The Human Rights Defenders Forum (HRDF) is a regular meeting of stakeholders committed to supporting human rights defenders (HRDs) in Myanmar. The HRDF aims to protect July 2015 HRDS and strengthen their ability to act.

IN FOCUS In July, the extrajudicial killing of a land rights defender in Karen State highlighted the ongoing risk faced by HRDs in Burma. On 2 July, in the early hours Mayof the 2015 morning, unknown assailants shot and killed land rights defender and local National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Saw Johnny in front of his home in Eindea Village, Hpa-an Township, Karen State. Saw Johnny’s 14-year-old daughter heard shots and found him still breathing before he passed away a few moments later. While investigating the scene, police found eight bullet holes in Saw Johnny’s back and leg. Ten bullet casings were also found at the scene. The case is currently under police investigation.

CHARGES and DETENTIONS In July, authorities arrested four and sentenced 13 HRDs under Article 18 of the Peaceful Gathering and Demonstration Law and articles of the Criminal Code for unauthorized protests across the country. 2 July: Plainclothes police in Rangoon’s North Okkalapa Township arrested Confederation of University Student Unions (CUSU) member Paing Ye Thu under Article 18 of the Peaceful Gathering and Demonstration Law and Article 505(b) of the Criminal Code (disturbing public tranquility). On 7 July, plainclothes police in Rangoon’s Kamayut Township arrested CUSU members Zeya Lwin, under Article 18 of the Peaceful Gathering and Demonstration Law and Article 505(b) of the Criminal Code, and Paing Phyo Min, under Article 18 of the Peaceful Gathering and Demonstration Law. The charges stemmed from their involvement in a 30 June student demonstration in front of Rangoon City Hall, calling for the resignation of military-appointed MPs. Police later released Paing Phyo Min on bail.

8 July: Tavoy Township Court in Tenasserim Division sentenced five Tavoy University Students Union members – Min Lwin Oo, Zin Maung Phyo, Zaw Lwin Aung, Yuwah Lwin, and Thura Naing – to either one month in prison or a 30,000 kyat fine under Article 18 of the Peaceful Gathering and Demonstration Law. The charges stemmed from their involvement in protests earlier in the year against the National Education Law and the detention of more than 70 students and supporters following the March 2015 crackdown on student protests in Letpadan Township, Pegu Division.

10 July: Meikhtila District Court in Mandalay Division sentenced three women HRDs – Myint Myint Aye (from the Social Assistance Network), Khin May Si (from the NLD), and May Thet Oo (from the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society) – to four months in prison with hard labor under Article 18 of the Peaceful Gathering and Demonstration Law. The charges had been brought against the women for organizing a prayer ceremony calling for non-violence during the March 2015 student protests in Letpadan Township, Pegu Division.

10 July: Rangoon’s Latha Township Court sentenced five HRDs – Nay Myo Zin, Tin Htut Paing, Than Swe, Ba Myint, and Ohn Hla – to four months in prison each under Article 18 of the Peaceful Gathering and Demonstration Law. The charges resulted from a 29 December 2014 demonstration in front of the Chinese Embassy in Rangoon calling for an investigation into the 22 December 2014 killing by police of villager Khin Win during a protest at the Letpadaung copper mine site in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Division.

23 July: Police in Intagaw, Pegu Township, Pegu Division, arrested HRD and Myanmar Farmers Union leader Su Su Nway after she had met with a group of farmers seeking the return of more than 1,000 acres of land that the military had confiscated from them in Nyaunglebin Township in 2003. Later that day, a court in Pegu Division charged her under Article 447 of the Criminal Code (trespassing) and sent her to Pegu Prison.

In addition, police in Mandalay arrested two HRDs on politically motivated charges. 14 July: Plainclothes police in Mandalay’s Chan Aye Thazan Township arrested Mandalay Interfaith Social Volunteer Youth Group activist and NLD member Zaw Zaw Latt and charged him the following day under Article 17(1) of the Unlawful Association Act after he had posted a photo of himself posing with Kachin Independence Army (KIA) soldiers during a visit to Kachin State in 2013 on his Facebook page.

19 July: Police in Mandalay arrested Mandalay Interfaith Social Volunteer Youth Group member Pwint Phyu Latt and charged her under Article 13 of the Immigration Act after she was seen in a photo taken in India with Zaw Zaw Latt.

HRD Profile HRD PROFILE: SU SU NWAY

Su Su Nway is the leader of the Myanmar Farmers Union and an NLD member who has been repeatedly arrested and imprisoned for her activism. On 23 July 2015, police in Intagaw, Pegu Township, Pegu Division, arrested Su Su Nway after she had met with farmers seeking the return of more than 1,000 acres of land that the military had confiscated from them in Nyaunglebin Township in 2003. Su Su Nway had been on her way back to Rangoon when she was arrested.

Later that day, a court in Pegu Division charged Su Su Nway under Article 447 of the Criminal Code (trespassing) and sent her to Pegu Prison. Su Su Nway denied the charges and turned down bail, which had been granted by the court. Earlier this year, a local Army commander, Cpt Hein Zaw, filed charges against her for trespassing.

Su Su Nway has been detained or imprisoned four times in connection with her human rights activities.

On 13 October 2005, Rangoon’s Kawmoo Township Court sentenced Su Su Nway to 18 months in prison on charges of defaming local government officials in Kawmoo Township, Rangoon Division. Her sentence was believed to be linked to her success in bringing forced labor charges against the three government officials, who had received prison sentences of between eight to 16 months in January 2005.

On 15 May 2007, plainclothes special branch police officers and Union Solidarity and Development Association members arrested Su Su Nway along with about two dozen other activists in Rangoon’s Insein Township, who were on their way to a local pagoda to pray for the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. She was released on 7 June. On 13 November 2007, authorities arrested Su Su Nway, along with two other activists, for putting up anti-government posters in Rangoon’s Bahan Township. On 11 November 2008, a court in Rangoon’s Insein Prison sentenced her to 12 years and six months in prison under Article 124(a) of the Criminal Code (sedition) and Article 505(b) of the Criminal Code (disturbing public tranquility). On 20 February 2009, Rangoon Divisional Court reduced her prison sentence to eight years and six months. She was eventually released along with hundreds of other political prisoners during a 12 October 2011 presidential amnesty.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR RESOURCES AND PUBLICATIONS August “Monthly Chronology of Burma’s Political Prisoners for June 2015” Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) http://goo.gl/NcpQ8G 8 8/8/88 Anniversary “How to Defend the Defenders? A Report on the Situation of Human Rights International Day of World’s Indigenous 9 Defenders in Burma and Appropriate Protection Mechanisms” Assistance People Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), Burma Partnership (BP) http:// goo.gl/60x5f1 18 HRDF Open Forum “With only our voices, what can we do? Land confiscation and local International Day of the Victims of 30 response in southeast Myanmar” Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG) http:// Enforced Disappearances goo.gl/eGZvAV

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