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More Myanmar activists sentenced

Courts in military-ruled Myanmar sentenced 14 members of the opposition National League for Democracy party to lengthy prison terms, bringing to more than 50 the number of pro-democracy activists jailed his week.

The UN, Western nations and human rights groups expressed concern after sentences of 65 years each were given to 14 activists on Tuesday. They included members of the 88 Generation Students group who played prominent roles ahead of mass pro-democracy protests that were violently crushed last year.

“It’s no secret that Burma’s military rulers show no respect for law, but these last few weeks show a more concentrated crackdown on dissent clearly aimed at intimidating the population,” said Elaine Pearson of New York-based Human Rights Watch.

“These peaceful activists should not be on trial in the first place, let alone thrown in prison for years after unfair trials,” Pearson said.

At least 14 National League for Democracy members were given prison sentences ranging from two-and-a-half years to 16 years in different courts on Friday, party spokesman Nyan Win said.

More than 50 people, including 30 NLD party members, were given long sentences, he said. Many were arrested in connection with protests against economic hardship and monk-led pro-democracy demonstrations late last year.

Nine Buddhist monks were given six to eight-year jail terms this week, Nyan Win said.

The army used force last December to quash the demonstrations.

According to UN estimates, at least 31 people were killed and thousands of protesters detained. Many fled the country or went underground.
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