Activists tell of Myanmar 'witch hunt'
For media: Download audio and watch video of eyewitnesses and activists (17 October)
Older video: Footage of the demonstration in London on 6 October (RealPlayer) Footage of the repression in Myanmar, 27 Sept. demo in London and Amnesty International's call (RealPlayer) Footage of the protests in Myanmar (RealPlayer) AI activists demonstrate in London (27 Sept.) (RealPlayer)(last updated 19 October)
Monks and activists in Myanmar have told Amnesty International of the brutal repression suffered by anti-government protesters in the country.A series of interviews with prominent activists, including Mie Mie, Htay Kywe and Nay Tin Myint, have exposed government tactics of ongoing night raids, arbitrary arrests and appalling detention conditions.These first-hand accounts follow last weekend's detention of six people, including Htay Kywe, Mie Mie, Aung Thu, Aung Gyi and and young activist Zaw Htet Ko Ko, all members of the 1988 Generation Students group. "We have seen police asking for money from families of detainees if they want their family members to be released. Young people who are on their way to offices and schools are not only stopped and checked but also robbed," said Mie Mie shortly before her arrest. Burmese who had fled to the Thai-Myanmar border described violence by riot police against marchers and onlookers, including women and monks."Some of the injured were so bloody that you couldn't tell where blood was coming from. Some of the monks lost the top part of their robes. I saw civilians trying to help an injured monk. Most of their injuries were head injuries. The riot police were aiming for the head," said a 31 year-old monk who witnessed confrontations between protesters and police at Shwe Dagon pagoda on 26 September.Shortly before his arrest, Htay Kywe said, from hiding, that "the international community must stand clearly to prevent further violations." He also called on "the international community to help as much as it can" to prevent further violations.Htay Kywe, Mie Mie, Aung Thu, Aung Gyi and Zaw Htet Ko Ko were involved in the early protest marches in August, but were soon forced into hiding as the authorities launched a manhunt for those they perceived as the leaders of the protests, in particular Htay Kywe. On 21 August, 13 key activists of the 88 Generation Students group were arrested in an overnight operation.
Demonstrations around the worldSlideshow: Amnesty International leads protests across the globe on 6 October(see also the pictures from the end of September)
The release on Wednesday of famous comedian and former prisoner of conscience, Zargana, was overshadowed by emerging reports that a growing number of those arrested in the crackdown have been sentenced to jail or labour camps in highly flawed proceedings, including in hastily convened courts behind prison walls.State press has earlier warned that those held over the protests could face jail sentences. The New Light of Myanmar warned on 9 October, "Anyone who is detained for his violation of law must be charged and serve prison terms if he is found guilty."Continued arrests fly in the face of the promises made last week by the Myanmar authorities to cooperate with the United Nations. On 11 October, the UN Security Council strongly deplored the violent crackdown and stressed the importance of the early release of all political prisoners.Up to now, the Myanmar state media has indicated that nearly 3,000 people have been arrested and more than 2,500 have been released, but the true number of people still in detention is likely much higher. At the time of writing, arrests continue to be reported. In their announcements, the Myanmar authorities have also failed to provide details about who has been detained, where people are held, in what conditions and why they have been arrested. There are continued disturbing reports of searches, surveillance and harassment of people who took part in the protests. Threats are reportedly also made to family members and neighbours of suspected protesters. Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has reported that a detained member of the National League for Democracy, the main opposition party, died as a result of torture during interrogation. Ko Win Shwe, 42, was reportedly arrested with four others on 26 September because of their participation in demonstrations.Despite Zargana's release, his fellow comedian Par Par Lay, and many others continue to be denied their freedom.
Read the stories of the two comediansAmnesty International has condemned the use of violence against peaceful protestors and is seriously concerned at the safety of all those detained across the country. The organisation has called on the authorities to ensure that detainees are not subjected to torture or any other ill-treatment and are released immediately.Read more:Myanmar: New video and audio testimony of 'witch hunt' and brutal repression (Press Release, 17 October 2007)Myanmar: UN Security Council must focus on concrete action (Press Release, 11 October 2007)Myanmar: Security Council must follow up the recent visit by Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari (Press Release, 5 October 2007)Myanmar: Global demonstrations to support peaceful protestors (Press Release, 5 October 2007)Human Rights Council deplores Myanmar repression (News, 2 October 2007)UN must impose arms embargo on Myanmar (Web Feature, 1 October 2007)Myanmar: Prompt action needed from ASEAN countries (Press Release, 27 September 2007)Myanmar: UN Security Council must increase the pressure (Press Release, 27 September 2007)Myanmar: UN Security Council must deploy urgent mission (Press Release, 25 September 2007)Myanmar’s Political Prisoners: A Growing Legacy of Injustice (Report, 16 June 2005)
Take action!
Please urgently send emails, faxes or letters in English or your own language. You may wish to use the suggested text below which you may cut and paste into your message.
Dear Minister
I am deeply concerned by the reports that thousands of monks and other peaceful protesters, including well-known activists Htay Kywe, Mie Mie, Aung Thu, Aung Gyi, Zaw Htet Ko Ko and comedian Par Par Lay, have been detained.
I strongly urge the Myanmar authorities to release them and those connected to them immediately and unconditionally, unless they are to be charged with recognizably criminal offences. I call on the authorities to ensure that, while they remain in custody, all the detainees are held only in official places of detention, and are given immediate access to lawyers, their families and any medical treatment they may require. I also call on the authorities to ensure that the detainees are not subjected to torture or any other ill-treatment.
I also call on the authorities to release the estimated 1,150 political prisoners from before the start of the crackdown two months ago, including senior political representatives of the ethnic minorities, NLD members and young activists.
I call 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.
Yours Sincerely
You can copy and paste this sample letter into an e-mail or a document to print out. If you are planning to write your own appeal please read our letter writing guide.
Please send appeals to:
Foreign Minister Nyan Win Ministry of Foreign Affairs Naypyitaw Union of Myanmar
Fax: +95 1 222 950 OR +95 1 221 719
E-mail: mofa.aung@mptmail.net.mm
Please let us know if you have taken this action
E-mail this page
For media: Download audio and watch video of eyewitnesses and activists (17 October)
Older video: Footage of the demonstration in London on 6 October (RealPlayer) Footage of the repression in Myanmar, 27 Sept. demo in London and Amnesty International's call (RealPlayer) Footage of the protests in Myanmar (RealPlayer) AI activists demonstrate in London (27 Sept.) (RealPlayer)(last updated 19 October)
Monks and activists in Myanmar have told Amnesty International of the brutal repression suffered by anti-government protesters in the country.A series of interviews with prominent activists, including Mie Mie, Htay Kywe and Nay Tin Myint, have exposed government tactics of ongoing night raids, arbitrary arrests and appalling detention conditions.These first-hand accounts follow last weekend's detention of six people, including Htay Kywe, Mie Mie, Aung Thu, Aung Gyi and and young activist Zaw Htet Ko Ko, all members of the 1988 Generation Students group. "We have seen police asking for money from families of detainees if they want their family members to be released. Young people who are on their way to offices and schools are not only stopped and checked but also robbed," said Mie Mie shortly before her arrest. Burmese who had fled to the Thai-Myanmar border described violence by riot police against marchers and onlookers, including women and monks."Some of the injured were so bloody that you couldn't tell where blood was coming from. Some of the monks lost the top part of their robes. I saw civilians trying to help an injured monk. Most of their injuries were head injuries. The riot police were aiming for the head," said a 31 year-old monk who witnessed confrontations between protesters and police at Shwe Dagon pagoda on 26 September.Shortly before his arrest, Htay Kywe said, from hiding, that "the international community must stand clearly to prevent further violations." He also called on "the international community to help as much as it can" to prevent further violations.Htay Kywe, Mie Mie, Aung Thu, Aung Gyi and Zaw Htet Ko Ko were involved in the early protest marches in August, but were soon forced into hiding as the authorities launched a manhunt for those they perceived as the leaders of the protests, in particular Htay Kywe. On 21 August, 13 key activists of the 88 Generation Students group were arrested in an overnight operation.
Demonstrations around the worldSlideshow: Amnesty International leads protests across the globe on 6 October(see also the pictures from the end of September)
The release on Wednesday of famous comedian and former prisoner of conscience, Zargana, was overshadowed by emerging reports that a growing number of those arrested in the crackdown have been sentenced to jail or labour camps in highly flawed proceedings, including in hastily convened courts behind prison walls.State press has earlier warned that those held over the protests could face jail sentences. The New Light of Myanmar warned on 9 October, "Anyone who is detained for his violation of law must be charged and serve prison terms if he is found guilty."Continued arrests fly in the face of the promises made last week by the Myanmar authorities to cooperate with the United Nations. On 11 October, the UN Security Council strongly deplored the violent crackdown and stressed the importance of the early release of all political prisoners.Up to now, the Myanmar state media has indicated that nearly 3,000 people have been arrested and more than 2,500 have been released, but the true number of people still in detention is likely much higher. At the time of writing, arrests continue to be reported. In their announcements, the Myanmar authorities have also failed to provide details about who has been detained, where people are held, in what conditions and why they have been arrested. There are continued disturbing reports of searches, surveillance and harassment of people who took part in the protests. Threats are reportedly also made to family members and neighbours of suspected protesters. Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has reported that a detained member of the National League for Democracy, the main opposition party, died as a result of torture during interrogation. Ko Win Shwe, 42, was reportedly arrested with four others on 26 September because of their participation in demonstrations.Despite Zargana's release, his fellow comedian Par Par Lay, and many others continue to be denied their freedom.
Read the stories of the two comediansAmnesty International has condemned the use of violence against peaceful protestors and is seriously concerned at the safety of all those detained across the country. The organisation has called on the authorities to ensure that detainees are not subjected to torture or any other ill-treatment and are released immediately.Read more:Myanmar: New video and audio testimony of 'witch hunt' and brutal repression (Press Release, 17 October 2007)Myanmar: UN Security Council must focus on concrete action (Press Release, 11 October 2007)Myanmar: Security Council must follow up the recent visit by Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari (Press Release, 5 October 2007)Myanmar: Global demonstrations to support peaceful protestors (Press Release, 5 October 2007)Human Rights Council deplores Myanmar repression (News, 2 October 2007)UN must impose arms embargo on Myanmar (Web Feature, 1 October 2007)Myanmar: Prompt action needed from ASEAN countries (Press Release, 27 September 2007)Myanmar: UN Security Council must increase the pressure (Press Release, 27 September 2007)Myanmar: UN Security Council must deploy urgent mission (Press Release, 25 September 2007)Myanmar’s Political Prisoners: A Growing Legacy of Injustice (Report, 16 June 2005)
Take action!
Please urgently send emails, faxes or letters in English or your own language. You may wish to use the suggested text below which you may cut and paste into your message.
Dear Minister
I am deeply concerned by the reports that thousands of monks and other peaceful protesters, including well-known activists Htay Kywe, Mie Mie, Aung Thu, Aung Gyi, Zaw Htet Ko Ko and comedian Par Par Lay, have been detained.
I strongly urge the Myanmar authorities to release them and those connected to them immediately and unconditionally, unless they are to be charged with recognizably criminal offences. I call on the authorities to ensure that, while they remain in custody, all the detainees are held only in official places of detention, and are given immediate access to lawyers, their families and any medical treatment they may require. I also call on the authorities to ensure that the detainees are not subjected to torture or any other ill-treatment.
I also call on the authorities to release the estimated 1,150 political prisoners from before the start of the crackdown two months ago, including senior political representatives of the ethnic minorities, NLD members and young activists.
I call 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.
Yours Sincerely
You can copy and paste this sample letter into an e-mail or a document to print out. If you are planning to write your own appeal please read our letter writing guide.
Please send appeals to:
Foreign Minister Nyan Win Ministry of Foreign Affairs Naypyitaw Union of Myanmar
Fax: +95 1 222 950 OR +95 1 221 719
E-mail: mofa.aung@mptmail.net.mm
Please let us know if you have taken this action
E-mail this page
No comments:
Post a Comment