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Burmese Junta Releases NLD’s Oo as Scheduled; UN Envoy Assesses Human Rights
February 23, 2010
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly

On February 13, Tin Oo, vice-chairman of Aung San Suu Kyi's opposition National League for Democracy (NLD), was freed after six years of being detained by Burma’s ruling military junta.  BBC News reports that directly after learning of his release, Oo stated that he would continue to work towards promoting democracy within Burma.  Oo served his entire term, despite calls for his early release by Human Rights Watch and other international organizations.  According to a statement by Human Rights Watch, Oo was denied access to visitors and he was barred from speaking to leaders from his party.  Oo was previously subjected to house arrest from 1989 to 1995.

Just days after Oo was released, a United Nations envoy headed by Tomas Ojea Quintana visited Burma to assess the country’s progress on human rights.  As the military junta prepares for the country’s upcoming election, human rights organizations are worried that the government will begin to crackdown on ethnic minorities and other groups that could potentially sway the election against military candidates, Voice of America reports.  According to a report released by Amnesty International, violence increased against minority and opposition activists who opposed the junta’s 2008 constitution and referendum.  Victims were reportedly arrested, tortured and murdered.  According to Senior NLD member Win Ti, “human rights conditions are at the abyss.  The government continues to violate human rights and they don't have the will to alleviate human rights conditions.”

On the same day of Quintana’s arrival, the Burmese government sentenced four activists to prison terms with hard labor.  Each individual received a two year sentence, the Associated Press reports.  The four activists, all women, were originally arrested in October after being accused of “offering Buddhist monks alms that included religious literature.”  The article also reports that the same four women also used to hold prayer services calling for Suu Kyi’s release.

This will be Burma’s first election since 1990 when the NLD party won, but was prevented from taking power by the junta.

Sources:

Human Rights Watch – Burma: Release Democracy Leader U Tin Oo

BBC News - Burma frees NLD leader Tin Oo

Voice of America - Amnesty International Warns of Increased Repression of Burma's Minorities Before Election

BBC News - UN envoy meets lawyers for Burmese opposition NLD

Associated Press - Myanmar sentences 4 activists as UN envoy visits