Brussels, 10 September 2007: The ITUC has sent a strongly worded letter of protest to the head of the Burmese military regime, General Than Shwe, over the imposition of heavy prison sentences on six labour rights supporters on 7 September.
The six, Thurein Aung, Kyaw Kyaw, Wai Lin, Myo Min, Kyaw Win, and Nyi Nyi Zaw, were all found guilty of “inciting hatred or contempt for the government”, and some of them for membership of “illegal associations”. Four of the six were sentenced to 28 years prison, and Nyi Nyi Zaw and Kyaw Kyaw to 20 years. All were arrested following a Labour Day event on May 1st in Rangoon.
“This latest act by the Burmese junta is yet another gross violation of fundamental rights by a regime which seems prepared to do anything to hold on to power,” said ITUC General Secretary Guy Ryder. “Condemning these brave people to decades in prison, simply because they spoke up for workers’ rights, is an intolerable action which requires a robust and determined response by the international community”, he added.
The junta has reacted with force against a series of demonstrations and protests in recent days, as anger at a massive increase in the price of fuel has added to the discontent of people throughout the country over the military’s heavy-handed mismanagement of the country and refusal to allow a return to democracy.
The regime’s holding of a hand-picked “national convention”, which adopted guidelines for a new Constitution, is a “sham, lacking any legitimacy with Burma’s people and having no credibility with the international community”, according to Ryder.
The sentences against the six have also been described by the UN’s International Labour Organisation as “entirely unwarranted”. The ILO has called on the Burmese authorities to release those sentenced without delay.
Founded on 1 November 2006, the ITUC represents 168 million workers in 153 countries and territories and has 305 national affiliates.
For more information, please contact the ITUC Press Department on +32 2 224 0204 or +32 476 621 018.
