Burma's Prisons and Labour Camps
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Myanmar Amnesty International Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review Tenth Session of the UPR Working Group, January 2011
Myanmar Amnesty International submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review Tenth session of the UPR Working Group, January 2011 B. Normative and institutional framework of the State The administration of justice in Myanmar is marked by the absence of an independent judiciary and the criminalization of peaceful political dissent. The provisions of the 2008 Constitution and many laws do not meet international human rights standards. Myanmar has only ratified two international human rights treaties, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention of the Rights of the Child; however, the provisions of these are not adequately reflected in domestic law. The Constitution The new Constitution was adopted in a referendum held in the immediate aftermath of Cyclone Nargis in May 2008. It will come into force after national elections slated to take place towards the end of 2010. Amnesty International has serious concerns in relation to a number of elements within the Constitution that undermine international human rights standards and enable impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations, including past violations: • There are no provisions explicitly prohibiting torture and other ill‐treatment. There are similarly no provisions guaranteeing the rights of arrested persons to be informed promptly of the nature and cause of any charges against them or to a fair and public hearing, and the right of those arrested to be brought before a court within 24 hours does not extend to “matters on precautionary measures” taken on security and similar grounds. Provisions on freedom of expression, association and assembly are restricted by vague references to “community peace and tranquillity” (Article 354). -
11-Monthly Chronology of Burma Political Prisoners for November 2008
Chronology of Political Prisoners in Burma for November 2008 Summary of current situation There are a total of 2164 political prisoners in Burma. These include: CATEGORY NUMBER Monks 220 Members of Parliament 17 Students 271 Women 184 NLD members 472 Members of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters network 37 Ethnic nationalities 211 Cyclone Nargis volunteers 22 Teachers 25 Media activists 42 Lawyers 13 In poor health 106 Since the protests in August 2007, leading to last September’s Saffron Revolution, a total of 1057 activists have been arrested. Monthly trend analysis In the month of November, at least 215 250 political activists have been sentenced, 200 the majority of whom were arrested in 1 50 Arrested connection with last year’s popular Sentenced uprising in August and September. They 1 00 Released include 33 88 Generation Students Group 50 members, 65 National League for 0 Democracy members and 27 monks. Sep-08 Oct-08 Nov-08 The regime began trials of political prisoners arrested in connection with last year’s Saffron Revolution on 8 October last year. Since then, at least 384 activists have been sentenced, most of them in November this year. This month at least 215 activists were sentenced and 19 were arrested. This follows the monthly trend for October, when there were 45 sentenced and 18 arrested. The statistics confirm reports, which first emerged in October, that the regime has instructed its judiciary to expedite the trials of detained political activists. This month Burma’s flawed justice system has handed out severe sentences to leading political activists. -
Supachalasai Chyatat
Theorising the Politics of Survivors: Memory, Trauma, and Subjectivity in International Politics Chyatat Supachalasai Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Ph.D. Department of International Politics Aberystwyth University June 2017 DECLARATION This work has not previously been accepted in substance for any degree and is not being concurrently submitted in candidature for any degree. Signed……………………………………………. (candidate) Date……………………………………………13/7/2017 …. STATEMENT 1 This thesis is the result of my own investigations, except where otherwise stated. Other sources are acknowledged by footnotes giving explicit references. A bibliography is appended. Signed……………………………………………. (candidate) Date……………………………………………….13/7/2017 STATEMENT 2 I hereby give consent for my thesis, if accepted, to be available for photocopying and for inter- library loan, and for the title and summary to be made available to outside organisations. Signed……………………………………………. (candidate) Date……………………………………………….13/7/2017 i Summary This thesis aims to develop a theory of the politics of survivors based on the interrelated issues of memory, trauma, and subjectivity. It defines survivors as those who psychologically suffered from a traumatic event and whose mentalities continue to be affected by traumas. This thesis understands survivors as active participants in political resistance aimed at overthrowing current, authoritarian governments. In order to develop an appropriate theory of the politics of survivors, this thesis examines literature across the disciplines of social science. First, it adopts memory literature to argue that the political crises survivors have endured lead to the development of collective memory among survivors. Second, it incorporates literature of trauma to demonstrate that trauma cannot be conveyed in its entirety in testimony or language. -
LAST MONTH in BURMA NOVEMBER News from and About Burma 2008
LAST MONTH IN BURMA NOVEMBER News from and about Burma 2008 215 political activists sentenced in November The military junta sentenced at least 215 political activists and monks during November, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). The first trial of activists arrested in connection with last year’s uprising in August and September began on 8 October 2007. Since then at least 384 activists have been sentenced. The sentences recently handed down range from 4 months on charges of ‘contempt of court’ for National League for Democracy (NLD) lawyers U Khin Maung Shein and U Aung Thein, to life imprisonment plus 8 years for Human Rights Defenders and Promoters network founding member U Myint Aye on explosives charges. Zarganar, Burma’s most famous comedian and who was arrested in Zarganar connection with his efforts to co-ordinate voluntary relief efforts after May’s Cyclone Nargis, received sentences totaling 59 years. Two other cyclone aid volunteers were also sentenced at the same trial - journalist, social worker and former political prisoner Zaw Thet Htwe was sentenced to a total of 19 years and Thant Zin Aung was sentenced to a total of 18 years. All Burma Monks’ Alliance leader U Gambira, who played a leading role in last year’s Saffron Revolution, was given sentences totaling 68 years. Twenty-three members of the 88 Generation Students Group, who led the Pyone Cho, Ko Ko Gyi, Min Ko protests against fuel price hikes in August last year, were given sentences Naing and Htay Kywe of at least 65 years each. -
9-Monthly Chronology of Burma Political Prisoners for September
Compiled by AAPP P.O Box 93, Mae Sot, Tak Province 63110, Thailand e.mail: [email protected] website: www.aappb.org ---------------------------------------------------------- Chronology of Political Prisoners in Burma for September 2008 There are a total of 2123 political prisoners in Burma, including 213 Monks, 16 MPs, 264 Students, 178 Women, 473 NLDs, 36 HRDPs, 219 Ethnics, 51 Former Political Prisoners, 22 Teachers, 41 Media Activists. 108 are considered in bad health in various prisons. After the Saffron Revolution, there were 1001 political prisoners, included 137 Monks, 117 Women, 257 Under Trial, 134 Imprisonment, and 43 in bad health in various prisons. As of 9002 detainees granted amnesty, total number bring 10 political prisoners. They are (1) U Win Tin, from Insein prison (2) U Khin Maung Swe from Lashio prison (3) Dr. Than Nyein from Prome prison (4) Dr. May Win Myint from Insein prison (5) Thein Naing from Mandalay prison (6) U Aye Thein (7) Thiha from Mongsat prison on September 23 (8) Maung Kyaw from Kale prison on September 26 (9) Aung Khin from Kale prison on September 26 (10) Myint Lwin from Kale prison on September 26. On 1 September 2008 (Monday) Nobel Laureate Aung San Su Kyi met with personal lawyer U Kyi Win at her Yangon home. "She says she is well, but she has lost some weight," Kyi Win told reporters. "She told me, 'I am a little tired and I need to rest'." (010908 AFP) 2 - Ashin Gambira, detained in Insein prison, appeared in Alon Township Court with 9 charges. (010908 DVB) 3 - Six NLD members including Daw Win Mya Mya appeared in Mandalay prison special court for the fourth time. -
12-Monthly Chronology of Burma Political Prisoners for December 2008
Chronology of Political Prisoners in Burma for December 2008 Summary of current situation There are a total of 2162 political prisoners in Burma. These include: CATEGORY NUMBER Monks 223 Members of Parliament 16 Students 272 Women 187 NLD members 482 Members of the Human Rights Defenders and Promoters network 39 Ethnic nationalities 204 Cyclone Nargis volunteers 20 Teachers 25 Media activists 44 Lawyers 14 In poor health 117 Since the protests in August 2007, leading to last September’s Saffron Revolution, a total of 1071 activists have been arrested. Monthly trend analysis Following the sentencing of at least 224 250 activists in November, trials slowed in 200 the month of December. 5 activists were 150 Arrested sentenced, 9 were released and 11 were Sentenced arrested. One of the activists sentenced, 100 Released Kay Thi Aung (female), was given 26 50 years imprisonment for her role in 0 helping cyclone victims. Sep-08 Oct-08 Nov-08 Dec-08 9 of those arrested were National League for Democracy Youth members, who took part in a peaceful demonstration on Burma’s Independence Day. They were brutally beaten when they were arrested, and taken into custody. Their whereabouts are currently unknown. 1 Htay Lwin Oo became the 138 th political prisoner to die in Burma’s prisons since 1988. He was suffering from tuberculosis. The regime continued its strategic transfer of political prisoners to jails all over Burma. In December, at least 16 political prisoners were transferred. AAPP also received confirmation of additional transfers which took place in November. Since mid-November, when the transfers began, at least 163 political prisoners have been moved to prisons away from Rangoon. -
View Myanmar Report
Rule of Law for Human Rights in the Asean Region: A Base-line Study Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft Confédération suisse Canadian International Confederazione Svizzera Development Agency Confederaziun svizra Embassy of Switzerland The Republic of The Union of Myanmar Rule of Law for Human Rights in the ASEAN Region: A Base-line Study 153 Myanmar Snapshot Box Formal Name Republic of the Union of Myanmar Capital City Nay Pyi Taw Independence 4 January 1948 Historical background Parts of Burma (as it was then called) became a British colony after the 1824-1826 first Anglo-Burmese war and the second Anglo Burmese war of 1852. The whole country was annexed into the British Indian Empire on 1 January 1886. It achieved self-governance in 1937 and gained full independence on 4 January 1948. The country was under military and one-Party rule from 1962 to 1988 under General Ne Win. There was a massive uprising against the then one-party Government from the period of March to September 1988 and the State Law and Order Restoration Council (later name was changed to State Peace and Development Council) took over power after crushing the uprising. In the elections held in 1990, the main opposition party the National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory. However, the military council refused to hand over power and continues to govern the country. In 2008 Constitution was adopted by ‘referendum’ and‘ elections’ were held on 7 November 2010 in which the Union Solidarity and Development Party supported by the military council won over 75 percent of the seats in both Houses of the Legislature. -
1. Frontcover-SCRUBBED
1 Profiles of '88 Generation Students The '88 Generation Students group is comprised of Burma's most prominent human rights activists after Nobel Peace Prize recipient Aung San Suu Kyi. After Burma's military regime drastically raised the price of fuel in August 2007, the '88 Generation Students organized a non-violent protest walk in which they were joined by hundreds of everyday Burmese people. The '88 students were immediately arrested and have been held ever since. Anger at the arrests and the Burmese regime's treatment of Buddhist monks spiraled into last September's "Saffron Revolution" that saw hundreds of thousands of Buddhist monks marching peacefully for change. In late August 2008, in a blunt rejection of the United Nations Security Council and just days after two UN envoys traveled to Burma seeking democratic change and improvements in human rights, the country's military regime hauled dozens of the '88 Generation Students from prison cells into court in order to begin "sham" trials that will likely result in over 150 years of incarceration. List of '88 Generation Students 1. Min Ko Naing 21. Thet Thet Aung (F) 2. Ko Ko Gyi 22. Ma Lay Mon (F) 3. Ko Pyone Cho 23. Ma Hnin May Aung@ Nobel 4. Min Zeya Aye (F) 5. Ko Mya Aye 24. Daw San San Tin (F) 6. Kyaw Min Yu @ Jimmy 25. Tharape Theint Theint Htun (F) 7. Zeya 26. Ma Aye Thida (F) 8. Kyaw Kyaw Htwe @ Markee 27. Ma Nwe Hnin Yee @ Noe Noe 9. Antbwe Kyaw (F) 10. Pandeik Htun 28. -
Rule of Law for Human Rights in the Asean Region: a Base-Line Study
Rule of Law for Human Rights in the Asean Region: A Base-line Study Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft Confédération suisse Canadian International Confederazione Svizzera Development Agency Confederaziun svizra Embassy of Switzerland Table of Contents Research Team 1 Human Rights Resource Centre 2 Foreword 3 Rule of Law for Human Rights in the Asean Region: Synthesis 4 Annex I. The State of Brunei Darussalam 33 II. The Kingdom of Cambodia 51 III. The Republic of Indonesia 87 IV. Lao People’s Democratic Republic 119 V. Malaysia 133 VI. The Republic of The Union of Myanmar 153 VII. The Republic of The Philippines 177 VIII. The Republic of Singapore 217 IX. The Kingdom of Thailand 253 X. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam 281 Acknowledgement 298 Research Team Editors Research Coordinators Professor David Cohen Jennifer Holligan (HRRC Adviser, University of California, Berkeley) (Royal University of Law & Economics Cambodia & Singapore Management University) Dr Kevin Tan Yew Lee Joel Ng (HRRC Governing Board Member, National University of (S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies & Singapore Singapore) Management University) Sarah Shi Assistant Professor Mahdev Mohan (Singapore Management University) (HRRC Rule of Law Study Lead Researcher, Singapore Tsai Lan Shiow Management University) (Singapore Management University) Country Researchers Research Assistants Cheah Wui Ling (National University of Singapore) SINGAPORE MANAGEMENT UNIVERSITY Faith Suzzette Delos Reyes-Kong Luise Ammerschuber (Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines) -
Thet Thet Aung (32) the Saffron Revolution
71.- Thet Thet Aung (32) the Saffron Revolution. Following an overnight fuel price hike on August 15, 2007, the 88 Generation Students Group, along with other opposition groups staged peaceful walking protests throughout Rangoon, which then spread across Burma. On August 19, 2007, the group led a march by more than 400 people from Rangoon’s Kokine junction to Tamwe market in a protest against high fuel prices. The activists, who had attended a memorial service for late National League for Democracy leader U Kyi Maung in Bahan Township, walked to Tamwe instead of paying for bus fares pushed higher by increased gas prices. The Burmese government had raised the price of subsidized fuel by between 100 and 500 percent, causing the cost of public transport and a number of staple commodities such as rice and cooking oil to increase dramatically. Many of her friends were arrested on 21 August, but she managed to evade arrest then. Together with fellow women activists Mie Mie and Nilar Thein, Thet Thet Aung played an active role in the demonstration the following day. (aapp) Thet Thet Aung Born on December 9, 1977, Buddhist; ARREST DETAILS Thet Thet Aung was arrested in the early hours of October 19, Her father is U Thaw Win; Holds a B.A. in 2007 while staying at the home of Daw San San Tin, the mother of Philosophy; Belongs to the 88 Generation Students student activist Ko Nyi Nyi. Daw San San Tin and Ma Noe Noe, (Burma/Myanmar); Her last address was at who were also staying at the house, were arrested as well.