ABFSU woman member produced before court for eighth time

Phanida
Mizzima News - 03 July 2008

Chiang Mai – 'The All Burma Federation of Students' Union' (ABFSU) student Ma Hanny Tun, who is in judicial custody, was produced for the eighth time yesterday at the East District Court.

The junta authorities accused Hanny Tun (21), Law final year student, of leading the protest against rising essential commodity and fuel prices which took place in front of Yuzana Plaza in September 2007. She is a member of ABFSU.

"The law permits freedom of association included in the UN Declaration of Human Rights. These students haven't yet tried to establish such an organization. They just staged a protest peacefully based on emotion. They had no intention to incite unrest and violence. They did it in good faith. That's all," her defence counsel Aung Thein said.

She has been charged under section 124(a) causing disaffection towards the State, 505(b) committing offence against public tranquility, section 143 and 145 unlawful assembly, of the Criminal Code and under section 6 of Registration of Associations Act, committing establishing association without registration.

She faces up to life imprisonment under section 124(a), up to 2 years under section 505(b), up to 5 years under section 6, up to 6 months and fine under section 143 and up to 2 years and fine under section 145, if convicted.

"She has been accused of leading the protest on that day. In fact she was actually sitting for her examination on that day. The authorities accused her of attending political functions held at the NLD, the birthday celebrations of 88 Generation Students among others. And the authorities also said that she attended courses at the American Centre and had contacts with the media such as BBC, RFA and VOA. She has been accused of having contacts with anti-government elements,"one of her family members said.

Military Affairs Security (military intelligence), Swanahshin and USDA members came to her home at No. 505, Ward No. 11, South Okkalapa on 9th October 2007 while she was with four friends. The authorities accused her of holding a meeting with ABFSU members.

"Her school refused to issue a recommendation letter saying she was sitting for her examinations on that day. We feel we were denied our rights. If we could get a chance to prove this point we don't mind what the court decides according to the law. Now we are denied all legal rights. We felt our rights were denied. We are worrying about her. She is too young to face such a harsh punishment," the family member said.

Hanny Tun suffers from breathing trouble and used to visit a clinic every two months. After Cyclone Nargis, she had breathing trouble again and was prescribed heart ailment medicines by the prison doctor.

The court examined three policemen as witnesses yesterday and will examine a Ward Peace and Development Council (WPDC) member and a Swanahshin member as prosecution witnesses again on July 16, her family member said.