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FORUM-ASIA demands the release of four WHRDs in Burma
(09 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.
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