Stop Execution of Five Pro-Democracy Activists in Myanmar, Now! Southeast Asian MPs say

Jakarta, 19 September 2024 – The ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) is deeply troubled by receiving a report from a reliable source that five (5) democracy activists will be executed on 24 September 2024.

They are – Zaryaw Phyo (32), San Min Aung (24), Kyaw Win Soe (33), Kaung Pyae Sone Oo (27) and Myat Phyo Pwint (unknown) who were sentenced to death on 18 May 2023 in a closed-door hearing at the Yangon’s Insein Prison for their alleged involvement in a deadly shooting on a train in Yangon in 2021. They were charged with murder and illegal weapons under several statutes, including the 1949 Arms Act and a 2014 Counterterrorism Law.

APHR urgently demands that the State Administration Council (SAC) refrain from this arbitrary execution and immediately release them unconditionally.

Mercy Chriesty Barends, APHR Chairperson and Indonesian MP. ©APHR2024

“We call upon the SAC to immediately release them and ensure that, pending their release, the detention conditions comply with international standards, including access to legal representation, medical care, and contact with their family,” Mercy Chriesty Barends, APHR Chairperson and member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives.

“The use of capital punishment as a tool to suppress dissent is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms,” said Wong Chen, APHR Board Member and Malaysia member of parliament.

Wong Chen, APHR Board Member and Malaysian MP. ©APHR2024

Local media have reported that their sentences were given by the civilian judiciary rather than a military court since the coup. Their execution will take place later this month. APHR is alarmed by the use of the death penalty and how these trials were conducted. These actions represent a grievous infringement of human rights and a blatant disregard for international legal standards.

“It is particularly disconcerting that this marks the first instance of the civilian judiciary, rather than a military tribunal, issuing death sentences since the coup, signalling a disturbing shift in the judicial proceedings in Myanmar”, stated Kasit Piromya, APHR Board Member and Thailand former member of parliament.

Kasit Piromya, APHR Board Member and former Thai MP. ©APHR2024

Over a hundred post-coup prisoners are currently on death row, and the Junta military regime has sentenced another 42 people to death in absentia, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

“These executions show a significant setback and the absence of political will from the SAC to implement the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus meaningfully,” said Arlene D. Brosas, APHR Board Member and the Philippine Member of Parliament.

She further said, “APHR calls on the SAC to immediately cease all acts of violence, free all political prisoners and those arbitrarily detained and return the democratisation process back to the country”.

APHR remains committed to advocating for the rights of those unjustly detained and will continue to monitor the situation closely, offering support and calling for accountability and the restoration of democratic governance in Myanmar. APHR also calls upon the international community to stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar in their struggle for democracy, justice, and human rights.