Assistance Association for former Political Prisoners (Burma)
Former Political Prisoners Society
The Ongoing
Arrests of Political Activists in Burma
Date… 27, May 2014.
The end of 2013 saw numerous
government statements that convinced much of the outside world that all
political activists had been freed from Burma’s jails. These statements not
only served to undermine the plight of those political activists still in jail
at the beginning of 2014, but also shifted focus away from the ongoing
restrictions and harassments of political activists. In
2014, there have been 85 people charged under Article 18 of the Peaceful
Assembly Law, Section 505 (b) of the Penal Code, Section 447, and a number of
other laws. AAPP currently recognizes at least 59 political prisoners detained
across Burma.
Press freedoms in 2014 have been
repeatedly threatened, with the arrest of numerous journalists and press staff
members around the country, demonstrating the plight of those fighting for
freedom of speech, assembly, and expression.
The
arrest of Democratic Voice of Burma journalist Zaw Pe has seen unauthorized
demonstrations in Magwe
Township, with supporters
angry at his year long sentence for attempting to interview a Magwe education
official. Many view the charges against Zaw Pe—of trespassing and disturbing a
civil servant—as restricting the freedom of the press and suppressing the
people’s right to free speech
The ire and frustration of these
protesters has been further provoked by the arrest of five Unity Weekly staff
members, who are accused of breaching the Official Secrets Act and are still
awaiting trial from prison.
Journalists, staffers, and family members were all
detained in connection with their charges of disclosing state secrets. This
attitude of oppressing journalists and restricting press freedoms is evidently
still prevalent in Burma,
with the press hamstrung in their attempts to question the actions of
government and state officials. While journalists are prevented from providing
the people of Burma
with information regarding the activities of their government, freedom of
speech can never truly exist.
President Thein Sein promised to
release all political activists by the end of 2013, a commitment he made, not
only to his own country, but to the international community. AAPP has recorded
evidence that this promise was not fulfilled. The willingness of the
international community to believe otherwise is as concerning as the ongoing
arrests themselves. International pressure on the Burmese government to keep
their promise and honor their commitment to the democratic process is essential
to furthering civil liberties in Burma.
The arrest and imprisonment
of peaceful demonstrators under laws designed to restrict civil liberties is
not unfamiliar in Burma,
and continues unabated in 2014. The dangers to journalists, farmers,
demonstrators, and political activists are as real as ever—a fact reflected in
the number of arrests made since the start of the year. AAPP continues to call
for the release of detained human-rights defenders who should be permitted to
participate in the democratic transition in Burma,
rather than face harassment, persecution, and imprisonment because of their
unwavering commitment to a free Burma.
The
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
Former
Political Prisoners Society
For More Information Contact
Ko Bo
Kyi Joint Secretary (AAPP-B) (+66) 81 9628 713
Ko Thet
Oo (FPPS) (+95) 97310 7933
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