Federation of TradeUnions – Burma
Responsibilities & Rights
I
nternational Contact:SEIU Bldg, 2005-C1800 Mass Ave: N.W.Washington, DC 20036
April 8, 2009For more information:U Maung Maung, General Secretary, Tel./Thailand: (66-86) 090 5672Email: maungmng@gmail.com
Burmese military regime arrests trade union members in Burma:FTUB unlawfully detained, likely tortured
On April 1, 2009, five members of the Federation Trade Unions Burma (FTUB) werearrested in their homes in Rangoon after returning from border areas where theyhad participated as delegates in the 1
st
National Congress of FTUB. The fivemembers are likely being held in interrogation centers in the Rangoon area whereit is believed they are being tortured. These FTUB members have served as non-violent advocates and campaigners for workers’ rights and the improvement of wages and working conditions for workers inside Burma. While the charges onwhich they were arrested have not been announced, the FTUB strongly condemnsthese unlawful arrests. The FTUB members arrested on April 1 are the following:
1.
U Zaw Myint Aung (49 years old, Teacher, South Okkalapa, Rangoon)
2.
U Soe Oo (37 years old, Textile Factory Worker, Shwe Pyi Thar,Rangoon)
3.
Maung Tun Nyein (22 years old, Worker, Shwe Hninsi Textile factory,Hlaing Thayar, Rangoon)
4.
Ms. Khine Lin Myat (22 years old, Worker, UMH Textile factory)
5.
Ms. Shwe Yi Nyunt (25 years old, Nurses Aide and Law Student, Universityof WesternRangoon, and Member, FTUB Women’s Committee)In addition, the FTUB has learned that an unspecified number of family membersof these five persons were also arrested, and these family members have beenthreatened and put under pressure in an effort by the military authorities tocompel cooperation from the five detained FTUB members.FTUB strongly demands the following:1. U Zaw Myint Aung, U Soe Oo, Maung Tun Nyein, Ma Khine Lin Myat, MaShwe Yi Nyunt must be released immediately and unconditionally.
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