- 22 Nov 2012
- [International Secretariat]
- Region: UNION OF MYANMAR
- Topic: Individual at risk
News that more than 50 political prisoners including prisoners of conscience U Myint Aye and Saw Kyaw Kyaw Min were released today is a further step in the right direction towards addressing arbitrary detention in Myanmar, Amnesty International said.
“While this is a positive development, we urge the Myanmar authorities to release all prisoners of conscience still behind bars immediately and without conditions,” said Isabelle Arradon, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Deputy Director.
Co-founder of the Human Right Defenders and Promoters network, U Myint Aye, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2008 as a result of his peaceful political activities.
Lawyer and human rights defender Saw Kyaw Kyaw Min had his licence to practice law revoked for alleged contempt of court in 2008, and was subsequently sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on 29 August 2012.
“Neither U Myint Aye nor Saw Kyaw Kyaw Min should have been detained in the first place. They should be granted an unconditional release, and Saw Kyaw Kyaw Min’s licence to practice law must be immediately reinstated.”
The Myanmar government on 18 November announced that it will hold inter-governmental consultations by December 2012 to reconsider charges and punishment of prisoners still in jail.
“Amnesty International welcomes the announcement. We call on the authorities to ensure that it will lead to a comprehensive review mechanism to determine exactly why all those who remain in prison are actually there,” said Arradon.
“The United Nations and civil society representatives must be involved in this process to guarantee its independence, impartiality and credibility.”
“There should also be an independent and impartial investigation into all credible reports of torture and other ill-treatment, as well as a guarantee that there is independent monitoring in all places of detention.”
19 November 2012
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
Related Actions
- 4 Aug 2021
HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER FACES 3 YEARS IN PRISON - 31 May 2021
SATIRE PERFORMERS RELEASED FROM PRISON EARLY [Suspended] - 6 Oct 2020
SUPPORTERS OF FORMER CHILD SOLDIER RELEASED EARLY [Suspended] - 5 Mar 2020
FILMMAKER RELEASED AFTER SERVING HIS TERM [Suspended] - 28 Feb 2020
THREE ACTIVISTS FACE PRISON FOR PEACEFUL RALLY
Related Newses
- 28 Jun 2021 [International Secretariat]
UNION OF MYANMAR: As Aung San Suu Kyi goes on trial, ASEAN’s indecision is enabling military rampage - 11 Mar 2021 [International Secretariat]
UNION OF MYANMAR: Signs of ‘shoot to kill’ strategy to quell opposition - 19 Dec 2019 [International Secretariat]
UNION OF MYANMAR: Aung San Suu Kyi denials must not distract from ongoing Rohingya crisis - 21 Nov 2019 [International Secretariat]
UNION OF MYANMAR: ICC decision to investigate Rohingya atrocities an important step towards justice - 31 Oct 2019 [International Secretariat]
UNION OF MYANMAR: Military atrocities ‘relentless and ruthless’ in northern Shan State