AI UA232/95 MYANMAR Torture fear (f

[absdf@xxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: AI UA232/95 MYANMAR Torture fear (fwd)



/* Written  6:42 pm  Oct  5, 1995 by rmitchellai@xxxxxxxxxx in nn:ai.uan */
/* ---------- "AI UA232/95 MYANMAR Torture fear" ---------- */
+------------------------------------------------------+
+ Paper reprints authorised. Electronic redistributors +
+ must request permission from Amnesty International.  +
+ Contact:   rmitchellai@xxxxxxxxxx (UK)               +
+            sharrison@xxxxxxxxxxx (USA)               +
+            ggabriel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Germany)      +
+------------------------------------------------------+

EXTERNAL                          AI Index: ASA 16/27/95
                                  5 October 1995

UA 232/95         Fear of ill-treatment or torture           

MYANMAR      Ye Htut, member of National League for Democracy (NLD)

Amnesty International fears that Ye Htut, reportedly arrested on 27
September 1995 by military intelligence personnel, may be facing
ill- treatment or torture in prison.  

According to state-run newspapers, Ye Htut is facing charges of
"concocting news stories" about Myanmar and sending them to
dissident Burmese groups based abroad.  His place of detention is
not known.  Ye Htut, who was elected Member of Parliament for the
Kyaik-to 1 constituency in the Mon State, in the Burmese elections
of 1990, was previously detained in late 1990 or early 1991, and was
released some time before August 1993. 

Conditions in Myanmar's prisons fall far short of international
minimum standards, and torture and ill-treatment is common during
the interrogation period and after sentencing.   As a politician who
has previously been detained, Ye Htut is likely to be at particular
risk, especially given the nature of the charges against him.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Surveillance of real or imputed critics of the military government
by Military Intelligence (MI) is pervasive in Myanmar, sometimes
leading to arrest and imprisonment.  Myanmar citizens who meet with
foreigners are particularly vulnerable to such surveillance
activities.  Many former political prisoners have been warned by the
authorities not to become involved in politics, and are watched by
MI.

The State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC, Myanmar's
military government) took power following the violent suppression
of widespread pro- democracy demonstrations in 1988.  Hundreds of
people were killed during the military crackdown, with hundreds more
arrested and imprisoned in 1989.  General elections held in 1990
resulted in an overwhelming victory for the NLD, the political party
founded by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.  However the SLORC refused to hand
over power and has continued to rule by decree since 1988.  The
rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly are
severely curtailed in Myanmar, and anyone expressing opposition to
the SLORC is at risk of arrest.  Although over 2,000 prisoners have
reportedly been released since April 1992, hundreds remain in
prison.  In the last 18 months, prisoners have been given long
sentences for allegedly passing information on the human rights
situation in Myanmar to foreign groups and individuals.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/airmail
letters in English or your own language: 

- seeking assurances that the treatment of Ye Htut conforms to
international standards and that he is being given access to his
family, lawyers and medical personnel; 

- seeking clarification as to the whereabouts of Ye Htut and the
charges against him; 

- urging that if he has been arrested solely for the peaceful
exercise of his right to freedom of expression and association, he
be immediately and unconditionally released.

APPEALS TO:

General Than Shwe, Chairman       [Salutation: Dear General]
State Law and Order Restoration Council
c/o Ministry of Defence, Signal Pagoda Road
Yangon (Rangoon), Union of Myanmar (Burma)
Telegrams: General Than Shwe, Yangon, Myanmar
Telexes: 21316

Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, Secretary 1 
[Salutation: Dear General]
State Law and Order Restoration Council
c/o Ministry of Defence, Signal Pagoda Road
Yangon (Rangoon), Union of Myanmar (Burma)
Telegrams: Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, Yangon, Myanmar
Faxes: +95 1 229 50

PLEASE SEND COPIES TO: His Excellency U Hla Maung, Embassy of
Myanmar, 19A Charles Street, Berkeley Square, London W1X 8ER. Fax:
0171 629 4169

[Please see the responses to this topic for the addresses
of diplomatic representatives in other countries]

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Please do not send appeals after
20 November 1995.

+-----------------------------------------------------------+
+ If you have any queries about this Urgent Action or about +
+ the UA scheme in general, please contact:                 +
+   Ray Mitchell                                            +
+   Amnesty International British Section                   +
+   99 - 119 Rosebery Avenue                                +
+   London EC1R 4RE      email: rmitchellai@xxxxxxxxxx      +
+-----------------------------------------------------------+