A series of separate trials that concluded in Burma this week, resulting in the jailing of a former minister, a group of journalists and 9 farmers, have faced criticism from human rights organisations.
The three trials saw the defendants found guilty over charges of sedition, territorial disputes and “state defamation”.
Dave Mathieson, senior researcher in the Asia division of Human Rights Watch said,
The group of journalists, which included a media owner and publisher, had written an article in July claiming opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was to form an interim government. They were judged to have violated Article 505 (B) of the criminal law, which prohibits publishing statements that could cause public alarm and were sentenced to two years imprisonment each.
The three trials saw the defendants found guilty over charges of sedition, territorial disputes and “state defamation”.
Dave Mathieson, senior researcher in the Asia division of Human Rights Watch said,
“This is reminiscent of some of the darkest days of military rule... The legal system in this country is still used to intimidate critics of the government.”See more from the Financial Times here.
The group of journalists, which included a media owner and publisher, had written an article in July claiming opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was to form an interim government. They were judged to have violated Article 505 (B) of the criminal law, which prohibits publishing statements that could cause public alarm and were sentenced to two years imprisonment each.