INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE

[aungsan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS CONDEMNED SLORC

INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS
	--------------------------------------------------
	ICFTU		CISL		IBFG		CIOSL

President:		C. Leroy Trotman
General Secretary:	Bill Jordon

To all Members of the Human and Trade Unions Rights Committee
To All affiliated organisations in Asia
To all International Trade Secreatariats
To other interested organisations

In reply please quoted HTUR 23/1997
***********************************

TUR/GM                                                   21 August 1997

Dear Friends.

		PRISON SENTENCE FOR BURMESE TRADE UNIONIST
		------------------------------------------


On 24 June 1997 we wrote to you concerning the 13 June arrest of U Myo
Aung Thant, a Federation of Trade Unions - Burma (FTUB) Executive
Committee member. The ICFTU has just learned that Brother Thant received
a sentence of life imprisonment on 15 August.  He was accused of trying
to smuggle explosives Into Burma. Both the FTUB and Daw Aung San Suu
Kyi's National League for Democracy party have always advocated a
non-violent solution to Burma's political problems.  According to the
SLORC's own account, Brother Thant was arrested at the Rangoon airport
while the alleged explosives were seized in Kawthaung, hundreds of
kilometres south of Rangoon.  No firm proof of his involvement was
presented and forced confessions extracted through torture are not
acceptable evidence.  There is no due process In Burma, SLORC's Special
Court which handed down the sentence was a mockery, lasting less than
tan days and merely confirmed SLORC's predetermined conclusion without
observing any of the Internationally accepted standards for a fair
trial.

Three Burmese democracy supporters, all of whom are related to
opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, received ton year sentences for
political 'crimes' on the same day.  These outrages against free trade
unionism and freedom of association are a clear indication that the
SLORC feels that its recent membership In the Association of South East
Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a licence to increase repression.  Other ASEAN
countries argued that SLORC would modify its behaviour after becoming a
member.  Instead, SLORC has become even more repressive.

The ICFTU urges you to express your opposition to the life sentence
imposed on Brother U Myo Aung Thant to ,

General Than Shwe, Chairman
State Law & Order Restoration Council
192, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road
Bahan Post Office,
Yangon, Union of Myanmar

Telex: (83)213,16

Telefax of London Embassy of the SLORC: 44-171-629 4169

Our portest letter is attached for Information. Please send a copy of
your letter of protest to the ACFTU so that we can keep the FTUB
informed.

Yours sincerely,
Sd xxxxxxxx

Bill Jordon
General Secretary

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

	INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS
	-------------------------------------------------
	ICFTU		CISL		IBFG		CIOSL

President:		C. Leroy Trotman
General Secretary:	Bill Jordon

General Than Shwe, Chairman,
State Law & Order Restoration Council
192, Kaba Aye Pagoda Road
Bahan Post Office,
Yangon, Union of Myanmar


TUR/GM						21 August 1997


Dear General,

		JAILING OF U MYO AUNG THANT
		---------------------------

The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions was outraged to
learn of the 15 August 1997 sentencing of trade union leader Myo Aung
Thant to life imprisonment. As I wrote in my latter of 24 June 1997, the
arrest of trade union activists in retaliation for the exercise of
legitimate trade union activities is a violation of internationally
guaranteed rights to freedom of association.

Myo Aung Thant was arrested at the Rangoon airport while the alleged
explosives were seized at Kawthaung, hundreds of kilometres south of
Rangoon. No firm proof was submitted at the trial and forced confessions
extracted through torture are not acceptable evidence. The Special Court
which handed down the sentence lasted less than ten days and merely
confirmed the SLORC's predetermined conclusion without observing any of
the International standards for a fair trial. We consider this a mockery
of justice.

I would once again urge you to recommend the unconditional release of
Myo Aung Thant from prison. When Burma was accepted as a member of the
Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), it was argued that the
SLORC would modify its behaviour concerning human rights abuses. The
Jailing of Myo Aung Thant is the most recent proof that no change has
taken place and that SLORC is becoming even more repressive. The denial
of basic trade union and other human rights carries a heavy price.
International condemnations and economic sanctions continue to grow. To
promote stability and social justice in your country trade unionists
such as Myo Aung Thant must not be persecuted but be permitted to
conduct their legitimate activities.

Yours sincerely,

Sd xxxxxxxx

Bill Jordon
General Secretary