The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), have asked for an urgent intervention in the following situation, according to a press release on July 24.

According to the information received, on July 23, Daw Su Su Nway was arrested by police in Intagaw, Pegu Township, Pegu Division, after meeting with farmers involved in a land confiscation dispute on her way back to Yangon. Daw Su Su Nway had been meeting with farmers who were seeking the return of land that the military had confiscated from them in Nyaunglebin Township in 2003.

The same day, a court in Pegu Division charged Daw Su Su Nway under Article 447 of the Criminal Code (trespassing) and sent her to Pegu Prison. Daw Su Su Nway denied the charges and turned down bail, which had been granted by the court.

In early June, police in Intagaw informed Da Su Su Nway that a local Army commander, Captain Hein Zaw, had filed charges against her for trespassing. She had refused to answer the charge. Her trial is set to begin on July 29.

Daw Su Su Nway has previously been detained on various occasions between 2005 and 2007. She was eventually released along with hundreds of other political prisoners during an October 12, 2011 presidential amnesty.

The Observatory said it condemns the arrest and judicial harassment of Daw Su Su Nway, which seem merely aimed at sanctioning her peaceful human rights activities, and calls upon the Myanmar authorities to release her immediately and unconditionally.