*EPF307 05/07/2003
Text: Senator Kohl Says Burmese Government Abused Dr. Salai Tun Than
(Wisconsin senator takes up case of man jailed for petition) (370)

Senator Herbert Kohl (Democrat of Wisconsin) in remarks to the Senate May 6 criticized Burma's military rulers for their persecution of Dr. Salai Tun Than, a 75-year-old man who was jailed for seven years for distributing a petition calling for political reform.

"I am saddened by the conditions in which Dr. Tun Than and other prisoners in Burma have had to live," Kohl said, "It is my hope that the Burmese Government will recognize religious and human rights, not only to their prisoners but to their general populace as well."

Senator Kohl serves on both the Senate Appropriations Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Following is the text of Senator Kohl's May 6 remarks from the Congressional Record:

(begin text)

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN BURMA

Senate

May 06, 2003

Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise today to call attention to the gross violations of human and religious rights in Burma. Dr. Salai Tun Than, a University of Wisconsin alumni, who was released over the weekend in Burma, initiated a hunger strike protesting the human and religious rights violations at the prison where he was held. Dr. Tun Than had been serving a 7-year prison sentence in Burma for handing out copies of a petition demanding political reforms.

Dr. Tun Than, 75, has severe health problems that required medical treatment, which he was not granted. The conditions that he and other prisoners endured were violations of international human rights laws. Restrictions on communications between prisoners, unsanitary prison conditions and forced "hooding" as prisoners were transported outside are examples of the violations. As a Christian, Dr. Tun Than also was protesting violations in religious freedom which included not being allowed a Bible or to receive Communion.

During my Senate career I have been an advocate for human rights and religious freedoms for every individual across the globe. I am saddened by the conditions in which Dr. Tun Than and other prisoners in Burma have had to live. It is my hope that the Burmese Government will recognize religious and human rights, not only to their prisoners, but to their general populace as well.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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