Police Bars Some Press Photographers from Martyrs’ Day Ceremonies

Several local press photographers were prevented by police and security guards from taking pictures of an official ceremony in Rangoon marking this year’s Martyrs’ Day.
The authorities sealed off the Martyrs’ memorial, near the famous Shwedagon pagoda, and this year no foreign diplomats were invited to attend Saturday’s ceremony.

Security was also increased at the Shwedagon pagoda and the offices of the opposition National League for Democracy.

Burmese officials and soldiers gather for Martyrs' Day ceremonies on July 19, at the Martyrs' Mausoleum in Rangoon. Martyrs' Day is held annually in memory of the assassination of the country's national hero the late Gen Aung San and eight others, who were gunned down during a cabinet meeting in 1947. Gen. Aung San is the father of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. (Photo: AP)

Several photographers who tried to approach the memorial were challenged by police and plainclothes guards, who seized the cameras and press cards of some of the media representatives.

One journalist was briefly detained by police. A photographer said he was physically attacked.
“The police asked me to destroy all the pictures I had taken,” said one Rangoon-based photographer. “They took my name and also took a picture of me.”

Saturday’s ceremony, which included a wreath-laying, marked the 61st anniversary of the assassination of Burma’s independence hero Gen Aung San and eight of his comrades.