Treason Allegations Against Burma's Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin U and other NLD Leaders

Janelle Saffin Convenor of the Burma/Myanmar Sub Committee of the Australian Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ASICJ) today challenged military strong man Gen Than Shwe to deny the allegation that he is planning to charge Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi with 'treason'.

The streets of Rangoon are alive with this coming from trusted sources close to the military junta's State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), and the usual tactic of trying to force people to sign declarations that Aung San Suu Kyi and others were involved in "acts" that are offences against the state, and General Than Shwe's mission to convince neighbours that the events of the 30th May were caused by her," said Ms Saffin. "The idea is preposterous, there is no evidence, and no one believes him."

"The problem is that in military ruled Burma, the state is the Tatmadaw cum SPDC, which is General Than Shwe; there is no separation in practice or thinking, so any perceived threat to General Than Shwe is taken to be an "act" against the state."

"To charge Aung San Suu Kyi with treason or a similar charge is so unthinkable that it can't be true; surely even General Than Shwe could not do this to the daughter of Burma's hero Bogyoke Aung San. He, Aung San, would turn in his grave to think that his beloved Tatmadaw (Army) could do this to his only daughter."

Ms Saffin stated that, "If General Than Shwe does this he alone will be responsible for leading his country to destruction. Those who serve him loyally as good military men and civil servants do will be led down this path with him. What is needed now is for those with cooler heads to use all persuasion to ensure that this does not happen."

"Aung San Suu Kyi is mentally prepared for any action no matter how draconian, but is the country prepared for draconian action against them if she and other leaders are charged with treason or similar."

The offence of treason is found in Burma's Penal Code, Sections 121-124, and the penalty is death or transportation. State sanctioned death has not been carried out for some time in Burma, and where it has been imposed as a sentence it has been commuted to lengthy prison terms. Transportation is a hangover from the colonial days which the Acts in Burma's thirteen volume codes are based on, but the fact is it is still on the books.

"It is clear that General Than Shwe would love to see the last of Aung San Suu Kyi but to forcibly remove her from the people by incarcerating her for a long time or even thinking of removing her from her country would bring internal outcry and international condemnation and the intervention he so fears."

Ms Saffin continued, "That in informing a key regional and international political actor of this 'allegation' he responded with incredulity and the assurance that if this course of action was pursued by General Than Shwe that is charging Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin U and others that the only option left was to unseat General Than Shwe's State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) at the United Nations General Assembly.

"No body wants this and it is up to General Than Shwe to ensure that this does not happen. He can exercise good sense and become part of the solution as have others before him notably leaders from South Africa, Indonesia, Thailand and others, by releasing Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin U and others and committing to dialogue and a peaceful transition," concluded Ms Saffin.

CONTACT JANELLE SAFFIN ON 61-1-8149943 (hand) THAILAND