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MYANMAR: Peaceful Protester Jailed for Life

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MYANMAR: Peaceful Protester Jailed for Life MYANMAR: Peaceful Protester Jailed For Life Pro-democracy activist U Ohn Than is serving a life sentence for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression. He was jailed after a trial that was grossly unfair. Veteran protester U Ohn Than was arrested on 23 August 2007 for staging a solo protest outside the US embassy in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon. He was protesting peacefully against the military government, dressed in a prisoner’s uniform to symbolize his belief that all people in Myanmar are prisoners in their own country. Throughout the protest he held up a placard calling for national and international action to solve the political problems in Myanmar, including a request for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon to intervene, and a call to the country’s armed forces to disobey their superiors and help overthrow the military government. He was arrested by men in civilian clothes, and taken to Botahtaung Township police station in Yangon. He was held in a military interrogation camp until January 2008, when he was then charged with sedition. U Ohn Than was tried behind closed doors, without any legal representation, inside Yangon’s Insein prison. He was sentenced to life imprisonment on 2 April 2008. He was moved to other prisons three times, the third being Khamti prison, Sagaing Division, in the north of the country, where he is still held. Khamti prison is in a malarial area and prisoners are vulnerable to infection. In June 2008 Amnesty International learned that U Ohn Than was at an advanced stage of cerebral malaria which if left untreated is almost always fatal. He appears to have received treatment for this, but has suffered from high blood pressure and kidney stones. U Ohn Than is well known for his solo protests, which he has carried out despite repeated reprisals from the authorities. He has previously spent at least 14 years in prison for exercising his right to freedom of expression. After each of these protests U Ohn Than was charged under Section 5/j of the Emergency Provisions Act (1950), a vaguely worded law frequently used to criminalize political dissent in the name of "national security." When he was at liberty, U Ohn Than continued to protest against the government and was frequently arrested and then released without charge, sometimes after several months in custody. (continued) Amnesty International USA ▪ Campaign for Individuals at Risk 600 Pennsylvania Avenue S.E. ▪ Washington, DC 20003 ▪ www.amnestyusa.org/iar ▪ [email protected] YOU CAN HELP: WRITE A LETTER TO THE MYANMAR OFFICIALS, ASKING THEM TO: Bring about the immediate and mail to: unconditional release of U Ohn Than Chairman, State Peace and Provide him with any medical treatment Development Council he requires Senior General Than Shwe c/o Ministry of Defense Protect him from torture and other ill- Naypyitaw treatment Union of Myanmar (Burma) Allow him access to family members and Salutation: “Dear Senior General a lawyer of his choosing Than Shwe” Stop the imprisonment of all prisoners of Minister of Foreign Affairs conscience U Nyan Win Ministry of Foreign Affairs Instigate fair trials Bldg. (19), Naypyitaw Union of Myanmar (Burma) Protect prisoners' welfare Salutation: “Dear Minister" Stop the misuse of security laws to punish peaceful political dissent International airmail postage: $0.98 Is the Country Called “Myanmar” or “Burma”? In 1989, the military government changed the English form of the name of the country from “Burma” to “Myanmar.” (The name of the country in the Burmese language – “Myanma” – did not change.) While the official name of the country is the “Union of Myanmar,” many organizations, including the U.S. government, have chosen to continue using the old name of Burma. Some sources may refer to the capital city by its current name of “Yangon,” while others may use the old name of “Rangoon.” Amnesty International uses the term “Myanmar” in any official description of the country. You should always use only the word “Myanmar” in your letters when you are writing to the Myanmar Government. However, on your envelopes, it is best to put both, like this: “UNION OF MYANMAR (Burma)” This is because the U.S. Postal Service continues to recognize “Burma” as the name of the country. To ensure that your letters reach their destination, be sure to use both names on your envelopes. Amnesty International USA ▪ Campaign for Individuals at Risk 600 Pennsylvania Avenue S.E. ▪ Washington, DC 20003 ▪ www.amnestyusa.org/iar ▪ [email protected] .
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