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Violent crackdown on protesters continues

A heavy military presence on Burma's streets, combined with mass arrests, has stamped out the massive protests of the past week. Huge numbers of troops are visible on street corners across Yangon, the focal point for the demonstrations, and fear is widespread.

The flood of reports in the city of alleged brutal killings, disappearances and arrests is causing major concern for the people of Burma and those watching the continuing crisis.

Watch footage of protests in Burma (RealPlayer)

Background

Amnesty International has long documented Burma's appalling human rights record. This includes widespread and systematic human rights violations:

• The holding of more than 1,160 political prisoners in deteriorating prison conditions. Detainees include most senior opposition figures
• The use of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, especially during interrogation and pre-trial detention
• The use of child soldiers and forced labour
• Laws that criminalise the peaceful expression of political dissent
• People frequently being arrested without warrant and held incommunicado
• Judicial proceedings against political detainees that fall short of international fair trial standards
• Defendants being denied the right to legal counsel and prosecutors relying on confessions extracted through torture

Act nowto protect peaceful protestors The Governments hope is that through the meassures it has taken through the media ban, the world will forget their peoples plight, We must not let them succeed in this endeavour. The problem we face is that the media of the western world are there to make interesting tv, and if there is nothing to report the situation is put on the shelf until something terrible happens. Lets not wait for that to happen to remind us. Lets act now, by writing to our governments, and the chinese government demanding that they act to stop these crimes against humanity. Look out for any protest that are taking place that we can attend.. Also you can do what i have done and bring the situation to peoples attention by writing an entry in our blogs and on our comments on myspace etc. We all have the tools to be able to do this and this seemingly small act can reach so many and do so much. I thank you all very much for your attention on this matter and hope and pray you all have the love and compassion in your hearts to act NOW. With Metta (LOVING KINDNESS) Garry D. AKA SOOPANOVA.