For Immediate Release:

October 16, 2006

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners today filed the case of human rights defender U Myint Aye with the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders.

U Myint Aye is a defender of human rights in the whole of Burma. His activities began in earnest in 2005. He frequently talked about human rights using the UN Declaration of Human Rights, and held discussions about human rights with several youth in the country. He was invited to promote and explain human rights in Irrawaddy division, Rangoon division, Magwe division, Pegu division, Shan state and Kachin state.
On September 27, 2006, the authorities detained three student leaders of the 1988 pro-democracy uprising. Along with 10 others, U Myint Aye later released a statement saying it was illegal to detain the student leaders. This statement was made as part of U Myint Aye's new group, 'Human Rights Defenders and Promoters.'
The day after they released their statement calling for the release of three detained student leaders and pointing out the human rights violations which had been committed, U Myint Aye was arrested. Aung Kyaw Oo from the Special Branch (under the police force) and Lt. Aung Aung Myint from West Yangon division came and took him from his home around 10:15 am, telling him it was only for discussion with the higher authorities. U Myint Aye has not been able to contact his family nor had access to legal counsel since then. It is unclear where U Myint Aye is being detained and what charges the authorities will level against him.
"The arrest and detention of U Myint Aye proves the SPDC is not serious about protecting the human rights of its citizens," says Ko Tate, Secretary of the AAPP, "U Myint Aye was not engaged in political work- he was only concerned with defending and promoting human rights in Burma."
Prior to establishing his group, 'Human Rights Defenders and Promoters,' U Myint Aye was a member of the NLD. He was the chairman of the National League for Democracy in Kemmendine in 1997. U Myint Aye actively participated in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising, as well as the U Thant affair in 1974. He has a long history of working to bring democracy and human rights to Burma.
U Myint Aye faced imprisonment four times prior to his current detention. The first time was in 1998, the second time on 12 April 2000, the third time on 11 June 2003, and the fourth time on 30th January 2004.

"U Myint Aye bravely stood out in Burma since 2005 as an individual working solely as a human rights defender." continues Ko Tate, "His efforts should be an inspiration to the people of Burma and the international community, as they demonstrate the willingness of individuals in Burma to bravely speak out against human rights violations despite continued repression."

After the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders reviews U Myint Aye's case, they will inquire to the military regime in Burma about the nature of the charges against him and the reason for his continued detention.

For more information:

Ko Tate: (+66) 1-287 8751
Ko Bo Kyi: (+66) 1-324 8935