MYANMAR: Democracy Advocate Put Behind
Bars for 93 Years
U Khun Htun Oo is one of the most senior political
representatives of the Shan, the largest of Myanmar's
ethnic minorities. He is serving a 93-year prison sentence
for taking part in a discussion of the military government's
plans for transition to democracy. He is being held in
Puta-O Prison in the northern state of Kachin. He was
arrested on 9 February 2005 and sentenced on 3
November later that year on two charges on the penal
code, high treason and "inciting disaffection towards the
Government," and also under laws that allow the
authorities routinely and arbitrarily to restrict freedom of
speech and association. He is a prisoner of conscience.
U Khun Htun Oo is chairman of an opposition political
party, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy
(SNLD). In 2005 he had taken part in a private meeting
with eight other senior representatives of different political
groups, over a meal, to discuss the authorities' plans for
transition to democracy. They held the meeting in the
capital of Shan State, Taunggyi, on 7 February, which is Shan National Day.
The leaders who had been present at the meal were arrested later that month, just
before a meeting of the National Convention. In an official press conference, the
authorities stated that the group had held the meeting to discuss a common position
among political representatives of ethnic minority political parties, and to agree
principles for the political future of Shan State.
The authorities denied the group access to their families, some of them for up to nine
months. They were tried behind closed doors in Yangon’s Insein Prison, in proceedings
that lasted several months and fell far short of international fair trial standards; they
were not allowed lawyers, or at least not lawyers of their choice.
Khun Htun Oo is in very poor health in Puta-O prison, in the northern state of Kachin
and continues to be denied adequate medical treatment. He is understood to be
suffering from a peptic ulcer and a distended bladder, and arthritis.
(continued)
Amnesty International USA ▪ Campaign for Individuals at Risk
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YOU CAN HELP:
WRITE A LETTER TO THE MYANMAR OFFICIALS, ASKING THEM TO:
Bring about the immediate and
unconditional release of U Khun Htun Oo
Provide him with any medical treatment
he requires
Protect him from torture and other illtreatment
Allow him access to family members and
a lawyer of his choosing
Stop the imprisonment of all prisoners of
conscience
Instigate fair trials
Protect prisoners' welfare
Stop the misuse of security laws to punish
peaceful political dissent
mail to:
Chairman, State Peace and
Development Council
Senior General Than Shwe
c/o Ministry of Defense
Naypyitaw
Union of Myanmar (Burma)
Salutation: “Dear Senior General
Than Shwe”
Minister of Foreign Affairs
U Nyan Win
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Bldg. (19), Naypyitaw
Union of Myanmar (Burma)
Salutation: “Dear Minister"
International airmail postage: $0.98
Is the Country Called “Myanmar” or “Burma”?
In 1989, the military government changed the English form of the name of the country
from “Burma” to “Myanmar.” (The name of the country in the Burmese language –
“Myanma” – did not change.) While the official name of the country is the “Union of
Myanmar,” many organizations, including the U.S. government, have chosen to
continue using the old name of Burma. Some sources may refer to the capital city by its
current name of “Yangon,” while others may use the old name of “Rangoon.”
Amnesty International uses the term “Myanmar” in any official description of the country.
You should always use only the word “Myanmar” in your letters when you are writing to
the Myanmar Government. However, on your envelopes, it is best to put both, like this:
“UNION OF MYANMAR (Burma)” This is because the U.S. Postal Service continues to
recognize “Burma” as the name of the country. To ensure that your letters reach their
destination, be sure to use both names on your envelopes.
Amnesty International USA ▪ Campaign for Individuals at Risk
600 Pennsylvania Avenue S.E. ▪ Washington, DC 20003 ▪ www.amnestyusa.org/iar ▪ [email protected]