MON MPS SENTENCED TO LONG PRISON TE

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Subject: MON MPS SENTENCED TO LONG PRISON TERMS




Media Release - 04/99
January 18, 1999
                                    
                                    
               MON MP FLEES BURMA UNDER SEVERE REPRESSION
                 MON MPS SENTENCED TO LONG PRISON TERMS

A Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Mon National
Democratic Front  (MNDF) party fled to the Thai-Burma border in
late December because of the severe repression imposed on MPs and
other party members.

Naing Thaung Shein, 51, was able to escape despite heavy
surveillance of party members and activities by the Burmese
Military Intelligence Service (MIS). Sources report that since
his escape, however, the MIS has detained his son in retaliation.

Repression against the MNDF intensified immediately after the
party participated in the Committee Representing the Elected MPs,
formed on September 17, 1998 in an attempt to convene parliament,
and led by the National League for Democracy (NLD). 

Naing Thaung Shein was elected to parliament in the 1990 election
from Kaukkareik Constituency-2 in Karen State.  He is also in
charge of his party's youth wing.  

The Chairman of the MNDF, Naing Htun Thein, has been detained
without trial at the Yemon garrison town since the military
crackdown on MPs began in response to the NLD's call to convene
parliament.

The Burmese military sentenced three MNDF MPs - Vice-chairman
Naing Ngwe Thein, General Secretary Dr. Min Soe Lin and
Joint-General Secretary Dr. Min Kyi Win - each to seven years
imprisonment with hard labour under the 1950 Emergency Provisions
Act on December 10, 1998. The three have since been incarcerated
in Moulmein (Mawlamyein) Prison. 

All Burma Students' Democratic Front

For more information please contact 01-253 9082, 01-654 4984,
01-309 3846