[RE: UA-112-2004: BURMA: Complaints against forced labour blocked and victims punished issued on 3 September 2004; UP-11-2005: BURMA: Four officials sentenced to prison for forced labour in Kawmhu Township, Yangon Division; UP-63-2005: BURMA: Local officials seek revenge against villager who obtained first successful forced labour prosecution; UP-68-2005: BURMA: Preliminary hearing against villager who obtained first successful forced labour prosecution completed; UP-73-2005: BURMA: Defamation case against villager continues; UP-117-2005: BURMA: Human rights defender Ma Su Su Nwe jailed in Insein Prison; UP-119-2005: BURMA: Latest news on jailing of human rights defender Ma Su Su New; UP-124-2005: BURMA: Jailed human rights defender Ma Su Su Nwe reportedly denied medicines; UP-132-2005: BURMA: South Rangoon District Court summarily rejects appeals against prison terms]
———————————————————————
UP-147-2005: BURMA: Division court also summarily rejects case of ailing Ma Su Su Nwe
BURMA: Forced labour; impunity; un-rule of law; threats to human rights defender; arbitrary detention; cruel and inhuman treatment; denial of right to health
———————————————————————
Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) regrets to inform that the Rangoon Division Court has also summarily dismissed the further appeal of villager and human rights defender Ma Su Su Nwe, about which we have written in a number of recent updates (latest: UP-132-2005).
According to the information we have received, the court rejected her appeal on November 24. Her lawyers will now take the case to the Supreme Court. If the appeal at the Supreme Court fails, the final recourse is to lodge a second plaint in the Supreme Court for a special review of the case.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is known to be supporting the appeals process. However, the ILO presence in Burma is itself subject to many serious questions at this time, and there have been rumours that the military authorities running the country have considered withdrawing from the organisation altogether.
Meanwhile, there are very grave concerns for the health of Ma Su Su Nwe, as she has been denied medicines for a chronic heart condition since she was put in prison over a month ago. According to some recent visitors, Ma Su Su Nwe has complained of dizziness and joint pains. There are fears that denial of medicines will over an extended time cause permanent damage to her health.
Please again write to the government authorities in Burma or the embassy or consulate in your country stressing your concern about the grave situation of Ma Su Su Nwe. If you haven’t done so already, please also write to your own foreign ministry or equivalent to urge that it take up the case through diplomatic channels: please refer to previous updates for sample letters and contact details: UP-119-2005, UP-124-2005 and UP-132-2005.
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
