AAPP
1461 Thanda Tun (F) U Tun Kyaing 7, 13/1, 24/1 Under Trial PrivateTuitor (English) Insein Aung Myay Thar Zan, Mandalay 3-sep-09
492 Ko Nyo 7, 13/1, 24/1 Under Trial Insein Mandalay 3-sep-09
zondag 21 februari 2010
vrijdag 19 februari 2010
U Gaw Thita sentenced to 7 years
Burma jails Buddhist abbot: opposition
19 February 2010 | 05:38:09 PM | Source: AAP
A Burmese prison court sentenced a Buddhist abbot to seven years in prison, an opposition source said, as a UN rights envoy wrapped up a visit to the military-ruled nation.
Gaw Thita was arrested in August as he returned from a trip to Taiwan and convicted at Rangoon's notorious Insein Prison on Wednesday on three charges including unlawful association, the source said.
"He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment on Wednesday at a special court in Insein Prison," Aung Thein, a former lawyer for the opposition National League for Democracy party, told AFP on Friday.
"He was sentenced to three years under the Immigration Emergency Act, two years under the Unlawful Association Act and two years under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. He has to serve the prison terms consecutively," he said.
Seven other monks arrested with Gaw Thita on August 26 at Rangoon International Airport were later released without charge and the reasons for his initial detention were not clear, Aung Thein said.
"His lawyer says he will appeal for U Gaw Thita soon," Aung Thein said. U is a Burmese-language term of respect.
"He did not break any immigration law as he used his valid passport. Also there was no evidence of unlawful organisation," he said.
Burma's military regime has handed out dozens of tough jail sentences to people involved in the so-called "Saffron Revolution" led by Buddhist monks in 2007.
At least 31 people were killed as security forces cracked down on protesters after the biggest threat to the junta's grip on power in nearly two decades.
The sentencing came during a visit to Burma by UN envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana, who is in the country to inspect the regime's progress on human rights ahead of elections promised later this year.
19 February 2010 | 05:38:09 PM | Source: AAP
A Burmese prison court sentenced a Buddhist abbot to seven years in prison, an opposition source said, as a UN rights envoy wrapped up a visit to the military-ruled nation.
Gaw Thita was arrested in August as he returned from a trip to Taiwan and convicted at Rangoon's notorious Insein Prison on Wednesday on three charges including unlawful association, the source said.
"He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment on Wednesday at a special court in Insein Prison," Aung Thein, a former lawyer for the opposition National League for Democracy party, told AFP on Friday.
"He was sentenced to three years under the Immigration Emergency Act, two years under the Unlawful Association Act and two years under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. He has to serve the prison terms consecutively," he said.
Seven other monks arrested with Gaw Thita on August 26 at Rangoon International Airport were later released without charge and the reasons for his initial detention were not clear, Aung Thein said.
"His lawyer says he will appeal for U Gaw Thita soon," Aung Thein said. U is a Burmese-language term of respect.
"He did not break any immigration law as he used his valid passport. Also there was no evidence of unlawful organisation," he said.
Burma's military regime has handed out dozens of tough jail sentences to people involved in the so-called "Saffron Revolution" led by Buddhist monks in 2007.
At least 31 people were killed as security forces cracked down on protesters after the biggest threat to the junta's grip on power in nearly two decades.
The sentencing came during a visit to Burma by UN envoy Tomas Ojea Quintana, who is in the country to inspect the regime's progress on human rights ahead of elections promised later this year.
dinsdag 16 februari 2010
Myanmar: Buddhist beauty and government oppression
"............As we gazed at the scene below we were approached by three Burmese natives, a woman and two male companions. They started a conversation with the usual “Where are you from?” and “What is your name?” questions. They wanted to practice their English and we were happy to oblige. The woman, Thanda, came from a small village to the north and taught children at a local school. She helped them learn English and computer skills, two keys to escape a life of grinding poverty that most Burmese people face (at least those not connected to the military junta). As it turned out, we would stay in touch with Thanda via e-mail, both during the rest of our 2007 trip to Southeast Asia and after we returned to the U.S........."
maandag 8 februari 2010
Four women activists awaits court verdict
Tuesday, 02 February 2010 22:45 Myint Maung
New Delhi (Mizzima) – District Court in Rangoon’s notorious Insein prison has set February 15 for pronouncing the verdict of four women activists including popular activist Naw Ohn Hla, who are supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The East District Court on Monday announced that it would pronounce the verdict on February 15, after the court had conducted the proceedings for the past four months against the activists.
“We submitted our final arguments. And the court fixed February 15 for pronouncing the verdict,” a defence counsel Kyaw Hoe told Mizzima.
The activists – Naw Ohn Hla, Myint Myint San, Cho Cho Lwin and Ma Cho – were arrested while returning from offering alms to monks in a local monastery and for regularly praying for the release of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Rangoon Division Police Special Branch (SB) charged the four of instigating public unrest, under section 505(b) of the Penal Code. They were accused of offering 42 leaflets of the ‘Kamwa’ Buddhist scriptures to abbot U Pamaukha from Magwe Priyatti teaching monastery of Rangoon’s suburban Dagon Township.
“We argued that there are no sufficient evidences against the accused. The prosecutor was not able to present the Buddhist scriptures in court. And neither could they produce the abbot, who was said to have received the scripture, as the prosecution witness. So we argued that the case did not have enough evidences as there are no eye witnesses and no sound and valid evidence against them,” lawyer Kyaw Hoe said.
“We pleaded for their acquittal,” he added.
Kyaw Hoe said, the public prosecutor made no arguments in court but said he would present a written argument later.
“The prosecution has to defend the legal points raised by the defence. But he did not give any counter arguments,” lawyer Kyaw Hoe said.
Naw Ohn Hla, a popular activist have been leading prayer services held at Shwedagon pagoda on Tuesdays, for the release of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from her house arrest.
The police arrested her and her three colleagues on October 3 last year, while returning from offering alms at the Magwe priyatti teaching monastery in Dagon Township.
Meanwhile, another five activists were given up to nine years of prison terms by the court last month.
Deputy Abbot U Wayama from Shwezedi monastery in Yenanchaung Town of Magwe Division, U Yeweta from Pali University West Ngwe Taung in Chauk Town, U Withuddha from West monastery of Pakokku Sasana Wipulla Yama, layman Ye Myint and Kyaw Khin from Mandalay and Pegu were given varying prison terms ranging between six to nine years under charges of illegal Associations Acts, Immigration Acts, illegally possessing foreign currency and inciting public unrest.
The five of them were among the eight activists arrested from five townships across the country in August and early September 2009. Reportedly the defendants were sentenced in a trial without a defence counsel to defend them.
The three other activists - Ko Nyo, Thanda Tun and abbot U Gaw Thita – are also charged under Associations Act and Immigration Act and illegally possessing foreign currency. The three are currently facing trial and the court is set to re-examine the recalled witnesses, defence lawyers Kyaw Htay and Kyaw Hoe said.
New Delhi (Mizzima) – District Court in Rangoon’s notorious Insein prison has set February 15 for pronouncing the verdict of four women activists including popular activist Naw Ohn Hla, who are supporters of Aung San Suu Kyi.
The East District Court on Monday announced that it would pronounce the verdict on February 15, after the court had conducted the proceedings for the past four months against the activists.
“We submitted our final arguments. And the court fixed February 15 for pronouncing the verdict,” a defence counsel Kyaw Hoe told Mizzima.
The activists – Naw Ohn Hla, Myint Myint San, Cho Cho Lwin and Ma Cho – were arrested while returning from offering alms to monks in a local monastery and for regularly praying for the release of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
The Rangoon Division Police Special Branch (SB) charged the four of instigating public unrest, under section 505(b) of the Penal Code. They were accused of offering 42 leaflets of the ‘Kamwa’ Buddhist scriptures to abbot U Pamaukha from Magwe Priyatti teaching monastery of Rangoon’s suburban Dagon Township.
“We argued that there are no sufficient evidences against the accused. The prosecutor was not able to present the Buddhist scriptures in court. And neither could they produce the abbot, who was said to have received the scripture, as the prosecution witness. So we argued that the case did not have enough evidences as there are no eye witnesses and no sound and valid evidence against them,” lawyer Kyaw Hoe said.
“We pleaded for their acquittal,” he added.
Kyaw Hoe said, the public prosecutor made no arguments in court but said he would present a written argument later.
“The prosecution has to defend the legal points raised by the defence. But he did not give any counter arguments,” lawyer Kyaw Hoe said.
Naw Ohn Hla, a popular activist have been leading prayer services held at Shwedagon pagoda on Tuesdays, for the release of detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi from her house arrest.
The police arrested her and her three colleagues on October 3 last year, while returning from offering alms at the Magwe priyatti teaching monastery in Dagon Township.
Meanwhile, another five activists were given up to nine years of prison terms by the court last month.
Deputy Abbot U Wayama from Shwezedi monastery in Yenanchaung Town of Magwe Division, U Yeweta from Pali University West Ngwe Taung in Chauk Town, U Withuddha from West monastery of Pakokku Sasana Wipulla Yama, layman Ye Myint and Kyaw Khin from Mandalay and Pegu were given varying prison terms ranging between six to nine years under charges of illegal Associations Acts, Immigration Acts, illegally possessing foreign currency and inciting public unrest.
The five of them were among the eight activists arrested from five townships across the country in August and early September 2009. Reportedly the defendants were sentenced in a trial without a defence counsel to defend them.
The three other activists - Ko Nyo, Thanda Tun and abbot U Gaw Thita – are also charged under Associations Act and Immigration Act and illegally possessing foreign currency. The three are currently facing trial and the court is set to re-examine the recalled witnesses, defence lawyers Kyaw Htay and Kyaw Hoe said.
zondag 7 februari 2010
Burmese monks and activists tried for 2007 anti-junta uprising
Burmese monks and activists tried for 2007 anti-junta uprising
Four monks and a teacher are among the accused. They allegedly took part in the “saffron revolution”, which was crushed in blood. The activists were arrested in September of last year and could get as much as seven years in prison. Currently, more than 250 monks are jailed in Myanmar.
Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Myanmar’s military junta has charged eight activists for their role in the September 2007 uprising that was crushed in blood, dissident media organisation Democratic Voice of Burma(DVB) reported.
The eight defendants, who include four monks and a schoolteacher, were arrested last September during a crackdown that coincided with the second anniversary of the so-called Saffron Revolution.
Lawyer Kyaw Ho, who represents two of the men, Thandar Htun and Ko Nyo, said that all eight were charged under the Unlawful Associations Act and the Immigration Act, which together carry a maximum seven-year sentence.
The other defendants are Ye Myint, U Yaywata, U Kawthita, U Withudi, U Waryama and Kyaw Khin.
All eight are accused “of having contacts with the All Burma Monks Association and the Generation Wave,” both outlawed by the generals, and “illegally crossing the border to meet with those groups,” said Kyaw Ho.
Five of the men reportedly do not have legal representation. The relatives of the eight have been barred from visiting them since their arrest and have been able to determine the state of their health, the lawyer said.
The Myanmar government in September of last year launched a crackdown on people suspected of fomenting the 2007 uprising. At the time, thousands of civilians, led by monks, initially took to the streets of Yangon to protest against a hike in fuel prices.
The demonstrations quickly became a show of force against the military regime with demands for the release of political prisoners and the adoption of democratic reforms.
The military responded by firing into crowds and killings hundreds, including many Buddhist monks who are held in high regard and venerated by ordinary people.
According to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP), more than 250 monks are currently held in Myanmar prisons.
Four monks and a teacher are among the accused. They allegedly took part in the “saffron revolution”, which was crushed in blood. The activists were arrested in September of last year and could get as much as seven years in prison. Currently, more than 250 monks are jailed in Myanmar.
Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Myanmar’s military junta has charged eight activists for their role in the September 2007 uprising that was crushed in blood, dissident media organisation Democratic Voice of Burma(DVB) reported.
The eight defendants, who include four monks and a schoolteacher, were arrested last September during a crackdown that coincided with the second anniversary of the so-called Saffron Revolution.
Lawyer Kyaw Ho, who represents two of the men, Thandar Htun and Ko Nyo, said that all eight were charged under the Unlawful Associations Act and the Immigration Act, which together carry a maximum seven-year sentence.
The other defendants are Ye Myint, U Yaywata, U Kawthita, U Withudi, U Waryama and Kyaw Khin.
All eight are accused “of having contacts with the All Burma Monks Association and the Generation Wave,” both outlawed by the generals, and “illegally crossing the border to meet with those groups,” said Kyaw Ho.
Five of the men reportedly do not have legal representation. The relatives of the eight have been barred from visiting them since their arrest and have been able to determine the state of their health, the lawyer said.
The Myanmar government in September of last year launched a crackdown on people suspected of fomenting the 2007 uprising. At the time, thousands of civilians, led by monks, initially took to the streets of Yangon to protest against a hike in fuel prices.
The demonstrations quickly became a show of force against the military regime with demands for the release of political prisoners and the adoption of democratic reforms.
The military responded by firing into crowds and killings hundreds, including many Buddhist monks who are held in high regard and venerated by ordinary people.
According to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPP), more than 250 monks are currently held in Myanmar prisons.
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