Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08RANGOON865
2008-11-07 06:38:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMA: OPPOSITION LAWYER REQUESTS PUBLIC STATEMENT
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C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000865
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: OPPOSITION LAWYER REQUESTS PUBLIC STATEMENT
REF: RANGOON 860
Classified By: Pol Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000865
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: OPPOSITION LAWYER REQUESTS PUBLIC STATEMENT
REF: RANGOON 860
Classified By: Pol Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (C) Further to reftel, on November 7 opposition lawyer
Aung Thein told us that he thinks a public statement by the
Department criticizing the regime's recent prosecution of him
and three other opposition lawyers would be helpful (please
see paragraphs 3 and 4). His sentiments echo those of NLD
spokesman U Nyan Win, who also urged us to condemn publicly
the regime's prosecution of the lawyers. Aung Thein made
clear that he understood we were talking about a public
statement by the Department, not a private communication to
the regime. He said his wife's November 6 request that we
not issue a statement stemmed from her desire to be cautious
before speaking with him.
2. (C) As detailed in reftel, on October 30 opposition
lawyers U Aung Thein and U Khin Maung Shein were charged with
contempt of court. The two attorneys appeared before a
Rangoon court November 6 to face the charges, only to have
their cases postponed without decision. They remain free
pending their next hearing. In late October, two other
lawyers were charged with contempt. Nyi Nyi Htwe has already
been sentenced to six months' imprisonment, while Saw Kyaw
Kyaw Min remains in hiding (reftel).
3. (C) Given this new and blatant attempt by the junta to
further intimidate the opposition, and with the consent of U
Aung Thein, we recommend the Department issue a statement
condemning these actions and calling for the immediate
release of Nyi Nyi Htwe and the dismissal of all pending
charges against U Aung Thein, U Khin Maung Shein, and Saw
Kyaw Kyaw Min. We include below suggested text for this
statement.
4. (SBU) Begin Draft Statement: The United States condemns
the Burmese regime's recent prosecution of four defense
lawyers in connection with their legal representation of
political detainees. In the past two weeks, defense attorney
Nyi Nyi Htwe was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and
three others, U Aung Thein, U Khin Maung Shein, and Saw Kyaw
Kyaw Min, face possible prison time for contempt of court
after they lodged complaints about the lack of due process in
their clients' trials. These actions represent a blatant
attempt by the regime to intimidate these lawyers and
demonstrate its contempt for the rule of law. We call on the
regime to release immediately Nyi Nyi Htwe and drop all
charges pending against U Aung Thein, U Khin Maung Shein, and
Saw Kyaw Kyaw Min. We further reiterate our call for the
regime to release all political prisoners immediately, and
begin a genuine dialogue with democratic and ethnic minority
groups on a transition to a civilian, democratic government
in Burma. End Draft Statement.
DINGER
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/06/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: OPPOSITION LAWYER REQUESTS PUBLIC STATEMENT
REF: RANGOON 860
Classified By: Pol Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (C) Further to reftel, on November 7 opposition lawyer
Aung Thein told us that he thinks a public statement by the
Department criticizing the regime's recent prosecution of him
and three other opposition lawyers would be helpful (please
see paragraphs 3 and 4). His sentiments echo those of NLD
spokesman U Nyan Win, who also urged us to condemn publicly
the regime's prosecution of the lawyers. Aung Thein made
clear that he understood we were talking about a public
statement by the Department, not a private communication to
the regime. He said his wife's November 6 request that we
not issue a statement stemmed from her desire to be cautious
before speaking with him.
2. (C) As detailed in reftel, on October 30 opposition
lawyers U Aung Thein and U Khin Maung Shein were charged with
contempt of court. The two attorneys appeared before a
Rangoon court November 6 to face the charges, only to have
their cases postponed without decision. They remain free
pending their next hearing. In late October, two other
lawyers were charged with contempt. Nyi Nyi Htwe has already
been sentenced to six months' imprisonment, while Saw Kyaw
Kyaw Min remains in hiding (reftel).
3. (C) Given this new and blatant attempt by the junta to
further intimidate the opposition, and with the consent of U
Aung Thein, we recommend the Department issue a statement
condemning these actions and calling for the immediate
release of Nyi Nyi Htwe and the dismissal of all pending
charges against U Aung Thein, U Khin Maung Shein, and Saw
Kyaw Kyaw Min. We include below suggested text for this
statement.
4. (SBU) Begin Draft Statement: The United States condemns
the Burmese regime's recent prosecution of four defense
lawyers in connection with their legal representation of
political detainees. In the past two weeks, defense attorney
Nyi Nyi Htwe was sentenced to six months' imprisonment and
three others, U Aung Thein, U Khin Maung Shein, and Saw Kyaw
Kyaw Min, face possible prison time for contempt of court
after they lodged complaints about the lack of due process in
their clients' trials. These actions represent a blatant
attempt by the regime to intimidate these lawyers and
demonstrate its contempt for the rule of law. We call on the
regime to release immediately Nyi Nyi Htwe and drop all
charges pending against U Aung Thein, U Khin Maung Shein, and
Saw Kyaw Kyaw Min. We further reiterate our call for the
regime to release all political prisoners immediately, and
begin a genuine dialogue with democratic and ethnic minority
groups on a transition to a civilian, democratic government
in Burma. End Draft Statement.
DINGER