6 labor right activists in Myanmar jailed for up to 28 years

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/09/08/asia/AS-GEN-Myanmar-Jailed-Activists.php

The Associated Press
Published: September 8, 2007

YANGON, Myanmar: Six labor activists were given jail sentences of up to 28 years by a court in Myanmar for organizing a seminar at a U.S. Embassy center earlier this year, a defense lawyer said Saturday.

At a hearing Friday inside Insein prison in northern Yangon, all six were found guilty of bringing "hatred or contempt" to the government, lawyer Aung Thein said. Some were also convicted of having links to illegal associations and violating immigration laws.

The six — all in their 20s — had planned to discuss labor rights at the U.S. Embassy's American Center in the country's biggest city, Yangon, but it was canceled after a few participants were arrested.

Thurein Aung, Wai Lin, Myo Min and Kyaw Win were sentenced to 28 years in prison. Nyi Nyi Zaw and Kyaw Kyaw were given 20 years in jail.

Aye Aye Cho, the mother of Nyi Nyi Zaw, said her son was "unfairly and unlawfully" sentenced.

"The court did not find any incriminating document or evidence against them," Aye Aye Cho said. "They had not done anything to cause disrespect toward the government. What has been done is a violation of their human rights."

FULL story at link.