US Says Sentencing of American Can Damage Relations

WASHINGTON — The US government and various lawmakers have urged  the Burmese military junta to immediately release a  US human rights activist, saying his 3-year imprisonment could hinder the ongoing dialogue between the two countries.

Saying his conviction was based on politically motivated charges, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P. J. Crowley said the Obama administration considers the sentence unjustified.

“The United States is deeply concerned by the Burmese authorities' decision to convict US citizen Kyaw Zaw Lwin (aka Nyi Nyi Aung) on politically motivated charges,” he said in a statement issued on Wednesday. 

“We continue to urge the Burmese regime to release him and allow him to return home to the United States,” Crowley said.

The US House majority leader, Steny H. Hoyer, said: “I am disappointed with the Burmese junta’s decision today, and urge them to release Nyi Nyi Aung immediately.”

As the US seeks a new approach to Burma, its treatment of Nyi Nyi Aung, a resident of Hoyer's home state of Maryland, seriously hinders that effort, Hoyer said.

“Reports of torture and denying him access to consular services through the U.S. Embassy is completely unacceptable. I will continue to work with House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman and the Obama administration to secure the release of Nyi Nyi Aung,” the House majority leader said.

Howard Berman, the chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, said, "The sentencing of Nyi Nyi Aung is a serious impediment to improved relations with the United States at a time when our country has embarked on a new approach toward Burma."

"Months after this new approach was announced, it is disappointing that the junta has failed to
respond to formal diplomatic complaints regarding his reported severe mistreatment, including allegations of torture and repeated, lengthy denials of access to consular services through the U.S. embassy," he said.

Berman called on the US departments of state and treasury to consider tightening sanctions on the Burmese regime, in keeping with the Obama administration policy to encourage progress in human rights.

In December, Berman led 53 members of Congress in writing a letter to the top official of the Burmese government, Snr-Gen Than Shwe, calling for Nyi Nyi Aung's release and return to the United States.

Berman also called on the administration to appoint a special representative and policy coordinator to Burma, as required by law under the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act, in order to promote a comprehensive international effort to restore civilian democratic rule, address the urgent humanitarian needs of Burma's people and work for the release of all political prisoners there.

Nyi Nyi Aung, whose legal name in his American passport is Kyaw Zaw Lwin, lives in Maryland and is an active advocate for human rights in Burma.

He was arrested upon arrival at the Rangoon airport in September when he visited to see his mother, a democracy activist who is in prison and suffering from cancer. He was accused of trying to foment political unrest, but later convicted of carrying false identification and undeclared US currency, as well as failing to renounce his Burmese nationality upon becoming a US citizen in 2002.