Myanmar: Journalist Zaw Thet Htwe sentenced
Published: November 26, 2008
UPDATE: On 27 November 2008, journalist Zaw Thet Hwe had his sentence increased by an additional four years, bringing his total sentence to nineteen years in prison. For more information, please click here. ***
English PEN strongly protests the fifteen year prison sentence handed down to journalist Zaw Thet Htwe on 21 November 2008 under the Electronics Act.
According to our information, Zaw Thet Htwe was arrested on 13 June 2008 whilst visiting his sick mother in the town of Minbu, central Burma, and was transferred to an interrogation centre in Yangon. His computer, mobile phone, and personal documents were also confiscated.
Zaw Thet Htwe had been working with comedian Zargana and other leading Burmese figures on a private relief effort to deliver aid and support to the victims of Cyclone Nargis. Zaw Thet Htwe was tried together with three other defendants, including Zargana, in special courts held inside Insein prison for their peaceful opposition activities. All of them received staggeringly harsh sentences ranging from 15 to 45 years. All four men still face charges, and more years are expected to be added to the sentences next week, according to Aung Din of the Washington-based U.S. Campaign for Burma.
We at English PEN strongly condemn these sentences, and demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those currently detained in Myanmar in violation of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, protecting the right to freedom of expression.
A major crackdown in Burma has been underway since early September 2007, following demonstrations led by monks and pro-democracy activists which began on 19 August 2007. Many of those who took part in these protests, including Zargana, poet Saw Wei and musician Win Maw have been sentenced in the past two weeks in what the BBC describes as 'a judicial crackdown across the spectrum of Burma's pro-democracy movement'. For more details go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7741653.stm
Please send appeals:
- Expressing shock at the harsh sentence handed down to journalist Zaw Thet Htwe, and seeking assurances of his well-being;
- Urging the authorities to release Zaw Thet Htwe immediately and unconditionally in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights;
- Demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all those currently detained in Myanmar in violation of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Appeals to:
Senior General Than Shwe
Chairman, State Peace and Development Council
c/o Ministry of Defence, Naypyitaw, Union of Myanmar
Salutation: Dear General
Appeals to Myanmar (Burma) Embassies:
We recommend that you copy your appeal to the Burmese embassy in the UK, asking them to forward it to the Burmese authorities and welcoming any comments.
Letters to the press:
PEN members may consider writing letters to their national newspapers expressing alarm at events in Burma, and highlighting Zaw Thet Hwe's case to illustrate the many years of repression in the country.