nld 1999 number 38

National League for Democracy

NO (97/B), West Shwegondine Road

Bahan, Rangoon

Statement No: 38(3/99)

Contents of letter dated 23 February 1999 from the Chairman, National

League for Democracy to the Chairman of the Chairman of the State Peace

and Development Council is reproduced and published for the information

of all.

START

" Subject- Illegal action by the authorities against a member of NLD

organising committee and the unlawful harassment and obstructing to

prevent the family from earning an income.

1. U Kyaw San, NLD organising committee member for Prome Township was

arrested by the power-holding-authorities for distributing NLD Statement

Number 4(1/99) dated 6 January 1999, and our information is that they

are planning to proceed against him unjustly.

2. The Statements issued by the NLD are legitimate publications and as a

legal activity of a lawfully constituted organisation is permitted under

the law. To take action against a person for distribution of a legal

publication is extremely unjust, bullying, and browbeating behaviour.

Therefore, we emphatically ask for his immediate release.

3. More than that, U Kyaw San and his family members earn their

livelihood by fortune-telling in the Pagoda precincts. Since the 8

February, the place has been shut down and their means of livelihood has

been terminated. This illegal action (arbitrarily depriving a person of

his means of livelihood) against family members who are not in any way

connected with U Kyaw San's political activity is harsh and inhuman. We

have also heard that from the date of his arrest (22 January 1999) to

this date U Kyaw San has been denied permission to have a bath and as a

result is in a state of worry and depression.

4. We object and protest these inhuman and despicable behaviour and

emphasise the request to refrain from denying families the right to

continue with their legitimate means of livelihood. " END

Central Executive Committee

National League for Democracy

Rangoon

5 March 1999