Burma Campaign UK today launches a campaign for the release of Sein Than, a political activist serving a two year prison sentence for taking part in and leading peaceful protests in support of people demanding compensation or return of their land that was confiscated by the military.
Burma Campaign UK is urging people to email President Thein Sein calling on him to free Sein Than and repeal the protest law and other repressive laws used to jail political activists.
Sein Than, was arrested on 31st July 2014 for taking part in and leading peaceful protests in Rangoon.
The protesters were calling for the military-backed government to solve the land disputes in Rangoon which took place in the early 1990s.
He was charged under Article 18 of the Peaceful Assembly Law for protesting without government permission, and the Yangon Municipal Act for disrupting sidewalks during his peaceful protests. Five different township courts filed lawsuits against Sein Than under Article 18 of the Peaceful Assembly Law.
In September 2014, he was given a four month prison sentence under the Yangon Municipal Act, and was given a one year and six month prison sentence under Article 18. He is currently serving a two year sentence in Insein prison.
“Sein Than is one of a growing number of political prisoners jailed under a new and more repressive law than under the military dictatorship”, said Wai Hnin, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “Sein Than is basically in jail for standing on a pavement without government permission. Laws used to jail peaceful protestors and activists must be repealed immediately.”