ASA 16/013/2006
Further Information on UA 261/06 (ASA 16/012/2006, 29 September 2006) –
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
New names : Min Zeya (m)
Pyone Cho (m)
2 October 2006
Two more former political prisoners and former student leaders have been detained without charge. Min Zeya and Pyone Cho were taken away from their homes in Yangon, on 30 September by security officials. There is no information on where they are being detained. Amnesty International fears that they are at risk of torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
The arrest of Min Zeya and Pyone Cho follows the detention of three other former student leaders, Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and Htay Kywe, on 27 September. Min Zeya and Pyone Cho were among the leaders of the 1988 nationwide demonstrations against 26 years of military rule. No reason has been given for the detention of the activists. They have been in custody well beyond the 24 hour period admissible in Myanmar law.
The arrests followed a day after the United Nations Security Council heard a first official briefing on the situation in Myanmar.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
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 Min Zeya and Pyone Cho have been arbitrarily detained since 30 September ;
urging the authorities to release Min Zeya, Pyone Cho, and their fellow former student leaders U Htay Kywe, Ko Ko Gyi and Paw U Tun 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 five 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
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 13 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).
