One of Burma's most prominent activists has been sentenced to 65 years jail, along with two other pro-democracy leaders, in connection with anti-government protests held last year.
According to the November 17 Bangkok Post, 14 leading activists from the 88 Generation Students group were given 65-year prison sentences in a court in Insein Prison.
The 88GS is an influential pro-democracy group, whose activists have played a leading role since the 1988 uprising. As a number of the jailed activists are in their 30s and 40s, such sentences will likely see them die in prison.
At the same time, 25 other activists, including five monks who took part in the 2007 uprising, were sentenced to up to 26 years imprisonment.
The harsh sentences are designed to discourage dissent. This harsher repression is also being directed at attorneys who are brave enough to represent activists.
In October and November, three lawyers who represented dissidents, including 88GS members, were also sentenced to prison from four to six months for contempt of court.
In November, courts in Burma have jailed as many as 70 people over last year's protests against the military regime, which led to a crackdown that the United Nations stated left at least 31 people dead.
According to the November 16 Sydney Morning Herald, a female journalist arrested while reporting on Cyclone Nargis in May, Ein Khaing Oo, was sentenced to two years in jail, while a male colleague received seven years.
After hearing his sentence in court November 18, Min Zeya, a leading member of the 88GS, loudly ridiculed it, responding: "Only 65 years?"
US-based Human Rights Watch has reported human rights problems surrounding the referendum held by the regime after Cyclone Nagis, which left 139,000 people dead or missing, including tight restrictions on freedom of assembly, association, and the media.
The military government has stated it will hold elections in 2010. Rights groups have accused the generals of trying to curb dissent ahead of the poll.