Six Months After Myanmar Crackdown, At Least 40 Protesters Sentenced to Prison, Says...

Six Months After Myanmar Crackdown, At Least 40 Protesters Sentenced to
Prison, Says Amnesty International

WASHINGTON, March 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Six months after the
authorities violently suppressed demonstrations in Myanmar, at least 40
protesters, including seven monks, have been given prison sentences, according
to new research by Amnesty International.

"Just as the government of Myanmar has attempted to divert international
attention away from last September's crackdown towards its constitutional
referendum, so too has it redirected its suppression of legitimate protest
from the public streets into closed courtrooms," said Amnesty International.
"Just as the referendum is the government's effort to legitimize military rule
in Myanmar, the handing down of prison terms is its attempt to justify its
violent crackdown on peaceful dissent."

In contrast to the reasons for their prosecution publicly stated by the
government in late 2007, Amnesty International argues that the sentences have
either been clearly politically motivated or on account of protesters'
peaceful exercise of their human rights.

Myanmar state media announced on November 7, 2007 that legal action would be
taken against people involved in "violence and terrorist acts in one way or
another." On December 3, Myanmar Police Chief Khin Yi announced at a press
conference that "only those individuals involved in arson or the possession of
illegal weapons will be brought to trial."

"Not a single sentence has been on account of the otherwise legitimate reasons
stated by the authorities, but rather for peacefully exercising their right to
freedom of expression and assembly; three people were sentenced merely for
giving water to monks on the street," said Amnesty International.

Amnesty International confirms the following sentences since late September:

On October 1, Ko Kyauk Khe (also known as Ko Aung San Oo), NLD member in Magwe
Division, was sentenced to two years imprisonment under Section 505(b) of the
penal code for making "statements conducing to public mischief" in late
September. This was the maximum sentence for this particular offense. He
reportedly shouted a pro-Buddhist slogan in a local video house after watching
footage of the crackdown on foreign media, and made further political
statements during his trial.

On October 11, Ko Soe Win, a Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Group member
in Rakhine State, was sentenced to four years imprisonment under Sections 295A
and 505(b) of the penal code for insulting religion and creating a public
disturbance. In the wake of the authorities' violent attack on monks in
Pakokku on September 5, he held a placard outside the town market calling for
the release of political detainees and the expulsion of Sr. Gen. Than Shwe
from the Buddhist faith.

On November 7, Thet Oo, 39, Zaw Htun, 34, and U Myint Aye, all members of the
Human Rights Defenders and Promoters Group in Bago Division, as well as monk U
Pannihtha, were sentenced to two years imprisonment under either Section 5(j)
of the 1950 Emergency Provisions Act or Section 505(b) of the penal code for
acting with intent "to affect the morality or conduct of the public or a group
of people in a way that would undermine the security of the Union or the
restoration of law and order." They took part in the September protests,
distributed materials, and spoke to the media.

In late November, U Zantila, abbot of Zantila Rama monastery, was sentenced to
two years in prison for defamation of the government after writing a letter of
complaint about the seizure of money from the monastery during a raid by the
authorities. He was also reportedly disrobed by the authorities.

On December 21, Shwe Thway was sentenced to two and a half years'
imprisonment, while Ko Zaw Gyi and Ko Yazay were sentenced to two years, for
giving water to protesting monks in September. They are residents of Sagaing
Division, and reportedly were not otherwise politically active or affiliated.

At least 700 people arrested during and since the September protests remain
behind bars, while 1,150 political prisoners held prior to the protests have
not been released.

"The recent sentencing of protestors involved in last September's crackdown
should also be viewed in light of the arbitrary detention of the remaining 660
or more people who have now spent six months behind bars with no end in
sight," said Amnesty International.

In light of the U.N. Human Rights Council's recent Resolution of March 20,
2008, Amnesty International urges the international community to pressure
Myanmar to allow the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights
in Myanmar to conduct a fact-finding mission in Myanmar immediately.

In view of the recent visit to Myanmar of the U.N. Secretary-General's Special
Advisor, which yielded no progress in the human rights situation there,
Amnesty International also urges the U.N. Security Council to pass a
resolution on Myanmar that reflects the concerns of its Presidential Statement
of October 11, 2007.

"Rather than comply with the Security Council's appeals, the Myanmar
authorities have instead moved to the next phase of their crackdown and
suppression of the human rights of the Myanmar people with these sentences.
The Council cannot allow this to continue," said Amnesty International.

The full list of sentenced documented by Amnesty International can be accessed
at:
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/news/myanmar-protesters-sentenced

For more information, please contact the AIUSA media office at 202-544-0200
x302.

SOURCE Amnesty International

AIUSA media office, +1-202-544-0200 x302