Phyo Wai Aung: catalogue of human rights abuses stain the lawfulness of his trial

Press Release

7 May 2012

Phyo Wai Aung, 31 years, a construction contractor arrested on 22 April 2010 on charges of being involved in the 15 April bombing in Rangoon, Burma that killed 10 and injured 168, is slated to formally receive his verdict on 8 May at 1p.m.

From the moment of his initial arrest, the case of Phyo Wai Aung has been profoundly marred by major human rights violations, including physical and psychological torture, systematic denial of his rights as a detainee and significant breaches of his right to a fair trial.

Upon his arrest, Phyo Wai Aung was taken to the Aungthabyay Interrogation Centre where he was tortured over a six day period until he confessed. Phyo Wai Aung repeatedly declared his innocence, telling his interrogators that he had nothing to do with the bombings, as he had an alibi. He provided witnesses who could testify to his alibi, though they were never contacted by the authorities.

“The catalogue of human rights abuses that have defined Phyo Wai Aung’s case is an embarrassing example of the un-rule of law that continues to plague Burma. His trial and detention, like other political prisoners’, is in serious breach of Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights. The court has the power to restore justice by dismissing the current case that has been riddled with unlawfulness. At a minimum, confessions made under torture must be dismissed and Phyo Wai Aung should be tried under an impartial and independent tribunal. Phyo Wai Aung deserves nothing less.” Ko Bo Kyi, Joint-Secretary of AAPP-B.

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Thanks N Regards,

Aung Myo Thein

Assistant Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
info@aappb.org
Ph: 055 545 495
Web: http://www.aappb.org, http://www.nd-burma.org

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"There can be no national reconciliation in Burma, as long as there are political prisoners." AAPP (Burma)

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