Written by U Ne Oo on 2000-04-07

Dr U Ne Oo

18 Shannon Place

Adelaide SA 5000

Australia

April 7, 2000.

Ms Mary Robinson

High Commissioner for Human Rights

UN Centre for Human Rights

8-14 Avenue de la Paix

1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland.

Facsimile: (+41-22) 917-9016

Dear High Commissioner:

re: Inquiry into deaths in custody and massacres in Burma

I am a Burmese national currently residing in Australia and I call the High Commissioner's attention to the cases of deaths in custody and the massacres in Burma. I particularly urge the UN High Commissioner to set up an inquiry into the deaths in custhe deaths in custody cases, as has been recommended by Special Rapporteur Hon. Rajsoomer Lallah in report A/53/364 Para.(61):

"Further, the special rapporteur recommends that an independent inquiry be held into the circumstances of the death of Mr. Nichols in June 1996 and U Thein [Tin] in February 1998, while detained in Insein Prison, in the light of any evidence that may be gathered from fellow prisoners and prison officials and, indeed any other persons, so that action may be taken against the individualsthe individuals who may have been responsible for their deaths or harsh treatment."

I also enclosed documents containing information regarding with above mentioned cases, together with a list of 45 persons known to have died in Burmese prisons since 1988. It does appears that some individuals within law enforcement as well as prison systems in Burma had given excessively harsh treatment to detainees, therefore resulting death to these prisoners. In some cases, there are evidences of prison authorities treat pristies treat prisoners with clear intent to cause death or destruction of life. I appeal the listed cases also be included in the inquiry and actions should be taken against those who found responsible for their crime.



I am aware that the International Committee of the Red Cross has been granted regular visit to prisons in Burma. However, There is no apparent improvement in treatment of opposition politicians by the ruling military junta. The continuing hostility of the junta towards its opponent, with junta's known rjunta's known record of harsh treatment to political prisoners warrent such action by the United Nations Human Rights mechanism.

I also urge the UN Commission on Human Rights to investigate the massacre in Central Shan State in 1997. In April 1998, the Amnesty International reported that incident as (AI Index ASA:16/05/98):

"..from mid June to mid July 1997 some 300 Shan civilians were reportedly killed in a series of massacres by the Burmese military in Kunhing township, central Shan State. Observ State. Observers speculated that these attacks were triggered by a massacre of 25 ethnic Burman civilians by an unknown Shan armed opposition group on 13 June 1997.. "

The high number of civilian deaths indicate that the incident in June/July 1997 in Shan State may not be considered as normal counter-insurgency operation.



In closing, I thank you for UN Office of Human Rights for your efforts to improve the human rights situation throughout the world. I also wish to thank Special Rapthank Special Rapporteur for Burma for his relentless effort made on Burma.

Yours respectfully and sincerely

(Sd. U Ne Oo)

Copy to:

1. Hon. Rajsoomer Lallah, Special Rapporteur, c/- Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights, 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland.

2. Mr Kofi Annan, UN Secretary-General, UN Headquarters, United Nations New York NY 10017, USA.



Deaths in Custody cases in Burma

Name (profession)[age] Arrested Date of

Death
1. Â U Zawtika (monk)[60] Â 22-Oct-90 Â Dec-92
2. Â U Asara (monk)[35] Â May-89 Â Jan-96
3. Â U Rewata (monk) [52] Â Aug-90 Â 29-Jan-99
4. 4.  U Kin Maung(aka) Â



 Bo Set Yaung (politician)[80]		  -1989  Feb-90
 5.  U Nyo Win (politician)[60]  Jul-89  8-Mar-90
 6.  U Thar Tun (politician)[82]  7-May-90  Aug-90
<
 7.  U Maung Ko (politician)[52]  23-Oct-90  9-Nov-90
 8.  U Maung Ko (politician)[n/a]  1990  n/a
 9.  U Sein Win (politician) [54]  Sep-88  10-Jan-91
 10.
 10.  U Tin Maung Win (politician)[50]  Oct-90  18-Jan-91
 11.  U Ba Thaw(aka) Â



 Maung Thaw Ka (journalist)[65]		  Oct-89  Jun-91
 12.  Thamani U Sein Hla (politician) [60]  1990  1992
 13.  U Soe Win (politician) [60]  1989  1992
 14.  Mohamad Elliot (politician)[60]  Jun-92  22-Jun-92
 15.  U David (politician) [58]  1988  2-Aug-92



 16.  Mahn Dawait (politician)[56]  1989  Aug-92
 17.  U Aye Lwin (Politician) [38]  1988  Dec-92
 18. `  U Kin Maung Myint (politician)[63]  Jun-89  Feb-93
 19.  Ko Cho Gyi (politician)[np;Ko Cho Gyi (politician)[n/a]  1989  1993
 20.  U Kinn Sein (politician)[53]  Jan-91  1994
 21.  U Kyi Hsaung (politician)[n/a]  1995  May-96
 22.  U Leo Nichols (Consul) [64]  Apr-96  Apr-96  22-Jun-96
 23.  Ko Myint Hswe (politician)[32]  1988  Jul-96
 24.  U Hla Than (MP-elect)[49]  23-Oct-90  2-Aug-96
 25.  U Tin Shwe (politician)[67]  Nov-90  Nov-90  8-Jun-97
 26.  U Saw Hla Chit (politician)[55]  30-May-92  Sep-97
 27.  U Kyaw Din (politician)[58]  24-Jul-97  20-Oct-97
 28.  U Thein Tin (politician)[n/a]  Mar-96  18-Feb-98  18-Feb-98
 29.  Ko Than Win (politician)[n/a]  [n/a]  [n/a]
 30.  Sishee (politician)[23]  [n/a]  Oct-90
 31.  U Saw Win (aka)Â



 U Kyaw Zaw Linn (MP-elect)[61]		  1991 &n 1991  7-Aug-98
 32.  U Aung Minn (politician)[53]  6-Sep-98  21-Oct-98
 33.  Ko Zaw Win Tun (student)[21]  21-Oct-88  30-Dec-88
 34.  Ko Maung Maung Aye (student)[24]  1989  1990  1990
 35.  Ko Kyaw Myoe Thant (student)[25]  Jul-89  May-90
 36.  Ko Kyaw Soe (student)[22]  Jan-89  Jan-89
 37.  Ko Soe Htay (student)[19]  12-Apr-91  16-Apr-91
&nbs>
 38.  Saw Kyaw Lwin (student)[n/a]  Oct-91  Aug-92
 39.  Ko Ei Ko (student)[31]  Oct-90  Jan-93
 40.  Ko Kauk Kway (student)[n/a]  1991  1994
 41.  Ko Thu Ta>  Ko Thu Ta (student)[n/a]  Sep-91  Aug-97
 42.  Ko Aung Kyaw Moe (student)[29]  Dec-96  23-May-98
 43.  Ko Nay Win Aung (student: returnee)[22]  1988  1988
 44.  Ko Harnic (student: returnee)[21]  1988  1988
 45.  Ko Aung Moe (student: returnee)[23]  1988  1988

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Letter to Mary Robinson, UNHCHR