ASA 16/012/2006
UA 261/06
Fear of torture/ arbitrary detention/ medical concern
MYANMAR :U Htay Kywe (m), aged about 41
Ko Ko Gyi (m), aged 44
Paw U Tun (alias Min Ko Naing) (m), aged 43
29 September 2006
The three former student leaders named above were detained by police Special Branch officers after dawn on 27 September. Amnesty International fears that they are at risk of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
They are reportedly held incommunicado without charge, in Special Branch offices and at the Ministry of Home Affairs, beyond the 24 hour period admissible under Myanmar law.
The group were reportedly taken from their homes hours before activities to mark the 18th anniversary of the founding of the opposition party National League of Democracy.
The three were among the few remaining leading activists still at liberty in Myanmar, where the majority of senior opposition figures have been imprisoned on account of their peaceful exercise of basic rights. They are known to have health problems.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
U Htay Kywe, Ko Ko Gyi and Paw U Tun were student leaders during 1988 demonstrations against 26 years of military rule. Paw U Tun and Ko Ko Gyi were respectively chair and vice chair of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions. They were released in 2004 and 2005 respectively, after up to 15 years’ imprisonment for their role in organizing peaceful student protests. All have had health problems during their detention, which included prolonged periods in solitary confinement. Since their release they have been subjected to heavy surveillance. Their movements have been reported on and criticized in the state-controlled press.
The situation in Myanmar is scheduled to be discussed at the United Nations Security Council today. After Myanmar was placed on the Security Council’s agenda a fortnight ago, the authorities alleged in the official press that opposition groups were involved in plots to cause unrest in the country.
Amnesty International has long-standing concerns at the deprivation of basic rights in detention. People are frequently arrested without warrant and held incommunicado. Torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment are common in pre-trial detention. Proceedings against political detainees have failed to meet international standards for fair trial. Defendants are often denied the right to legal counsel or to legal counsel of their own choice. Prosecutors have relied on confessions extracted through torture.
RECOMMENDED ACTION : Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language :
expressing concern at reports that that U Htay Kywe, Ko Ko Gyi, and Paw U Tun aka Min Ko Naing have been arbitrarily detained and held incommunicado since the morning of 27 September ;
— urging the authorities to release them immediately and unconditionally, unless they are to be charged with a recognisably criminal offence ;
urging the authorities to ensure that, while they remain in custody, the three men are held only in an official place of detention, and are granted immediate access to lawyers, their families and any medical treatment they may require ;
calling on the authorities to ensure that all people in Myanmar are able to peacefully exercise the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly without fear of harassment, intimidation or arbitrary detention, in line with international human rights standards.
APPEALS TO :
General Than Shwe
Minister of Defence/Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Ahlanpya Phaya Street,
Yangon,
Union of Myanmar
Salutation : Dear General
Foreign Minister Nyan Win
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Pyay Court, Pyay Road,
Yangon
Union of Myanmar
Fax : +951 222950
Salutation : Dear Minister
Major General Maung Oo
Minister of Home Affairs and chairman of the Myanmar Human Rights Committee
Ministry of Home Affairs,
Corner of Saya San Street and No 1 Industrial Street,
Yankin Township, Yangon,
Union of Myanmar
Salutation : Dear Major General
Ambassade de l’Union de Myanmar
Boulevard du Régent 29
1000 Bruxelles
Fax : 02/705.50.48
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 10 November 2006.
Communication au réseau Action Urgente septembre 2006
Nous vous souhaitons une bonne rentrée et nous espérons que vous avez passé de bonnes vacances. Pour le service des Actions Urgentes, il n’y a pas de vacances qui tiennent ! Et durant ces deux mois, nous avons reçu des « bonnes nouvelles » à la pelle. En voici quelques-unes :
Bouleversé par le soutien d’Amnesty International : Lorsqu’il s’est entretenu avec des représentants d’Amnesty International après sa libération, Weja Chicampo était fatigué et ému. Il a déclaré avoir été bouleversé par toutes les lettres envoyées par des membres de l’organisation. Il ne les avait pas vues lui-même, mais son cousin l’avait informé de l’arrivée de chacune de ces lettres. Il a remercié Amnesty International pour son soutien, et tout spécialement les membres qui se sont mobilisés en sa faveur.(AFR 24/003/2004 ; AU 116/04)
Honduras : le 23 juin, les prisonniers d’opinion Marcelino et Leonardo Miranda ont été acquitté et toutes les poursuites à leur encontre, dans une affaire de meurtre montée de toute pièce sûrement en représailles à leur combat en faveur des sans-terre, ont été abandonnées (AMR 37/006/2003 ; UA 128/03).
