Four Activists

MYANMAR: Four pro-democracy activists sentenced for publishing a book of poems.

The Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN protests the heavy sentences handed down to pro-democracy activists Aung Than, Zeya Aung, Maung Maung Oo and Sein Hlaing for publishing and distributing a book of poems. International PEN calls for their immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

According to PEN's information, student activists Aung Than and Zeya Aung, and local businessman Maung Maung Oo, who owns of a desktop publishing company, were arrested with six others near the Thai-Burmese border town of
Myawaddy on 29 March 2006. Textile printer Sein Hlaing was reportedly detained in late May 2006. They were all charged with publishing an 'anti-government' book of poems, associating with outlawed organisations, and illegally crossing an international boundary. The book in question is entitled Dawn Mann (The Fighting Spirit of the Peacock). The peacock is the symbol of the pro-democracy movement in Myanmar. The six others also detained in connection with the publishing of the book were freed after a brief detention.

Aung Than, Zeya Aung, Maung Maung Oo and Sein Hlaing were convicted by a criminal court in Pegu, north of Rangoon, on 9 June 2006. Aung Than and Zeya Aung were convicted under the Emergency Provisions Act and the Printers and Publishers Registration Act and each sentenced to 19 years in prison for writing the book; Maung Maung Oo and Sein Hlaing were convicted under the Printers and Publishers Registration Act for printing and distributing the book, and sentenced to 14 years and seven years in prison respectively. After the trial they were all transferred to Insein jail, Rangoon except Sein Hliang, who is still believed to be held in Pegu jail.

Please send appeals:
- protesting the heavy sentences handed down to pro-democracy activists Aung Than, Zeya Aung, Maung Maung Oo and Sein Hlaing for writing, publishing and distributing a book of poems;
- demanding their immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Appeals to:
Senior General Than Shwe, Chairman.
State Peace and Development Council
Ministry of Defence
Signal Pagoda Road
Dagon Post Office
Yangon
Union of Myanmar.
Fax: +95 1 652 624

Lieutenant General Soe Win
Prime Minister
State Peace and Development Council
c/o Director of Defence Services Intelligence (DDSI)
Ministry of Defence
Signal Pagoda Road
Dagon Post Office
Yangon
Union of Myanmar.
Fax: +95 1 652 624

If possible please send a copy of your appeal to the diplomatic representative for Myanmar in your country.