Amnesty says grave human rights violations continue in Myanmar

Nov 9, 2007, 13:29 GMT

London - Amnesty International said Friday it had new evidence of 'grave and ongoing' human rights violations in Myanmar despite government claims that normality had returned to the country.

'Widespread arbitrary detentions, hostage taking, beatings, torture in custody and enforced disappearances' disproved claims from the military rulers, a statement released by Amnesty in London said.

A briefing paper outlining the violations had been sent to the authorities in Myanmar ahead of the visit next week by Paulo Pinheiro, the United Nations' special rapporteur on human rights.

'Instead of protesting about interference in sovereignty, the Myanmar authorities must honour their promises of 'full cooperation' with the UN through full access for Pinheiro and full delivery of concrete human rights improvements identified by the UN Human Rights Council and Security Council,' Amnesty said.

The organization listed concern over the continued detention of some 700 political prisoners, including at least 15 individuals sentenced to prison terms of up to nine and a half years.

There was also concern over the 'official policy' of taking family members and friends as 'hostages' to force others to turn themselves in, as deaths in detention due to severe beatings and others forms of torture were being reported.

The authorities had so far failed to account for the number of people killed during the recent crackdown, and on the whereabouts of 72 people believed to have been victims of so-called enforced disappearances, Amnesty said.