International Crisis

Burmese junta hands down ridiculous prison sentences

A POPULAR comedian active in Burma’s democracy movement was sentenced to 45 years in jail last Nov. 21 for criticizing the junta’s slow response to cyclone Nargis, videotaping the damage and organizing his own relief efforts—what International Free Expression Exchange (IFEX) member organizations are calling a “historical low point” for free expression in Burma. Cyclone Nargis tore up Rangoon and the Irrawaddy Delta in May 2008.

Zarganar, “Burma’s Charlie Chaplin,” was sentenced to 45 years for “creating dissatisfaction towards state and government” and violating the Electronics Act, which regulates electronic communications.
Sports columnist Zaw Thet Htwe and Thant Zin Aung meanwhile were sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment each, and Tin Maung Aye received a 29-year sentence , for similar roles in the cyclone relief efforts. All four activists still face other charges.

Human Rights Watch described the jailing of Zarganar (which means “Tweezers”) as “a cruel joke on the Burmese people,” adding that it was “a bigger joke on those abroad who still think ignoring repression in Burma will bring positive change.”

An outspoken satirist of the junta, Zarganar was arrested in June, shortly after he gave interviews to overseas news outlets such as the BBC criticizing the junta’s response to the disaster. The day after his arrest, state-controlled media published warnings against sending video footage of relief work to foreign news agencies, said the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

The government appears to be expediting the trials of journalists, lawyers, poets and activists, many involved in the relief efforts or last year’s monk-led protests, said CPJ. More than 100 activists have been sentenced to harsh prison terms in the past two weeks, including 65-year sentences each for key members of the so-called 88 Generation of activists, and 68 years to Ashin Gambira, the leader of the monks’ alliance that led last year’s anti-government uprising.

Amnesty International says the junta holds more than 2,100 political prisoners, up sharply from nearly 1,200 in June 2007,before the pro-democracy demonstrations.

In the wake of Cyclone Nargis, Zarganar told the news magazine The Irrawaddy, “I am not happy with the UN. Why are they so concerned with the government’s endorsement of their relief work? They should have taken more risks.”

Bill on lese majeste proposed

IN AN apparent step backward for free expression, a bill aimed at penalizing people making defamatory remarks against the Thai monarchy online has been proposed by a group of MPs from the opposition Democrat Party last Nov. 18.

The Bangkok-based The Nation also reported that the proposed law would also punish those who wrongly accuse or attempt to frame others of such a wrongdoing.

This development came as defamatory or contemptuous remarks against the monarchy have reportedly risen.

Under the bill, anyone uploading inaccurate content about the monarchy on the Internet or a computer system faces a jail term of between three to 20 years or a fine ranging from Bt200,000 (approximately P275,000) to Bt800,000 (approximately P1.1 million).

Those uploading defamatory or contemptuous content about the monarchy face, on the other hand, imprisonment of five to 20 years or a fine of between Bt300,000 (approximately P413,000) to Bt800,000 (approximately P1.1 million). The proposed law will also punish anyone falsely accusing others of such wrongdoings, with imprisonment of three to 20 years and a fine ranging from Bt200,000 (approximately P275,000) to Bt800,000 (approximately P1.1 M).

It also seeks to punish people hiring others to do the job for them, the Internet service provider or computer system administrator who fails to cooperate, as well as repeat offenders.
The main proponent of the bill, Democrat MP Piraphan Saliratviphak, earlier proposed legal amendments regarding lese majeste.—SEAPA

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