Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06RANGOON1196
2006-08-18 14:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMESE HARASSMENT CONTINUES PAST DEATH
how-toVZCZCXRO4563 OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHGO #1196 2301416 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 181416Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4991 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1078 RUEHSL/AMEMBASSY BRATISLAVA 0066 RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 9849 RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 0281 RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 4295 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1758 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 3484 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0477 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 6946 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 4564 RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 0872 RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 0875 RUDKIA/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 0585 RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 2821 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0466 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
UNCLAS RANGOON 001196
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON PREL BM KHIV
SUBJECT: BURMESE HARASSMENT CONTINUES PAST DEATH
UNCLAS RANGOON 001196
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON PREL BM KHIV
SUBJECT: BURMESE HARASSMENT CONTINUES PAST DEATH
1. (U) On August 12, ex-political prisoner and NLD member Ko
Than Lwin died of complications related to HIV/AIDS. Ko Than
Lwin had contracted HIV/AIDS in jail after being arrested in
1998 and sentenced to 14 years in prison for distributing
copies of the opposition journal "New Era." He was released
in 2005. Ko Than Lwin died at a house in South Dagon,
Rangoon, where the NLD organizes HIV/AIDS education and helps
HIV infected patients.
2. (U) When GOB authorities found out the NLD would hold a
traditional Buddhist wake the seventh day after Ko Than
Lwin's death, the local SPDC chief came to the house and
instructed Ko Than Lwin's family to invite only monks from
government-approved monasteries; told the family that no NLD
assistance could be accepted and the authorities would
prepare all food for the event -- which the family would then
be charged for; stated that no political activists could
attend; and insisted no one would be given permission to stay
over night at the house. The NLD has denounced the
restrictions as a violation of basic human rights. They also
charged that the restrictions run against basic Buddhist
principles of making funerals open to all.
3. (U) Post highlights this incident as an illustration of
the regime's absurd and cruel harassment of ex political
prisoners, their families, and members of the opposition.
They use every opportunity to disrupt every aspect of life,
including death.
VILLAROSA
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON PREL BM KHIV
SUBJECT: BURMESE HARASSMENT CONTINUES PAST DEATH
1. (U) On August 12, ex-political prisoner and NLD member Ko
Than Lwin died of complications related to HIV/AIDS. Ko Than
Lwin had contracted HIV/AIDS in jail after being arrested in
1998 and sentenced to 14 years in prison for distributing
copies of the opposition journal "New Era." He was released
in 2005. Ko Than Lwin died at a house in South Dagon,
Rangoon, where the NLD organizes HIV/AIDS education and helps
HIV infected patients.
2. (U) When GOB authorities found out the NLD would hold a
traditional Buddhist wake the seventh day after Ko Than
Lwin's death, the local SPDC chief came to the house and
instructed Ko Than Lwin's family to invite only monks from
government-approved monasteries; told the family that no NLD
assistance could be accepted and the authorities would
prepare all food for the event -- which the family would then
be charged for; stated that no political activists could
attend; and insisted no one would be given permission to stay
over night at the house. The NLD has denounced the
restrictions as a violation of basic human rights. They also
charged that the restrictions run against basic Buddhist
principles of making funerals open to all.
3. (U) Post highlights this incident as an illustration of
the regime's absurd and cruel harassment of ex political
prisoners, their families, and members of the opposition.
They use every opportunity to disrupt every aspect of life,
including death.
VILLAROSA