AI wants Burma rights issue raised at Asem

http://businessmirror.com.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=960:ai-wants-burma-rights-issue-raised-at-asem&catid=23:topnews

Written by Estrella Torres / Reporter
Friday, 24 October 2008 04:16


Amnesty International (AI) in Brussels has asked the presidency of the European Union, now held by France, to raise at the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (Asem) Summit—which will gather some 43 heads of state—the human- rights situation in Burma, particularly the release of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi and more than 2,000 political prisoners.

In a letter to the presidency, AI said the EU should take the opportunity to address continuing rights abuses in Burma, renamed Myanmar by its dictator-junta.



“In accordance with the EU’s guidelines on human-rights defenders,
the French presidency should take advantage of this opportunity to inquire about the prisoners, many of whom are at risk of torture,” said Nicolas Beger, director of AI-Brussels, in the letter.

The international rights group is particularly concerned about urgent cases that include political detainee Myo Yang Naung Thein, who is expected to be sentenced in the next three weeks. He was arrested in December 2007 while filming protest actions.

Myo has since then suffered a paralysis of the lower part of his body and has to be carried in a stretcher when attending court hearings. “Amnesty International is concerned that this could be the result of torture during interrogation sessions and called on the EU leadership to demand his unconditional release.”

AI added that “Asem’s voice could make a real difference towards these prisoners of conscience,” with Beger saying, “This is a rare opportunity to engage in direct dialogue with the authorities of Myanmar which should not be missed.” Burma is a member of Asean.

The AI head in Brussels also reported the current Burmese military offensives against the ethnic Karen civilians are leading to the displacement of almost 150,000 people.