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DS: Urgent action appeal (r)






EXTERNAL  AI Index: ASA 16/25/97

                                                             18 August 1997

Further information on UA 187/97 (ASA 16/19/97, 24 June 1997) and
follow-ups (ASA 16/21/97, 11 July; ASA 16/23/97, 22 July) - Fear for safety
/ Fear of ill-treatment

MYANMAR        U Shwe Myint Aung, alias Myint Swe
               Daw Khin Ma Than, alias Nge Ma Ma Than (f)
               Cho Aung Than
               U Myo Aung Thant
               U Khin Kyaw
               Khin Maung Win alias Ko Sunny


U Shwe Myint Aung, also known as Myint Swe, was not released as reported in
the previous update to this Urgent Action (ASA 16/23/97, 22 July).  He, his
wife Daw Khin Ma Than, also known as Nge Ma Ma Than, and her brother Cho
Aung Than were sentenced to 10 years? imprisonment on 15 August at a court
inside Insein Prison, Myanmar largest detention facility. Cho Aung Than and
Daw Khin Ma Than are first cousins of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

All three received a three-year sentence under the Unlawful Associations
Act and a seven-year sentence under the Emergency Provisions Act. The
broadly-worded provisions of these two laws are often used by the military
authorities to hand down long terms of imprisonment for peaceful political
activity. U Myo Aung Thant also received the same sentence in addition to a
sentence of life imprisonment for ?high treason?. He was accused by the
authorities of attempting to bring explosives into Myanmar from Thailand.
There is no further information about the status or whereabouts of Khin
Maung Win alias Ko Sunny and U Khin Kyaw.

Amnesty International has no further details about their trial, but fears
that the four may have been tortured or ill-treated during their pre-trial
interrogation. Trials of political prisoners in Myanmar fall far short of
international fair trial standards.  Prisoners are seldom allowed legal
counsel and trials are normally conducted in closed session. Amnesty
International is also concerned about the state of their health and the
conditions of their imprisonment.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

On 23 July 1997 Myanmar was formally admitted into the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
amid widespread protests from Asian human rights groups. The long terms of
imprisonment recently handed down to Myint Swe, Nge Ma Ma Than, Cho Aung
Than and U Myo Thant belie ASEAN hopes that Myanmar would improve its human
rights record after it was admitted to the regional grouping.  The other
ASEAN countries are: Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore,
Laos, Vietnam and the Philippines.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please write one final letter to the Myanmar
authorities expressing your concern about the health of Myint Swe, Nge Ma
Ma Than, Cho Aung Than, and U Myo Thant. Also express concern that they may
not have received fair trials.  This action will then close and the case
will be transferred to other AI Networks.

APPEALS TO:

Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman
State Law and Order Restoration Council
c/p Director of Defence Services Intelligence (DDSI)
Ministry of Defence, Signal Pagoda Road
Dagon Post Office
Yangon
Union of Myanmar
Salutation: Dear General

Lieutenant General Khin Nyunt, Secretary 1
State Law and Order Restoration Council
c/o Director of Dfence Services Intelligence (DDSI)
Ministry of Defence, Signal Pagoda Road
Dagon Post Office
Yangon
Union of Myanmar
Salutation: Dear Lieutenant General

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of MYANMAR accredited to your
country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 1 October 1997.