.
http://web.amnesty.org/pages/mmr-270907-action-eng