Lack of faith in the judiciary has forced four people detained for participating in the Saffron Revolution to withdraw general power from lawyers representing them.
Tun Tun Oo, Htar Htar Thet, Aung Kyaw Moe and Maung Maung Latt from Hlaing Township, arrested following last years protests withdrew general power from their lawyers today, in the Hlaing township court of law given their lack of trust in the Burmese judicial system.
"The plaintiffs have been wrongly accused. They said they have withdrawn the lawyers' general power because they lacked trust in the system," said a supreme court lawyer Khin Maung Shein.
The defendants said during the trial that they would not cooperate with the court.
Similarly, in Mingalartaungnyunt township court, human right activists Aung Zaw Oo, Kyaw Soe and Kan Maung withdrew general power from their lawyers last Friday.
In Mingalartaugnyunt township court, guitarist Win Maw, nine university students including Pyae Phyoe Hlaing, Aung Thwin, Mya San, Tin San, Aung Myint and in Pabedan township court, Aung Thein Lwin withdrew general power from their lawyers.
Tate Naing, the secretary of Association of Assistance to Political Prisoner (AAPP) said "Lack of trust in the court of justice emanates from lack of trust in the lawyers as well as plaintiffs".
Right to defence with the help of lawyers meant revelation of the truth. So, those who withdrew general power from the lawyers should reconsider their decision," he added.
Lawyer Phoe Phyu said the junta authorities have allowed them lawyers according to the criminal law act No. 340 and the law of prison act No. 40. But withdrawing general power can hurt the clients.
"One needs to work in accordance with the law. To face the law keeping their stand in national politics intact is the common wish of the 88 generation students, Ah Shin Gambira and other monks. They need lawyers who can represent them in keeping with the law. If the lawyers can defend them, there's no need to withdraw the general power," Phoe Phyu said.
Tate Naing said that this was the government's abuse of the law because the authorities have arranged to punish the detainees even before the trial. Burmese laws have nothing in common with international law.
