Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RANGOON148
2009-03-09 06:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:
BURMA: TWO OPPOSITION LAWYERS COMPLETE PRISON
how-toVZCZCXRO3753 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH RUEHTRO DE RUEHGO #0148 0680612 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 090612Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8754 INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1838 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 5312 RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8912 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6485 RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 2095 RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2306 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000148
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PINR BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: TWO OPPOSITION LAWYERS COMPLETE PRISON
SENTENCES
REF: RANGOON 873 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: P/E Chief Jennifer Harhigh for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L RANGOON 000148
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PINR BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: TWO OPPOSITION LAWYERS COMPLETE PRISON
SENTENCES
REF: RANGOON 873 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: P/E Chief Jennifer Harhigh for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (C) Opposition lawyers U Aung Thein and U Khin Maung
Shein were released from prison on March 6, following
completion of their four-month sentences. Both attorneys
were charged with contempt of court on October 30, 2008 after
protesting the lack of due process in the trials of several
detained activists they represent. In early November a lower
court judge referred the case to the Supreme Court, to which
the lawyers are admitted, and on November 7, the two were
sentenced by a Supreme Court deputy justice to four months in
prison for contempt (reftel). They began serving their
sentences November 8, 2008 in Insein Prison in Rangoon but
were subsequently transferred.
2. (C) U Aung Thein and U Khin Maung Shein are among the
most prominent defense attorneys representing detainees, and
their clients include Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and U Gambira.
U Aung Thein told us March 9 that he was released from
Pathein prison (Irrawaddy Division) and that Khin Maung Shein
was released from Myaung Mya prison (Irrawaddy Division) on
Friday, March 6. U Aung Thein pledged to return immediately
to his legal work, following a March 9 medical checkup. He
confirmed that both lawyers retain their license to practice
law.
3. (U) Post suggests the following points be included in
any press guidance on this issue:
-- We can confirm U Aung Thein and U Khin Maung Shein were
released from prison on March 6.
-- The release of these two attorneys was not part of an
amnesty; nor were the charges against them dropped. Each
served their full four-months prison term after being
sentenced for contempt of court for lodging complaints about
the lack of due process in their clients' trials.
-- We condemn the attempt by the regime to intimidate these
and other defense lawyers in connection with their legal
representation of political detainees. We further reiterate
our call for the regime to release all political prisoners
immediately, and begin a genuine, meaningful dialogue with
democratic and ethnic groups.
VAJDA
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, DRL, AND IO
PACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/09/2019
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM PINR BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: TWO OPPOSITION LAWYERS COMPLETE PRISON
SENTENCES
REF: RANGOON 873 AND PREVIOUS
Classified By: P/E Chief Jennifer Harhigh for Reasons 1.4 (b) & (d)
1. (C) Opposition lawyers U Aung Thein and U Khin Maung
Shein were released from prison on March 6, following
completion of their four-month sentences. Both attorneys
were charged with contempt of court on October 30, 2008 after
protesting the lack of due process in the trials of several
detained activists they represent. In early November a lower
court judge referred the case to the Supreme Court, to which
the lawyers are admitted, and on November 7, the two were
sentenced by a Supreme Court deputy justice to four months in
prison for contempt (reftel). They began serving their
sentences November 8, 2008 in Insein Prison in Rangoon but
were subsequently transferred.
2. (C) U Aung Thein and U Khin Maung Shein are among the
most prominent defense attorneys representing detainees, and
their clients include Min Ko Naing, Ko Ko Gyi and U Gambira.
U Aung Thein told us March 9 that he was released from
Pathein prison (Irrawaddy Division) and that Khin Maung Shein
was released from Myaung Mya prison (Irrawaddy Division) on
Friday, March 6. U Aung Thein pledged to return immediately
to his legal work, following a March 9 medical checkup. He
confirmed that both lawyers retain their license to practice
law.
3. (U) Post suggests the following points be included in
any press guidance on this issue:
-- We can confirm U Aung Thein and U Khin Maung Shein were
released from prison on March 6.
-- The release of these two attorneys was not part of an
amnesty; nor were the charges against them dropped. Each
served their full four-months prison term after being
sentenced for contempt of court for lodging complaints about
the lack of due process in their clients' trials.
-- We condemn the attempt by the regime to intimidate these
and other defense lawyers in connection with their legal
representation of political detainees. We further reiterate
our call for the regime to release all political prisoners
immediately, and begin a genuine, meaningful dialogue with
democratic and ethnic groups.
VAJDA