Tin Oo, deputy leader of Myanmar’s National League for Democracy Party, talk to journalists at his home in Yangon after he was released Saturday from nearly seven years in detention. Photograph courtesy of MSNBC: World News.

Oo, now 82-years old, helped propel the National League for Democracy along with Suu Kyi. Authorities arrested Oo in May 2003 on politically motivated charges of disturbing public order after pro-government militias attacked the convoy carrying him and other opposition leaders. He has been held under an annually renewed detention order and denied access to visitors and fellow party leaders since 2003.

The release comes shortly before a United Nations envoy, Tomas Ojea Quintana, is scheduled to visit Myanmar on February 20. The visit is viewed by many as a status report, to evaluate the regime’s progress on human rights. Quintana is expected to meet several key ministers and members of the opposition during his five-day visit. He is also to tour Yangon’s notorious Insein prison and another prison in the northwestern state of Rakhine.

National League for Democracy Party spokesman, Nyan Win, said the party welcomes the U.N. envoy’s visit since gross human rights violations continue. According to Win, “His visit won’t be able to totally address the human rights issue but the visit can certainly cover human rights abuses.”

Mark Farmaner, director of the rights group Burma Campaign UK, commented on Oo’s release, stating it is “very welcome, but we should not attach any political significance to the release.  Burmese democracy activists are regularly released when the generals want to score points with the international community, and are then arrested again later.” Human rights groups say the junta holds some 2,100 political prisoners.

In commenting on his release, Oo said, “I am not happy with my freedom. I am very sorry about my colleagues who are still serving time in prisons.” Oo continues to pray for their early release at Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda. Oo, a one-time defense minister, said he hopes to continue to work for democracy. He wants to serve as vice chairman of the league, and coordinate political activities with Suu Kyi and the party’s 20-member Central Executive Committee.

For more information, please see:

Boston Globe – http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2010/02/14/myanmar_releases_deputy_leader_of_opposition_party/ – February 14, 2010

Human Rights Watch – Burma: Release Democracy Leader U Tin Oo – February 13, 2010

MSNBC: World News – Myanmar frees opposition figure after 7 years – February 13, 2010

Mizzima – Hope Mounts Over Tin Oo’s Release –  February 12, 2010

Author: Impunity Watch Archive