BURMA: ABUSES CONTINUE THROUGH HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000932 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/09/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: BURMA: ABUSES CONTINUE THROUGH HUMAN RIGHTS DAY REF: RANGOON 891 Classified By: Pol Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Since mid-November, the regime has moved at least 13 recently-convicted prisoners to jails throughout Burma, in most cases far from their homes. Human rights activist Maung Maung Lay confirmed media reports that a Rangoon court has sentenced three people to between five and 19 years' imprisonment, possibly for having reported labor-rights abuses. On December 9, Human Rights Defenders and Promoters held a private ceremony at a Rangoon restaurant to mark the 60th anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The American Center held a seminar to commemorate the anniversary as well. The regime did not disrupt either event. Meanwhile, NLD Central Executive Committee member U Win Tin was discharged from the hospital on December 9. He is at home resting, but will require ongoing medical care. Prison Transfers -------------- ¶2. (C) Since mid-November, the regime has moved at least 13 recently-convicted prisoners to jails throughout Burma (see list below). In most cases, these prisoners were moved to regions far from their homes, making it extremely difficult for family members to visit them (reftel). The NLD recently called on its members around the country to provide "moral, physical, spiritual, and financial" support to political prisoners transferred to remote prisons. Leading NLD youth member Aye Tun told us the NLD will encourage the families of the prisoners to apply to the NLD for financial and material assistance, which the party will attempt to meet by raising funds from its members and supporters. The transferred prisoners include: - Min Ko Naing (88GS),moved to Kyaingtone prison in Shan State the last week of November; - Ko Ko Gyi (88GS),moved to Mine Sat prison in Shan State the last week of November; - Htay Kywe (88GS),moved to Buthidaung prison in Rakhine State the last week of November; - Pyone Cho (88GS),moved to Kaw Thaung Prison in Tanintharyi Division the last week of November; - U Gambira, moved to Hkam Ti Prison in Sagaing Division the last week of November; - Zarganar, moved to Myitkina prison in Kachin State on December 4; - Thant Zin Aung (colleague of Zarganar),moved to Hpa-an �00A;prison in Karen State on December 4; - Tin Maung Aye (colleague of Zarganar),moved to Myin Gyan prison in Mandalay Division on December 4; - Zaw Thet Htway (journalist and colleague of Zarganar), moved to Taunggyi prison in Shan State on December 4; - Zayar Thaw (GW),moved to Kaw Thaung Prison in Tanintharyi Division on December 4; - Thiha Win Tin (GW),moved to Nyaung Oo prison in Mandalay Division on December 4; - Yan Shwe (HRDP),moved to Ya Me Thin prison in Mandalay Division on December 9; and - Zaw Zaw Aung (HRDP),moved to Mandalay prison on December 9. Three Convicted for Alleged Labor Complains -------------- ¶3. (C) Human rights activist Maung Maung Lay confirmed media reports that a Rangoon court has sentenced three people to between five and 19 years' imprisonment, possibly for having reported labor-rights abuses. The wife of factory worker Khin Maung Cho told DVB that the Kyi Myint Taing township court sentenced her husband to 19 years' imprisonment for a variety of charges, including sedition. NLD members Kan Myint and Nyo Win were sentenced to 10 and five years respectively. The three were arrested in August 2007. RANGOON 00000932 002 OF 002 ¶4. (C) DVB reported the three were arrested and convicted for reporting labor-rights abuses to the International Labor Organization (ILO) in the summer of 2007. ILO Liaison Officer Steve Marshall told us the three did approach ILO a few years back, but he believes their arrest may have been related to other non-labor related activities. ILO is meeting with the wife of Khin Maung Cho and others in order to determine if the arrests and convictions are labor related. Under the terms of a Supplemental Understanding between the ILO and GOB, the ILO has intervened on behalf of those who have been persecuted by regime officials for reporting labor-rights abuses. Marshall said the ILO is careful to verify links to labor concerns. In the past some political activists have sought ILO intervention by claiming tenuous connections between their cases and labor-rights issues. Human Rights Day -------------- ¶5. (C) On December 9, Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP) held a private ceremony at a Rangoon restaurant to mark the 60th anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Regime officials did not interfere with or disrupt the event. According to HRDP member Maung Maung Lay, 21 HRDP members from at least four states and divisions attended. Unlike last year, HRDP did not invite diplomats or other third parties to attend. The participants discussed the significance of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, shared documented cases of human rights violations in Burma, and read the organization's Human Rights Day statement, which they will provide to us. ¶6. (SBU) The American Center also held a seminar December 9 to commemorate the anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Over 100 persons attended, most of them Burmese. Poloff delivered remarks on the history and impact of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was followed by a discussion of the Declaration and human rights issues. As is normally the case with our American Center events, participants were well informed and asked a variety of engaging questions. We did not observe any overt attempts by the regime to disrupt the event. U Win Tin Discharged from Hospital -------------- ¶7. (C) NLD Central Executive Committee member U Win Tin was discharged from the hospital on December 9. According to the NLD, the former political prisoner had been hospitalized since December 4 for ailments related to low blood pressure. In a phone conversation on December 10, Win Tin told us he is resting at home, but will need additional medical checkups and treatment. The last few times we've seen Win Tin, most recently on December 1 at the NLD's AIDS Day event, he appeared weak and had a chronic cough. DINGER