Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports
Not a comprehensive list. For more, including updates, go to the publishers' home pages and search. Also use the OBL search function.
Individual Documents
Description:
The Lizard Cage by Karen Connelly. Nan A Talese, 2007, pp448.....
Karen Connelly?s novel of Burma brings a poet?s sensibilities to the dismal reality facing the country?s many prisoners of conscience...
"We have few novels in English that attempt to capture the tedium and terror of life for Burma?s political prisoners; even fewer that do it as effectively as The Lizard Cage by Karen Connelly.
In some respects, Connelly tells the story of all political prisoners in Burma—the capricious nature of convictions, the brutality and sadism of prison officials and the psychological torments that accompany life in the ?lizard cage.?
Connelly is an accomplished poet, and her lyricism breaks through the savagery of her subject matter in unexpected and compelling ways as she presents the journey of a songwriter, Teza, whose plunge into the dark and hopeless world of Burma?s prison life begins as it does for so many others with the democracy movement.
But the novel has less to do with causes than effects, and the bulk of the narrative explores the confines of Teza?s solitary cell and the unanticipated threats to his physical and psychological well-being—from the external meddling of barbarous prison staff to the intense guilt that overcomes Teza as he compulsively hunts and eats the lizards in his prison cell..."
Kay Latt
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol 15, No. 8
Date of publication:
2007-08-00
Date of entry/update:
2008-05-02
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
Burma?s political prisoners find some measure of freedom in jail through resourceful self-expression
Yeni
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 14, No. 5
Date of publication:
2006-05-00
Date of entry/update:
2006-12-28
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
"To support its military attacks on hill villages throughout northern Karen State since November 2005, Burma?s State Peace & Development Council (SPDC) military junta has brought several thousand convicts from prisons across Burma to carry ammunition and supplies and to act as human minesweepers. Many of these men are innocent of any crime, but were imprisoned because they were too poor to bribe police and judges who use their positions to extort money. The corruption continues with their jailers, who send them to the Army as porters if they are unable to pay. The SPDC relies increasingly on convict porters for its major military operations, both as a large-scale and accessible workforce to augment the forced labour of villagers and to legitimise its use of forced labour in the eyes of the international community. However, the use of convict porters in frontline operations is anything but legitimate: treated as property of the soldiers, worked to the point of exhaustion or death, beaten, tortured or murdered whenever they can no longer carry loads, underfed and given no treatment when sick or wounded, their treatment flagrantly violates Burma?s obligations under the Geneva Conventions and the ILO Forced Labour Convention. Right now SPDC troops in northern Karen State are leaving a trail of porters? bodies behind them, while hundreds are attempting escape. This report is based on KHRG?s interviews with some of those who have escaped, whose stories reveal a system of endemic corruption and horrific brutality. Yet despite the presence of thousands of convict porters SPDC forces continue to recruit villagers for forced labour whenever possible, indicating that Burma?s ever-expanding Army is using convict labour as a supplement rather than an alternative to the forced labour of villagers..."
Source/publisher:
Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG #2006-03)
Date of publication:
2006-08-22
Date of entry/update:
2006-10-06
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Non-ILO Reports on forced labour, including forced portering, in Burma and the region
Language:
English
more
Description:
Executive Summary:
"After the 1988 people?s uprising in Burma, thousands of people were
arrested and imprisoned. Nearly all have faced torture or ill-treatment at
the hands of the authorities. Such torture and ill-treatment has resulted in
death for many.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners has documented the
cases of 127 democracy activists who died after enduring torture or illtreatment
in custody. Due to the political situation in Burma, all cases of
death in custody are not known. Further, many details of the known cases
cannot be collected.
Information in this report concerning the political background and the
circumstances of death for each democracy activist was taken from their
families, the former political prisoners who met the deceased in prison,
publications of political parties, human rights organizations and even the
SPDC, and documents from the prison and medical staff of the prisons.
Over the course of a year, all relevant information was gathered and verified.
Of the at least 127 deaths, 90 have died in prison, 8 in the interrogation
centers, 4 in the labor camps, and 10 shortly after being released from
prison. 15 activists have disappeared from the prisons, and their
whereabouts remain unknown to date.
Since early 2005 alone, 9 democracy activists have died behind bars. The
increased number of deaths in the past year is reflective of the rise in
torture and ill-treatment. It is also indicative of the State Peace and
Development Council?s (SPDC) policy. The SPDC is attempting to
systematically silence political dissent in Burma. Torture and ill-treatment
of political prisoners is one means by which they implement their policy.
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
18
This report looks at Burma?s interrogation centers, prisons and labor camps
to explain the cause of death for those who have passed away while detained
by the military regime. Torture and ill-treatment are endemic in these
locations. The general prison conditions and prison healthcare system are
aggravated and cause a level of suffering equivalent to torture in the majority
of political prisoners? cases.
The disappearance of political prisoners has occurred in fifteen documented
cases, though there are likely several undocumented cases. A section of
the report details the known cases of disappearance, and explains the
regime?s frequent withholding of information on a political prisoners?
location in order to terrorize their families.
After release from prison, several political prisoners face physical and mental
illnesses for which they are unable to receive treatment. The lack of
treatment is due to varying factors, but primary among them is the lack of
money and general knowledge about the health concerns of political
prisoners. Several political prisoners have died from the inability to treat a
basic illness. Further, the mental health care system in Burma is virtually
non-existent, leaving former political prisoners with no means of relieving
their mental suffering. Some political prisoners have committed suicide as
a result. This report looks at the circumstances surrounding the deaths of
those political prisoners who died shortly after release.
When political prisoners die, their families face many problems. The families
of deceased political prisoners have often been informed of their loved
ones death only after the authorities have cremated the body, so that any
evidence of torture or ill treatment is destroyed. Additionally, the authorities
are known to have pressured doctors into falsifying the results of their
autopsy. Though most do not, if a family attempts to challenge the
authorities? explanation for their loved ones death, they have no
independent witnesses to verify their claims one way or the other.
Eight Seconds of Silence: The Death of Democracy Activists Behind Bars
19
The families of political prisoners have on some occasions been offered
bribes to remain silent as to the cause of their loved ones death. Most
reject the bribe, and a few have defiantly spoken about the real cause of
their loved one?s death. Further, families of deceased political prisoners
often must bury their loved ones according to the direction of the
authorities. Intelligence personnel often infiltrate funerals, noting which
people attend so that they can later be detained and interrogated. The
aftermath of political prisoners? deaths is explained in this report.
Finally, this report provides detailed information on the political background
and death of nearly all documented cases of death in custody. These brief
biographies are meant to demonstrate the brutality of the authorities and
the innocence of the victims.
Though in a number of the cases of death in custody, the authorities
responsible for the individuals? death are known, no action has ever been
taken to hold them accountable. 127 democracy activists have been killed
with complete impunity.
Currently, there are at least 1,156 political prisoners in Burma. Several are
in poor and rapidly deteriorating health, and many are at risk for torture. If
they are not released immediately, they will face the same fate as those
who have died in custody..."
Source/publisher:
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
Date of publication:
2006-05-23
Date of entry/update:
2006-05-22
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Right to Life: reports of violations in Burma, Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.12 MB
Local URL:
more
Description:
"This document presents new evidence of a consistent pattern of unlawful
killing and ill-treatment of members of Burma's ethnic minorities by
security forces, including the army and police. It is a follow-up to a
document published in May 1988, Burma: Extrajudicial Execution and Torture
of Members of Ethnic Minorities. That document presented evidence of
unlawful killings and torture of members of the Karen, Kachin and Mon
ethnic minorities. This document provides information about allegations of
similarly severe violations of the human rights of members of the Shan
ethnic minority. It also describes the cases of two or three Shan who may
be prisoners of conscience. There is information suggesting they may be
imprisoned because of their ethnic background and their non-violent
political opinions or peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of
expression..."
Source/publisher:
Amnesty International (ASA 16/10/88)
Date of publication:
1988-08-00
Date of entry/update:
2006-04-30
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Discrimination against the Shan, Racial or ethnic discrimination in Burma: reports of violations against several groups, Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
158.35 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
On the face of it, the release of prisoners in Burma sounds good. But the ruling generals are probably just trying to improve their image...
"On July 6, Burma?s junta surprised the world by releasing as many as 400 prisoners—many of them political. Among those pleasantly surprised was UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who issued a statement welcoming the release.
London-based Amnesty International were also happy, but urged that the remaining estimated 1,100 political prisoners should also be freed—including detained democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi. Likewise, four days later US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, visiting neighboring Thailand, called for continuing international pressure for Suu Kyi?s unconditional release..."
Aung Zaw
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 13, No. 7
Date of publication:
2005-07-00
Date of entry/update:
2006-04-30
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Midnight. You hear many people pounding away at your door, demanding you open up. You make one last-ditch effort to hide the incriminating evidence, though you know they are only documents calling for democracy in your country. They pose no threat to anyone, except the brutal minds of your captors. You tell your family to remain calm; everything will be OK. Your heart is pounding, your mind racing. You open the door slightly and the authorities push their way into your home, overturning everything and demanding you come with them. They show no warrant; there is no need for legal matters when the authorities decide to take you away.
You are hooded and handcuffed; now you must rely entirely on your captors. You are made to lie down in the back of a van, a gun held at your back. As the van moves along, you pray the gun will not accidentally go off. You are not told where you are going, and there is no point in asking. Suddenly, the van stops and you hear the cruel voices of your captors ordering you to get out, to jump, to duck, to twist, to turn, all for their amusement. You are taken to a small room where the torture begins. You are stripped naked and are beaten until you lose consciousness. You are awakened when your captors drench you with a bucket of water. The beatings begin again. This time a rod is run up and down your shins until you scream out in agony as your flesh peals off. Your captors are laughing and threatening to kill you and your family. You remain hooded and handcuffed, unable to defend yourself or move away. You are humiliated, made to pretend you are riding motorcycles and airplanes. You sit and stand continuously until you are exhausted, all the while being beaten. You are forced to hold unnatural positions for extended periods of time until you collapse. You are denied food, water, sleep and must beg to use the toilet. You are degraded, bruised and battered. Your entire existence is reduced to the struggle to survive.
Finally, the torture stops and again you are hooded and taken to prison, which will be your home for the next seven years or more. So far, you have not been allowed to see your family or a lawyer, and you have no idea when you will be sentenced. You are placed in a cell with five of your colleagues, two criminals and several rats. You are given undercooked and dirty food to eat. You sleep on the cold concrete. Your toilet is a small pot which overflows, creating maggots and a foul, nauseating smell. You are allowed seven plates of water to wash your self. You have nothing to read, no mental stimulation. Your cell is so dark and damp that reading materials would not much matter. You are finally brought to court where you have a five minute trial. Your sentence is read out; you have no opportunity to defend yourself.
You are taken back to prison; the conditions are the same. You become ill, but are not allowed to see a doctor. Your condition worsens; still, no doctor, no medication. You must wait until your next family visit to receive medication. You have been placed in a prison hundreds of miles away from your family?s home. By the time they visit, you are no longer ill. You have managed to ride out your illness. Your other colleagues are not so lucky.
The years pass. One day you are told you will be released. You are prepared to go, standing at the gate, in site of your family, when the authorities re-arrest you. You will be held five more years, though they do not charge you or put you on trial. You want to complain, but fear the torture that would ensue.
You are finally released. You arrive home to find your mother has died while you were imprisoned. Your spouse has married another person. Your children struggle to remember you. You try to find work or restart your education, anything to regain the identity that was stolen from you when you were tortured and imprisoned. You cannot find employment, the universities turn you away. The Military Intelligence follows you and your family. You fear being re-arrested. You become depressed and feel marginalized. Your old friends no longer want to associate with you. You are misunderstood, but how can you explain yourself? You decide there is no future for you in your own country. You flee in the dark of night to an uncertain future.
You are a political prisoner from Burma..."
Source/publisher:
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
Date of publication:
2005-12-01
Date of entry/update:
2005-12-01
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma, Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports
Language:
English
more
Description:
"When the Burmese army hauled Naing Myint out of prison and forced him to become an ammunition porter on the frontline they actually did him a favor, opening the door to freedom. Naing Myint, a long-term prisoner, spent just two days humping ammunition before making a run for it..."
Shah Paung
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 13, No. 3
Date of publication:
2005-03-00
Date of entry/update:
2005-08-29
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
ILO reports on forced labour in Burma, Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Since January 1989, especially since March and again in June and July, the
tempo of political arrests has accelerated in Myanmar as the main student
groups and political parties have organized more frequent and larger
gatherings at which opinions increasingly critical of the authorities have
been voiced. In a document made public on 14 July 989. Myanmar (Burma):
Call for Dissemination and Enforcement of International Standards on the
Use of Force, Amnesty International expressed the hope that martial law
restrictions on civil liberties currently imposed by the armed forces in
Myanmar would not be enforced through the deliberate killing of
demonstrators, contrary to international standards on the use of force and
the right to life.
On 17 and 18 July 1989 the martial law administration empowered the
military to impose death sentences on political opponents, including people
not accused of violence, through summary judicial procedures that fall
short of international standards for fair trial and are contrary to the
safeguards enshrined in the Myanmar Judicial Law. These deficiencies
include allowing the death penalty for non-violent, not clearly criminal or
else only minor offences, elimination of the right of appeal to a higher
court and apparent curtailments of the right to a defence, particularly as
regards the calling of defence witnesses.
The new martial law provisions could lead to arbitrary executions and
Amnesty International has called on the authorities not to execute three
political prisoners sentenced to death under them on 27 July 1989 The
three are accused of involvement in a terrorist bombing. They have 30 days
in which to ask the Myanmar armed forces Commander-in-Chief to review their
sentences. Unless he orders their reprieve, they will be hanged..."
Source/publisher:
Amnesty International (ASA 16/15/89)
Date of publication:
1989-08-00
Date of entry/update:
2005-08-19
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Martial law decrees, States of Emergency etc. (commentary), Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
69.82 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
"The 26-year rule of General Ne Win?s Burma Socialist Programme Party came
to an end when Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Saw Maung led a military
coup on 18 September 1988. The coup followed months of pro-democracy
demonstrations throughout the country - and the deaths of thousands of
mostly peaceful demonstrators as a result of shootings by the army. Since
the coup, severe human rights violations, including mass arrests of
prisoners of conscience and possible prisoners of conscience, widespread
torture, summary trials, and extrajudicial executions continued to occur at
a very high level. Recent testimonies obtained by Amnesty International
describe these human rights abuses and indicate that real or imputed
critics of Myanmar?s military government run a high risk of being
imprisoned, interrogated, and tortured for the peaceful expression of their
political views.
The new military government pledged political and economic reforms
that appeared to go some way towards meeting the demands of pro-democracy
protesters. The authorities announced that elections to a new parliament
would take place in May 1990, following which a new constitution would be
drawn up to lay the foundation for a multi-party, parliamentary democracy.
For the first time since 1962 political opposition parties were permitted
to organize and were recognized by the government. However, the promised
transition to parliamentary democracy was marred by renewed repression even
as the new military government established itself. Hundreds of people were
shot in the weeks following the coup by troops who fired on demonstrators
without warning. Possibly thousands had been detained by the military
government by March 1990, many of them prisoners of conscience. Prisoners
of conscience included the main opposition leaders, many of whom were
arrested in July 1989 and officially disqualified by the SLORC from
standing in the elections. Evidence based on interviews conducted in November and December 1989
by Amnesty International from recently released political prisoners and
refugees who have fled the country suggests not only that torture and
unlawful killings of civilians in ethnic minority areas continue to be
widespread but that torture of political suspects occurs in other parts of
the country (i.e. non-ethnic minority areas). Several of those interviewed
had been prisoners of conscience, arrested, interrogated and tortured for
the peaceful exercise of their fundamental human rights. In the light of
this new information, Amnesty International is seriously concerned that any
person arrested for political reasons in Myanmar must be considered to be
at risk of torture by government security forces..."
Source/publisher:
Amnesty International (ASA 16-04-90)
Date of publication:
1990-05-02
Date of entry/update:
2005-08-19
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma, Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Various rights: reports of violations against several ethnic groups
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
67.66 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
1. INTRODUCTION 1
2. THE MILITARY TAKEOVER OF 18 SEPTEMBER 1988 AND ITS BACKGROUND
3. MARTIAL LAW RESTRICTIONS ON CIVIL LIBERTIES AND LEGISLATION USED
TO DETAIN PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE
3.1 Martial law Order Number 2/88 and Notification Number 8/88 of
18 September 1988 and 10 October 1988
3.2 The 1950 Emergency Provisions Act
3.3 The 1962 Law for the Registration of Printers and Publishers
4. UNFAIR TRIAL AND DETENTION WITHOUT CHARGE OR TRIAL
4.1 The Judicial Law of 26 September 1988
4.2 Martial law Orders Numbers 1/89 and 2/89 of 17 and 18 July 1989
4.3 The 1975 State Protection Law
5. NUMBERS OF ARRESTS
6. THE AUTHORITIES? POSITION
7. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
8. AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL?S RECOMMENDATIONS
9. STUDENT OPPOSITION GROUPS AND POLITICAL PARTIES
9.1 Student groups: The All-Burma Federation of Student Unions
(ABFSU) and the All Burma Students? Democratic Association
(ABSDA)
9.1.1 Student political objectives, strategy and tactics
9.1.2 Students and armed insurgents
9.1.3 The All Burma Students Democratic Federation (ABSDF)
9.2 Political parties
9.2.1 The National League for Democracy (NLD)
9.2.2 The Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS)
9.2.3 Other political parties
10. ARRESTS OF PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE OR POSSIBLE PRISONERS OF
CONSCIENCE BETWEEN 18 SEPTEMBER 1988 AND JANUARY 1989
10.1 Nay Min alias Win Shwe
10.2 Aung Thet U alias Aung Thet Oo, Maung Maung Nyunt,
Myo Zaw Win, Ne Win alias Nay Win, Aung Tha Win
10.3 Zaw Win alias Hanid alias Maung Zaw Win alias Hadun alias
Har Nink
10.4 Aye Myint
10.5 Sein Hla Aung, Maung Maung Soe alias Wai Lu, Kyaw Lin,
Aung Cho, Aung Gyi
11. DEVELOPMENTS BETWEEN JANUARY AND MARCH 1989
11.1 Paw U Tun?s first public appearance since the coup
11.2 Aung San Suu Kyi?s visit to Ayeyarwady Division and reported
arrests
11.3 Bo Yan Naing?s funeral
11.4 Aung San Suu Kyi?s visit to the Shan State
11.5 A February 1989 ABFSU open letter to political parties
11.6 A Paw U Tun statement about the military
11.7 Differences between student and political leaders
11.8 Aung San Suu Kyi?s response
12. ARRESTS IN CONNECTION WITH MEMORIAL AND PROTEST GATHERINGS AND
POLITICAL MEETINGS
12.1 SLORC warnings
12.2 Student plans and leaflets
12.3 Further government warnings
12.4 Arrests on 10 and 11 March 1989:
Than Nyunt Oo, Ko Ko Naing, Zaw Thein Oo,
Kyaw San Oo, Ko Yan Nyein, Nyi Nyi Naing
12.5 The 13 March 1989 memorial rallies in honour of Maung Phone
Maw
12.6 Arrests on 13 March 1989:
Kyaw Oo, Ma Lay Lay Myint, Ma Mar Lar Nwe, Ma Sanda U,
Aung Naing Oo, Ma Thi Thi Maw, Ma Sein Sein Kyu,
Maung Maung, Min Aung, Chit Swe, Pe Win, Maung Win
Ma Tin Win, Khin Yu Swe, Kaing Kaing Maw, Ma Mu Mu Lwin
12.7 "Red Bridge" demonstrations on 16 March 1989
12.8 Arrests on 16 March 1989:
Lu Aye, Kyaw Sein, Ye Win
12.9 Demonstrations on 17 March 1989
12.10 Arrests on 18 March 1989:
Toe Kyaw Hlaing, Ma Khin Hnin Nwe, Tint Lwin Oo,
Tun Tun Aye, Tin Ko Oo
12.11 Meetings at political party offices from 16 to 20 March
1989
12.12 Demonstrations and arrests on 20 and 21 March 1989:
Myat San, Zaw Oo, Aye Min, Thant Zin, Ma San San Oo,
Bo Kyi, Yan Myo Thein, Min Thu, Aung Myat Oo,
Ma Win Myo Kyi
12.13 Demonstration and arrests on 21 March 1989:
Cho Gyi, Ma Saw Thu Wai, Win Naing
12.14 Arrest of the ABFSU Chairman Paw U Tun on 24 March 1989
12.15 Arrest on 24 March 1989:
Ma Saw Sandar Win
12.16 Demonstrations and arrests on 25 March 1989
12.17 Demonstrations on Armed Forces Day, 27 March 1989
12.18 Arrests on 27 March 1989:
Tin Htay, Sithu Tun, Win Myint Than
12.19 Other Armed Forces Day demonstrations
12.20 General Saw Maung?s Armed Forces Day speech
12.21 New SLORC warnings to student organizations and political
parties
12.22 Aung San Suu Kyi on arrests in March 1989
13. APRIL AND MAY 1989 ARRESTS IN CONNECTION WITH POSSESSION OF
ANTI-GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS, PERFORMANCE OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT
SATIRES, AND MAKING OF ANTI-GOVERNMENT SPEECHES
13.1 SLORC warnings on 7 April 1989
13.2 Arrests on 8 April 1989
13.3 Gatherings on the traditional new year
13.4 Arrests in connection with new years gatherings:
Pa Du
13.5 Arrests on 24 April 1989: 4
Aung Din, Min Thein Kha
14. JUNE 1989 ARRESTS APPARENTLY CONNECTED TO PLANS FOR A SCHOOL
BOYCOTT
14.1 The ABFSU conference in Mandalay
14.2 NLD and other political party endorsements
14.3 Reported arrests on 11 June 1989
14.4 More SLORC warnings on 13 June 1989
14.5 Arrests on 27 June 1989:
Nyo Tun, Zaw Zaw Aung
15. MAY AND JUNE 1989 ARRESTS CONNECTED TO RESTRICTIONS ON
PRINTING, PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS
15.1 Arrests on 14 June 1989
15.2 Aung San Suu Kyi?s response to the restrictions
16. JUNE 1989 ARRESTS IN CONNECTION WITH MEMORIAL AND CAMPAIGN
GATHERINGS ORGANIZED BY STUDENT GROUPS AND LEGALLY-REGISTERED
POLITICAL PARTIES
16.1 Disagreements over continuation of the martial law regime
16.2 Severance of official contacts with the DPNS
16.3 Temporary detention of Cho Cho Kyaw Nyein
16.4 ABFSU-NLD Youth joint press conference
16.5 Memorial ceremonies on 21 June 1989
16.6 Security force shootings, the temporary detention of
Aung San Suu Kyi and other arrests on 21 June 1989
16.7 22. June 1989: SLORC announces continued tight control and
attacks Aung San Suu Kyi
16.8 NLD denials of links to the communist insurgency
16.9 A gathering on 23 June 1989
16.10 Arrests on 23 June 1989:
U Kaweinda, Ko Thant Sin alias Ko Thant Zin
16.11 Aung San Suu Kyi?s 26 June 1989 press conference
announcing plans for anniversary gatherings
16.12 30 June 1989: More SLORC attacks on Aung San Suu Kyi and
the NLD
16.13 28 June 1989 arrest:
U Aung Lwin
17. JULY 1989 ARRESTS IN CONNECTION WITH MEMORIAL AND CAMPAIGN
GATHERINGS ORGANIZED BY STUDENT GROUPS AND LEGALLY-REGISTERED
POLITICAL PARTIES
17.1 Aung San Suu Kyi again criticizes U Ne Win and denies
communist influence
17.2 NLD gathering on 2 July 1989
17.3 Arrest on 2 July 1989:
U Yan Kyaw alias Ko Yan Kyaw
17.4 NLD gathering on 3 July 1989
17.5 Arrest on 4 July 1989:
Win Tin, U Ngwe Hlaing
17.6 NLD gathering and General Saw Maung?s press conference
on 5 July 1989
17.7 NLD gatherings on 6 July 1989 and student demonstrations on
7 July 1989
17.8 Arrests on 7 July 1989:
Mya Thin, Kyaw Htay U, Aung Kyaw U, Toe Kyaw Hlaing
17.9 NLD and ABFSU gatherings and the Syriam bomb explosion on
7 July 1989
17.10 NLD gathering and the bomb explosion on 10 July 1989
17.11 Arrests on 10 and 13 July 1989:
Moe Maung Maung, Tun Kyi, Maung Myat Tu
17.12 NLD plans for Martyrs Day ceremonies on 17 July 1989
17.13 The SLORC ban
17.14 Arrests on 17 July 1989:
Zaw Gyi alias Than Zaw alias Nwe Thagi, Nyi Nyi U,
Moe Kyaw Thu
17.15 Other arrests on 17 July 1989:
Moe Hein, San Maung, Zaw Win Aung, Kyaw Win Moe,
Htay Lwin, Khin Maung Tin, Thet Naing alias Htet Naing,
Kyaw Lwin Nyunt alias Kyaw Lwin Myint
17.16 Aung San Suu Kyi on summary trials and allegations of NLD
involvement in the Syriam bombing
17.17 Arrest on 18 July 1989:
Aung Zeya
17.18 SLORC special measures to prevent Martyrs Day gatherings
17.19 The NLD cancels its Martyrs Day gathering
17.20 Student Demonstrations and arrests on 19 July 1989
17.21 Arrests on 20 July 1989 of the NLD leadership:
Aung San Suu Kyi, Tin U, Daw Myint Myint Khin,
Maung Moe Thu alias U Moe Thu, U Thaw Ka alias U Ba Thaw,
Ma Theingi, Myint Shwe, Soe Myat Thu, Moe Myat Thu
17.22 21 July 1989: The SLORC explains the arrests
17.23 Other arrests on and since 20 July 1989
17.23.1 In Yangon on 20 July 1989:
Aye Lwin, Ko Hla Twe alias U Hla Htwe
17.23.2 In Mandalay on 25 July 1989:
Ko Aung Win alias U Aung Win, Daw Cho Cho Than,
Ko Aung Kyaw Myint, Daw Aye Aye Than
18. DEMONSTRATIONS AND ARRESTS ON AND
Source/publisher:
Amnesty International (ASA 16/23/89)
Date of publication:
1989-11-00
Date of entry/update:
2005-08-18
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
480.67 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
Kyauk Pru, 10th June 2005:
"About 300 prisoners have been forced to work by Burmese authorities on the construction of the Rangoon-Kyauk Pru road. They have been working on the road since the beginning of this summer, said a monk living in the area.
The work site is located near Paday Kyung village in Kyauk Pru Township, a district of Rambree Island in Arakan state. One platoon of the Burmese army, Light Infantry Battalion 34, is strictly guarding the prisoners.
The prisoners typically work at the road construction site at least 12 hours a day, in two shifts. The first work shift is from 6 am to 12 pm, the second shift is from 1 pm to 6 pm, the monk said..."
Source/publisher:
Narinjara News
Date of publication:
2005-06-10
Date of entry/update:
2005-07-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
htm
Size:
9.93 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
"Amnesty International has previously expressed concern that trials of political prisoners by Myanmar (Burma) military tribunals are not conducted according to international standards for fairness.In particular, the organization has emphasized that the summary trial procedures used by military tribunals restrict the defendant?s rights of defence and to appeal, and that the resulting unfair trials have been used to imprison prisoners of conscience and other political prisoners..."
Source/publisher:
Amnesty International USA (ASA 16/06/91)
Date of publication:
1991-08-31
Date of entry/update:
2005-03-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
107.52 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
"Profound and bitter political strife continues in the Union of Myanmar (Burma), and political opponents engaged in various anti-government activities are still being arrested and sentenced to prison terms, or in some cases, to death by the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC).
Amnesty International has collected the names of some 200 people who were arrested in connection with opposition political activities in the first seven months of 1991, and are apparently still detained. In the latest crackdown on any public opposition to its policies, the SLORC reportedly arrested hundreds of students involved in apparently peaceful demonstrations in early December 1991 which called for the release of previously detained students and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi..."
Source/publisher:
Amnesty International USA
Date of publication:
1991-12-31
Date of entry/update:
2005-03-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Profound and bitter political strife continues in the Union of Myanmar (formerly the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma), and political opponents engaged in various anti-government activities are still being arrested and sentenced to prison terms or, in some cases, to death by the ruling State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC).
Amnesty International has collected the names of nearly 200 people who were arrested between January and July 1991 in connection with opposition political activities and who are apparently still detained. They bring to more than 1,500 the total number of people Amnesty International has been able to identify by name who the organization believes may be currently held by the SLORC on political grounds. The organization believes this may be only a proportion of the total number of political prisoners currently held by the SLORC..."
Source/publisher:
Amnesty International USA
Date of publication:
1991-12-09
Date of entry/update:
2005-03-09
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
Executive Summary:
"In Burma, anyone can be detained for being involved in human rights advocacy, democratic
activities or peaceful demonstrations. Thus, political activists are not the only stratum of
society vulnerable to arrest by the military intelligence, Buddhist monks are also subject to the
same fate. It is estimated that there are approximately 300 monks and novices in Burma?s prisons,
whereas the number of political prisoners lingers at about 1400 to date.
Since the pro-democracy uprising occurred in 1988, the military regime has constantly
attempted to crackdown on all strata of society including Buddhist monks who are assumed to be
potentially significant revolutionary forces. During the demonstrations that occurred in August
and September 1988, the regime killed masses of peaceful demonstrators including monks, students
and civilians.
Although Buddhist monks have been involved in the movement by non-violent means, they
have not been excluded from arrest and imprisonment. Since there is no rule of law but only law
and order? in Burma, all arrests come without a warrant and the victims face brutal interrogations
at military detention centers. Almost all the lawsuits concerning such arrests have been tried
secretly without granting the accused any rights to seek legal counsel. Trials have been perfunctory;
the so-called judges just read out the charges. While the accused is asked to plead guilty or not,
the court announces its verdict which has invariably been one of guilt.
Most of the monks, including novices, that were arrested were charged under Section 5 (J)
of the Emergency Provisions Act which is a widely worded law that has been used to suppress
dissent even in the absence of a proclaimed State of Emergency?. Some monks were charged
under Article 295 of the Penal Code which describe the charge as of offenses relating to religion?.
Aside from these Acts, Buddhist monks are vulnerable to arrest and charge under other Acts
described in the Penal Code. In October 1990, immediately after the monks boycott of the regime
began, the regime created The Law Concerning the Sangha Organizations? or Sangha Organization
Law, an intrusion of the state in Sangha affairs. Subsequently, more than 200 monks and novices
were found to be guilty of contravening these rules and regulations and were stripped of their
monkhood that year.
Since the Sangha Organization Law? describes all nine Sangha Sects as members of the State
Sangha Organization, every monk, or member of Sangha, has no alternative but to abide by all
the rules and regulations pronounced by the regime. In brief, all the orders and decrees the military regime has issued are designed to keep monks under tight control and thwart them from
being involved in any social movements.
According to Buddhist principles, disrobing a monk forcibly cannot alter him into an ordinary
laymen unless he himself chooses to be. Many monks who were arrested and imprisoned adhered
to the principles of monkhood and never assumed that they had become laymen because they
were disrobed. However, the authorities concerned in Burma, particularly those in military
interrogation camps and inside prisons, treated the disrobed monks inhumanely as they considered
the monks to be common criminals as they were no longer in their robes.
This report attempts to reveal some of the most offensive incidents perpetrated by a military
regime, which is pretending to be the most pious government to ever rule in modern Burmese
history. It should be noted that the data and information included in this report is only a sampling
of incidents from a decade of arrests as the researchers faced difficulties in obtaining information
from inside sources. However, the reliability of the information included in this report is unarguable.
This report serves to voice previously unheard voices that have been suppressed since these
episodes transpired in Burma. Through the publication of this report, we hope to provide an
opportunity for these voices to be heard."... CONTENTS:
Acknowledgements;
Executive Summary;
Recommendations;
Introduction;
Background History;
Buddhist Monks and Burmese Society;
Buddhist Monks under the BSPP Regime;
Buddhist Monks under the SLORC Regime;
Overturning the Bowls;
SLORC?s Response to the Monks? Boycott;
Disrobing;
Torture and Abuses in Prison and Prison Labor Camp;
The Regime?s Image as a Pious Ruler;
Recent Arrests of Monks in 2003 for ?Overturning the Bowl”...
APPENDICES:
Appendix 1-a - Photos and List of 26 Monks Arrested from
Mahar Ghandaryone Monastery in 2003 for ?Overturning the Bowl”;;
Appendix 1-b - Photos of Monks Who Have Been Released;
Appendix 2 - Sangha Organization Law;
(as the SLORC issued on October 31, 1990);
Appendix 3 - Analysis of the SPDC?s Sangha Organization Law
by Burma Lawyers? Council;
Appendix 4 - Pattam Nikkujjana Kamma (or) ?Overturning the Bowl”;
Appendix 5 - Entreaty to All Monks and People- by Young Monks? League
(Lower Burma) and League of Monks? Union from 4 Sides (Mandalay);
Appendix 6 - Firsthand Account of a Monk Who Was Imprisoned for
Involvement in the Monk Boycott;
Appendix 7 - Firsthand Account of a Monk Who Was Imprisoned and
Sent to Prison Labor Camp;
Appendix 8 - Firsthand Account of a Monk Who Was Involved in the Monk
Boycott and Evaded Arrest;
Appendix 9 - Firsthand Experience of a Former Political Prisoner who Observed
Monks Who Were Taken to Myitkyina Prison and Forced Labor Camps;
Appendix 10 - Radio Interview with the Abbot of New Masoeyein Monastery, Mandalay;
Appendix 11 - Radio Interview with a Buddhist Monk Regarding the Arrests of Monks;
Appendix 12 - Interview with an Eyewitness about the Kyaukse Riot;
Appendix 13 - Account of a Monk Regarding the Mahar Ghandaryone Monk Boycott;
Appendix 14 - Relationship between Monks and the SPDC
(An excerpt from a radio interview with monks inside Burma);
Appendix 15 - (Article) Sons of Buddha in Prison by Naing Kyaw;
Appendix 16 - (Article) Imprisoned Monks-I by Win Naing Oo;
Appendix 17 - (Article) Imprisoned Monks-II by Win Naing Oo;
Appendix 18 - (Article) Imprisoned Monks-III by Win Naing Oo...
LISTS:
Partial List of Monks Who Died in Prisons and Forced Labor Camps;
Partial List of Monks Who Are Currently in Prison;
Acronyms, Glossary and Bibliography.
Source/publisher:
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) - AAPP
Date of publication:
2004-11-00
Date of entry/update:
2004-11-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Religious freedom: reports of violations in Burma
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
705.76 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
" Two organizations, based on the Thai-Burma border, have released an English version of a report on women political prisoners in Burma.
The Burmese Women?s Union (BWU) and the AAPP have worked jointly on the English version of the report and released the Burmese version in February 2004.
At least 1,425 political prisoners are behind bars because of their connections with democratic movements in Burma. Nearly one hundred of these are women, including the Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi.
The 200 page report, entitled "Women Political Prisoners in Burma," expresses the history of women in politics. The report covers common experiences of women in prisons and military intelligence detention centers, food and health conditions in prisons, and torture and human rights violations by prison authorities.
The report also focuses upon conditions of prisoners after release, the SPDC?s Women?s Affair Committee, and movements of the SPDC relating to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). There are testimonies and data regarding 19 former women detainees, and photographs of current and former women political prisoners. The AAPP and the BWU conclude by making some suggestions and demands for change to the SPDC.
Tate Naing, secretary of the AAPP, releasing the report today said, "We want the people in Burma and international organizations to know that several women are in Burmese prisons because of their activities in the democracy movement. The report mentions not only their experiences, but also how they bravely struggled through the many difficulties in the prisons." ...
- Forward;
- Introduction;
- History of Women in Politics;
- Arrest and Imprisonment;
- Sexual Harassment;
- Judgment under the Military Government;
- Torture and Ill Treatment;
- Health;
- Food;
- Reproductive Health;
- Reading in Prison;
- Family Visits;
- Survival;
- Conditions after Release;
- Terrorist Attack on May 30, 2003;
- The Regime?s Women?s Affairs Committee;
- The Regime Neglects the Agreements of CEDAW and Other Conventions on Women;
- Demands to the Military Government in Burma;
- Endnotes...
- Appendices:
(1) Aye Aye Khaing;
(2) Aye Aye Moe;
(3) Aye Aye Thin;
(4) Aye Aye Win (Daw);
(5) Hla Hla Htwe;
(6) Kaythi Aye;
(7) Khin Mar Kyi (Dr);
(8) Khin San Nwe (Daw);
(9) Kyu Kyu Mar (Daw);
(10) Myat Mo Mo Tun;
(11) Myat Sapal Moe;
(12) San San (Daw);
(13) San San Nwe (Tharawaddy);
(14) Than Kywe (Daw);
(15) Thi Thi Aung;
(16) Thida Aye;
(17) Yee Yee Htun;
(18) Yin Yin May (Daw);
(19) Yu Yu Hlaing.
Source/publisher:
Burmese Women
Date of publication:
2004-10-07
Date of entry/update:
2004-10-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Discrimination/violence against women: reports of violations in Burma
Language:
English, Burmese
more
Description:
"...In remote areas of Burma, places of detention are unconventional and access to detainees for information and monitoring of their treatment is very limited. Unlike the central regions, prisoners are usually not subject to any type of legal process and are not charged under any type of law. Often detention is not prolonged, making it difficult for the international community to take a course of action such as campaigning for the release of the prisoner.
The government of Burma rules through a severely compromised legal system that defies international law and standards on civil freedoms and human rights. Yet people in Burma¡¦s conflict areas are not even given the option of this deficient and archaic legal system. Here, the military rules entirely without accountability, adequate policing and trial procedures. In every respect, treatment during arrest and while under detention violates both domestic and international regulations..."...This article was compiled using material from a report issued by Burma Issues and Altsean-Burma, Uncounted: Political prisoner¡¦s in Burma¡¦s ethnic areas, August 2003.
Source/publisher:
Burma Issues & Altsean-Burma via "Article 2"
Date of publication:
2003-08-00
Date of entry/update:
2004-03-12
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
798.54 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
"The following is an extract from a report released by Burma Issues and Altsean-Burma, Uncounted: political prisoners in burma?s ethnic areas. The following extract focuses on the arbitrary nature of the detention of political prisoners in Burma?s ethnic areas and the unconventional centres in which they are normally detained, namely army bases and village structures..." arbitrary detention
Source/publisher:
"Burma Issues"
Date of publication:
2003-10-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-12-28
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Human Rights Documentation Unit of the NCGUB
Date of publication:
2000-08-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-23
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma Human Rights Yearbook 1999-2000, Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Disappearences: reports of violations in Burma
Language:
English
Format :
PDF
Size:
137.25 KB
more
Description:
"Throughout 2002, SPDC personnel continued to arbitrarily detain persons across Burma for illegal association with groups seen as anti-government. In the aftermath of the global war on terror,? the SPDC began to structure its anti-opposition activity within the framework of countering terrorist organizations. In areas of ethnic insurgency, these detentions were common and in most cases individuals suspected of such illegal association were seized, detained, interrogated, and sometimes tortured and killed without warrant or evidence against them. In 2002, there were also numerous reports of individuals who disappeared following arrest and detention, many of whom are feared dead. Human rights organizations, such as the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), have argued that the current definition of political prisoner? used in the context of Burma is too narrow and excludes the thousands of ethnic minority villagers who are routinely arrested, tortured, and imprisoned under Articles 17/1 (contact with illegal organizations) and Article 17/2 (rising against the State)..."
Source/publisher:
Human Rights Documentation Unit of the NCGUB
Date of publication:
2003-10-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-11-10
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Disappearences: reports of violations in Burma
Language:
English
Format :
htm
Size:
723 bytes
Local URL:
more
Description:
Contents:
1. Executive Summary;
2. Introduction;
2a. Scope of report;
3. Background;
4. Definitions and Regulations;
4a. What is a political prisoner?;
4b. International and domestic regulations governing
treatment;
4c. Conflict zones;
4d. Cease-fire and "Pacified Areas";
4e. Support and perceived support for armed groups;
5. Politically Motivated Detentions in the Conflict Zones;
5a. Accusations;
5b. Places of detention;
5c. Were charges laid?;
6. Treatment of Detainees and Outcomes of Detention;
6a. Arbitrary detention;
6b. Torture;
6c. Extrajudicial killings;
6d. Disappearances;
7. Political Motivations Behind Detentions;
7a. Weakening/destruction of the People?s Movement;
7b. Power and absolute control;
7c. Eradication of armed forces;
7d. Other motivations;
7e. Secondary Effects;
8. Inclusion in Existing Reporting;
9. The Bigger Picture;
10. Conclusion;
11. Recommendations...
12. Appendixes:
a. Summary of cases;
b. Ethnic Armed and political groups;
c. Relevant international laws and regulations;
13. Glossary;
Map of Burma;
Map of Locations of Detention...
Executive Summary:
In Mr Paulo Sergio Pinheiro?s report to the 59th Commission on Human Rights
he stated,
"Political arrests since July 2002 have followed the pattern of un-rule of law,
including arbitrary arrest, prolonged incommunicado detention and interrogation by
military intelligence personnel, extraction of confessions of guilt or of information,
very often under duress or torture, followed by summary trials, sentencing and
imprisonment."
This report presents a sample of 46 cases that comply with the description
in Pinheiro?s statement but remain unrecognised as political arrests. They are
people mostly in Burma?s ethnic areas detained on accusations of supporting
non-Burman ethnic nationality opposition groups. The accusations range from
offering support through food and accommodation, to knowledge of
opposition group movements, to actually being a member of a non-Burman ethnic nationality opposition group..."
Source/publisher:
"Burma Issues", Altsean-Burma
Date of publication:
2003-08-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-09-21
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Various rights: reports of violations against several ethnic groups, Armed conflict and peace-building in Burma - theoretical, strategic and general, Detentions by the military in conflict areas
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
798.54 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
By The Irrawaddy
"The regime in Rangoon has proven the naysayers right once again. The May 30 clash in Upper Burma, and the crackdown that followed, should remind the junta?s apologists and other optimists hoping for a happy ending to the country?s political drama that national reconciliation in Burma is a long, long way away.
The events on Black Friday demonstrate clearly it?s time for the international community to take action against Burma. Failing to act ignores the suffering of the Burmese people and acknowledges the junta?s ultimate victory—a triumph scored by attrition rather than a knockout blow.
The script is familiar. Suu Kyi is detained by the regime. Advocates for democracy in Burma call for her release. The generals hold firm, defying international condemnation, then give in a little. Suu Kyi is finally freed and the world applauds. International opinion is successfully manipulated. Asean, Japan and some nations in the West express appreciation for the concession and begin speaking of the junta?s democratic will. Rangoon?s victory is rewarded with more trade and more aid. Meanwhile, the opposition remains stonewalled..."
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 11, No. 5
Date of publication:
2003-06-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-09-18
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Popular participation rights: reports of violations in Burma, Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Right to Life: reports of violations in Burma, Articles and reports about the NLD
Language:
English
more
Description:
"The International Committee for the Red Cross says there has been a "marked improvement" in conditions for political prisoners inside Burmese jails. But who are they trying to kid?..."
Bo Kyi
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 11, No. 5
Date of publication:
2003-06-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-09-18
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
"The National Council of the Union of Burma and the Burma Lawyers' Council have formed a
commission on June 25, 2003 to jointly deal with the alleged assassination attempt against the
leaders of the National League for Democracy, including Nobel Peace Laureate Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi, with the following programmes:
The Title of the Commission -
The commission will be entitled as the Ad hoc Commission on Depayin Massacre (Burma).
Aim -
(1) To find out the truth on the Depayin Massacre;
(2) To facilitate the struggle of people, based on legal affairs, both inside Burma and in the international
community, in connection with the Depayin Massacre;
Programme Objectives -
(1) To exert efforts to lodge a complaint with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the event
that it has jurisdiction over the Depayin Massacre case;
(2) To lodge a complaint or complaints with other courts in the international community including
the International Criminal Tribunal to be possibly established by the United Nations Security Council
if the first objective is not possible;
(3) To cooperate with the people inside Burma and the international community for the emergence
of an official independent investigation commission in order to find out the truth on Depayin Massacre...
Contents: ...
Formation of Ad hoc Commission on Depayin Massacrr;
Explanatory Statement of the Ad hoc Commission;
Brief Background of Depayin Massacre;
Depayin Massacre;
Affidavits of the Eyewitnesses;
SPDC?s Press Conference;
Victims of Depayin Massacre (Pictures);
Appendix I - Interview with Zaw Zaw Aung 50;
Appendix II - Statement of Ko Aung Aung from
Democratic Party for a New Society;
Appendix III - The list of the vitims of Depayin Massacre.
Source/publisher:
Ad hoc Commission on Depayin Massacre
Date of publication:
2003-07-04
Date of entry/update:
2003-07-17
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Right to Life: reports of violations in Burma, Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Articles and reports about the NLD, International Justice and Burma
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
1.25 MB
Local URL:
more
Description:
" This report is about human courage and dignity. In face of the most stringent deprivation and under the harshest duress, man can stand up and show that there is still one freedom that can?t be taken away: the freedom to choose how to respond to the situation. The political prisoners of Insein could have chosen to bow to the use of force. Their spirit could have been broken by torture and solitary confinement. But instead, they have chosen to respond with calmness and nobility. Not only have they pleaded not guilty to the trumped up charges of the SLORC, they spoken out in their defense, defending their basic human rights and dignity and denouncing the unfair trail.
The report is an authentic document and in a sense a SLORC official document. It shows the perception and the standard used by the SLORC in as far as human rights are concerned. Writing, reading, drawing pictures, listening to radio programmes, communicating and other basic freedoms of expression are considered an offense liable to long years of imprisonment and hard labor..."
The following articles are the translation of an official record of the summary trial of 22 political prisoners serving time in Burma?s infamous Insein Prison.
*
Preface.
*
Introduction.
*
The Trial Report Translation.
*
Evidence.
*
Testimony of the Accused.
*
Summary.
*
Conclusion.
Source/publisher:
All Burma Students
Date of publication:
1997-02-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-07-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma
Language:
English
more
Description:
Personal Accounts of Burma?s Interrogation Centres
* No Escape by Phone Myint Tun.
* At the Mercy of the Beast by Ma Su Su Mon.
* In the Flames of Evil by Win Naing Oo.
* Two Times Too Many by Cho Cho Htun Nyein.
* Into theDarkness by Tin Win Aung.Read
* A Dialogue With the Devil by Moe Aye.Read
* My Interrogation by Ma Tin Tin Maw.
* Like Water in Their Hands by Naing Kyaw.
* The Storm by Ye Teiza.
* The Last Days of Mr. Leo Nichols by Moe Aye.
Source/publisher:
All Burma Students
Date of publication:
1998-07-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-07-07
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma
Language:
English
more
Description:
"When U Hla arrived at Mingaladon Airport in February 1954, about 200 well-wishers greeted him with garlands and flowers. The respected journalist and renowned pubic figure had just traveled from his home in Mandalay to Rangoon, where he faced charges for political offenses. U Hla refused to ride in the waiting prison van. Bowing to his request, red-faced police officers immediately arranged for a taxi instead.
No, this is not fiction..."
While facing charges, U Hla, better known as Ludu U Hla, joined the other political prisoners in a Rangoon jail. They were all guests of U Nu?s Anti-Fascist People?s Freedom League (AFPFL). Life in prison was not so bad.
Aung Zaw
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 11, No. 4
Date of publication:
2003-05-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-07-02
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
"The war in Iraq once again has the Burmese chattering classes speculating about outside intervention. But as in 1988, more pressing geo-political concerns serve as a distraction from the country?s internal misery...If the recent military interventions in the Middle East have again triggered Burmese whispers that outside help is coming, just as in 1988 there will be disappointment. For ordinary Burmese, the significance of the overthrow of the Taliban and Saddam is not that something similar might occur in their own country. It is that the junta is once again exploiting a major international distraction as cover for political inertia at home. Yet another opportunity for a discreet domestic settlement is being squandered..." The article also covers recent Burmese history, including 1988 and Min Ko Naing.
Dominic Faulder
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" Vol. 11, No. 4
Date of publication:
2003-05-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-07-02
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Source/publisher:
Human Rights Documentation Unit of the NCGUB
Date of publication:
1995-09-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Burma Human Rights Yearbook 1994, Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Disappearences: reports of violations in Burma
Language:
English
Format :
htm
Size:
76.7 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
"...In the year 2000 there remained an estimated 2,500 political prisoners in Burma?s notorious jails. (Amnesty International and
other international NGOs estimated this number to be 1,600) These individuals were being held in various prisons across
Burma, suffering as a consequence of their involvement in the Burmese struggle for freedom and democracy. The living and
social conditions of these political prisoners are grim and deteriorating daily..."
Source/publisher:
Human Rights Documentation Unit, NCGUB
Date of publication:
2001-10-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Disappearences: reports of violations in Burma, Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports
Language:
English
Format :
htm htm
Size:
140.81 KB 6.04 KB
more
Description:
"In Burma the SPDC maintains an extensive network of MIS, police and government officials ready to detain anyone suspected
of holding or expressing anti-government opinions. The military in Burma has established and enforced laws curtailing civil and
political freedoms and utilized laws that allow it to crush any political opposition. The SPDC?s laws and regulations criminalize
freedom of thought, the dissemination of information and the right of association and assembly. The most commonly employed
laws banning the demonstration of civil and political rights have been the 1923 Government?s Official Secrets Act, the 1950
Emergency Provisions Act, the 1957 Unlawful Associations Act, the 1962 Printers? and Publishers? Registration Law, the
1975 State Protection Law, and Law No. 5/96. These laws and orders have restricted the civil and political rights of Burmese
citizens for years; now, with technological advances available across the globe, new laws have been enacted in order to provide
the SPDC authorities additional legal bases to curtail freedom of expression and the exchange of information. For more
information on these laws, please refer to the chapters on the freedom of expression and the freedom of assembly and
association..."
Source/publisher:
Human Rights Documentation Unit of the NCGUB
Date of publication:
2002-09-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Disappearences: reports of violations in Burma
Language:
English
Format :
htm
Size:
410.05 KB
more
Description:
Pado Mahn Nyein recently spoke to the Irrawaddy about his daring escape from the penal colony on Coco Island, "the Rock" of Burma.
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol. 7. No. 4
Date of publication:
1999-05-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
The Brutal Abuse of Prisoners on Burma?s Frontlines. Based on KHRG interviews with prison convicts from all over Burma who have escaped forced labour for SPDC troops, this report tells the story of their arrest, sentencing, life in the prisons and the increasing use of convicts as porters by Burma?s military junta. Documents the arbitrary arrest and sentencing of people to long jail terms for petty offences, the brutal and inhuman conditions in the prisons, and the even more brutal abuse and killings of convicts who are forced to go into combat situations with the military - in many cases after their sentences should have expired. This report also includes an Annex of Interviews.
Source/publisher:
Karen Human Rights Group Regional & Thematic Reports (KHRG #2000-060)
Date of publication:
2000-12-20
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Non-ILO Reports on forced labour, including forced portering, in Burma and the region, Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma
Language:
English
more
Description:
"Many times I saw prisoners being beaten and tortured, usually for stealing, gambling or quarrelling. First the guards beat them with a rubber pipe, and then they took them to the gravel path. They?ve made a gravel path, and they order the victim to crawl along it on his elbows and knees. They follow him with 2 or 3 dogs biting his legs. To escape their biting, the victim tries to crawl back to the cell as fast as he can on the gravel, so he scrapes all the skin off his elbows and legs. I saw them do this at least once or twice a month, especially in hot season, because in hot season it gets very hot and we?re all in a very confined area, so there are more quarrels. . . " Oct 89 to Oct 93. Torture; arbitrary detention; summary trials. In prison: little room to sleep, on cement floor; beating; torture; no medicine. Political prisoners in separate category; new political prisoners arrive, as before; description of arrangements when foreign visitors visit; conditions of monks (forcibly disrobed, but kept their vows); list of monks in interviewee?s room.
Source/publisher:
Karen Human Rights Group Regional & Thematic Reports
Date of publication:
1993-12-05
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma
Language:
English
more
Description:
You don?t have the right to complain about anyone but yourself. If you do, you could spark a political movement in prison." This is the warning jail authorities in Burma give all political prisoners. Prison medical officers also follow the stern warnings of jail authorities. Nor could we request a doctor on someone else?s behalf. I will give you some examples of the dangers of trying to help political prisoners in need of medical attention. Former political prisoner Moe Aye,
By Moe Aye
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol. 6. No. 2
Date of publication:
1998-04-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma
Language:
English
more
Description:
Report of an expert fact-finding mission in December 1999.
Particularly strong on methodology and the clinical description of torture. Includes high-quality photos. Most interviewed were Karenni or Mon... TOC: Summary; Preface; Introduction; Methods; Ethics; Results; Forced labour; Porter service; Forced relocation; Arrests; Other incidents; Looting; Killings; Rape; Disappearances; Torture; Landmine accidents; Army units; Discussion; Conclusion; Appendix, cases; References; Tables; Figures... "We interviewed and examined 129 persons who had fled Burma / Myanmar from December 1998 to December 1999, and compared the degree of reported human rights violations with that from the previously examined persons who fled November 1996 to November 1997. Of the interviewed persons, 88% reported forced labour and 77% porter service, 54% had been forcibly relocated from their villages, 87% had had their possessions looted, and 46% had lost at least one relative through killing, disappearance, or landmine accident. 20% reported that they or a near relative had been tortured. Of the former, four had remarkable scars that strongly corroborated their histories."
Hans Draminsky Petersen, Lise Worm, Mette Zander, Ole Hartling, Bjarne Ussing
Source/publisher:
Amnesty International, Denmark, Danish Medical Group, Danchurchaid.
Date of publication:
2000-03-14
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Discrimination against the Karenni (Kayah), Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma, HURFOM and other human rights material about the Mon
Language:
English, Danish
Format :
htm
Size:
353.1 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
Whoever you are, leave it at the prison gate. There are no politicians, doctors, teachers, monks, nuns or students. You are all prisoners. You are all the same." Those are the greeting words for every new political prisoner in Burma. The jail authorities subscribe to the junta?s official line that there are no political prisoners in the jails. In 1991, I was detained in cell block No.1 of Insein Special Jail formerly called the Attached Jail. Although it is a special jail, the only special privilege provided was "special solitary confinement".
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol. 5. No. 6
Date of publication:
1997-09-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma
Language:
English
more
Description:
A former political prisoner recalls the tale of HIV horror inside the notorious Insein prison. Slorc used to threaten political prisoners with the cancellation of visiting rights, beating, transferal to another prison or an unfamiliar cell-block, solitary confinement and extension of prison-terms. But it was not successful. Now, they use more effective weapons to threaten prisoners.
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol. 5. No. 4-5
Date of publication:
1997-08-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma, HIV/AIDS - Burma/Myanmar
Language:
English
more
Description:
"This paper discusses and analyzes judicial independence in Burma, primarily since independence in 1948. To that end,
this paper analyzes and briefly comments on constitutional provisions concerning the independence of the judiciary in the two defunct provisions of post-independence constitutions of Burma, namely the 1947 and 1974 Constitutions. In doing so, the paper
focuses mainly on the post-1948 and post-1962 developments. The post-1962 developments highlight how the military takeover in March of that year eroded and extinguished the independence of the judiciary in Burma. To appreciate the concept of the independence of the judiciary in historical perspective, however, it is helpful to trace briefly the concept and practice of judicial
independence in the days of the Burmese monarchs of the pre-colonial era. Further, it is necessary to analyze briefly the impact
of British law on the notions and practice of judicial independence in the colonial era..."
Myint Zan
Source/publisher:
Asian-Pacific Law and Policy Journal (APLPJ 5)
Date of publication:
2000-00-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Legal history and philosophy of Burma (texts and commentary)
Language:
English
Format :
pdf
Size:
154.45 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
"The political prisoners released since October are only a fraction of the
estimated 1,800 still languishing in Burma?s prisons.
Exiled Burmese once welcomed news of the secret talks that began in October
between Burma?s ruling State Peace and Development Council and Aung San Suu
Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy. But because nothing has been
disclosed about the agenda or progress of the talks, many exiles now doubt the
discussions will lead to any kind of imminent political breakthrough. Their skepticism
is justified..."...
Aung Zaw
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy" (Commentary)
Date of publication:
2004-04-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
The death in prison of Leo Nichols
Source/publisher:
"Burma Debate" Vol. V, No. 1
Date of publication:
1998-12-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma
Language:
English
Format :
html
Size:
7.54 KB
Local URL:
more
Description:
While most young people in Burma have been deprived of their right to a decent education over the past decade, none have suffered more in this respect than the country?s political prisoners. Kyaw Zwa Moe, a former inmate of Rangoon?s notorious Insein Prison, recalls the resourcefulness of prisoners determined to keep their minds free.
Kyaw Zwa Moe
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol 9. No. 5
Date of publication:
2001-06-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Education rights: reports of violations in Burma
Language:
English
more
Description:
For a political prisoner in Burma, release from detention is just one step towards freedom. Kyaw Zwa Moe explains why he chose to go into exile after spending eight years behind bars, and describes his feelings upon leaving the country of his birth knowing that he might never be able to return.
Kyaw Zwa Moe
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol. 9. No. 4
Date of publication:
2001-05-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
Obituary Of U Tin Shwe, a political prisoner in Insein prison
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol. 5. No. 3
Date of publication:
1997-06-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
Political tension in Myanmar escalated steadily in 1996, characterized by political brinkmanship between the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC, Myanmar?s military government) and the National League for Democracy (NLD, the primary legal opposition party). Each time the NLD attempted to organize large-scale political activities, the SLORC took rapid pre-emptivesteps to prevent such plans from coming to fruition. SLORC repression of the NLD included mass arrests of NLD supporters by the security forces in order to prevent meetings; sentencing dozens of NLD members to long terms of imprisonment; and restrictions on movement and intensified surveillance and intimidation of NLD members and leaders. Long dormant student activism also emerged in the last three months of the year, with protest demonstrations calling for student rights in Yangon, the capital, and in Mandalay, Upper Myanmar. Demonstrations were broken up by the authorities, who arrested hundreds of students during and after the protests. Although most were released, others remain in detention.
Source/publisher:
Amnesty International
Date of publication:
1997-02-12
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma
Language:
English
more
Description:
KHRG Commentary #2001-C2. "This Commentary examines the SPDC?s use of political prisoners and empty talks in Rangoon to win
favour and money internationally even while the Army continues its campaigns of destruction and
killing in the countryside; meanwhile, the regime tries desperately to cover up its use of forced
labour in the face of an investigating team from the International Labour Organisation. The report
concludes that the world needs to listen much more to Burma?s people, and less to its politicians."
Source/publisher:
Karen Human Rights Group Commentaries (KHRG #2001-C2)
Date of publication:
2001-10-21
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
The following excerpt was taken from "Pleading Not Guilty in Insein", the translation of an official SLORC report on the trial of 22 political prisoners in Insein jail.
Source/publisher:
"Burma Debate", Vol. IV, No. 2
Date of publication:
1997-06-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma
Language:
English
more
Description:
"The Burmese junta?s release of political prisoners could be little more than a well-worn ploy to ease
international pressure and force the opposition to play along.
The release of 168 political prisoners since talks between Burma?s ruling junta and the democratic opposition
began late last year could ostensibly be seen as a positive development. Certainly, the released prisoners,
who account for a small proportion of the estimated 2,000 political prisoners inside Burma?s ill-famed prisons,
can consider themselves lucky. But are they really the beneficiaries of a dialogue process that remains
shrouded in secrecy? While the world waits patiently for future breakthroughs, Burmese—especially former
political prisoners—are beginning to discern a familiar pattern witnessed many times in the past. Judging from
lessons learned during their more than decade-long struggle against military rule, few feel there is any
reason to rejoice over the junta?s ?gestures of goodwill?..."
Kyaw Zwa Moe, Bo Kyi
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol 9. No. 7
Date of publication:
2001-09-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
The SPDC?s recent release of two imprisoned writers has more to do with Burma?s diplomatic isolation - highlighted by the European Union?s refusal to allow the junta to attend the upcoming EU-Asean summit in Berlin - than with a real change of heart.
Aung Zaw
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol. 7. No. 2
Date of publication:
1999-02-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Language:
English
more
Description:
Bo Kyi recalls and explains his experiences in Burma?s prison. "One of the greatest obstacles to assisting victims of torture and ending this abhorrent practice is public
ignorance about the nature of the problem. Few people really understand what torture is. Since a greater
awareness is essential for the prevention of future torture, I would like to explain what torture is, as well as
its aims, methods and effects, drawing in particular upon the experiences of torture victims in Burma..."
Bo Kyi
Source/publisher:
"The Irrawaddy", Vol. 8 No.3
Date of publication:
2000-03-00
Date of entry/update:
2003-06-03
Grouping:
Individual Documents
Category:
Political prisoners and other violations in Burma - reports, Torture and ill-treatment: reports of incidents in Burma
Language:
English
more