UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL UPDATE ON URGENT APPEAL

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAM

Update on Urgent Appeal
19 October 2004

[RE: UA-112-2004: BURMA: Complaints against forced labour blocked and victims punished on 2 September 2004; UP-50-2004: BURMA: Another complaint registered against local authorities in Henzada Township on 17 September 2004; UP-51-2004: BURMA: Henzada Township court throws out forced labour complaints on 28 September 2004; UP-55-2004: BURMA: Villagers given six-months' jail term for alleging forced labour on 12 October 2004]
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UP-60-2004: BURMA: Victims in criminal defamation case jailed; ILO says trying to resolve matter

BURMA: Forced labour; impunity; judicial partiality; misuse of authority
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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) would like to inform you that the International Labor Organization (ILO) has expressed its concern regarding the imprisonment of two Burmese men who filed forced labour complaints against local officials. The AHRC has issued several urgent appeals on this matter. (UA-112-2004, UP-50-2004, UP-51-2004 and UP-55-2004) 

In response to the AHRC's last appeal on the case, ILO liaison officer Richard Horsey told the Associated Press, "This is a serious case and the ILO is aware of the case." He also added, "We are doing everything we can to resolve the matter."

Khin Zaw and Ohn Myint were sentenced six month's imprisonment or a fine of 10,000 Kyat each (about US$ 10) by the Henzada Township Court on 7 October 2004 for criminal defamation after they had attempted to take complaints of forced labour to the courts. The two victims chose the jail term.

The AHRC has today received information from the Yoma-3 news service that the two men have been imprisoned in a separate wing of the Henzada Prison. According to the report, they have not been put together with the other common criminals. Ordinarily, the authorities in Burma put prisoners separately when they are seen as a political threat.  

Meantime, the AHRC has been directly informed by the ILO that letters on this and other appeals about forced labour should be sent to the following address. Please do not send letters to Mr. de Riedmatten as he has not been appointed Facilitator for ILO Liason Officer to Myanmar.

Mr. Richard Horsey
Liaison Officer (Myanmar)
International Labor Organization (ILO)
4, route des Morillons
CH-1211 Geneva 22
Switzerland
Fax: +41 22 798 8685

Thank you.
 
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)