August 5, 2004

1- The Burmese junta detains and imprisons several elected Members of Parliament (MP). After their release, the junta forces them not to continue their political activities by pressuring and intimidating them.

2. Myint Thein (MP, Chauk Constituency 1, Magwe Division) allowed the Chauk Township NLD branch office to work out of his residency. The NLD branch office was sealed shut after NLD leaders and members were attacked on May 30, 2003 in middle Burma. Many NLD offices were sealed shut around Burma. As a result, he and his wife had to stay separately in the residencies of their friends and relatives. He was detained for three years in 1998 July.

3. Shan State (North) Additional Police Force Commander, Police Col. Win Naing, has been putting pressure on elected MPs. In May, he pressured Than Htay (MP of Lashio Constituency 2, Shan State) to resign as an elected MP.
Radio Free Asia (RFA) interviewed him about the pressure against him. RFA aired the interview on June 26 as follows:

Than Htay: Commander Police Col. Win Naing of the Shan State Police Force received me in his office. He urged me to cooperate with them. He also said that nothing will happen even if our party (NLD) stays alive. I disagreed with his proposal.

RFA: When did you meet with him?

Than Htay: It was about 4th of this month. However, he had contacted me for a long time.

RFA: How did you respond when they pressured you?

Than Htay: The people had already voted for us because they trust on us. It is our responsibility to work for them. Therefore, I clearly said, “While you the police officers are serving to the State, we will give our lives to work (for the people).

RFA: Did they talk and pressure you before?

Than Htay: Of course. When I was detained in 1996, intelligence personnel pressured us.

RFA: Were you pressured when you were detained in 1998-1999?

Than Htay: Of course.

RFA: As you refused to resign, were there any other pressures for you?

Than Htay: There were definitely pressures for me. Four years ago, I ran an electronic machine shop. (The authorities) said that it is a State owned apartment and (they) occupied it. Moreover, the Thazin Café at my house was forced to close about six years ago.
However, cafes and teashops were growing up around my house. (The authorities) gave many reasons (to me) and forced to close only my café.

RFA: What do you do for the survival of your family?

Than Htay: I rent an expensive place to run a shop. I have knowledge related to electronics. So, repairing electronic machines is the way I make money.
I participate in (political activities), and it is not for me or my family. It is for the country. That is why I do not resign from the NLD and being a people’s representative. I believe that I can effectively work for the people that reliably voted for me. So, I will not betray them. I will continue my activities.
Than Tun, vice chairperson of Lashio Township NLD branch, rented a shop last month. The shop is located in front of Police Department and it is for fund raising by the Police Department staff. Three days after he opened the shop, it was (forced to) close.

4. The people of Burma elected these MPs in the 1990 general election. The current military regime sponsored it. However, the regime still neglects to transfer the power to the people's
representatives. We denounce the military regime's harassing of elected MPs.

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)