A group of Burmese pro-democracy activists arrested for illegal assembly at the Burmese embassy last month will continue to languish in jail as their case has been postponed for another two weeks, again with bail denied.

Magistrate Aizatul Akmal Maharani turned down the 23 pro-democracy activists' application for bail after hearing submissions from defence counsel Latheefah Koya and James Khong.

The group was not charged when first brought before Aizatul on May 25 as a court interpreter was not available. The case was postponed until today to enable a Burmese interpreter to be found, but the court was again told that none was available.

Prosecuting officer Yong Khoon Lam had earlier requested that the matter be postponed until June 28 for the police to decide whether to charge or to release the 23.

"I ask for a two-week adjournment as I have to speak to my superiors on this matter," he said.

Responding, Khong said this was preventing justice from being administered: "We are concerned with the liberty of the persons here. It is incumbent on upon the prosecution and court to provide an interpreter.

"That is against the balance of liberty and fairness and such administrative matters should not prejudice my client."

This development comes even as the police have pledged to improve the remand process and in the wake of recommendations by the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) that those detained should not be unduly remanded or detained for longer than 24 hours.

'Registered refugee'

Latheefah argued that the sole female in the group, freelance journalist Sein Mar, should be placed in the custody of the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees (UNHCR) as she had a seven year-old daughter.

Sein Mar has been held at Kajang prison pending the hearing, while the child has been placed in the care of the UNHCR.

"She is a registered refugee with the UNHCR but has been put in jail where she cannot take care of her child. I request that she be given bail and then be placed with the UNHCR," Latheefah said.

However, the magistrate rejected the appeal.

The 23 activists were arrested on May 17 during a demonstration in front of the Burmese embassy against a national convention that the ruling military junta had organised in Rangoon, to discuss the formation of a new constitution.

The activists claimed that the convention was illegal as it did not include the voices of renown pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi or representatives from her party, the National League for Democracy.