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Repression increase in Burma ((ICFT
Subject: Repression increase in Burma ((ICFTU online news)
Repression increases in Burma
Date: 22 Aug
INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS (ICFTU)
ICFTU ONLINE...
204/970822/LD
Burma: life sentence for trade unionist and ten years for pro-
democracy activists
Brussels, August 22 (ICFTU OnLine): Although little noticed by
the media, repression of pro-democracy activists is going
unabated in Burma where independent trade union activists are
becoming targets of the ruling military junta, the self-
proclaimed State Law and Order Restoration Council (Slorc).
On August 15, U Myo Aung Thant, an executive committee member of
the Federation of Trade Unions - Burma (FTUB) was sentenced to
life imprisonment. He was falsely accused of having smuggled
explosives into Burma and charged with "high treason". U Myo Aung
Thant was arrested in June this year at the Rangoon airport
while, according to the Slorc's own reports, the alleged
explosives were seized at Kawthaung, hundreds of kilometres south
of the capital. No firm proof was submitted at the trial which
was rushed through and only served to confirm the Slorc;s
predetermined conclusion, already announced at a press conference
on June 27 by the notorious Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt.
Together with U Myo Aung Thant, three pro-democracy activists ad
relatives of Nobel Peace Prize Winner Aung San Suu kyi;s were
each sentenced to 10 years in prison under national security
laws.
The Brussels-based International Confederation of Free Trade
Unions (ICFTU) has described the so-called trial as "a mockery"
and stressed that the pro-democracy movement have always
advocated a non-violent solution to Burma;s political problems.
But the Slorc;s move seems to suggest, adds the ICFTU, that the
military rulers of Burma feel that the country's recent
membership of the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean)
is a licence to increase repression. "Other Asean countries
argued that the Slorc would modify its behaviour after joining
the club. Instead, Slorc has become even more repressive", writes
ICFTU General Secretary in a communication urging affiliates to
intervene with the Burmese authorities following the recent
arrests.
For details contact ICFTU Press at ++322 224 02 12. Other OnLine
news on Poptel Bulletin Board ICFTU-Online for geonet users and
on the WWW at:http://www.icftu.org
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