Phillip Hammond Urged To Take Action To Free Htin Kyaw
Burma Campaign UK today urged Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond to pressure the military-backed government in Burma to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Htin Kyaw, a political prisoner in Burma. Burma Campaign UK today highlights the case of Htin Kyaw as part of the No Political Prisoner Left Behind campaign.
Htin Kyaw is a leader of the community-based organisation called Movement for Democracy Current Force (MDCF), which represents grassroots communities and campaigns against land-grabbing and other human rights violations in Burma.
He was arrested on 5th May 2014 for protesting without government permission and distributing leaflets which criticise the military-backed government. He was charged under Article 18 of the Peaceful Assembly Law, and sentenced to 3 months in prison.
Between 23 June and 19 August 2014, Htin Kyaw was also convicted by eight different township courts in Rangoon on eight different counts of violating Section 505(b) of Burma’s Penal Code. Section 505(b) is one of the repressive laws which the military-backed government uses to jail democracy activists for committing or inducing others “to commit an offence against the State or against the public tranquility.” Htin Kyaw currently serving nine years and four months in Insein prison.
“Htin Kyaw’s case is just one example of how activists are continuing to be arrested and harassed for their peaceful political activities,” said Anna Roberts, Executive Director of Burma Campaign UK. “It is time for the British government to step up public and private pressure to make sure that Htin Kyaw and all remaining political prisoners are released immediately and unconditionally.”
Action in support of Htin Kyaw can be taken here.
Photo credit: Robert San Aung