Amnesty International News Item, 26

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Subject: Amnesty International News Item, 26/10/95

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                                                         News
Service 192/95
AI INDEX: ASA 16/26/95
EMBARGOED UNTIL 0001 HRS GMT 26 OCTOBER 1995

MYANMAR: GRAVE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS STILL CONTINUE

Despite the release of long-time prisoner of conscience Daw
Aung San Suu Kyi in July this year, the human rights
situation in Myanmar  remains critical, Amnesty International
said in a report released today.

      "While we welcome some positive steps made by Myanmar's
military government, thousands of political prisoners still
remain behind bars -- among them at least 50 prisoners of
conscience," the organization said.

      "The military government's actions this year amount to
giving with one hand while taking away with the other."

      For example, in mid-June, less than two weeks before
Aung San Suu Kyi was released, three veteran politicians were
sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. U Tun Shwe, U Thu
Wai, and U Htwe Myint were arrested in mid-June, apparently
for meeting with foreigners and criticizing  the State Law
and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) -- Myanmar's military
government. Amnesty International considers all three to be
prisoners of conscience, sentenced for the peaceful
expression of their views.

      Another prisoner of conscience whose case is typical is
Daw San San Nwe, a well-known journalist and writer whose
work has been banned in Myanmar.  She was arrested in August
1994 for passing information to foreign journalists and
diplomats and sentenced to ten years'  imprisonment in
October 1994.

      Conditions in prisons and labour camps in Myanmar 
remain extremely harsh and prisoners are subjected to
beatings and other ill-treatment.

      "Hundreds have died from harsh conditions and poor
treatment," Amnesty International said.  "Convicted criminals
are also singled out for forced labour on roads and other
projects in often terrible conditions." 

      Human rights violations occur throughout Myanmar. 
Civilians in the border regions, where large populations of
ethnic minorities live, are at risk of arbitrary arrest. The
army continues to seize members of ethnic minorities for
forced portering and labour duties, holding them in unhealthy
conditions for weeks or even months at a time and often
subjecting them to ill-treatment.  

      Thousands of Mon civilians are routinely seized by the
army to work on the Ye-Tavoy railway  in southeast Myanmar.
Thousands of others have been forced to carry supplies and
ammunition for the army, and are beaten or even shot if  they
cannot carry their loads or attempt to escape. Villagers can
also be shot dead if  the army suspects them of contact with
armed ethnic minority groups.  

      The SLORC has claimed repeatedly that there are no
human rights violations in Myanmar.  They have also stated
that there are different versions of human rights standards
which vary from one culture to the next. Amnesty
International respects and recognizes cultural diversity, but
always upholds the principles of the integrity and
universality of human rights standards.

      Although the SLORC has made some improvements in human
rights, including the reported release of over 2,000
political prisoners since April 1992, the abolition of
military tribunals, and the lifting of curfew restrictions, 
more profound changes in both human rights policy and
practice are urgently needed.

      Amnesty International is calling on the SLORC to
release all prisoners of conscience, abolish the practices of
forced labour and portering, and to put an end to torture and
ill-treatment throughout the country.

      The organization is also urging the international
community to reaffirm its commitment to the protection of
human rights in Myanmar.

ENDS\



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