Burma, officially known as Myanmar, has a reputation for being one of the world’s worst violators of human rights, including freedom of expression. It has one of the strictest media censorship regimes, and journalists and writers are often given harsh prison terms for criticising authorities.

Earlier this month, four individuals who were involved in the publication of a book of poems were sentenced to jail for terms ranging from seven to 19 years, reported the Southeast Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA) and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF)

On 9 June 2006, a criminal court in Pegu, north of the capital Rangoon, sentenced Aung Than, Zeya Aung, Maung Maung Oo and Sein Hlaing for publishing a book of poems deemed “anti-government.”

Aung Than and Zeya Aung each received 19-year sentences for publishing a book of poems called “Dawn Mann” (“The Fighting Spirit of the Peacock”), reported SEAPA. The peacock is the symbol of the pro-democracy movement in Burma and of the banned National League for Democracy party (NLD). Aung Than is a member of the NLD.

In addition to being sentenced for publishing “anti-government” poems, both men were sentenced for associating with outlawed organisations and illegally crossing the Thai-Burma border.

Maung Maung Oo, owner of the printing shop where the book was published, and Sein Hlaing, who helped distribute the book, were sentenced to 14 and seven years in prison, respectively.

The NLD said it would appeal the decision. Six others who were arrested in connection with the publishing of the book were released after six days of interrogation, according to SEAPA.

Aung Than, Zeya Aung and Maung Maung Oo are reportedly being held at Insein prison in Rangoon, where other journalists and dissidents, including U Win Tin, have been detained under harsh conditions for years. Sein Hlaing is being held at a prison in Pegu.
Under Burma’s 1962 Printers and Publishers Registration Act, which was amended in 1989, offenders face a jail term of up to seven years and a fine of up to 30,000 Kyat (approx. US$5), notes SEAPA. The Act requires that all books, periodicals, song lyrics and motion picture scripts be submitted to the Press Scrutiny Board for approval.

According to Human Rights Watch, the human rights situation in Burma is as bleak today as at any point in the country’s recent history. Despite promises of political reform, the ruling military junta continues to ban virtually all opposition political activity and persecute democracy and human rights activists. More than 1,100 people are currently imprisoned for their political beliefs, and freedoms of expression, assembly, and association are non-existent.

The military junta has also increased attacks on ethnic minorities in eastern Burma, which has resulted in half a million internally displaced people and forced more than 700,000 others to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, the group says.

International pressure is building on the U.N. Security Council to take action on Burma. In an unprecedented action, more than 500 parliamentarians from 34 countries have signed a letter urging the Council to issue a binding resolution calling for national reconciliation in Burma.

Visit these links:

- SEAPA: http://www.seapabkk.org/newdesign/newsdetail.php?No=486
- RSF: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=16927
- Human Rights Watch: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/02/10/usint12658.htm
- CPJ: http://www.cpj.org/attacks05/asia05/burma_05.html
- Joint Letter to U.N. Security Council: http://tinyurl.com/hlds2
- Mizzima News: http://www.mizzima.com/
- Burma Media Association: http://www.bma-online.net/
- Burma Campaign: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/unitednations.php
- Irawaddy Magazine: http://www.irrawaddy.org/