• Urgent Action

Urgent Action: UNION LEADER SENTENCED TO SEVEN YEARS IN PRISON (Myanmar 38.24)

May 7, 2024

Thet Hnin Aung, a prominent trade union leader, was sentenced to seven years in prison with hard labor following a secret trial and after five months of being forcibly disappeared. His arrest occurred the same day he was released from prison, after serving a two-year sentence (2021-2023) for his activism in the Civil Disobedience Movement. In addition to ongoing health concerns that require daily medication, there are grave fears for Thet Hnin Aung’s wellbeing as he has already endured torture and other ill-treatment during his prior imprisonment. The Myanmar military must immediately and unconditionally release Thet Hnin Aung.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: June 24, 2024

take action:

  • Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
  • Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 38.24. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.

contact information:

Head of the Myanmar Military, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing

Defense Services Commander-in-Chief’s Office

Ministry of Defense Tatmadaw,

Information Technology Department, Office No.3

15015, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar

Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Myanmar in the United States

His Excellency Ambassador Aung Lynn

2300 S Street,

NW, Washington DC 20008

Email: [email protected]

OR

[email protected]

sample letter:

To the Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Head of the Myanmar Military,

I am gravely concerned about the re-arrest of Thet Hnin Aung on June 26, 2023, the same day as his release from Zaymathwe Prison, after serving two years for his active participation in the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Thet Hnin Aung was subjected to a secret military trial, where he was not present, nor was he allowed to be legally represented. In addition to receiving the maximum punishment available, this is the first time that a labor activist has not only forcibly been disappeared, but also charged with such a severe sentence. 

Of further concern, Thet Hnin Aung’s family are particularly worried for his health. Suffering from hearing loss and a troublesome digestive system, he requires daily medication. These health problems are direct results of the torture and other ill-treatment he endured during his prior imprisonment.  

Peaceful dissent is a human right. Therefore, I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release Thet Hnin Aung from arbitrary detention and guarantee his immediate access to necessary medical care.

Yours sincerely, 

[YOUR NAME]

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: