Signatures Wanted to Help Free Burmese

Signatures Wanted to Help Free Burmese Dissidents

Press Release : Terry Evans

13 March 2009

Today - Burma’s Human Rights' Day - the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) and the Forum for Democracy in Burma launched a global petition for the release of Burma’s political prisoners. The petition urges the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to help secure the release of all political prisoners in Burma.

The “Free Burma’s Political Prisoners Now” campaign aims to collect 888,888 signatures on or before 24 May 2009, the date on which detained Burmese pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is scheduled to be released from house arrest. The target symbolises 8 August 1988, when the brutal junta massacred thousands of civilians who courageously particpated in Burma’s People Power uprising.

Tate Naing - a former political prisoner and secretary of the AAPP - said, “Political prisoners are not criminals. They have simply stood up for freedom and democracy. Without the release of all political prisoners, there can be no peace and stability in our country. But we need the UN Secretary General to step in and show strong leadership on this issue. With this signature campaign, we want to show Ban Ki-moon just how many people around the world care about this issue.”

There are currently 2,100 political prisoners languishing in Burmese prisons, jailed because they chose to work for democracy and human rights.

The global signature campaign will run from 13 March to 24 May. Sign the petition at http://www.fbppn.net

ENDS

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