BBC-British activist arrested in Bu

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Subject: BBC-British activist arrested in Burma 

Wednesday, September 1, 1999 Published at 11:46 GMT 12:46 UK
UK

British activist arrested in Burma

James Mawdsley has already been deported twice from Burma

Concern is growing for a British democracy activist arrested for illegally
entering Burma, carrying hundreds of anti-government leaflets.
According to state television 26-year-old James Mawdsley, from Lancashire,
was arrested in the city of Tachilek in north east Burma, also known as
Myanmar.

Mr Mawdsley, who had been working as a teacher at a refugee camp, has been
deported twice before for his involvement in human rights protests.

He telephoned his father, David, from Thailand last week and pledged to
continue "his human rights campaign against the military regime".

David Mawdsley, 56, of Kensington, west London, said: "He knew he would be
arrested and he said he was going to protest."

Burmese television described his son as a "mercenary terrorist", and said
"severe action" would be taken against him.

David Mawdsley said: "James is not a mercenary, a mercenary goes in armed
with a gun. He goes in armed with the truth.

"He believes in human rights and democracy. He goes in and protests by
handing out leaflets."

Dissidents urge uprising

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "The British Embassy is urgently
investigating to find out the facts with a view to visiting him to find out
what he has been charged with.

"We also want to establish whether he has legal representation."

Mr Mawdsley's arrest comes as dissidents are urging Burma's people to rise
up against the military regime on 9 September, or 9-9-99, seen as an
auspicious date in the country.

The government has acknowledged arresting nearly 40 people in recent weeks.

But Mr Mawdsley, who also holds Australian citizenship, is the only
foreigner arrested.

He served 98 days of a five-year sentence at Ragoon's notorious Insein
Prison, prior to being deported in 1998.

A condition of his release, which the government said was made on
humanitarian grounds after appeals by his parents and embassies, was that he
would never return.