Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Legal News Blogs -> JURIST - The Paper Chase

Legal News

: JURIST - The Paper Chase

Myanmar court sentences monk to 7 years during visit by UN rights envoy

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] A Buddhist monk was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in Myanmar during a visit by UN High Representative for Human Rights Tomas Ojea Quintana, an opposition lawyer confirmed Saturday. Gaw Thita was convicted Wednesday by a special court in Insein Prison for violating immigration laws in relation to a trip he took to Taiwan, unlawful association, and for failing to declare foreign currency, according to Aung Thein, a former lawyer for the National League for Democracy (NLD). Thita was arrested at Yangon International Airport in August along with seven other monks who were later released without charge. According to Thein, Thita had a valid passport and had not committed any immigration violations. Thita's conviction followed those of four dissidents on Monday, coinciding with the commencement of Quintana's five day visit to the country to assess the human rights situation before the planned 2010 general election. At a press conference at the conclusion of his visit, Quintana expressed great disappointment: Despite anticipation of landmark elections this year, I have not received any indication that the military government is willing to release all prisoners of conscience. ... Without full participation of the people including the 2,200 prisoners of conscience and the environment that allows the parties to engage in a full range of electoral activities, the elections ... will not be credible.Quintana met with 15 prisoners during visits to three prisons, but his requests to meet with imprisoned opposition leader Aung Sun Suu Kyi and junta leader Senior General Than Shwe were denied. Quintana's report on the state of human rights in Myanmar is expected in March.The ruling military junta released 82-year old democracy activist U Tin Oo from six years of house arrest just days before Quintana's arrival. Oo, a decorated general, is the Vice-Chairman of the NLD, the opposition party headed by Suu Kyi. Thant Zin Oo, the general's son, said the release was a calculated political move designed to appease the UN. The government of Myanmar announced last year that it was processing grants of immunity to allow prisoners to participate in the coming elections but it is unclear if the NLD will take part in them. Home Minister Major General Maung Oo announced in January that Suu Kyi will be released from house arrest in November when her sentence is scheduled to expire. The announcement has been seen as an indication that she will not be allowed to participate in the elections.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on February 21, 2010 (boomark / email).