Tight grip keeps Myanmarese in line

By Deborah Charles

YANGON (Reuter): Myanmar's generals may have released the country's most-famous political prisoner, but many Myanmarese still feel like captives in their own country due to tough measures imposed by the military regime.

Although most people say the military has eased up slightly and there are more basic human rights and freedoms now than when the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) seized power in 1988, they feel they are still nowhere near being free.

"They want to close everybody's eyes and ears," one Yangon resident said. "They want to control everybody."

He and others say memories are still fresh of the brutal and bloody military crackdown in 1988 when thousands were killed or imprisoned following pro-democracy demonstrations.

"Everyone is afraid of this government," a woman said. "No one wants to die."

The press is strictly censored, people are not free to speak out or meet in groups without permission, and intimidation, random arrests and forced labor are commonplace.

One of the best examples of the tight press censorship was seen after opposition leader Suu Kyi was unexpectedly released from six years of house arrest on July 10.

For nine days the official media ignored her release, even though some reporters from local papers were at a news conference given by Suu Kyi the day after she was set free.

Despite the domestic news blackout, news of the popular and charismatic democracy leader's release spread by word of mouth after many Yangon residents saw or heard it from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), which is beamed into Myanmar via satellite.

The military later tried to restrict some television reports sent out by foreign correspondents.

The SLORC has also failed to fulfill a promise to return the country to democratically-elected government, by refusing to honor 1990 elections. Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy swept the poll with more than 80 percent of the seats although the two party founders were detained at the time of the vote.

After the election, the SLORC tried to silence the winning parties and candidates through intimidation and detention.

Although several thousand prisoners have been released over the past few years, Human Rights Watch/Asia estimates there are still at least 1,000 political prisoners in jail.

Myanmarese citizens are also afraid to meet foreigners in public, for fear they might later be arrested or interrogated.

The military, which has ruled Myanmar since 1962, often arbitrarily picks up suspects for questioning then releases them after a few hours or days.

Several people recounted stories of being detained or visited by military officers after speaking out against the government or its leaders. One man said he was blindfolded, arrested and interrogated just for being in the same room as a person deemed "questionable".

"I should let you know there are neighborhood watchers who will see you leaving and want to know who you were visiting," an opposition leader told Reuters after an interview at his home. Military intelligence officers or informants are also known to be the "all seeing" eyes and ears of the SLORC.

People who seek information from outside of Myanmar often ask for it furtively. "I would like to talk to you," one woman whispered in English as she walked down a deserted street late one night. "Is there any hope for us? Will we be free one day?"

Others use code words or names when they speak on the often- tapped telephones. Retired dictator Gen. Ne Win, who many still believe to be a strong force behind the current regime, is "the Old Man" while Suu Kyi is known as "the Lady".

Universities, once a nurturing ground for the democracy movement, have effectively been silenced by the military.

Professors are restricted on what they can say, they are told not to discuss politics, support political parties or meet foreign officials.

The universities, closed for several years after the 1988 uprisings, now are strictly off-limits to visitors. Guards at the gates ensure only students and teachers enter.

"Attention. Any unauthorized person found on the campus at any time of the day will be subject to interrogation and legal action," says one sign outside the gates to Yangon University.

"Severe action will be taken against any unauthorized person carrying cameras. Video of any kind is prohibited," says another.

Forced labor is also commonplace. Human Rights Watch/Asia estimates at least two million people have been forced to work for no pay under brutal conditions as the SLORC moves to attract international investment by rebuilding its long-neglected infrastructure.

"Forced labor is endemic in Myanmar. Since 1992 at least two million people have been forced to work without pay ... hundreds have died from beatings, exhaustion, accidents and lack of medical care," the organization said in a recent report.