A/HRC/4/14 page 9 25. Persecution and harassment of members of NLD continue. On 16 December 2006, the number of political prisoners was estimated to be 1,201, a figure that does not include prisoners reportedly detained in ethnic areas and secret jails. The Special Rapporteur took note with satisfaction of the decision by the Government of Myanmar on 3 January 2007 to grant amnesty to 2,831 prisoners and, further, of the release of more than 40 political prisoners the same month, including the 5 “88 generation” student leaders (Min Kop Naing, Ko Ko Gyi, Pyone Cho, Min Zeya and Htay Kywe) who were arbitrarily arrested last September. On 10 January 2007, the Special Rapporteur requested the Government to provide a detailed list of prisoners who had been released following this announcement. 26. The house arrest of NLD Secretary-General Aung Sang Suu Kyi was further prolonged by 12 months on 27 May 2006 in spite of various appeals. The terms of detention of other prominent NLD leaders, including Tin Oo, Than Nyein and May Win Myint, were also extended. Several leaders of ethnic political parties, including the Chairperson of the Shan State NLD, have been detained and given extraordinarily severe prison terms of 100 years or more. A report, “Eight Seconds of Silence”, released in May 2006 by the Assistance Association of Political Prisoners documents allegations of the deaths of 127 democracy advocates and human rights defenders since 1988 while in detention or shortly after their release. 27. While NLD members in Myanmar had been subjected to serious harassment, the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), established by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) in 1993, recently announced its intention to become a political party and field candidates in the next election. The Special Rapporteur believes this development to be a matter of grave concern. Over the years, the Special Rapporteur has received various allegations of involvement by USDA in acts of political and criminal violence. There is a perception among many observers that USDA may be used to legitimize a transition from a military regime to a civilian Government which could be not genuine. These allegations also seriously question the political will of the Government to work towards a legitimate democratization process in Myanmar. 28. In spite of the severe restrictions imposed on communities and their representatives, the Special Rapporteur has noted with great appreciation the strong democratic aspirations among various groups who continue to struggle to exercise their fundamental freedoms. For example, last December, the “88 generation” student group initiated a new campaign to urge the people of Myanmar to speak up about the political and social problems facing the nation. The campaign, called “Open Heart”, is scheduled to run from 4 January to 4 February and will call on all citizens of Myanmar to write to their government leaders urging reform in politics, the economy and social affairs. 29. Some countries of the region have reacted to the current state of the political process and human rights situation in Myanmar. Unprecedented pressure from ASEAN compelled Myanmar to decline its first opportunity to chair ASEAN in 2006. When the ASEAN envoy was finally authorized to visit the country in March 2006, he interrupted his mission when the Government refused to allow him to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi. Several ASEAN members afterwards issued very critical public statements highlighting the significant absence of progress in terms of democracy and human rights.