Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Annual Report 2006 - Burma
| Publisher | International Federation for Human Rights |
| Publication Date | 14 March 2007 |
| Cite as | International Federation for Human Rights, Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Annual Report 2006 - Burma, 14 March 2007, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/48747ce030.html [accessed 6 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Sentencing and arbitrary detention of Mr. Ko Win Ko and Mr. Phyoe Zaw Latt5
On October 6, 2006, Mr. Ko Win Ko and Mr. Phyoe Zaw Latt, two human rights defenders from Moenyo (Bago), were stopped at Letpadan station by a dozen policemen and members of the Union Solidarity and Development Association (USDA), a pro-governmental organisation. Both men were on their way to Rangoon to present to the government a petition calling for the release of a group of political prisoners who had been arrested on September 27 and 30, 2006.
Mr. Ko and Mr. Phyoe were arrested and taken to the Letpadan police station as soon as the police found the petition on them. Two USDA members also claimed that they had found stubs of illegal lottery tickets in Mr. Ko's bag. He was accused of "resisting to the forces of order during an arrest" (Section 353.3 of the Criminal Code) and "illegal betting" (Section 15a and 16a of the Law on Gambling). Mr. Phyoe was detained without charges.
On October 19, 2006, Mr. Ko's lawyer went to court to attend his client's hearing. However, he was informed upon his arrival that Mr. Ko had been sentenced to three years in prison the day before.
On October 22, 2006, Mr. Phyoe was released for good behaviour and almost immediately rearrested on his way home. That same day, both men were charged with "deceit" and "counterfeiting" (Sections 420, 465 and 468 of the Criminal Code).
On November 9, 2006, Mr. Ko and Mr. Phyoe were sentenced to 14 years in prison by the Tharawaddy Court, without their lawyers present. Their families were not informed of the hearing.
[Refworld note: This report as posted on the FIDH website (www.fidh.org) was in pdf format with country chapters run together by region. Footnote numbers have been retained here, so do not necessarily begin at 1.]
5. See Urgent Appeal MMR 001/1206/OBS 147.
