Burma/UK: Arbitrary arrest, detention and alleged enforced disappearance of lawyers in Myanmar

05/03/21

Who we wrote to

We wrote to the Ambassador of Myanmar in the United Kingdom

What’s the issue

We’re concerned about the military coup that took place in Myanmar and the violent repression of protesters, including through the firing of live ammunition which has resulted in numerous casualties.

These actions represent serious human rights abuses. We’re also alarmed by accounts of arbitrary arrests and detentions, as well as alleged enforced disappearances of lawyers.

We’re also alarmed about reports of ongoing intimidation and harassment of lawyers, as well as lawyers being prevented from providing legal assistance to detained protesters.

These actions deprive the citizens of Myanmar of their access to justice, violate international fair trial guarantees – including the right to have legal representation of one’s own choosing – and the principle of independence of the legal profession. These rights and principles are cornerstones of the rule of law and must be upheld.

We’re particularly concerned about the following cases:

[…]

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/campaigns/international-rule-of-law/intervention-letters/arrest-and-detention-of-lawyers-in-myanmar

https://www.irishlegal.com/article/law-societies-condemn-myanmar-military-coup

https://www.jurist.org/news/2021/03/myanmar-concern-grows-for-lawyers-and-law-students-arbitrarily-detained-after-military-coup/

Click to access EN_HRL_20210305_Myanmar_Situation-in-Myanmar-lawyers-under-threats.pdf

Myanmar: Security forces’ killings of protesters should be investigated as crimes against humanity

Myanmar Military Detain More Than 1,200 Since Coup

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=26842&LangID=E

Click to access A_HRC_46_56.pdf

https://aappb.org/?lang=en

https://www.democracynow.org/2021/3/4/headlines/at_least_38_killed_in_burma_in_deadliest_day_of_anti_coup_protests

#Myanmar Lettre @TheLawSociety au sujet de la disparition forcée et de l'arrestation des avocats Saw Chit Myint Lay, U Khin Maung Hla, U Nyan Win, U Kyaw Win Naing et U Kyaw Hoe https://t.co/BBVJ6p0yhn

— Patrick Henry (@patrhenry) March 5, 2021

#Myanmar #law pic.twitter.com/hUznK7w0fU

— LAW SOCIETY OF NI (@LawSociety_NI) March 3, 2021

Despite lethal crackdowns, the protesters keep returning to the streets across Myanmar. Here is the mass protest against the military junta on Friday morning in Mandalay. #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar #2021uprising pic.twitter.com/Bf6aNv706S

— Myanmar Now (@Myanmar_Now_Eng) March 5, 2021

DAILY UPDATE (04/03)

50+ killed due to the violent crackdowns.

1507 arrested, charged, or sentenced since 1 Feb

1200 actively persecuted

detention list https://t.co/36AH7JZqEz

fatality list https://t.co/sPqJX1wN7H

brief https://t.co/aYlFjYEWQq#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/LLrr46VWcx

— AAPP (Burma) (@aapp_burma) March 4, 2021

Just released my report to HR Council on the crisis in Myanmar: "While the future of Myanmar will be determined by its people, the intl community must act urgently & decisively to support them." I then recommend how. Link to news release & report here: https://t.co/6y4pXJQ83l pic.twitter.com/R3OfRtSNhu

— UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews (@RapporteurUn) March 4, 2021

UPDATE: My Interactive Dialogue at the #HumanRightsCouncil has been rescheduled to the morning of this Friday, 5 March.

— Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs (@MaryLawlorhrds) March 3, 2021

The systematic brutality of the military junta is once again on horrific display throughout Myanmar. I urge members of the UN Security Council to view the photos/videos of the shocking violence being unleashed on peaceful protesters before meeting in Friday's close-door session. pic.twitter.com/6owx7ybhcN

— UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews (@RapporteurUn) March 4, 2021

DAILY UPDATE (03/03)

Peaceful protestors were intentionally killed today

1498 arrested, charged, or sentenced since 1 Feb

1192 actively persecuted (detained, evading arrest warrant)

List https://t.co/RtJehcK1BF

Brief https://t.co/OgXKaBatVV#WhatishappeninginMyamar pic.twitter.com/Hd1T4jlMRb

— AAPP (Burma) (@aapp_burma) March 3, 2021

#Burma #Myanmar
At one point, a middle-aged protester walked back into the street, facing the police alone. “Shoot me, don’t shoot the young people!” he shouted.⁰⁰Later, teachers & lawyers assembled: “Almost all of our students have been arrested.” https://t.co/QQ4JylffnE

— Simon Cox (@SimonFRCox) March 2, 2021

"I just heard the sound of a gun shot." A law student in #Myanmar to @JURISTnews Tuesday evening MMT at home. "Too close. They are shooting around the city every night." Then: "It just stopped, I heard six gun shots and another one may be sound bomb." Terror. #March2Coup pic.twitter.com/v5ofCxjftt

— Bernard Hibbitts (@bernardhibbitts) March 2, 2021

Do you know someone in your town, village or city that does outstanding work to advance the rights of others? go ahead & nominate them for the #EUHRDAward2021. Nominations are open for another two weeks and you can download the nomination form here: https://t.co/F0qDugBqFk pic.twitter.com/1aDgu11RLo

— Denmark in Uganda (@DKinUganda) February 25, 2021

Police shooting guns and grenade to disperse anti-coup protesters in front of Yuzana Plaza in Tarmwe, #Yangon on March 2. Estimate 30 people were killed, over 1200 people arrested since Feb 1 coup.@RapporteurUn @UN @USUN @USAmbUN#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/laVV0VH0Ff

— Khin Zaw Myint (@RasallKhinzaw) March 2, 2021

1/2 SAC-M is ready to listen and stand with the people of #Myanmar. Marzuki Darusman @MarzukiDrsmn founding member of SAC-M says the message is clear. pic.twitter.com/CvaHxHiDjB

— Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (@SpecialCouncil) March 1, 2021

DAILY UPDATE (01/03)

1213 arrested, charged, or sentenced since 1 Feb

913 actively persecuted

List https://t.co/REkLhON9nX

Brief https://t.co/VM2hEZo3rn#Myanmar pic.twitter.com/CKPpqin2Jw

— AAPP (Burma) (@aapp_burma) March 2, 2021

Tagged: Burma, CCBE, International Commission of Jurists, Ireland, Northern Ireland, OHCHR, Scotland, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, United Kingdom, United Nations