ACTIVISTS WANT ASEAN LEADERS TO FOCUS ON ABUSES IN MYANMAR

http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/bnm/20081119/tts-myanmar-asean-993ba14.html

Bernama - Thursday, November 20BANGKOK, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Asean leaders have been urged to pay more serious attention to the alleged human rights abuses in Myanmar where in November the military regime sentenced 119 pro-democracy activists, some with up to 65 years' imprisonment.

Burma Partnership, a movement of organisations and individuals promoting freedom, democracy and human rights in Myanmar, said the nine Asean members should recognise the widespread and increasing problems in the country, and that the situation would not improve until strong international action was taken.

"Burma (Myanmar) is already a red stain on Asean's name, and its increasing instability is spilling over.


"Asean needs to take significant measures to propel the release of all political prisoners in Burma and the return of a proper process of national reconciliation," the movement said in an open letter to the nine leaders.

It said that despite calls from many international leaders, including United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Asean ministers for the release of political prisoners and valid progression towards national reconciliation, especially in the run-up to the 2010 elections, nothing had changed.

"The military junta is avidly ignoring these calls by locking up and harassing any organisation or person that questions their tyranny," Burma Partnership said.

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MYANMAR-ASEAN 2 (LAST) BANGKOK

The letter was sent to the leaders of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

The movement said Asean leaders should demand the release of all political prisoners in Myanmar, including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic leaders.

"As the Asean Summit is approaching, we particularly ask you to make this issue focal there," it said, referring to the 14th Asean Summit to be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand from Dec 13 to 18.

According to the movement, the military junta has stepped up arrests and sentencing of political prisoners who are not violent criminals, "but monks, students, bloggers, lawyers, journalists, musicians, poets and political leaders who peacefully demand a stable government that respects the rule of law and the people's right to life, liberty and security".

"These arrests and sentences stand against the Asean Charter, and will contribute to regional instability," it said.

Among those sentenced to jail was U Gambira, leader of the All Burma Monk's Alliance who organised nationwide peaceful gatherings of monks in September 2007. He received 12 years' imprisonment.

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