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Repression increase in Burma ((ICFT



Subject: Repression increase in Burma ((ICFTU online news)

Repression increases in Burma

Date: 22 Aug


INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS (ICFTU)

ICFTU ONLINE...
204/970822/LD

Burma: life sentence for trade unionist and ten years for pro-
democracy activists

Brussels, August 22 (ICFTU OnLine): Although little noticed by 
the media, repression of pro-democracy activists is going 
unabated in Burma where independent trade union activists are 
becoming targets of the ruling military junta, the self-
proclaimed State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc).  
On August 15, U Myo Aung Thant, an executive committee member of 
the Federation of Trade Unions - Burma (FTUB) was sentenced to 
life imprisonment.  He was falsely accused of having smuggled 
explosives into Burma and charged with "high treason". U Myo Aung 
Thant was arrested in June this year at the Rangoon airport 
while, according to the Slorc's own reports, the alleged 
explosives were seized at Kawthaung, hundreds of kilometres south 
of the capital.  No firm proof was submitted at the trial which 
was rushed through and only served to confirm the Slorc;s 
predetermined conclusion, already announced at a press conference 
on June 27 by the notorious Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt.
Together with U Myo Aung Thant, three pro-democracy activists ad 
relatives of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Aung San Suu kyi;s were 
each sentenced to 10 years in prison under national security 
laws.
The Brussels-based International Confederation of Free Trade 
Unions (ICFTU) has described the so-called trial as "a mockery" 
and stressed that the pro-democracy movement have always 
advocated a non-violent solution to Burma;s political problems.  
But the Slorc;s move seems to suggest, adds the ICFTU, that the 
military rulers of Burma feel that the country's recent 
membership of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) 
is a licence to increase repression.  "Other Asean countries 
argued that the Slorc would modify its behaviour after joining 
the club. Instead, Slorc has become even more repressive", writes 
ICFTU General Secretary in a communication urging affiliates to 
intervene with the Burmese authorities following the recent 
arrests.
For details contact ICFTU Press at ++322 224 02 12. Other OnLine 
news on Poptel Bulletin Board ICFTU-Online for geonet users and 
on the WWW at:http://www.icftu.org


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