APRIL CHRONOLOGY 2016

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Page9 CONCLUSION April saw a total of 163 charges dropped against activists awaiting trial for political actions and 70 political prisoners released in a presidential pardon. The release of scores of political activists is an important and essential step in Burma’s democratisation process and can be seen as a demonstration of the new government’s commitment to breaking the cycle of political arrest and imprisonment and addressing human rights violations in the country. While the releases this month were a positive step, 64 political prisoners remain incarcerated and scores more continue to face trial for their political actions. Many of those that remain incarcerated are members of ethnic minorities charged and sentenced under the Unlawful Association Act. In the interest of national reconciliation - purported to be the motivation behind this month’s releases- it is imperative that that the remaining activists convicted and facing trial on politically motivated charges be immediately and unconditionally released. ● ● ● In the interest of national reconciliation, it is imperative that that the remaining activists convicted and facing trial on politically motivated charges be immediately and unconditionally released. The amendment or abolishment of repressive legislation used to detain political activists remains a priority under the new government. This month at least 25 more activists have been charged for peacefully exercising their rights, demonstrating that as long as repressive and outdated legislation remains in Burma, activists and human rights defenders will remain at risk of arrest and imprisonment for peaceful activities. Sentences continued to be handed down under the Unlawful Association Act this month to 13 Arakanese and the two Muslim interfaith activists. The continued use of this law evidences the urgent need for legislative reform and signals the continued oppression of ethnic minority groups. ● ● ● Furthermore, charges against Yay Pu Sayadaw and the sentencing of U Gambira - both former political prisoners previously convicted for their involvement in leading peaceful protests - demonstrates that authorities continue to harbor resentment toward former political prisoners and further reiterates the need for legislative reform so that laws cease to be used arbitrarily by authorities to detain activists. It has been reported that the Upper House Bill Committee started addressing this issue on April 26, by reviewing controversial laws that have been used to detain political activists. The first laws to be reviewed are the Peaceful Assembly Law and the Emergency Provisions Act. The committee will decide on amendments or even abolishment of the laws and submit their proposals to parliament. It is important that civil society be included in these discussions and that the process is open and transparent. AAPP hopes for the ongoing release of political prisoners until there are no more political prisoners in Burma. However, given the struggles former political prisoners face upon release, including health problems and barriers to employment, it is essential that the government starts planning restorative and rehabilitation programs and laws to assist former political prisoners in rebuilding their lives. As part of this a formal definition and recognition of political prisoner needs to be adopted. April Chronology <strong>2016</strong>
Page10 REFERENCES April 1 Police Detain Solo Protester (Narinjara/Burmese) Patrick Khum Jaa Lee Released After Imprisonment for Facebook Post (Myanmar Times) Patrick Khum Jaa Lee Released After Imprisonment for Facebook Post (Irrawaddy) Patrick Khum Jaa Lee Released After Imprisonment for Facebook Post (RFA/Burmese) Patrick Khum Jaa Lee Released After Imprisonment for Facebook Post (Mizzima/Burmese) Investigations Stopped on Par Gyi Case (DVB) April 2 Patrick Khum Jaa Lee Released After Imprisonment for Facebook Post (Eleven) Patrick Khum Jaa Lee Released After Imprisonment for Facebook Post (Mizzima) April 4 Six youths Sentenced for Arakan Army (AA) Ties (DVB/Burmese) Six youths Sentenced for Arakan Army (AA) Ties (Irrawaddy/Burmese) Six youths Sentenced for Arakan Army (AA) Ties (Narinjara/Burmese) April 5 Six youths Sentenced for Arakan Army (AA) Ties (Narinjara) Patrick Khum Jaa Lee Released After Imprisonment for Facebook Post (Myanmar Times/Burmese) April 6 Six Arakanese Convicted (Narinjara/Burmese) Six Activists Charged for Holding a Praying Ceremony Last Year (RFA/Burmese) April 7 Aung San Suu Kyi Outlines Plans to Free Political Prisoners (Myanmar Times) Aung San Suu Kyi Outlines Plans to Free Political Prisoners (RFA) Aung San Suu Kyi Outlines Plans to Free Political Prisoners (Irrawaddy) Aung San Suu Kyi Outlines Plans to Free Political Prisoners (Coconuts Yangon) Aung San Suu Kyi Outlines Plans to Free Political Prisoners (Irrawaddy/Burmese) Aung San Suu Kyi Outlines Plans to Free Political Prisoners (VOA/Burmese) Aung San Suu Kyi Outlines Plans to Free Political Prisoners (RFA/Burmese) Aung San Suu Kyi Outlines Plans to Free Political Prisoners (BBC/Burmese) Aung San Suu Kyi Outlines Plans to Free Political Prisoners (BBC/Burmese) April 8 Muslim Interfaith Activists Sentenced to Two More Years in Prison (Irrawaddy) Muslim Interfaith Activists Sentenced to Two More Years in Prison (RFA/Burmese) Muslim Interfaith Activists Sentenced to Two More Years in Prison (Mizzima/Burmese) Arakan Youth Bo Than Sentenced (Narinjara/Burmese) Six Arakanese Convicted (Narinjara) Six youths Sentenced for Arakan Army (AA) Ties (Mizzima) Student Activists Released under Amnesty (DVB) Student Activists Released under Amnesty (Mizzima) Student Activists Released under Amnesty (Irrawaddy) Student Activists Released under Amnesty (Myanmar Times) Student Activists Released under Amnesty (RFA/Burmese) Student Activists Released under Amnesty (VOA/Burmese) Student Activists Released under Amnesty (Mizzima/Burmese) USDP Leader Released After Time Served (Mizzima/Burmese) Solo Protester Released after completing his sentence (DVB/Burmese) Patrick Khum Jaa Lee Released After Imprisonment for Facebook Post (Mizzima/Burmese) Six Activists Charged for Holding a Praying Ceremony Last Year (Eleven/Burmese) Aung San Suu Kyi Outlines Plans to Free Political Prisoners (Mizzima) Aung San Suu Kyi Outlines Plans to Free Political Prisoners (Eleven) Aung San Suu Kyi Outlines Plans to Free Political Prisoners (Myanmar Times) April 10 Arakan Youth Bo Than Sentenced (Narinjara) April 17 Six youths Sentenced for Arakan Army (AA) Ties (BBC/Burmese) Six youths Sentenced for Arakan Army (AA) Ties (Mizzima/Burmese) 83 Prisoners Receive Presidential Pardon (DVB) 83 Prisoners Receive Presidential Pardon (Mizzima) 83 Prisoners Receive Presidential Pardon (BBC/Burmese) 83 Prisoners Receive Presidential Pardon (DVB/Burmese) 83 Prisoners Receive Presidential Pardon (Eleven/Burmese) 83 Prisoners Receive Presidential April Chronology <strong>2016</strong>
Page 1 and 2: APRIL CHRONOLOGY 2016 Summary of th
Page 3 and 4: Page2 ARBITRARY DETENTIONS Police D
Page 5 and 6: Page4 RELEASES More Charges Dropped
Page 7 and 8: Page6 DEMONSTRATIONS & RESTRICTIONS
Page 9: Page8 RELATED HUMAN RIGHTS NEWS Upp

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