Thailand: Arrest of Burmese students

THA 260198

The International Secretariat requests your URGENT intervention in the
following situation in Thailand.

Brief description of the situation:
The International Secretariat has been informed, by reliable sources,
of the arrest of nine Burmese students. Seven of them are facing
deportation to Burmese labour camps.

According to information received, nine Burmese students were
allegedly arrested, on 22 January 1998 at about 4 pm, at Ramkhamhaeng
University canteen by plainclothes police. Naing Oo and Gyi Oo who
were holding "safe area passes " were released. The remaining seven
have been moved from Hua Mark police station to the Immigration
Detention Centre in Bangkok. On 23 January 1998, they were summoned to
court and were charged as illegal immigrants.

The names of those arrested are : Aung Gyi, former ONSOB chair; Khin
Khin, case for protection under consideration by UNHCR; Nyein Myo,
husband of Khin Khin, case for protection under consideration by
UNHCR; Ko Thet, chairman ABBESU; U Myan, ONSOB member; Than Zin Htun;
Aye Chein. Several of them are student leaders. 

Last November at the same location, 21 Burmese students were arrested
and promptly transferred to the Immigration Detention Centre. They
were later deported to Mae Sot.

The International Secretariat is gravely concerned over the fact that
these students may face forced labour and other torture and violations
because of their student activism. During the past year a growing
incidence of harassment and arrests of Burmese nationals have taken
place. A significant number of targets were democracy activists
working in exile in Thailand. Some of these arrests were for the
purposes of extortion. However, it would now appear that arrests and
summary deportations are being conducted to fulfil government quotas
to push back "economic migrants" to Burma.

Action requested :
Please write to the authorities of Thailand urging them to :

i.	take all the necessary measures to guarantee the physical and
psychological integrity of Aung Gyi, Khin Khin, Nyein Myo, Ko Thet, U
Myan, Than Zin Htun and Aye Chein;

ii.	order their immediate release if they are detained without valid
legal charges or, if such charges exist, bring them before an
impartial and competent tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights
at all times;

iii.	ensure that Aung Gyi, Khin Khin, Nyein Myo, Ko Thet, U Myan, Than
Zin Htun and Aye Chein are not deported back to Burma where there are
risks of torture;

iv.	ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and
international standards.

Addresses :
PM Chuan Leekpai, Office of the Prime Minister, Government House
Nakhon Pathom Rd., Bangkok, 10300, Thailand. Fax
+662-2801443/+662-2812536/+662-2825131 The King of Thailand, HM Kig
Bhumibol Adulyadej,  c/o His Royal Secretary, Office of the King,
Bangkok, Thailand. Fax: + 66-2-280-0557/ +66-2-224-3259 United Nations
High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Bldg. 3 fl.,
Rajadamnern Rd., Bangkok, Thailand 10200. Fax: +662- 280-0555

Geneva, 26 January 1998

The Human Rights Action Network, a part of Derechos Human Rights, distributes appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations. You are invited to join the network. Please check the date of the present action and do not write if it's over a month old.