Kyaw Ye Thu and Htet Aung
Kyaw Ye Thu is the president of the Student Union of Pyay University, and Htet Aung is a Vice President of the All Burma Federation of Students Unions (ABFSU). They were arrested in September for taking part in an anti-military and anti-war protest regarding the violence in Rakhine State.
As the military has stepped up its operations against the Arakan Army (AA) in Rakhine State, it has been deliberately targeting civilians, with civilians being killed, tortured, arrested and displaced. ABFSU is a nationwide student organisation, and they launched an anti-war leafletting and poster campaign in early September.
They were charged under Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code for destabilising state tranquillity. In November, the were sentenced to one year in prison in Paungde Prison.
Take Action
Write to the government of Burma
Key points to make:
- Highlight the cases of Kyaw Ye Thu and Htet Aung.
- Express concern that political prisoners are still in jail.
- Call for the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in Burma.
- Call for the repeal or replacement of repressive laws which are used to jail political prisoners.
An airmail letter from United Kingdom to Myanmar (Burma) costs £1.42 You can check the cost and buy postage online here: https://send.royalmail.com/
Burmese Embassy London
Ambassador Kyaw Zwar Minn
Embassy of Myanmar
19a Charles Street
London W1J 5DX
Email: ambassadoroffice@londonmyanmarembassy.com
Burmese President
President U Win Myint
President’s Office
Office No. 18
Nay Pyi Taw
Myanmar
Minister of Home Affairs
Lt. Gen. Soe Htut Minister of Home Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs
Office No. 10
Nay Pyi Taw
Myanmar
Email: mohamyanmar@gmail.com
Write to Kyaw Ye Thu and Htet Aung
We know that letters can get through to political prisoners, and that it makes a real difference to them when they receive a letter. It lets them know that they haven’t been forgotten, that people are working for their release, and that there is hope.
Write to Kyaw Ye Thu and Htet Aung here:
Kyaw Ye Thu and Htet Aung
C/O The governor of Paungde Prison
Paungde Prison
Bago
Myanmar
Letter writing tips:
- Letters can be as long or as short as you like. Even a half page letter is better than no letter at all!
- Tell them a little bit about yourself, your family, what you do.
- Tell them how you found out about their case.
- Say something about why you care and are taking the time to write this letter.
- Be encouraging, let them know that you and others will never give up campaigning for their release.
- If you have written to political prisoners before and they have been released, write about it. It will give them hope.
- Include an email address if you have one. When they are released they may be able to contact you.