Calling Support For Burmese Political Prisoners

Guwahati: Various pro democracy & rights bodies across the globe have reiterated their demand to release all political prisoners in Burma (Myanmar). Those organisations have called upon conscious citizens worldwide ‘to wear a blue shirt or blue clothing on 21 April 2015, the first anniversary of the death of U Win Tin, in support of political prisoners still in jail in Burma’.

Mentionable is that a prominent journalist and founding member of National League for Democracy, U Win Tin was one of Burma’s longest serving (1989 to 2008) political prisoners. On his release U Win Tin refused to hand over his blue prison shirt, and pledged to wear a blue shirt every day until all political prisoners were released. He carried on wearing a blue shirt until his death. As the first anniversary of his death approaches, it is reported that over 173 political prisoners still remain in Burma’s various jails.

With more to it, 316 activists are awaiting trial. The number of political prisoners has risen by many folds in the last few months.

“Please wear a blue shirt or blue clothing, post pictures of yourself wearing blue on social media on April 21st and let people know that there are still political prisoners in Burma, and that they need our supports,” said an appeal endorsed by Burma Campaign UK, Actions Birmanie, All Arakan Students' and Youths' Congress, Burma Action Ireland, Burma Partnership, Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Forum for Democracy in Burma, Free Burma Campaign (South Africa), Norwegian Burma Committee, Swedish Burma Committee, US Campaign for Burma etc.

It also added that despite hundreds of political prisoners being released from 2011 to 2013, repressive laws remain in place, and new repressive laws, such as the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law, have been introduced in Burma.

“These laws are being used by the government to intimidate, arrest and jail political activists and peaceful protestors. President Thein Sein did not keep his promise to release all political prisoners by the end of 2013,” added the statement.

The organizations unanimously called for fundamental reforms to the concerned prisoners of conscience affairs committee and to ensure that all political prisoners are released unconditionally.

They also urged for compensation to be given to former political prisoners, repressive laws to be repealed and civil society to be involved and informed about the activities of the said committee.