Amnesty International Event for imprisoned Burmese comic

Amnesty International Media Release
For immediate release
14 March 2010

NZ comedians stand up with Amnesty International for imprisoned Burmese comic

‘Zarganar is a remarkable character – very funny and very appealing – which
makes his imprisonment seem all the more unforgiveable…fascinating,
upsetting, and inspiring.’
Michael Palin

Zarganar is one of the most remarkable men I have ever filmed. His courage, his humility, his determination to confront the Burmese junta with his humour has led him to pay a terrible price - 33 years more in prison. We must not forget him or the other 2000 political prisoners in Burma.
Rex Bloomstein, Director

Top New Zealand comedians Michele A’Court and Jeremy Elwood are joining Amnesty International to speak out about the imprisonment of ‘Burma’s greatest living comedian’, Maung Thura, aka Zarganar.

Relentlessly victimised by Myanmar’s military rulers, Zarganar is serving a 35-year prison sentence for publicly criticising the government’s failure to assist victims of Cyclone Nargis in 2008.

In effort to raise awareness about Zarganar’s plight and the right to freedom of expression, Michele and Jeremy have collaborated with Amnesty International to host a special screening of This Prison Where I Live.

The moving documentary tells Zarganar’s story and follows fellow European comedian Michael Mittermeier, who heads to Myanmar to find out more about Zarganar. The film highlights how performers are often at the front line in the fight for freedom of expression.

“As comedians, we like to fool ourselves that occasionally what we say is provocative, even dangerous. However, for a comedian like Zarganar, this is quite literally the case. We may take our freedom to speak, satirise and poke fun for granted, but we do know that many do not have the same artistic freedoms, and I’m very happy to play a tiny role in bringing one of these stories to the attention of a Kiwi audience,” says Jeremy.

“It is inspiring to be reminded of two things - that words are a powerful tool and that, in our part of the world, we are incredibly lucky to have the freedom to use whichever ones we want. The least we can do for someone with Zarganar’s courage is to get his words out to as many people as possible,” adds Michele.

“We’re asking Kiwis to get behind our campaign to free Zarganar by celebrating their right to freedom of expression and coming along to our film screening about this remarkable man. People will also have the opportunity to sign a postcard to Burmese authorities calling for Zarganar’s release,” says Amanda Brydon of Amnesty International.

WHAT: Amnesty International screening of This Prison Where I Live

WHEN: 7:30pm, Sunday 20 March

WHERE: The Classic Comedy Club, Queen Street, Auckland

To book tickets go to www.comedy.co.nz, phone 09 373 4321 or email info@comedy.co.nz

Note to editors:
Amnesty International considers Zarganar to be a prisoner of conscience who has been imprisoned solely for peacefully expressing his opinions. Zarganar was arrested on 4 June 2008 for criticising the government’s handling of Cyclone Nargis. In the aftermath of the cyclone, he led a fundraising drive for humanitarian assistance and provided information about the crisis. He was originally sentenced to 59 years’ imprisonment under vaguely worded provisions of laws that criminalise peaceful dissent, but this was reduced to 35 years on appeal. Zarganar is being held in the remote Myitkyina Prison, and has been denied medical attention for his various health problems. Amnesty International is calling on Myanmar’s authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Zarganar, provide him with all necessary medical treatment, allow him access to his family and lawyers, and ensure he is not tortured or otherwise ill-treated in prison.

More information about This Prison Where I Live can be found at www.thisprisonwhereilive.co.uk

ENDS

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