FORUM-ASIA
strongly denounces the arbitrary arrest and detention of the women human
rights defenders (WHRDs) by the Burmese Special Branch Police on 3 October
2009. FORUM-ASIA demands that the Burmese government immediately release
the four WHRDs. FORUM-ASIA also demands that the Burmese government
stop the arbitrary arrests and detention of human rights defenders,
including women human rights defenders.
(9 October
2009) The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
strongly denounces the arbitrary arrest and detention of the women human
rights defenders (WHRDs) by the Burmese Special Branch Police on 3 October
2009. FORUM-ASIA demands that the Burmese government immediately release
the four WHRDs. FORUM-ASIA also demands that the Burmese government
stop the arbitrary arrests and detention of human rights defenders,
including women human rights defenders.
The arrested WHRDs, Naw Ohn Hla, Myint Myint San, Cho Cho Lwin and Ma
Cho were active in advocating for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,
the detained prominent political activist. In particular, Naw Ohn Hla
was known for organizing group prayers since July 2004 at the Schwe
Dagon Pagoda every Tuesday, the day when Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was born.
According to the report of the Women's League of Burma (WLB), Naw Ohn
Hla has faced a series of human rights violations since August 2007,
after she participated in the Saffron Revolution. Naw Ohn Hla has faced
defamation, been prohibited from leaving the township, and was kept
under surveillance by the military authorities.
On 3 October
2009, after their alms offering at Magwe Monastery in the South Dagon
Suburb of Rangoon, Naw Ohn Hla, Myint Myint San, and Ma Cho dropped
off Cho Cho Lwin at her shop in Thingankyun township before heading
off to their own homes. Members of the Special Branch Police intercepted
Naw Ohn Hla, Myint Myint San, and Ma Cho as they were on their way home
and arrested the three WHRDs. There is no information as to where they
were brought after their arrest. Later, members of the Special Branch
Police also picked up Cho Cho Lwin at her shop and took her to the local
Peace and Development Council Office. Family members were not allowed
to enter the office. There is also no information as to where Cho Cho
Lwin was taken after that.
Article 9 of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that "[n]o
one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile." Moreover,
under Article 5 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, everyone
has the right, individually and in association with others, to meet
or assemble peacefully for the purpose of promoting or protecting human
rights and fundamental freedoms. These provisions support the fact that
Ohn Hla, Myint Myint San, Cho Cho Lwin and Ma Cho were well within their
rights as women human rights defenders to organize peaceful regular
group prayers at Schwe Dagon Pagoda for the release of Daw Aung San
Suu Kyi.
FORUM-ASIA demands
the immediate release of the four WHRDs. FORUM-ASIA also demands that
the Burmese government adhere to international human rights principles
and stop arbitrary arrests and detention of human rights defenders,
including women human rights defenders. The Burmese government should
realise that respect for human rights is the only way to bring peace
and stability into the country.
