Our campaign to free activist Nilar Thein is reported in Mizzima today:
Burma Campaign UK has urged the Minister of Home Affairs, Lt Gen Ko Ko, to immediately release Nilar Thein and to reform the Prisoners of Conscience Affairs Committee the group said in a statement on 25 February 2015.
On 24th February 2016, Nilar Thein was arrested by police from Bayinnaung Police Station in Yangon for allegedly supporting student protests against the controversial Education Bill last year. The Education Bill limits academic freedoms and prohibits the formation of student unions.
Nilar Thein is one of the prominent leaders of the 88 Generation Peace and Open Society Group and a former political prisoner. She was previously arrested in 2008 and sentenced to 65 years in prison. She was released in 2012, and has continued her political activities, the statement said.
“Nilar Thein’s case shows how activists are continuing to get arrested under the repressive laws in Burma” said Wai Hnin, a Campaigns Officer at the group. “It is absurd that a prominent leader like Nilar Thein has been arrested for her political activities from last year. The arrest of Nilar Thein is unlawful and she should be released immediately.”
Nilar Thein was charged under Article 18 of the Peaceful Procession Law. She is currently being detained in Insein Prison while her trial continues.
