Karen Human Right Report-Whatever happened to the 2007 protesters?: Interviews with convict porters
This report presents the contents of January 2009 KHRG interviews with two Burmese men who were arrested for their participation in the 2007 popular protests against the rising cost of living in Burma. The 2007 protests reached their peak following the dramatic reduction in fuel price subsidies by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), Burma’s ruling junta, on August 15th 2007 and the subsequent participation of tens of thousands or Buddhist monks beginning in late August.[1] However, the demonstrations began on a smaller scale prior to August. In Arakan State, from where both interviewees hailed, the 2007 demonstrations began on June 19th with a solo protest by Maung Kyaw Naing.
The first interview included here was conducted with 29-year-old Ko W— who was arrested in Arakan State on November 27th 2007. On December 5th 2007, SPDC authorities sentenced Ko W— to two and a half years’ imprisonment. Ko W— was then moved to Kyauk Pyu prison. In November 2008, Ko W— was removed from prison, sent to the frontline in Karen State to serve as a convict porter alongside the Burma Army and subsequently escaped.
http://www.khrg.org/khrg2009/khrg09b2.pdf
http://www.khrg.org/khrg2009/khrg09b2.html
