**Updates IFEX alerts dated 10 January 1996 and 10 July 1995** On 28 March 1996, Win Tin, the former editor of the “Hanthawati” newspaper, and Myo Myint Nyein, editor-in-chief of the cultural magazine “What’s Happening”, were given additional sentences of five and seven years respectively. They were found guilty of smuggling letters to Professor Yozo […]
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 10 January 1996 and 10 July 1995**
On 28 March 1996, Win Tin, the former editor of the “Hanthawati”
newspaper, and Myo Myint Nyein, editor-in-chief of the cultural
magazine “What’s Happening”, were given additional sentences of
five and seven years respectively. They were found guilty of
smuggling letters to Professor Yozo Yokota, the United Nations
Special Rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar, which detailed
ill-treatment and poor prison conditions. The trial took place in
camera in Insein Prison, were they are both serving sentences.
They had no legal counsel during the proceedings, which is a
contravention of international fair trial standards.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
and Myo Myint Nyein, who did not commit a crime punishable by
such a prison term
handed down solely in response to the journalists having
exercised their rights to contact the outside world, as provided
for in Articles 37 and 39 of the United Nations’ standard minimum
rules for the treatment of prisoners
information to representatives of United Nations human rights
bodies are contrary to UN Commission on Human Rights resolution
1994/70
and to provide them with proper medical care and access to their
families
Appeals To
His Excellency General Than Shwe
President, SLORC
c/o Ministry of Defence
Signal Pagoda Road
Yangon, Union of Myanmar
Telex: 2136
Telegrams: General Than Shwe, Yangon, Myanmar
Fax: +95 1 22 950
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
