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Burma's ruling junta (military government) control everything the people watch, read and hear, and brutally repress even peaceful protests. 

There are over 2,200 political prisoners in Burma, including the 88 Generation Student Group, but the Burmese people continue to call for democracy.

In November 2010 the first national elections since 1990 are being held. The junta intend to use them to bring in a new constitution that will ensure the next generation of junta leaders retain absolute power.

21 YEARS AGO A GROUP OF STUDENTS STOOD UP FOR DEMOCRACY

In August 1988, a courageous group of Burmese students began to call for democracy. Their '88 Generation Students Group' rapidly gained broad support across the country and led many peaceful demonstrations for change.

But the government responded to the demonstrators with ferocity. Security forces killed around 3,000 civilians and thousands more people were imprisoned - or simply disappeared. The surviving leaders of the student movement were given long jail terms, some spending 15 years in solitary confinement.

MANY OF THEM ARE STILL IN PRISON TODAY

Over the intervening years, the junta's attitude hasn't softened. Violent attacks, arrests and disappearances continue to be widespread.

In the wake of the pro-democracy demonstrations in 2007, members of the 88 Generation Students Group were re-arrested. And late last year, leading activists from the group including Min Zeya, Kyaw Min Yu, Nilar Thein and Mie Mie were each sentenced to a further 65 years in jail.

And they are not alone. Amnesty International estimates that there over 2,200 political prisoners being held in Burmese prisons because of their support for democracy.