Court officials and defendants standing trial in Bago division's Kyauktada township court are growing frustrated by local authorities interfering in cases to influence the verdicts.
Htun Zaw, a villager from Phado in Kyauktada township, sued a member of the village Peace and Development Council in last November for verbally abusing him.
After the official was fined 200 kyat by the court, village PDC secretary Nyunt Thein countersued Htun Zaw, alleging he had attempted to physically hurt the PDC member.
Htun Kyi, father of Htun Zaw, said Kyauktada township PDC chair Myo Tint had taken a bribe from the village PDC member and was now pressuring the judge Hla Myat Mon to jail the defendant.
"The judge wanted the trial to be fair but the TPDC chairman has been repeatedly putting pressure on her to just jail my son," said Htun Kyi.
Htun Kyi said now the family is trying to transfer the case to the higher-level Bago township court to avoid interference from the Kyauktada TPDC on the advice of the judge.
"General Thura Shwe Mann of the State Peace and Development Council said no one should be above the law – but in Kyauktada, the TPDC is above the law, I have witnessed this myself in the past three days," he said.
Htun Zaw called on the government to prevent corruption from destroying the reputation of the courts.
Thursday, 5 February 2009
Student activist sentenced to five more years
De Nyein Linn, leader of the 2007 All Burmese Federation of Student Unions, has been given an additional five-year jail term, bringing his total sentence to 15 and a half years.
South Dagon township court imposed the additional sentence for charges under the Unlawful Association Act, according to family members.
De Nyein Linn was first sentenced to six and half years in prison on 19 November 2008 by San Chaung township court on four charges, including sedition.
Nine days later he was sentenced to four more years by Htantabin township court on further sedition charges and for inciting public disorder.
Den Nyein Linn’s father, 88 Generation Students group member Zaw Zaw Min, was sentenced to 65 years’ imprisonment in November last year.
De Nyein Linn, 20, was a final-year geology student at Western Rangoon University before he was arrested in 2007 following the monk-led mass protests in September of that year.
South Dagon township court imposed the additional sentence for charges under the Unlawful Association Act, according to family members.
De Nyein Linn was first sentenced to six and half years in prison on 19 November 2008 by San Chaung township court on four charges, including sedition.
Nine days later he was sentenced to four more years by Htantabin township court on further sedition charges and for inciting public disorder.
Den Nyein Linn’s father, 88 Generation Students group member Zaw Zaw Min, was sentenced to 65 years’ imprisonment in November last year.
De Nyein Linn, 20, was a final-year geology student at Western Rangoon University before he was arrested in 2007 following the monk-led mass protests in September of that year.
Tuesday, 2 December 2008
Monday, 13 October 2008
British Government Pledges To Do All It Can to Help People Of Burma
The British Prime Minister’s website has issued a response to an online petition about Burma from the Burma Campaign UK. In its response the government pledges to do all it can to help the people of Burma.
The petition was started one year ago during the democracy uprising, and called on the Prime Minister to personally engage world leaders on the issue of Burma, and set timelines and benchmarks for change.
“We are pleased by the commitment of the British government to continue supporting us in our struggle for freedom, said Hlaing Sein, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “Prime Minister Gordon Brown has consistently raised Burma with fellow world leaders, and has become one of the strongest voices supporting our cause. However, we need to see more concrete action from the international community, and we hope he will lead the way in pushing for a stronger approach by the UN, and more targeted sanctions from the European Union.”
For more information contact Hlaing Sein on 07900990538.
The petition was started one year ago during the democracy uprising, and called on the Prime Minister to personally engage world leaders on the issue of Burma, and set timelines and benchmarks for change.
“We are pleased by the commitment of the British government to continue supporting us in our struggle for freedom, said Hlaing Sein, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “Prime Minister Gordon Brown has consistently raised Burma with fellow world leaders, and has become one of the strongest voices supporting our cause. However, we need to see more concrete action from the international community, and we hope he will lead the way in pushing for a stronger approach by the UN, and more targeted sanctions from the European Union.”
For more information contact Hlaing Sein on 07900990538.
Myanmarese troops who killed Japanese journalist were following government orders
The secret military documents obtained by the Mainichi.
The secret military documents obtained by the Mainichi.
Myanmarese troops who gunned down Japanese journalist Kenji Nagai at an anti-government rally in Yangon last year were explicitly ordered to shoot anyone carrying a camera or video camera, according to secret military documents obtained by the Mainichi Shimbun on Saturday. Local officials had claimed he was shot accidentally.
Hundreds of thousands of monks took part in a string of demonstrations during September 2007, which were brutally put down by the military. The orders appear to be an attempt by the military to prevent evidence of the uprising and consequent military attacks being circulated at home and abroad.
The documents claim that most of those dressed as monks were actually linked to armed underground organizations that were trying to overturn the government, and called for "resolute measures" against them. The orders themselves instructed troops to shoot anyone holding a placard or flag, and those at the head of any demonstrations.
Troops were also told that "those carrying cameras, video cameras or tape recorders were primary targets," and were instructed to shoot if they couldn't make an arrest.
According to military sources, when the demonstrations intensified in mid-September, the military headquarters appointed 15 people to head a new "public order" department, ostensibly to quell the protests. The department -- which was dissolved at the end of the month -- comprised mostly of army personnel, and included both security and secret police forces.
The Mainichi Shimbun has also obtained a new video, showing 50-year-old Nagai immediately after he was shot. In the video, soldiers try and drag a collapsed Nagai up by the hand, with Nagai trying to prop himself up with the other before collapsing again, showing that he was apparently conscious for a period after the attack.
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Student killed by mob in Myingyan
A Myingyan college student was attacked and killed last night by a mob of about 20 people armed with sticks and swords, according to students at Myingyan college.
Mahn Bhu Khee, 19, from Chin state's Kanpatlat township, was a second-year Zoology student in Myingyan, Mandalay division.
Locals said the attack took place at around 10.30pm yesterday while he was on his way back from a funfair at Thone Su pagoda by motorbike.
The attack took place about 50 yards away from township police station (1).
An officer on duty at Myingyan police station said Mahn Bhu Khee’s attackers were also on motorbikes.
"The attack took place near the police station and it involved people on motorbikes – he was alone when he was attacked," the officer said.
The officer said about 15 people had been arrested so far in connection with the murder.
Officials at Myingyan hospital said the autopsy showed Mahn Bhu Khee died from a stab wound from a knife sharpener.
"He died on the spot after he was stabbed. A post mortem was carried out this morning but I don't know the exact details as it was done by the hospital chief," an official said.
"The hospital chief is attending the provincial Peace and Development Council meeting at the moment."
Angry students descended on the police station this morning and were told that the police were still in the process of hunting down the perpetrators.
The students speculated that Swan Arr Shin members were responsible for the attack, as they had been told by township police chief Colonel Htun Sint during riot training three days ago that the authorities would take responsibility for the consequences of harsh crackdowns on rioters.
A report earlier this week from a source close to Myingyan township Peace and Development Council office said that local authorities had been given three-step instructions for dealing with protestors – first to try to negotiate with them, then to shoot at their legs and finally to shoot to kill.
A Myingyan resident said it would have been difficult for anyone else to carry out such an attack given the heightened security presence in the township.
"Htun Sint told them during his speech that they had permission to shoot at demonstrators and told them to be sure to treat them harshly," he said.
"Everyone thinks it's them who committed the murder because no one else would do it at a time like this when the security is extremely tight with a police presence all over the place."
Myingyan college students are now negotiating with the authorities to collect their schoolmate's body so they can bury it tomorrow.
Officials at Myingyan college and the victim's family could not be reached for comment on the case.
Mahn Bhu Khee, 19, from Chin state's Kanpatlat township, was a second-year Zoology student in Myingyan, Mandalay division.
Locals said the attack took place at around 10.30pm yesterday while he was on his way back from a funfair at Thone Su pagoda by motorbike.
The attack took place about 50 yards away from township police station (1).
An officer on duty at Myingyan police station said Mahn Bhu Khee’s attackers were also on motorbikes.
"The attack took place near the police station and it involved people on motorbikes – he was alone when he was attacked," the officer said.
The officer said about 15 people had been arrested so far in connection with the murder.
Officials at Myingyan hospital said the autopsy showed Mahn Bhu Khee died from a stab wound from a knife sharpener.
"He died on the spot after he was stabbed. A post mortem was carried out this morning but I don't know the exact details as it was done by the hospital chief," an official said.
"The hospital chief is attending the provincial Peace and Development Council meeting at the moment."
Angry students descended on the police station this morning and were told that the police were still in the process of hunting down the perpetrators.
The students speculated that Swan Arr Shin members were responsible for the attack, as they had been told by township police chief Colonel Htun Sint during riot training three days ago that the authorities would take responsibility for the consequences of harsh crackdowns on rioters.
A report earlier this week from a source close to Myingyan township Peace and Development Council office said that local authorities had been given three-step instructions for dealing with protestors – first to try to negotiate with them, then to shoot at their legs and finally to shoot to kill.
A Myingyan resident said it would have been difficult for anyone else to carry out such an attack given the heightened security presence in the township.
"Htun Sint told them during his speech that they had permission to shoot at demonstrators and told them to be sure to treat them harshly," he said.
"Everyone thinks it's them who committed the murder because no one else would do it at a time like this when the security is extremely tight with a police presence all over the place."
Myingyan college students are now negotiating with the authorities to collect their schoolmate's body so they can bury it tomorrow.
Officials at Myingyan college and the victim's family could not be reached for comment on the case.
88 Generation leader Nilar Thein arrested
Nilar Thein, one of the leaders of the 88 Generation Students group who had been in hiding from government authorities since last year, was arrested last night at a house in Rangoon’s Yankin township.
She took part with other 88 generation leaders in the peaceful march in August last year to protest against the military regime’s doubling of fuel prices.
When the authorities began cracking down on protestors, arresting many of her colleagues, Nilar Thein left her month-old baby daughter with her in-laws and went into hiding.
Nilar Thein’s husband Kyaw Min Yu (also known as Ko Jimmy) is being detained in Insein prison with other student leaders.
She took part with other 88 generation leaders in the peaceful march in August last year to protest against the military regime’s doubling of fuel prices.
When the authorities began cracking down on protestors, arresting many of her colleagues, Nilar Thein left her month-old baby daughter with her in-laws and went into hiding.
Nilar Thein’s husband Kyaw Min Yu (also known as Ko Jimmy) is being detained in Insein prison with other student leaders.
Exiled opposition MPs contest junta’s UN seat
Elected members of parliament from the 1990 election have submitted a letter to the United Nations challenging the right of the ruling State Peace and Development Council to represent Burma at the UN.
The National Council of the Union of Burma, based on the Thai-Burma border, announced yesterday that the campaign letter had been submitted to the office of UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday.
The letter was signed by Daw San San, vice-chairperson of the exiled Members of Parliament Union, according to Associated Press reports.
The letter said that the group had established a permanent mission to the UN and had designated MPU secretary U Thein Oo, an MP-elect from Mandalay division, as permanent representative to the UN to push the group’s claims in New York.
The UN secretary-general’s office confirmed that the letter had been received and said it would be dealt in accordance with procedures.
The NCUB campaign is led by secretary-general U Maung Maung and is supported by the MPU, the International Burmese Monks Organisation and Burmese students and young people in the US who have been protesting outside the UN building in New York.
NCUB spokesperson U Myint Thein said the campaign was intended to highlight that the military regime did not legitimately represent the people of Burma.
“Some of the international community regards the SPDC military clique as a legitimate government and think that the constitution written by the SPDC is fine,” he said.
“We are trying to make them understand that after the 2010 election, it will be seen as a legitimate government, but in fact this is against the will of the people,” he went on.
“The SPDC army clique is not a legitimate government and the SPDC is ostensibly opposing and sidelining the great result of the 1990 election.”
But the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, the Burmese government in exile made up of elected MPs and led by Dr Sein Win, did not sign up to the NCUB campaign.
Bo Hla Tint, an NCGUB minister, said that other countries would be unlikely to support the NCUB request because of the precedent it could set.
“The NCUB has been holding consultations for more than a year about this. They have been having discussions with us, and we explained our position to them at the time,” Bo Hla Tin said.
“When the result of the election was still fresh in 1993-4 and the situation for democratic countries who supported us was good at the UN, we ourselves consulted friendly countries and our advisors and attempted the same thing,” he explained.
“But friendly countries advised us that if we challenged [the regime’s] credentials, some countries would worry that that could become the norm and it would cause diplomatic difficulties to friendly countries and those that give us humanitarian support,” he continued.
“That’s why we explained that we do not want to do this kind of thing.”
U Bo Hla Tint said that the two sides continued to be at odds over the issue, and that while the NCGUB has issued a statement saying they do not oppose the campaign, they will not play a role in signing or submitting the letter.
There have been rumours of tensions between the NCUB and NCGUB for many years, but they have not previously been made manifest so publicly.
But officials from the two organisations insist that, while there may be differences of opinion over policy, they are united in their aims.
NCUB’s U Myint Thein dispute claims of divisions between the two groups on this issue.
“There is no split; NCGUB has no wish to oppose this action,” he said.
“On their side, there is discussion over whether they should support the campaign, but when it comes to carrying out the duties individually, they are not being able to take an individual and practical role due to their personal circumstances.”
U Bo Hla Tint of NCGUB said the discussions demonstrated the healthy level of debate within the pro-democracy movement.
“What the SPDC is really afraid of isn’t being expelled from ASEAN or the UN – we all know that it is really afraid of having to give up power,” U Bo Hla Tint said.
“This is one campaign, not the main political solution, and differences of opinion on campaigns are not so important,” he explained.
“In terms of the really important political matters, we have no reason to have different opinions. We will continue to work as one with the alliance and the remaining forces,” he said.
“If everyone in the democracy movement had the same opinions on every issue, it would not be a democracy movement - it would become a dictatorship.”
The National Council of the Union of Burma, based on the Thai-Burma border, announced yesterday that the campaign letter had been submitted to the office of UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday.
The letter was signed by Daw San San, vice-chairperson of the exiled Members of Parliament Union, according to Associated Press reports.
The letter said that the group had established a permanent mission to the UN and had designated MPU secretary U Thein Oo, an MP-elect from Mandalay division, as permanent representative to the UN to push the group’s claims in New York.
The UN secretary-general’s office confirmed that the letter had been received and said it would be dealt in accordance with procedures.
The NCUB campaign is led by secretary-general U Maung Maung and is supported by the MPU, the International Burmese Monks Organisation and Burmese students and young people in the US who have been protesting outside the UN building in New York.
NCUB spokesperson U Myint Thein said the campaign was intended to highlight that the military regime did not legitimately represent the people of Burma.
“Some of the international community regards the SPDC military clique as a legitimate government and think that the constitution written by the SPDC is fine,” he said.
“We are trying to make them understand that after the 2010 election, it will be seen as a legitimate government, but in fact this is against the will of the people,” he went on.
“The SPDC army clique is not a legitimate government and the SPDC is ostensibly opposing and sidelining the great result of the 1990 election.”
But the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma, the Burmese government in exile made up of elected MPs and led by Dr Sein Win, did not sign up to the NCUB campaign.
Bo Hla Tint, an NCGUB minister, said that other countries would be unlikely to support the NCUB request because of the precedent it could set.
“The NCUB has been holding consultations for more than a year about this. They have been having discussions with us, and we explained our position to them at the time,” Bo Hla Tin said.
“When the result of the election was still fresh in 1993-4 and the situation for democratic countries who supported us was good at the UN, we ourselves consulted friendly countries and our advisors and attempted the same thing,” he explained.
“But friendly countries advised us that if we challenged [the regime’s] credentials, some countries would worry that that could become the norm and it would cause diplomatic difficulties to friendly countries and those that give us humanitarian support,” he continued.
“That’s why we explained that we do not want to do this kind of thing.”
U Bo Hla Tint said that the two sides continued to be at odds over the issue, and that while the NCGUB has issued a statement saying they do not oppose the campaign, they will not play a role in signing or submitting the letter.
There have been rumours of tensions between the NCUB and NCGUB for many years, but they have not previously been made manifest so publicly.
But officials from the two organisations insist that, while there may be differences of opinion over policy, they are united in their aims.
NCUB’s U Myint Thein dispute claims of divisions between the two groups on this issue.
“There is no split; NCGUB has no wish to oppose this action,” he said.
“On their side, there is discussion over whether they should support the campaign, but when it comes to carrying out the duties individually, they are not being able to take an individual and practical role due to their personal circumstances.”
U Bo Hla Tint of NCGUB said the discussions demonstrated the healthy level of debate within the pro-democracy movement.
“What the SPDC is really afraid of isn’t being expelled from ASEAN or the UN – we all know that it is really afraid of having to give up power,” U Bo Hla Tint said.
“This is one campaign, not the main political solution, and differences of opinion on campaigns are not so important,” he explained.
“In terms of the really important political matters, we have no reason to have different opinions. We will continue to work as one with the alliance and the remaining forces,” he said.
“If everyone in the democracy movement had the same opinions on every issue, it would not be a democracy movement - it would become a dictatorship.”
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
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