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 RANGOON 00000335 001.2 OF 002 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 RANGOON 00000335 002.2 OF 002 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