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Burmese junta releases dissidents Burmese junta releases dissidents
(about 1 hour later)
Five prominent Burmese activists detained since last September have been freed by the country's military junta.Five prominent Burmese activists detained since last September have been freed by the country's military junta.
The activists are members of the 88 Generation group, comprised of dissidents who took part in a pro-democracy student uprising in 1988.The activists are members of the 88 Generation group, comprised of dissidents who took part in a pro-democracy student uprising in 1988.
They were jailed ahead of the annual national convention in October, accused of trying to destabilise the country.They were jailed ahead of the annual national convention in October, accused of trying to destabilise the country.
Speaking to reporters, the dissidents said they did not know why they had suddenly been released.Speaking to reporters, the dissidents said they did not know why they had suddenly been released.
The military junta also freed 40 political detainees last week, as part of a mass release to mark the 59th anniversary of the country's independence from Britain.The military junta also freed 40 political detainees last week, as part of a mass release to mark the 59th anniversary of the country's independence from Britain.
"We were all sent back home at about 1:30 this morning," said one of the dissidents, Min Ko Naing."We were all sent back home at about 1:30 this morning," said one of the dissidents, Min Ko Naing.
"We are fine," added another activist, Htay Kyw. "We were treated well." "We are fine," added another activist, Htay Kywe. "We were treated well."
'Tangible progress''Tangible progress'
The release of the five men was unexpected, but comes at a time of heightened pressure on the Burmese regime to instigate changes.The release of the five men was unexpected, but comes at a time of heightened pressure on the Burmese regime to instigate changes.
Asian foreign ministers meeting in the Philippines on Thursday voiced concern at the slow pace of democratic reform in the country.Asian foreign ministers meeting in the Philippines on Thursday voiced concern at the slow pace of democratic reform in the country.
"We... hope to see tangible progress that would lead to a peaceful transition to democracy in the near future," Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said, after talks on the sidelines of the annual Asean summit."We... hope to see tangible progress that would lead to a peaceful transition to democracy in the near future," Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo said, after talks on the sidelines of the annual Asean summit.
Pressure groups said the release could also have been designed to stifle efforts by the US to pass a resolution against Burma at the UN Security Council, calling for the country's military rulers to release political prisoners and improve human rights.Pressure groups said the release could also have been designed to stifle efforts by the US to pass a resolution against Burma at the UN Security Council, calling for the country's military rulers to release political prisoners and improve human rights.
"This looks like nothing but a cynical ploy to stop the UN Security Council from taking action," said Aung Din, from the US Campaign for Burma."This looks like nothing but a cynical ploy to stop the UN Security Council from taking action," said Aung Din, from the US Campaign for Burma.
All five of the freed activists - Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Ko Htay Kywe, Ko Pyone Cho and Ko Min Zeya - had prominent roles in the 1988 student uprising, when troops opened fire on mass student protests, and thousands of people are thought to have been killed.All five of the freed activists - Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Ko Htay Kywe, Ko Pyone Cho and Ko Min Zeya - had prominent roles in the 1988 student uprising, when troops opened fire on mass student protests, and thousands of people are thought to have been killed.
Since then, all the men have spent long periods in jail.Since then, all the men have spent long periods in jail.
They are among the most prominent dissidents in the country, after Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel prize-winning opposition leader, who is still under house arrest.They are among the most prominent dissidents in the country, after Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel prize-winning opposition leader, who is still under house arrest.
The United Nations estimates that there are about 1,100 political prisoners in Burma.The United Nations estimates that there are about 1,100 political prisoners in Burma.