Burma Campaign UK today urged President Thein Sein to immediately release Patrick Kum Jaa Lee and all other political prisoners in Burma.
On 14th October, Kachin activist Patrick Kum Jaa Lee was arrested without a warrant and taken to Hlaing Township police station for questioning. He was arrested for allegedly sharing a picture of an unidentified person stepping on a photo of army Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on Facebook.
It is probably no coincidence that Patrick’s wife, May Sabe Phyu, is one of the most high profile human rights activists in Burma.
His phone and computer were confiscated when he was arrested, and he was charged under the 2013 Telecommunication Law, which carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.
He is currently being detained in Insein Prison. There are concerns about his health as he has severe asthma and it is likely that he doesn’t have his inhaler in prison.
“It is ridiculous that people are getting arrested for using Facebook or making a joke about government officials in Burma,” said Anna Roberts, Executive Director at Burma Campaign UK. “This case shows that in Burma, there is no freedom of expression and people can be sent to jail for merely using Facebook. The arrest of Patrick Kum Jaa Lee is unlawful and he should be released immediately.”
Burma Campaign UK is asking supporters and members of the public to email President Thein Sein asking him to release Patrick Lum Jaa Lee and all political prisoners in Burma.
