DOCSLIB.ORG

April Chronology 2016

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
April Chronology 2016 APRIL CHRONOLOGY 2016 Summary of the Current Situation: There are 64 political prisoners incarcerated in Burma. 138 activists are currently awaiting trial for political actions, 43 of whom are incarcerated. Picture from Irrawaddy © 2016 Accessed April 29, 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS MONTH IN REVIEW ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 ARBITRARY DETENTIONS ............................................................................................................................................. 2 SENTENCES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 3 RELEASES .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4 DEMONSTRATIONS & RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL & CIVIL LIBERTIES ............................................. 6 LAND ISSUES ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7 RELATED HUMAN RIGHTS NEWS .............................................................................................................................. 8 CONCLUSION ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9 MONTH IN REVIEW This month, 235 political activists were released Contrary to the expectations of the international following a series of presidential amnesties, two community, U Gambira, one of the leaders of the 2007 political activists were arrested in total, and 16 Saffron Revolution, received a sentence of six months’ individuals were sentenced. Three political prisoners imprisonment with hard labor. He was charged under are reported to be in bad health. Also this month, 25 Section 13. (1) of the Immigration (Emergency activists were charged, of which 12 were farmers. Provisions) Act for illegally crossing the border to Thailand where he intended to receive medical The new NLD government led by President Htin Kyaw treatment for his mental health problems related to took office on April 1. On April 6 the new government his former imprisonment and torture. Human rights created the role of State Counselor, assumed by Aung groups such as Amnesty International and Human San Suu Kyi. Her first act was to release a statement Rights Watch called the sentencing politically on April 7 announcing the government’s intention to motivated. release political prisoners, political activists, students and supporters who are facing trial because of their political activities, as a first priority. A series of releases of political prisoners followed this announcement. On April 8, the government announced that they had dropped charges against 199 political prisoners under Section 494 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. AAPP has been able to confirm 115 of these. All of the 115 were facing trial, but had not yet been sentenced, for various offences including the National Education Bill protests, labor rights protests, and protests against the military’s 25% seat share in Parliament. On April 17, the President announced a pardon of 83 political prisoners under Section 401. (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. AAPP has verified 70 of these releases. A further 48 political activists had charges against them dropped before the end of the month. Despite the amnesties this month, courts in Burma continued to hand down sentences under Section 17 of the Unlawful Association Act. A total of 13 Arakanese youth were sentenced this month for alleged Arakan Army (AA) connections, while three of them were released as part of the presidential amnesty on April 17. They received sentences ranging from three to five years. Also sentenced under the Unlawful Association Act this month were the interfaith activists, Zaw Zaw Latt and Pwint Phyu Latt, who received an additional two years in prison with labor on top of their existing 2 year sentence. 1 Page April Chronology 2016 ARBITRARY DETENTIONS Police Detain Solo Protester On April 1, Tun Myint Soe, a solo protester, was detained by police in Kyaukpyu Township for staging a protest calling for the release of Maung Aye, the chairman of the Rural Development Association. On April 1, the day of Maung Aye’s court hearing, Tun Myint Soe, from YwarThitYwar in LakeKhaMaw village tract, Kyaukpyu Township, marched from the clock tower to the court and then to the police station holding a poster saying “release Maung Aye who is working for the Arakan people, was not related with any politics and was not related with the Arakan Army.” (1 April 2016 • Narinjara/Burmese) 2 Page April Chronology 2016 SENTENCES U Gambira Sentenced to Six Months Arakan Youth Bo Than Sentenced On April 7, Bo Than was sentenced to five years in On April 26, leader of the 2007 Saffron Revolution, U prison for unlawful association with the outlawed Gambira was sentenced to six months in prison with Arakan Army (AA) by the Kyauktaw township. He had hard labor. With time served, he will spend a further been held at Kyauktaw police station since his arrest three months in prison. He was arrested on January on January 28. He was sentenced to three years of 19 under Section 13. (1) of the Immigration imprisonment under Section 17. (1) of the Unlawful (Emergency Provisions) Act after crossing the border Association Act and five years of imprisonment under from Thailand five days earlier. Human rights groups Section 17. (2) of the same Act, and will serve these such as Amnesty International and Human Rights sentences concurrently. Watch have condemned the sentencing declaring that his charges are politically motivated. U Gambira is (8 April 2016 - Narinjara/Burmese) (10 April 2016 - suffering from organic brain syndrome and other Narinjara) mental health issues including PTSD relating to his imprisonment and torture under the military regime. Six Arakanese Convicted (26 April 2016 - RFA/Burmese) (26 April 2016 - On April 6, Oo Ba Maung, Maung Kyaw Thein, Maung DVB/Burmese) (26 April 2016 - BBC/Burmese) (26 Than Wai, Tun Tun Win, Tun Soe Naing, and Soe April 2016 - Irrawaddy/Burmese) (26 April 2016- Naing were sentenced to five years of imprisonment VOA) (26 April 2016 - DVB) (27 April 2016- by the Kyauktaw Township court in Arakan State. Irrawaddy) (27 April 2016-Myanmar Times) (27 April According to their lawyer, Tun Hla, the six convicted 2016 - VOA/Burmese) individuals confessed to having involvement with the Arakan Army (AA). (6 April 2016 - Narinjara/Burmese) (8 April 2016 - Muslim Interfaith Activists Sentenced to Two Narinjara) More Years in Prison On April 8, Zaw Zaw Latt and Pwint Phyu Latt were Six Youths Sentenced for Arakan Army (AA) sentenced to an additional two years in prison with Ties labor under Section 17. (1) of the Unlawful Association On April 4, six men who had been detained since April Act by Mandalay‘s Chanayethazan township court. 2015 confessed to being members of the AA. Maung They have been detained by local police since July Shwe Thein, Nyi Nyi Hlaing and Zaw Myo Aung were 2015 for sharing photos on social media that suggest sentenced to five years in prison under Section 17. (2) a connection to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). of the Unlawful Association Act by the Kyauktaw The pictures show a visit to Kachin State in 2013 and Township Court. San Aye Maung, Maung Shwe Lone to Mizoram State in 2014 and in one of the pictures and San Maung Thar were sentenced to three years of Zaw Zaw Latt can be seen holding a M16 rifle in a imprisonment under Section 17. (1) of the Unlawful displaced persons camp in Kachin State. Association Act. All of them were brought to Sittwe The pair are already serving a 2 year sentence under Prison to serve their sentences. San Aye Maung, Section 13. (1) of the Immigration (Emergency Maung Shwe Lone and San Maung Thar were released Provisions) Act for crossing the India-Burma border as part of the presidential pardon on April 17 (see illegally in 2014. below for details). (8 April 2016 - Irrawaddy) (8 April 2016 - (4 April 2016 - DVB/Burmese) (4 April 2016 - RFA/Burmese) (8 April 2016 - Mizzima/Burmese) Irrawaddy/Burmese) (4 April 2016 - Narinjara/Burmese) (April 5 2016 - Narinjara) (April 18 2016 - Narinjara) (8 April 2016 - Mizzima) (17 April 2016 - BBC/Burmese) (17 April 2016 - Mizzima/Burmese) 3 Page April Chronology 2016 RELEASES More Charges Dropped as Part of Amnesties Among the released were the Unity Five, sentenced Another 48 political prisoners had charges against to 10 years’ hard labor in 2014 for reporting on an them dropped as part of an amnesty under Section alleged military chemical weapons factory. The 494 of the Code of Criminal Procedure at the end of pardon also included Htin Lin Oo, a writer and April, bringing the total number of amnesties granted former NLD information officer, and Htin Kyaw, a under Section 494 of the Code of Criminal Procedure well-known democracy activist who spent more than in April to 163. a decade in and out of prison. Notably, NeLynn Dwe and Chit Ko, the former air force captains arrested On April 21, 21 political activists had charges dropped for publishing a blog describing life in the army, and against them. This included Zaw Win, and the two Thura Kyaw
Load more

Recommended publications
  • B U R M a B U L L E T
    B U R M A B U L L E T I N ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞A month-in-review of events in Burma∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ A L T E R N A T I V E A S E A N N E T W O R K O N B U R M A campaigns, advocacy & capacity-building for human rights & democracy Issue 20 August 2008 • Fearing a wave of demonstrations commemorating th IN THIS ISSUE the 20 anniversary of the nationwide uprising, the SPDC embarks on a massive crackdown on political KEY STORY activists. The regime arrests 71 activists, including 1 August crackdown eight NLD members, two elected MPs, and three 2 Activists arrested Buddhist monks. 2 Prison sentences • Despite the regime’s crackdown, students, workers, 3 Monks targeted and ordinary citizens across Burma carry out INSIDE BURMA peaceful demonstrations, activities, and acts of 3 8-8-8 Demonstrations defiance against the SPDC to commemorate 8-8-88. 4 Daw Aung San Suu Kyi 4 Cyclone Nargis aid • Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is allowed to meet with her 5 Cyclone camps close lawyer for the first time in five years. She also 5 SPDC aid windfall receives a visit from her doctor. Daw Suu is rumored 5 Floods to have started a hunger strike. 5 More trucks from China • UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma HUMAN RIGHTS 5 Ojea Quintana goes to Burma Tomás Ojea Quintana makes his first visit to the 6 Rape of ethnic women country. The SPDC controls his meeting agenda and restricts his freedom of movement.
    [Show full text]
  • 2009 October 26, 2009 Highly Repressive, Authoritarian Military Regimes Have Ruled the Country Since 1962
    Burma Page 1 of 12 Burma BUREAU OF DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND LABOR International Religious Freedom Report 2009 October 26, 2009 Highly repressive, authoritarian military regimes have ruled the country since 1962. In May 2008 the Government announced voters had approved a new draft Constitution in a nationwide referendum. Democracy activists and the international community widely criticized the referendum as seriously flawed. The new Constitution provides for freedom of religion; however, it also grants broad exceptions that allow the regime to restrict those rights at will. Although authorities generally permitted most adherents of registered religious groups to worship as they choose, the Government imposed restrictions on certain religious activities and frequently abused the right to freedom of religion. There was no change in the Government’s limited degree of respect for religious freedom during the reporting period. Religious activities and organizations were subject to restrictions on freedom of expression, association, and assembly. The Government continued to monitor meetings and activities of virtually all organizations, including religious organizations. The Government continued to systematically restrict efforts by Buddhist clergy to promote human rights and political freedom. Many of the Buddhist monks arrested in the violent crackdown that followed pro-democracy demonstrations in September 2007, including prominent activist monk U Gambira, remained in prison serving long sentences. The Government also actively promoted Theravada Buddhism over other religions, particularly among members of ethnic minorities. Christian and Islamic groups continued to struggle to obtain permission to repair existing places of worship or build new ones. The regime continued to closely monitor Muslim activities. Restrictions on worship for other non-Buddhist minority groups also continued.
    [Show full text]
  • January Chronology 2016
    JANUARY CHRONOLOGY 2016 Summary of the CurreNt SituatioN: There are 86 political prisoNers incarcerated in Burma. 399 actiVists are curreNtly awaitiNg trial for political actioNs. Picture from IrraWaddy © 2016 Accessed JaNuary 28, 2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS MONTH IN REVIEW ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 DETENTIONS ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2 SENTENCES ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3 RELEASES ............................................................................................................................................................................... 4 CONDITIONS OF DETENTIONS ..................................................................................................................................... 5 DEMONSTRATIONS & RESTRICTIONS ON POLITICAL & CIVIL LIBERTIES .............................................. 7 LAND ISSUES ......................................................................................................................................................................... 8 RELATED HUMAN RIGHT NEWS .................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Urgent Action
    Further information on UA: 14/16 Index: ASA 16/4371/2016 Myanmar Date: 1 July 2016 URGENT ACTION PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE U GAMBIRA RELEASED Prisoner of conscience U Gambira was released on 1 July after all charges against him were dropped by courts in Myanmar. On 1 July U Gambira, also known as Nyi Nyi Lwin, was released from Insein prison in Yangon after completing his sentence under immigration charges and after courts dropped all other charges pending against him. U Gambira was arrested on 19 January, several days after entering Myanmar from Thailand, where he had been living. As a Myanmar citizen, he had travelled to Myanmar to apply for a passport but was sentenced in April to six months in prison with hard labour for entering the country illegally. On 28 June he received additional charges in Yangon for activities dating back to 2012 when U Gambira was released after having been imprisoned since 2007 for his leading role in mass anti-government protests, known as the Saffron Revolution. Upon his release he tried to re-open monasteries which the authorities had closed down because of the activities of their monks during the Saffron Revolution. Amnesty International believed these charges to be politically motivated. U Gambira should have never been imprisoned in the first place. Amnesty International will continue to campaign for the release of all prisoners of conscience in Myanmar. Thank you to all those who sent appeals. No further action is requested from the UA network. This is the fourth update of UA 14/16. Further information: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/ASA16/4339/2016/en/ Name: U Gambira Gender m/f: m Further information on UA: 14/16 Index: ASA 16/4371/2016 Issue Date: 1 July 2016 .
    [Show full text]
  • CPIN Template 2018
    Country Policy and Information Note Burma: Critics of the government Version 3.0 January 2019 Preface Purpose This note provides country of origin information (COI) and analysis of COI for use by Home Office decision makers handling particular types of protection and human rights claims (as set out in the basis of claim section). It is not intended to be an exhaustive survey of a particular subject or theme. It is split into two main sections: (1) analysis and assessment of COI and other evidence; and (2) COI. These are explained in more detail below. Assessment This section analyses the evidence relevant to this note – i.e. the COI section; refugee/human rights laws and policies; and applicable caselaw – by describing this and its inter-relationships, and provides an assessment on whether, in general: • A person is reasonably likely to face a real risk of persecution or serious harm • A person is able to obtain protection from the state (or quasi state bodies) • A person is reasonably able to relocate within a country or territory • Claims are likely to justify granting asylum, humanitarian protection or other form of leave, and • If a claim is refused, it is likely or unlikely to be certifiable as ‘clearly unfounded’ under section 94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. Decision makers must, however, still consider all claims on an individual basis, taking into account each case’s specific facts. Country of origin information The country information in this note has been carefully selected in accordance with the general principles of COI research as set out in the Common EU [European Union] Guidelines for Processing Country of Origin Information (COI), dated April 2008, and the Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation’s (ACCORD), Researching Country Origin Information – Training Manual, 2013.
    [Show full text]
  • MYANMAR: Monk Receives 68 Years in Prison
    MYANMAR: Monk Receives 68 Years in Prison Buddhist monk and activist U Gambira was arrested on 4 November 2007 in the search for the organizers of the major anti- government demonstrations that began in August 2007. The authorities brought the protests to an end with a violent crackdown in late September 2007. U Gambira is currently on trial under at least nine charges for his role in the demonstrations of August and September 2007. The laws he has been charged under include three security laws that have been used arbitrarily to criminalize peaceful political dissent. U Gambira's lawyer, Aung Thein, withdrew from the case on 1 October 2008 stating that U Gambira was not receiving a fair trial. He cited the court’s failure to allow him to prepare a defense and complained that the court had not provided him with a copy of the prosecutor’s file in advance of the trial. The court had also rejected his request for more time to discuss the allegations presented in the file with U Gambira. On 18 November 2008, U Gambira was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment by a special court inside Insein Prison. This was swiftly followed by two further sentences: on 20 November he was sentenced to 15 years in jail and then on 21 November he was given an additional 12 years with hard labor. Exact details of the sentences remain unclear but as of November 21, 2008, U Gambira has received a total of 68 years’ imprisonment. A total of 16 charges have been brought against U Gambira.
    [Show full text]
  • ¬¬Journal of Buddhist Ethics
    Journal of Buddhist Ethics ISSN 1076-9005 http://blogs.dickinson.edu/buddhistethics/ Volume 19, 2012 The Burmese Alms-Boycott: Theory and Practice of the Pattanikujjana in Buddhist Non-Violent Resistance Martin Kovan University of Melbourne Copyright Notice: Digital copies of this work may be made and distributed provided no change is made and no alteration is made to the content. Re- production in any other format, with the exception of a single copy for pri- vate study, requires the written permission of the author. All enquiries to: [email protected]. The Burmese Alms-Boycott: Theory and Practice of the Pattanikujjana in Buddhist Non-Violent Resistance1 Martin Kovan2 Abstract This essay presents a general and critical historical survey of the Burmese Buddhist alms-boycott (pattanikujjana) be- tween 1990 and 2007. It details the Pāli textual and ethical constitution of the boycott and its instantiation in mod- ern Burmese history, particularly the Saffron Revolution of 2007. It also suggests a metaethical reading that consid- ers Buddhist metaphysics as constitutive of that conflict. Non-violent resistance is contextualized as a soteriologi- cally transcendent (“nibbanic”) project in the common life of believing Buddhists—even those who, military re- gime and martyred monastics alike, defend a fidelity to 1 Originally presented at the International Association for Buddhist Studies (I.A.B.S.) Conference, Taiwan, June 20-25, 2011. The author is grateful to Ashin Issariya, Ashin Kovida, U Nay Meinda and Ven. Pandita for their generosity. 2 School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne. Email: [email protected]. Kovan, The Burmese Alms-Boycott 96 Theravāda Buddhism from dual divides of a political and humanistic fence.
    [Show full text]
  • Former Prisoner of Conscience Arrested: U Gambira
    UA: 14/16 Index: ASA 16/3244/2016 Myanmar Date: 20 January 2016 URGENT ACTION FORMER PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE ARRESTED Former Buddhist monk, activist and prisoner of conscience U Gambira has been arrested during his visit to Myanmar from Thailand. His arrest is believed to be as a result of his previous work as a human rights activist, which was always peaceful, and he must be immediately and unconditionally released. On 19 January at 11pm U Gambira, aka Nyi Nyi Lwin, was arrested without a warrant by around 20 police officers at his hotel room in Mandalay, Myanmar’s second largest city, and taken to Mandalay’s police station No. 9. On 20 January, he was brought in front of Maha Aung Myay Township Court and charged with entering the country illegally under Section 13(1) of Myanmar’s 1947 Immigration (Emergency Provisions) Act. The charge carries up to five years’ imprisonment. Following his hearing U Gambira was then transferred to Mandalay’s Oh-Bo prison. His next court hearing will take place on 3 February. U Gambira is a former prisoner of conscience, arrested in 2007 for his role leading mass anti-government protests in August and September of that year. He has been suffering from serious physical and mental health issues, including schizophrenia for which he must take medicine three times a day. It is unclear whether he is being given his medicine while in prison. U Gambira, who now lives in Thailand, arrived in Myanmar on 15 January in order to apply for a passport. He crossed the border between Thailand and Myanmar at an official crossing point without facing any problems with either Myanmar or Thai immigration officials.
    [Show full text]
  • Chronology of Political Prisoners in Burma for October 2008 • • • • • • • • • • • • Summary of Current Situation
    Chronology of Political Prisoners in Burma for October 2008 • • • • • • • • • • • • Summary of Current Situation There are a total of 2,147 political prisoners in Burma. These include: Category Number Monks 217 Members of Parliament 17 Students 265 Women 180 NLD members 468 Members of the Human Rights Defenders and 35 Promoters network Ethnic nationalities 211 Cyclone Nargis volunteers 22 Teachers 22 Media activists 41 Lawyers 12 In poor health 107 Since the protests in August, leading to last September’s Saffron Revolution, a total of 1,022 activists have been arrested. Monthly Trend Analysis In October, there were 18 arrests, 45 activists were sentenced and 20 were released. In comparison with September, there were fewer arrests (18 compared to 88 in September), but many more activists have been sentenced (45 compared to 18 in September). September marked the anniversary of last year’s Saffron Revolution, and the regime cracked down on activists engaged in activities to mark the anniversary, which accounts for the high number of arrests last month. This month has seen a push by the regime to bring legal proceedings against political activists to a swift conclusion, in a series of grossly unfair trials. Unfair Trials Trials of political prisoners have been taking place in closed sessions, with family members denied permission to attend. Trials of high profile prisoners like 88 Generation Group leaders Min Ko Naing and monk leaders have been held in Insein Prison special court, presided over by judges from various Rangoon District courts. Defence lawyers have been given insufficient time to prepare their cases. In some instances defence lawyers were prevented from presenting their case in court altogether.
    [Show full text]
  • A Briefing Paper on Burma/Myanmar, February 2012
    International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (ALTSEAN-Burma) Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) Forum for Democracy in Burma A Briefing Paper on Burma/Myanmar, February 2012 INTRODUCTION Since taking office in March 2011, the military-dominated government of Myanmar has made numerous commitments, however it has not initiated substantive reforms toward reconciliation and compliance with international laws. Although the recent release of political prisoners and other positive actions taken by the government should be welcomed, key minimum benchmarks have not been met. As Daw Aung San Suu Kyi told the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2012: “We are not yet at the point of a ‘great transformation’”. The key minimum benchmarks are: Immediate and unconditional release of all remaining political prisoners Nationwide ceasefire leading to sustainable peace and an end to systematic and pervasive human rights violations, including the rape of women, in ethnic nationality areas A genuine and inclusive dialogue with all political parties, other pro-democracy forces, and ethnic nationality groups Meeting these key benchmarks is essential to the initiation of a sustainable national reconciliation process. The government has taken actions that are positive, such as the release of some but not all political prisoners and the amendment of the elections law to allow for the re-registration of the National League for Democracy (NLD). While we acknowledge these developments, the international community must distinguish between public relations efforts primarily designed for the lifting of sanctions and genuine sustainable institutional reforms which have yet to be initiated.
    [Show full text]
  • Financial Times October 12, 2011 Burma Begins to Free Political Prisoners by Amy Kazmin in New Delhi and Ben Bland in Hanoi Burm
    Financial Times October 12, 2011 Burma begins to free political prisoners By Amy Kazmin in New Delhi and Ben Bland in Hanoi Burma’s government has freed numerous political dissidents, signalling its desire for reform after years of direct military rule. The extent of the prisoner release was still unclear on Wednesday evening, as opposition activists were trying to compile lists of dissidents freed from some of the country’s 43 prisons, scattered in remote locations around the country. Prison officials told Burmese journalists that 300 “prisoners of conscience” had been freed. Activists said they had confirmed the release of more than 180 dissidents, including Buddhist monks, opposition politicians, ethnic minority activists, a popular satirist Zarganar and Su Su Nway, a campaigner against forced labour. But with up to 1,500 political prisoners – including some high-profile political activists – still incarcerated, Aung San Suu Kyi, the Nobel Prize-winning democracy advocate, was cautious in her response. “I’m really thankful for the release of political prisoners,” Ms Suu Kyi said as details trickled out. “We hope many more will be released. The more political prisoners are released, the better for the country.” High quality global journalism requires investment. Please share this article with others using the link below, do not cut & paste the article. See our Ts&Cs and Copyright Policy for more detail. Email [email protected] to buy additional rights. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9e7affae-f493-11e0-a286- 00144feab49a.html#ixzz1aeHfk7X4 Burmese officials said last month they would free a significant number of political prisoners, as they press for an end to sanctions that have helped cripple the south-east Asian nation’s economy.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]