The Death of Phyo Wai Aung: Myanmar’s Brutal Institutions Claim Another Victim

At the twentieth session of the Human Rights Council, the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) drew the attention of delegates—not for the first time—to the case of Phyo Wai Aung, a young man falsely convicted of involvement in a bombing attack during 2010 that killed 10 people and injured scores […]

Myanmar: Respect Appeal of Deceased Phyo Wai Aung to Have His Name Cleared

We are taking the unusual step today of writing to the four chairpersons of parliamentary committees in Myanmar pursuant to a letter sent to the four of you dated 26 November 2012 by Phyo Wai Aung, the young man falsely accused and tortured to confess of involvement in the April 2010 Myanmar New Year festival bombing in Yangon […]

Burma: Investigate Death of Former Political Prisoner

AAPP is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of former political prisoner Phyo Wai Aung. He passed away due to liver cancer at his home in Rangoon on 4 January 2012, only 5 months after his release from Insein prison where he served 2 years […]

BURMA: In memoriam: Phyo Wai Aung, a Courageous Fighter Against Inhuman Abuse

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is greatly aggrieved to learn of the tragic death of Phyo Wai Aung in Rangoon, Burma during the early morning hours of 4 January 2013. Phyo Wai Aung was an aspiring young electrical engineer with a loving family […]

UN Special Rapporteur Calls for Investigations, Accountability and Reconciliation in Burma

Last week, Tomás Ojea Quintana, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma undertook his sixth visit to the country. His statement upon leaving Rangoon touched on many crucial issues, including the release of political prisoners, the situation in Arakan State and the need for a truth commission.

Quintana welcomed the release of Phyo Wai Aung, a young man falsely accused, tortured and imprisoned for his alleged involvement in bombings during the Thingyan water festival in 2010. While this was a welcome gesture from President Thein Sein, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reports that there are an estimated 448 political prisoners still behind bars. Each of these individuals must be released immediately, for as Quintana himself stated, “National reconciliation and democratic transition cannot move forward without this necessary step” […]

Statement of the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar

I have just concluded my six-day mission to Myanmar – my sixth visit to the country since I was appointed Special Rapporteur in March 2008. I would like to express my appreciation to the Government of Myanmar for its invitation, and for the cooperation and flexibility shown during my visit, in particular for my visit to Rakhine State […]

Burma: AHRC Welcomes Release of Phyo Wai Aung; Calls for Redress

The Asian Human Rights Commission has welcomed the release from prison on an amnesty today of Phyo Wai Aung, a young man falsely accused, tortured and imprisoned over the April 2010 bombing, and has called for him and other freed victims of gross abuses of human rights in Burma to receive rehabilitation and redress […]

Burma: Allow Early Release of 3 Political Prisoners Facing Imminent Threats to Life Due to Critical Health Conditions

The health conditions of 3 political prisoners in Burma have entered a critical stage, with the 3 inmates now facing imminent threats to their life if they continue to be held in adverse prison conditions. To prevent any further declines in their health, AAPP urgently requests the government of Burma to immediately allow Phyo Wai Aung, Sunny also known as San Shar, and Mira Mauth also known as Mayra Math early medical leave from prison on humanitarian grounds […]

Burma: Release Critically Ill Phyo Wai Aung Without Delay

An Open Letter from the Asian Human Rights Commission to the President of Burma, Thein Sein.

Dear Mr. President:

You will be aware that the case of 32-year-old Phyo Wai Aung, accused of involvement in the April 2010 bombing of the Burmese New Year’s water festival in Yangon, has attracted a great deal of attention both in your home country and abroad […]

Phyo Wai Aung: Catalogue of Human Rights Abuses Stain the Lawfulness of his Trial

Phyo Wai Aung, 31 years, a construction contractor arrested on 22 April 2010 on charges of being involved in the 15 April bombing in Rangoon, Burma that killed 10 and injured 168, is slated to formally receive his verdict on 8 May at 1p.m.

From the moment of his initial arrest, the case of Phyo Wai Aung has been profoundly marred by major human rights violations […]