Rights violation still rampant in Burma: Amnesty International

Nem Davies
Mizzima News
April 1, 2008

New Delhi – Amnesty International is of the opinion that Burma's military junta continues to commit deliberate and systematic human rights violations despite international condemnation.

Mr. Mukul Sharma, India based AI Director said human rights violations by the Burmese regime continues to be visible and evidence indicates that the junta is engaging in various ways to commit violations.

"What we are seeing is that human rights violation in Burma continues in different ways despite so much criticism and international pressure. And the kind of security that restricts the Burmese population to preserve its human rights, we would like to see in one prison, it is not there in place," Sharma said.

In a statement issued on Monday, the AI said the Burmese junta has tried and sentenced at least 40 protesters including seven monks during the six months after the September saffron revolution.

Sharma said, the junta after brutally crushing peaceful demonstrations in September, arrested several protesters and tried them under various sections of assorted acts in prison.

"It is a violation of each and every right, not only the violation of freedom of expression. It also violates the right to live with dignity, it is violation of the right to live in peace, and in a secure atmosphere," he added.

Meanwhile, Bo Kyi, Joint Secretary of the Thailand based Association of Assistance to Political Prisoners-Burma (AAPPB) said at least 600 people were arrested in connection with the September revolution and are continuing to face trial without access to legal recourse.

"About 600 protesters are being tried in courts and some are still under detention without trial. These persons have been charged with various cases under various sections to get remand and judicial custody," Bo Kyi said.

"These prisoners do not have access to protection of the law at all. Besides, the authorities manipulate the laws to charge these prisoners. These are the shocking grievances of the people," he added.

The AI, in its statement, urged the Burmese government to allow the UN Human Right special envoy, Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, to visit the country for further investigation in accordance with the Human Rights Council resolution.

Bo Myint, an activist, who fled Burma to Thailand after being detained for six days by the authorities for participating in the September protests, said, he faced severe torture in the hands of Burmese Army.

"I was kicked in my face and beaten on my head with police batons. And also they beat me on my back," Bo Myint said.

"This is sheer violation of human rights. I still feel extremely sad when I recollect how I was treated in their hands. We are not criminals who committed a theft or are dacoits," he added.