Burma Uprising 1st Anniversary – Protesters Demand Prisoner Release

One year on from the brutal suppression of peaceful pro-democracy protests in Burma – known as the Saffron Revolution – campaigners around the world will be calling on Ban Ki-Moon and regional governments to take action to secure the release of political prisoners in Burma.

In London there will be a demonstration at the Embassy of Thailand, which currently chairs the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The protest will take place at 2pm.

“One year on from the uprising the human rights situation in Burma continues to deteriorate, with almost double the number of political prisoners,” said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK. “Ban Ki-Moon, the UN Security Council, and Asian countries, have all called for the release of political prisoners, but no action is being taken. This has to change.”

There are now more than 2,100 political prisoners in Burma. Many face torture and are held in terrible conditions. Recently the regime has been systematically denying medical treatment to political prisoners.

In December UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon is expected to visit Burma to discuss the political crisis in the country. Pressure is growing for the UN to make Burma a higher priority, and for a recognition that its current softly softly approach to the regime does not work.  There have been 37 visits to Burma by UN envoys in the past 20 years, and not one political reform to show for it.

“It is time to set timelines and benchmarks for progress,” said Zoya Phan. “We can’t have another 20 years of talks and no action. Ban Ki-Moon should secure as the release of all political prisoners when he visits in December, as a first steps towards genuine tri-partite dialogue.”

For more information contact Zoya Phan on 020 7324 4712

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