Yangon: Political activists in Myanmar have demanded an end to discrimination against people seen as being anti-junta, citing restrictions against lawyers, doctors and small businesses with perceived links to the pro-democracy movement.

Myanmar’s military government has closed down businesses, revoked business licenses or refused to issue permits to people engaged in political activities, said a statement received Friday from the 88 Generation Students’ Group, which includes leaders of pro-democracy demonstrations held in 1988.

“Those who took part in the emergence of democracy in the country were branded as political activists,” said the statement, which was dated Thursday. “They have been facing restrictions, pressure and discrimination in their social and economic lives.”

Many members of the group have been imprisoned for taking part in protests or other political activities.

“We have suffered discrimination and persecution by authorities for more than 18 years for engaging in politics,” the statement said.

Myanmar has been under military rule since 1962. The current junta was installed in 1988 after authorities put down mass pro-democracy demonstrations.

General elections were held in 1990, but the military refused to hand over power after opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, the National League for Democracy, won a landslide victory.

“Doctors and lawyers who are party members and elected candidates of the NLD have not been allowed to practice or some have their practicing licenses revoked,” said U Han Tha Myint, a spokesman for Suu Kyi.

He said that several NLD members were also prevented from opening businesses such as tea shops.

The junta tolerates little dissent and harasses and detains critics. It also keeps tight restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly.

Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been in detention for 11 of the past 17 years, and continuously since May 2003.