Burma: Arrest of Journalists Highlights Junta’s Intolerance

Human Rights Watch has grave fears for the health and welfare of prominent political activists such as Hkun Tun Oo, the leader of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), arrested in 2005 after criticizing the SPDC’s flawed constitution-writing process. He is reportedly seriously ill with diabetes and prostate complications in Putao prison in Kachin State. The labor activist Ma Su Su Nway, who was arrested in Rangoon in November 2007, also remains in detention despite a serious heart condition.

Human Rights Watch has serious concerns about access to adequate health care for both activists and called on the government to allow access to independent and competent doctors to determine whether the two, who in any case be should released, require better medical treatment. The International Committee of the Red Cross has not been permitted unfettered visits to Burma’s prisons since late 2005, and has suspended its visits.

This week, the United Nations special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, is scheduled to visit China, India, and other Asian countries to gather support for his efforts to foster political reform in Burma. The SPDC has been delaying a trip by Gambari to Burma. The UN special rapporteur on human rights in Burma, Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro, has still not been granted a visa to conduct his final research mission before he reports to the UN Human Rights Council in March.

“Despite plans for a constitutional referendum in May, the Burmese authorities are pursuing a policy of repression rather than reform,” said Adams. “Neighboring countries like China, India, and Thailand need to start putting serious public pressure on the Burmese authorities to end these serious human rights abuses.”

To view the Human Rights Watch news release, “Burma: Referendum a Sham Unless Repression Ends” please visit:

http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/02/11/burma18031.htm

To view the Human Rights Watch report, “Crackdown: Repression of the 2007 Popular Protests in Burma” please visit:

http://hrw.org/reports/2007/burma1207/

To view the Burma chapter of Human Rights Watch’s World Report 2008, please visit:

http://hrw.org/englishwr2k8/docs/2008/01/31/burma17601.htm

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