Myanmar abuse allegations
investigated by U.N.
Activists protest in Myanmar. Associated Press.
United Nations human rights investigator Paulo Sergio Pinheiro met
with several political prisoners Thursday before ending his five-day
mission to Myanmar, the Associated Press reported.
Pinheiro went to the Insein Prison in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city.
There, he talked with several political detainees, including labor
activist Su Su Nway, who was arrested Nov. 6.
The U.N. sent Pinheiro to investigate allegations of
widespread abuse in the country. In September, 10 people were killed
when troops opened fire on crowds of peaceful protesters. The death toll
was reported by the military government, but diplomats and critics say
it was much higher.
Buddhist monks inspired and led the movement. The crackdown on the
protest began when authorities raided several monasteries in Yangon in
the middle of the night and hauled monks away.
The government acknowledged that it had detained nearly 3,000 people, but
says that it has released most of them. Many prominent political
activists remain in custody.
Today [Nov. 15] college students at Washington and Lee University are
wearing red to commemorate Burma Day.
The Global Action Day for Burma, an initiative by the Burma Campaign UK,
took place 0ct. 9.
Washington and Lee students are holding events in the
University Commons throughout the day to increase awareness about the conflict.
The United Nation recognizes the name Myanmar, but the governments of
the United States
and the United Kingdom do not.
Produced by Washington and Lee journalism students.
Lead supervisor: Prof. Brian Richardson
Reporting supervisors:
Technical supervisor: Michael Todd