Seven
political activists- all political
representatives, most of them senior, of the ethnic minority Shan group, who
are the largest ethnic minority in Myanmar - were arrested on 8 and 9 February.
Among
them, U Shwe Ohn, aged 82, author and lawyer, the Shan veteran politician
leader of the United Nationalities League for Democracy (a coalition of
political parties representing ethnic minority groups in Myanmar).
He
was put under house arrest for one year
on 8 February by the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) according to our sources in Rangoon.
The
house arrest came after the arrests of 7 Shan ethnic leaders, 3 from Shan's ceasefire group and 4 from the 1990
election winning party Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD) including
U Khun Tun Oo, the chairman.
U
Shwe Ohn went to Taunggyi, the capital of Shan State on 7 Feb where he had met
with the New Generation (Shan State) and discussed about the future of the Shan
State and the role of the ceasefire groups at the National Convention,
according to local politicians in Taunggyi. The meeting was attended by several
Shan politicians, representatives of Shan ceasefire groups and U Thu Wai, the
chairman of Democracy party.
On
the next evening, on 8 Feb he was put under house arrest with act 10 (B)at his
brother Dr. Aung Myint's residence in Taunggyi, the source said.
The
organizer of the meeting U Myint Than from New Generation (Shan State)
and
some members were also arrested by Special Branch Police at the same day.Three
members from Shan State Peace Council including Gen Hso Ten were arrested at
the guest house where the delegations were staying.
U
Shwe Ohn, together with some other ethnic national leaders and General Aung San
(father of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi) laid down the policies of the emergence of
democracy in Burma and equal rights and autonomy for ethnic nationals in the
union of Burma signed the Panglong Treaty in southern Shan State town of
Panglong on 12 February 1947.
U
Shwe Ohn was arrested in December 1992 and sentenced to one year’s imprisonment
for writing and distributing an essay making suggestions to the National
Convention about the new constitution. In the lead-up to recent sessions of the
National Convention, members and leaders of opposition parties have been
followed, interrogated, and intimidated for attempting to engage in legitimate
and peaceful political activities.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Myanmar's
military government has been in power since 1962. After widespread protest
against one-party rule, the authorities held elections in 1990. Opposition
parties won a majority of seats, but the authorities delayed the transfer of
power until a new constitution had been drafted. The constitution drafting
process, which has been repeatedly delayed since a first meeting in
1993,
recommenced in 2004. A meeting to draft principles for a new constitution,
known as the National Convention, began on 17 February 2005. The Shan State
Peace Council (SSPC) had been among those scheduled to send delegates to the
meeting, but did not send anyone. The SSPC represents various ethnic Shan armed
opposition groups who agreed ceasefires with the authorities during the 1990s,
after decades of fighting for greater autonomy.
Opposition
political parties including the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD)
and the National League for Democracy (NLD) have boycotted the Convention on
the grounds that the authorities have restricted their political activities and
imprisoned senior opposition political leaders, and that there has been a lack
of democratic procedures and free speech at the Convention. During previous
sessions of the Convention the authorities have sentenced opposition party
members and political activists to long prison terms for commenting on the
procedures of the Convention or communicating with delegates.
RECOMMENDED
ACTION:
Please
send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:
-
expressing concern at the continued detention of U Shwe Ohn, and calling for
immediate and unconditional release if not to be charged with a recognizably
criminal offence;
-
urging the authorities to give U Shwe Ohn and all the detainees immediate
access to lawyers, their families and any medical attention they may require,
and to ensure that they are held in conditions which meet international standards
and are not subjected to torture or any other form of cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment;
APPEALS
TO:
General
Than Shwe
Chairman,
State Peace and Development Council
Ministry
of Defence
Dagon
Post Office,
Yangon,
MYANMAR
Salutation:Dear
General
Lieutenant
General Soe Win
Prime
Minister, State Peace and Development Council
Ministry
of Defence
Dagon
Post Office,
Yangon,
MYANMAR
Salutation:
Dear Prime Minister
COPIES
TO:
Diplomatic
representative of Myanmar
AI Index: ASA 16/005/2005
2 March 2005
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