Submission from Amnesty International
UK
WESTMINSTER HALL DEBATE ON THE REPORT OF
THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ON HUMAN RIGHTS, 11 OCTOBER 2007
THE SITUATION IN MYANMAR
OVERVIEW
The current situation
Over a week after the launch of the violent
crackdown mass arrests were continuing, including after the visit
of UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari, and many of those recently
arrested are unaccounted for. It remains extremely difficult for
anyone to confirm details about who has been arrested, where they
are held, why and under what circumstances. This uncertainty is
partly as a consequence of restrictions on Internet and phone
connectivity. Random searches for cameras and mobile phones are
reportedly taking place in Yangon, with occasional arrests of
people who carry such equipment. The authorities have acknowledged
10 deaths, including a Japanese video journalist. However, it
is feared that the actual number of fatalities is far higher.
Amnesty International believes that at least
1000 people have been arrested in Yangon alone, the majority of
them monks. Mass arrests are also reported from other towns and
cities across the country. This is in addition to at least 150
other persons arrested in August at the onset of the protests.
Numerous key figures in the National League for Democracy, the
main opposition party, and other activists are among those arrested.
On 4 October Myanmar state television (MRTV) reported that a total
of 2,093 people had been arrested in connection with the protests,
692 of whom were said to have been released.
The demonstrations
During the crack down on demonstrations, Myanmar
security forces raided monasteries and attacked peaceful demonstrators,
firing live bullets as well as tear gas and beating protesters
with batons. At the onset of the protests, in August, over 150
protestors were arrested by police and members of the state-sponsored
Union Solidarity Development Association (USDA). Beatings and
intimidation by members of the USDA and other paramilitary forces
were then reported and Amnesty International believes the and
other detainees are at risk of torture or other ill-treatment.
Myanmars appaulling human rights record must
be seen as a backdrop to the recent demonstrations, aithough the
protests were initially sparked by a sharp increase in fuel prices,
which led to an increase in commodity and transport prices. Access
by independent observers and international human rights organizations
to many parts of the country continues to be denied.
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
RECOMMENDATIONS TO
THE UK GOVERNMENT
The UK government should:
Urge the Myanmar authorities to immediately
and unconditionally release the thousands of people recently detained
for participating in peaceful assemblies as well as all long-standing
prisoners of conscience.
The Myanmar government has a duty to account
for the whereabouts of those detained who must not be held in
secret locations. The government must guarantee their safety from
torture or other ill-treatment, particularly as abuse of detainees,
especially during interrogation and pre-trial detention has long
been widespread in Myanmar, entrenched by a culture of total impunity.
Urge the international community, including
all relevant bodies of the United Nations, led by the UN Security
Council to take resolute action to address ongoing grave human
rights violations in Myanmar and hold the perpetrators to account.
The UN Security Council must sharpen its focus
on the situation in Myanmar and the threat it poses to peace and
security by expressing its deep concern about the grave human
rights situation. The Council should visit the country itself
to engage in dialogue to improve peace, justice and human rights,
and should keep the situation regularly under close review.
As suggested by the resolution unanimously adopted
at a special session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Special
Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar must continue
his important task by documenting the human rights situation including
seeking to visit the country as soon as possible and must report
to the Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the General Assembly and
the Security Council.
Countries that have particular influence over
Myanmar, such as China, India, Japan and ASEAN countries—need
to increase the pressure on the Myanmar authorities to release
immediately those detained for participation in peaceful protests.
Press for a UN arms embargo on Myanmar.
The UK government already supports an EU embargo
on Myanmar. However it is imperative that the principle suppliers
of arms to Myanmar—China, India, Russia, Serbia, Ukraine
and ASEAN nations—prohibit supply of military and security
equipment to Myanmar. Amnesty International has urged the United
Nations Security Council to immediately impose a comprehensive
and mandatory arms embargo on Myanmar.
Urge the international community must work to
address the long-standing human rights crisis in Myanmar.
11 October 2007
| 
