Burmese Pro-Democracy Activists Launch Petition Drive
Members of the Burmese Democracy Network (BDN) launched a petition drive on Sunday urging the new government to release all political prisoners unconditionally and to create an environment where Burmese people living abroad, organizations in exile and refugees can return home safely.
The BDN is the name of the unofficial network of people that has formed at the urging of Aung San Suu Kyi following her release in Nov. 2010. Members of this network have now initiated a campaign, which began on the Burmese New Year, the goal of which is to get people to sign a letter to President Thein Sein requesting that he agree to the group's demands.
The BDN is the name of the unofficial network of people that has formed at the urging of Aung San Suu Kyi following her release in Nov. 2010. Members of this network have now initiated a campaign, which began on the Burmese New Year, the goal of which is to get people to sign a letter to President Thein Sein requesting that he agree to the group's demands.
Speaking to The Irrawaddy on Monday, Phyo Min Thein, one of the BDN's leading campaigners, said that Suu Kyi and the leaders of the National League for Democracy (NLD) and the 88 Generation Students group, as well as other prominent politicians, ethnic leaders and activists who did not compete in the November election, have signed the petition.
“After the holidays we will send this letter to the office of the new president in Naypyidaw. We will also send all the signatures of the participants. We are a voice for the people of Burma,” said Phyo Min Thein.
The letter, which will be sent on Friday, also requests that the new government build peace through a ceasefire with all ethnic armed groups and solve political problems through dialogue.
“People are sending their wishes to the president. It is the starting point for the dialogue. Most signed the letter making the demands with hope. The youth are performing worthwhile acts,” said Win Tin, a leading member of NLD.
“I welcome the movement for the freedom of the political prisoners, but I will only believe my brother is free when I see him,” said said Aung Tun, the brother of 88 Generation Students leader Ko Ko Gyi.
Sources inside Burma said that rumors are spreading that the new government will in fact release a large number of political prisoners, and many family members have been waiting for their release since Sunday.
Meanwhile, three political prisoners who are serving long sentences were honored on Sunday by Burmese living in Japan for their sacrifice for democracy and human rights.
The honored prisoners, chosen by the NLD, were Eindaka, a monk from Maggin Monastery in Rangoon who is serving his sentence in remote Lashio Prison in Shan State; Bodaw Khin Win, who is serving a 20-year prison term in Insein Prison; and Than Naing, who is serving his prison term in Maubin Prison. They have each received 100,000 kyats (US $1,169.50).
According to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, there are 2,073 political prisoners in Burma.
“After the holidays we will send this letter to the office of the new president in Naypyidaw. We will also send all the signatures of the participants. We are a voice for the people of Burma,” said Phyo Min Thein.
The letter, which will be sent on Friday, also requests that the new government build peace through a ceasefire with all ethnic armed groups and solve political problems through dialogue.
“People are sending their wishes to the president. It is the starting point for the dialogue. Most signed the letter making the demands with hope. The youth are performing worthwhile acts,” said Win Tin, a leading member of NLD.
“I welcome the movement for the freedom of the political prisoners, but I will only believe my brother is free when I see him,” said said Aung Tun, the brother of 88 Generation Students leader Ko Ko Gyi.
Sources inside Burma said that rumors are spreading that the new government will in fact release a large number of political prisoners, and many family members have been waiting for their release since Sunday.
Meanwhile, three political prisoners who are serving long sentences were honored on Sunday by Burmese living in Japan for their sacrifice for democracy and human rights.
The honored prisoners, chosen by the NLD, were Eindaka, a monk from Maggin Monastery in Rangoon who is serving his sentence in remote Lashio Prison in Shan State; Bodaw Khin Win, who is serving a 20-year prison term in Insein Prison; and Than Naing, who is serving his prison term in Maubin Prison. They have each received 100,000 kyats (US $1,169.50).
According to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, there are 2,073 political prisoners in Burma.
link : http://irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21126
