BURMA LABOR ADVOCATE FORMS HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000335

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/03/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ELAB BM
SUBJECT: BURMA LABOR ADVOCATE FORMS HUMAN RIGHTS GROUP

REF: 06 RANGOON 963

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Classified By: Poloff Dean Tidwell for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: A renowned Burmese labor lawyer and former
political prisoner recently established a human rights
monitoring group, Leading Stars, to help human rights victims
file legal charges against their oppressors. Leading Stars
plans to help defend political prisoners and promote
political dialogue. So far, the regime has not harassed or
interfered in Leading Stars activities. This new initiative
rebuts critics who dismiss the pro-democracy movement as a
political force. Despite the repression, activists continue
to come forward demanding political reform. END SUMMARY.

AYE MYINT'S BACKGROUND


2. (U) Bago-based lawyer Aye Myint served two years in prison
for contacting the International Labor Organization (ILO) on
forced labor issues. In August 2005, authorities re-arrested
him and sentenced him to seven years imprisonment after he
advised farmers whose land the authorities confiscated to
contact the ILO. He became a cause celebre when the ILO
insisted the regime release him before the end of July 2006
as a test of Burma's commitment to address forced labor
concerns. The regime released him on July 8 (reftel).

BACK IN BUSINESS


3. (C) Aye Myint told us he established a human rights
support group in February called Leading Stars to "stand in
front" of human rights victims and help them file charges
within the legal system. The group has already gathered
reports of 600 cases of human rights violations.


4. (C) Aye Myint said he tries to be transparent in all his
activities and that Special Branch police (SB) are welcome to
observe his efforts. He believes the SB has not moved to
stop him because they are also interested in discovering
cases of abuse by authorities at the ward and township
levels. Leading Stars initially plans to focus on abuses at
lower levels, but later might shift attention to higher-level
authorities as well. Aye Myint wants to register Leading
Stars as an NGO with the Ministry of Home Affairs as a way to
test the authorities' attitude.

SUPPORTING THE NLD FROM OUTSIDE


5. (C) Leading Stars hopes to work in tandem with the
National League for Democracy (NLD),but prefers to do so
from the outside. They expect authorities would crack down
on the fledgling organization if they consider it to be under
the NLD umbrella. Aye Myint said the Burmese people are fed
up with the regime and cannot rely on it to improve their
lives. He sees Leading Stars as an outlet for people to
express grievances and pent up frustration that might
otherwise erupt in violent street demonstrations. Aye Myint
believes Leading Stars can help empower the public to speak
out against abuses perpetrated by authorities.

PLAN OF ACTION


6. (C) Leading Stars plans to release a statement every two
or three months, focusing on general human rights issues at
first, and later raising issues about Burma's remaining
political prisoners. The ultimate goal is to show that
dialogue is the only way to break the political stalemate,
the same position advocated by the NLD. Dr. Soe Myint Than,
a policymaker in Leading Stars, said that once the regime
releases its draft constitution, Leading Stars will request
an amendment guaranteeing democracy and human rights to be
formulated in discussions among the regime, opposition
political groups (including the NLD),and ethnic

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representatives. Soe Myint Than believes a draft
constitution that does not meet the people's aspirations
would trigger widespread discontent and the current limited
armed conflicts could escalate.


7. (C) COMMENT: Aye Myint joins Su Su Nway and the leader of
the Burmese NGO Human Rights Defenders and Promoters, Myint
Aye, as emerging leaders in the pro-democracy movement. All
three focus on grassroots human rights education and advocacy
to promote political change. Although authorities in Bago
and Ayeyarwady divisions frequently harass and detain them,
they still allow them to operate there. The groups take
maximum advantage of this rare space. As their movements
gain popularity and traction, the authorities' tolerance for
their activities could lessen. Although aware of the risks,
they boldly move ahead. END COMMENT.
VILLAROSA