PRESS RELEASE

Bangkok, 13 March 2008 – The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) (AAPPB) and the Forum For Democracy in Burma (FDB) will launch the "Free Burma's Political Prisoners Now!" campaign today in Thailand to mark Burma Human Rights Day. The campaign demands the release of the 1,873 political prisoners detained in jails throughout Burma and condemns the use of systematic torture, the failed judicial system and targeted harassment of political prisoners’ families.

The campaign in Thailand, England, Japan, South Korea and Canada calls upon the international community including the United Nations to step up efforts for the unconditional release of prisoners of conscience in Burma through an online petition on the campaign site: www.fbppn.net to be submitted to the United Nations Security Council.

The Burmese ruling military regime, the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) denies the existence of political prisoners which human rights group report increased following the brutal crackdown on non-violent pro-democracy demonstrators and Buddhist monks in September 2007 during the “Saffron Revolution”.

A photography exhibition displaying portraits of political prisoners, testimony about forms of punishment and courageous activities by political prisoners inside notorious jails including Insein Prison will be opened after keynote remarks to be delivered by Ms. Sunee Chairod, Commissioner National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Thailand, Mr. Surapong Kongchantuk, Members of Human Rights Sub-Committee on Ethnic Minorities Stateless, Migrant Workers and Displaced Persons, Lawyers Council of Thailand, Mr.Boontan Tansuthep-veravong, Director of Amnesty International (Thailand) and Mr. Bo Kyi, a Former political prisoner and Joint Secretary of the AAPP.

Burma’s military junta has crushed political dissent and non-violent activities calling for democratic change through arrest and torture in a bid to repress any attempt to exercise fundamental human rights such as the freedom of speech or the freedom of assembly.

"The release of political prisoners is an essential step towards any meaningful political dialogue between the military regime and the political opposition led by Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi. We are calling for urgent international pressure upon the regime and effective measures from the United Nations Security Council to release all political prisoners in Burma.,” said Bo Kyi, Joint Secretary of the AAPP and Campaign Committee member.

Venue: Student Christian Center (SCC) For more information contact:
328/1 Phaythai Road, Ratchatewei, BKK Bo Kyi: 66-(0) 81-3248935
Time: 13.00 –15.00 hrs Zaw Zaw Htun: 66 (0) 81- 5323177
BTS: Ratchthewei station Email: bkstudent21@yahoo.com