AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

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FACTS OF THE CASE:

On 25 March 2002, the Burmese government sentenced Dr. Salai Tun Than, the retired rector of Yezin University, to seven years in prison. Government officials arrested Dr. Salai in November 2001 for staging a one-man protest in front of the Rangoon government building. During the peaceful protest, Dr. Salai distributed a petition calling for the government to hold a multiparty general election within one year and to unconditionally transfer state power to the winning party. The Asia Division of Human Rights Watch calls the prison sentence "harsh" and a clear indication that the Burmese government "will crush any and all dissent."

Dr. Salai, who holds a Ph.D. in Crop Nutrition from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters Degree in Agronomy from the University of Georgia, has led a distinguished career as an entomologist and professor of agronomy since the 1950s. His conviction falls under Article 5(j) of the 1950 Emergency Provisions Act. Human rights groups have criticized the act as a tool of the government to suppress legitimate dissent.

Since late 2000, the ruling military junta, known as the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), has been engaging in confidence-building talks with Aung San Suu Kyi, the head of the opposition party, the National League for Democracy (NLD). In the last open election, which was held in 1990, the NLD won more than 60 percent of the popular vote and 80 percent of the parliamentary seats. However, the SPDC has not honored the election results and the elected representatives have not been able to convene parliament.

In 2001, the SPDC made a good faith gesture by releasing 243 political prisoners. However, according to a Burmese human rights group, many of the political prisoners had already completed their sentences and were due to be released anyway. In addition, the SPDC has not made any fundamental changes to its laws or policies to insure greater respect for human rights or political participation. Over 1,000 political prisoners remain in prison for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and association. The NLD has repeatedly called for the unconditional release of all political prisoners and considers it a prerequisite for moving to the next phase of talks with the SPDC.

(Sources of information for this case include: Asian Human Rights Commission and the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch.)

RELEVANT HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

• Article 12: (1): The States Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. (2): The steps to be taken by the States Parties to the present Covenant to achieve the full realization of this right shall include those necessary for: (c) The prevention, treatment and control of epidemic, endemic, occupational and other diseases; (d) The creation of conditions which would assure to all medical service and medical attention in the event of sickness.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• Article 09: No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
• Article 20(1): Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send faxes, letters, or emails:

• Expressing your serious concern about the sentencing of Dr. Salai Tun Than, as it appears that he is being imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercising his freedom of expression and association;
• Requesting that he be immediately and unconditionally released; and
• Urging the government to respect the human rights of all citizens and to immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners.

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

Lt-Gen Khin Nyunt
Secretary-1
State Peace and Development Council
Ministry of Defence
Signal Pagoda Rd
Yangon, MYANMAR
Fax: 011 (951) 22950
Salutation: Dear General

U Win Aung
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Yangon, MYANMAR
mofa.aung@mptmail.net.mm
Salutation: The Honorable U Win Aung

COPIES SENT TO:

Paulo Sérgio Pinheiro
Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais des Nations, 8-14 Avenue de la Paix,
CH 1211 Geneve, SWITZERLAND
Fax: 011 41 22 9170213
secrt.hchr@unog.ch
Salutation: Dear Mr. Pinheiro

Ambassador U Linn Myaing
Ambassador of Myanmar to the United States
Embassy of Myanmar
2300 S Street, NW
Washington D.C. 20008
Fax: (202) 332-9046
Salutation: Dear Mr. Ambassador

Please send copies of your appeals, and any responses you may receive, or direct any questions you may have to Victoria Baxter, AAAS Science and Human Rights Program, 1200 New York Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20005; tel. 202-326-6797; email vbaxter@aaas.org; or fax 202-289-4950.

The keys to effective appeals are to be courteous and respectful, accurate and precise, impartial in approach, and as specific as possible regarding the alleged violation and the international human rights standards and instruments that apply to the situation. Reference to your scientific organization and professional affiliation is always helpful.

To ensure that appeals are current and credible, please do not continue to write appeals on this case after 90 days from the date of the posting unless an update has been issued.

To verify the contents of this alert and/or the electronic signature, please download the signed file for this alert along with the Program's PGP Public Key.

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