(XI) FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY/ASSOCIATION
11.1. Still under Restriction
After the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on 10 July 1995, the outside world might think that there has been freedom in terms of assembly and association. In reality, Martial Law announcement 2/88 which prohibits the outdoor assembly or gathering of more than five people still remains in force. The only gathering in Burma which is outside Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's house every weekend since her release has been allowed by SLORC only for its public relation exercise and to save its tarnished image due to its abysmal human rights records. SLORC has allowed those gatherings in fear of being backfired by the NLD since the military regime has organised so-called mass rallies of USDA, to which thousands of people were forced to attend against their will. Mass rallies of USDA and its movements in support of SLORC-sponsored National Convention were much publicised in the SLORC-controlled media as a propaganda exercise with the aim to undermine the efforts doing by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi-led NLD.
There have been reports of arrests to the people who were at these weekend gatherings, also known as People's Forum. Members of the NLD from remote areas in Burma have been subjected to harassment and threats by the military and local SLORC authorities and been disturbed from travelling to Rangoon to see or discuss with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. There has been a couple of times Daw Aung San Suu Kyi herself was barred intentionally by the military from travelling to attend certain occasions. The reformation of NLD was not recognised by both the regime and its hand-picked puppet Election Commission.
Moreover, any pro-democracy party which wants to hold a meeting or discussion needs to inform the SLORC authorities in advance and must obtain permission, according to SLORC’s written regulations/papers. In reality, measures taken by MIS and SLORC authorities have always been beyond those papers and much tighter. Unavoidable presence of MIS clearly reveals there is no atmosphere for freedom of expression.
11.2. Curfew Imposed
A curfew from 22:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. was imposed in North Okkalapa Township of Rangoon on 17 June 1995. All quarters in North Okkalapa (From Tatalay Junction to Mae La Mu Pagoda) were effected by that newly imposed curfew which includes a prohibition from gatherings of more than five people. The curfew was imposed because of two unusual crimes. The first one was a robbery which occurred at the house of a police officer from Shwe Pauk Kan Station where he was stabbed. Two criminals fled and hid at the house of a sergeant from the Fire Brigade. The army entered that area and surrounded the house. One criminal was wounded and arrested while the other escaped.
Not long after a police officer from North Okkalapa eye-witnessed a theft case while patrolling and arrested the thief at the market of No. 2 Quarter. The thief stabbed the policeman and then committed suicide by stabbing himself. In another development, a robbery case occurred near Hledan Junction, close to Rangoon University Campus in July 1995. These incidents were evident that people were unable to bear the SLORC-sponsored economic hardships and restrictive measures, resorting to any means for their survival. [Source: ABSDF]
I. Extra-judicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions
II. Arbitrary Detention and Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances III. Rights of Child
IV. Forced Labour and Slavery V. Forced Relocation and Internally Displaced Persons
VI. Deprivation of Livelihood VII. Minority Protection
VIII. Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, Degrading Treatment or Punishment
IX. Freedom of Belief: Discrimination Against the Right to Practice Religion and Intolerance
X.
Freedom of Opinion and Expression XI.
Freedom of Assembly and Association XII.
Freedom of Movement
XIII.
Abuse of Women XIV.
The Refugees Situation and Forced Repatriation