Burma Campaign UK today urged President Thein Sein to immediately release Nay Myo Zin, Win Cho and all remaining political prisoners, and to fully repeal Article 18 of the Peaceful Procession and Peaceful Assembly Law.
Nay Myo Zin and Win Cho are former political prisoners who have been jailed again for their peaceful activities. On 17th January 2014, Nay Myo Zin and Win Cho organised a protest with hundreds of farmers across Burma, calling for the release of remaining political prisoners, constitutional change, and the establishment of a farmers’ union in the country.
On 18th January 2014, they were arrested and charged under Article 18 of the Peaceful Procession Law for holding a protest without permission. In March 2014, they were sentenced to three months in Insein Prison.
The promise by President Thein Sein to release all political prisoners by the end of 2013 was not met. Hundreds of people could still be in detention or face detention because of their political activities, ethnicity or religion. Even people whose cases have been verified by the political prisoner scrutiny committee have not been freed. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners Burma has verified around 33 political prisoners who are still in jail. More activists are being arrested and all repressive laws remain in place.
A permanent independent political prisoner review mechanism involving international expertise should be established to address the ongoing problem of political prisoners in Burma.
“Even after proposed changes, Burma’s so called right to protest law is not compatible with international standards.” said Wai Hnin, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “Activists like Nay Myo Zin and Win Cho are being arrested under this repressive law for organising peaceful protests. Thein Sein’s government should pass a protest law which gives people genuine rights and freedom to protest. The issue of political prisoners will remain a big problem unless all repressive laws are repealed in the country.”
More details of the political prisoners’ cases is available here.
