BURMA: REGIME FREES ONE PRISONER; CONVICTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000937 SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP AND IO; PACOM FOR FPA E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/11/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BM SUBJECT: BURMA: REGIME FREES ONE PRISONER; CONVICTS ANOTHER; DENIES ASSK'S LAWYER ACCESS REF: RANGOON 925 Classified By: Pol Officer Sean O'Neill for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) The NLD reported that detained chairman of the NLD's cyclone relief committee, U Ohn Kyaing, was released from prison on December 11. On December 10 - UN Human Rights Day - authorities sentenced laborer Kyaw Thu Htike to seven years' imprisonment for his alleged role in the September 2007 protests. NLD spokesman Nyan Win informed us that the Special Branch of police (SB) has denied Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer's request to see the detained NLD leader. Min Ko Naing's family told media and Embassy contacts that the detained 88GS activist is suffering from eye ailments that require immediate medical attention. End Summary. U Ohn Kyaing Freed -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The NLD informed us that officials released former journalist and NLD member U Ohn Kyaing on December 11. U Ohn Kyaing was the chairman of the NLD's cyclone relief committee until his arrest on October 1, 2008. He had been detained without charge since then. Officials have not commented on the reasons for his arrest or release. Ohn Kyaing was released from prison in 2005 after serving 15 years of a 17-year prison sentence for writing "seditious pamphlets." NLD spokesman Nyan Win told the Associated Press he was happy Ohn Kyaing had been freed, but said "it is very unfair that he was held in prison for such a long time without committing any crime." Another Conviction -------------- ¶3. (C) Human Rights Defenders and Promoters (HRDP) member Maung Maung Lay told us that on December 10 - UN Human Rights Day - authorities sentenced Kyaw Thu Htike to seven years' imprisonment for his alleged role in the September 2007 protests. HRDP described Kyaw Thu Htike as "an ordinary worker" and not a political or human rights activist. Kyaw Thu Htike had been held without conviction since the autumn of 2007. ASSK Lawyer's Request Denied -------------- ¶4. (C) NLD spokesman Nyan Win informed us that SB has denied Aung San Suu Kyi's lawyer's request to see the detained NLD leader. According to the NLD, SB officials told attorney U Kyi Win (aka Neville) that ASSK's appeal is being considered by the Council of Ministers and claimed "there is no reason to see her" as a result. Neville last asked to see his client on December 3 after officials failed to grant his request in October (reftel). Min Ko Naing's Health -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Min Ko Naing's family told media and Embassy contacts that the detained 88GS activist is suffering from eye ailments that require immediate attention. Min Ko Naing's sister has asked prison authorities for permission to have an eye specialist examine and treat her brother. Regime officials have not publicly commented on the story or responded to her request. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) It is good news, of course, when authorities release a detained political prisoner. We wish we could ascribe a logic to the move; but as with so many decisions the regime makes opaquely, no comforting logic is obvious. The RANGOON 00000937 002 OF 002 conviction on Human Rights Day and the languishing of activists like Min Ko Naing in prison under harsh conditions reflect the far more common reality in Burma. DINGER