Date: 23 March 2006

Today marks the sixth anniversary of the formation of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma).

Consisting entirely of former political prisoners, the AAPP works to monitor Burma's interrogation centers and prisons, reporting its findings to the international community. Since its founding, the AAPP has gained a reputation for its effectiveness in accurately documenting the political prisoner situation and advocating on behalf of all political prisoners. Information collected by the AAPP has been cited in reports from the US State Department, and an AAPP report on torture received widespread media attention in 2005, including coverage on the BBC, reaching a potential audience of 200 million.

Individuals and organizations from the US, UK, France, Canada, Norway, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Romania, the Czech Republic, Australia, South Africa, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Malaysia have all worked with the AAPP to spread information in their respective countries on the plight of political prisoners in Burma. Our members have been able to travel to several countries to talk with government officials, activists, students and others about the needs of political prisoners.. Most recently, the Joint Secretary was asked to testify before the US Congress. Members based in the US, Japan and Norway continue to participate in the efforts of the AAPP.

In addition to its monitoring activities, the AAPP has provided physical and moral support to political prisoners and their families. Assistance has also been given to former political prisoners so that they can take care of their health and educational needs. Providing such assistance is critical to maintaining the spirit of political prisoners and their families.

Despite the success of the AAPP, much remains to be done. There are currently 1,156 political prisoners in Burma, all at risk for torture and ill-treatment. Torture in Burma's interrogation centers and prisons remains endemic, and the general prison conditions and health care for many political prisoners in tantamount to torture. Seven democracy activists died in 2005, and one died in January of this year. In all, 126 democracy activists have died as a result of torture and ill-treatment in the interrogation centers, prisons, and labor camps.

On this anniversary, the AAPP reaffirms its commitment to bringing about the release of all political prisoners in Burma and an end to torture and ill-treatment. We further reiterate the need for a peaceful transition to democracy. Only when Burma is free and democratic will the human rights of its people be respected. Until that time, we believe the following to be crucial points regarding political prisoners:

- all physical and psychological torture must end immediately
- the prisons conditions (provision of food, water, clothing and maintenance of the cells) and the health care system should be improved to meet international standards
- political prisoners should not be transferred far from their families as the extra food and medicines families provide is integral to survival in prison
- the ICRC must be allowed to visit the prisons, and must be more resolute in working to provide health care and supplies to political prisoners
- the legal system must be reformed to allow free and fair trial as at present it is an integral part of the arbitrary detention and torture of democracy activists
- all political prisoners and especially those who have already completed their prison sentence should be released immediately and unconditionally

We call on all democracy and human rights activists locally and in the international community to work with us to achieve our goals.

Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)

For more information:
Tate Naing (+66) 1 287 8751
Bo Kyi (+1) 202 375 0022