His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon
Secretary-General of the United Nations
New York, New York 10017


Dear Secretary General,

I am writing to express my deep concern over the recent arrests and
detention of at least 150 persons who were involved in protests in
Myanmar after the sudden increase in fuel prices there of 15 August
2007.

As you are aware, since August 19 there have been repeated protests
against the sudden increase in costs of diesel, compressed natural
gas and ordinary petrol costs, which have already pushed up the
prices of daily commodities in the impoverished country: rice is
reported to have increased in cost by four to 13 per cent in Rangoon
alone during the last week, while split beans have increased by eight
to 18 per cent. Protests are so far reported to have occurred in
Yangon, Mandalay and Ayeyarwaddy Divisions.

Government-organised gangs, referred to as Swan-arshin, and members
of the quasi-official Union Solidarity and Development Association
(USDA) have broken up most of the protests and detained participants,
under the guidance of local council officials, special branch police
and army officials who are wearing plain clothes. They are not simply
"pro-government" gangs as widely reported. According to one news
report, they are being coordinated by a Myanmar Armed Forces officer,
Colonel Than Han, together with USDA secretary, U Aung Thaung. Col.
Than Han is also said to have been involved in the lethal May 2003
attack on a convoy carrying democracy leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and
her supporters at Depayin in upper Myanmar.

Since August 21 the authorities have been coming to houses and other
places and arresting the leaders of the protests. On August 22 the
state media reported that 13 persons belonging to the 88 Generation
Students Group were arrested, and on August 25 it reported that
"action will be taken against them in accord with the law". The 13
are being held at Insein Prison. But in addition, it is believed that
as of August 25 at least 65 persons have been detained and
interrogated. Among them, I wish to draw special attention to:

1. U Myint Aye, the leader of the Human Rights and Promoters and
Defenders group: taken by the Kyimyintaing Township Peace and
Development Council chairman, U Aung Kyaw Moe, and officials, along
with Special Branch police led by Deputy Superintendent Win Myint
from near his house at 11:30am on 24 August 2007, while he was taking
food in celebration of his wife's birthday to his in-laws.

2. Ko Htin Kyaw, the leader of the Myanmar Development Committee:
arrested with another member of his group, Ko Zaw Nyunt, a few
minutes into demonstrating nearby the Theingyi Market in Rangoon
around 1pm, 25 August 2007. According to onlookers, they were
assaulted as they were put into a waiting vehicle. Htin Kyaw and his
colleagues had organised protests against rising prices earlier in
the year but had been released after interrogation and
"re-education".

3. Solo protestors U Ohn Than and Aye Win: Ohn Than was arrested
outside the US embassy on 23 August 2007. He had in the past staged a
number of similar protests and been jailed repeatedly. Aye Win was
arrested in Bassein, Irrawaddy Division on August 24 for protesting
outside the main market. Both had been holding placards decrying the
increased fuel prices. Aye Win also had previously been jailed for
two years after the lethal attack on a convoy of democracy proponents
in Depayin during 2003.

Other persons reportedly arrested on August 24 include National
League for Democracy (NLD) members Ko Thein Myint, of Ward 54 in
South Dagon Township of Rangoon, who was punched while being taken by
a Special Branch officer as he was going to a protest at Tamwe; Ko
Nyunt Win and Ko Saw Lwin, taken from a number 56 public bus by USDA
members and fire brigade personnel led by Deputy Station Chief Htay
Aung; and Ko Aung Zaw of Ward 56 in South Dagon, also arrested by
USDA and fire brigade personnel.

There are also reports and photographs being circulated of vehicles
parked around central areas of Yangon to be used to make any arrests
the instant that protests occur. Other persons are still being sought
out by the authorities and have gone into hiding. Warrants for arrest
with photographs are said to be posted at the airport.

At this critical time the active involvement of the international
community is absolutely vital. People of Myanmar are looking for and
depending upon support from outside in order to emerge from the
decades of dictatorship under which they have been forced to subsist.
I therefore call upon you and all concerned agencies and mandates
within the United Nations system to take special responsibility to
see that the situation there obtain the highest attention and
priority in the days and weeks ahead.

Your swift intervention is crucial. I await it with the highest
expectations.

cc:1. Professor Ibrahim Gambari
Undersecretary General for Political Affairs
United Nations
S-3770A
New York
NY 10017
USA
Tel: +1 212 963 5055/ 0739
Fax: +1 212 963 5065/ 6940 (ATTN: UNDER SECRETARY GENERAL POLITICAL
AFFAIRS)
E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]>

2. Ms. Louise Arbour
High Commissioner
UN High Commission on Human Rights
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Fax: +41 22 917-9006 (ATTN: HIGH COMMISSIONER)

3. Mr. Doru Romulus Costea
President
UN Human Rights Council
c/o OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
(ATTN: PRESIDENT HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL)

4. Professor Paulo Sergio Pinheiro
Special Rapporteur on Myanmar
Attn: Mr. Laurent Meillan
c/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
(ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR MYANMAR)

5. Ms. Leila Zerrougui
Chairperson
Working Group on arbitrary detention
Attn: Mr Miguel de la Lama
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
(ATTENTION: WORKING GROUP ARBITRARY DETENTION)

6. Ms. Hina Jilani
Special Representative of the Secretary General for human rights
defenders
Att: Melinda Ching Simon
Room 1-040
C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
(ATTN: SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE HUMAN RIGHTS
DEFENDERS)

7. Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo
Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression
c/o J Deriviero
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
(ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION)

8. Homayoun Alizadeh
Regional Representative
OHCHR Regional Office for Southeast Asia
Room 601, Block A, 6th Floor
UN Building
Rajdamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok, 10200
THAILAND