Burma Campaign UK Welcomes Release of 34 Resistance Fighters

By Burma Campaign UK • May 19, 2011

Burma Campaign UK today welcomed the release of 34 resistance fighters from Burma, who have been held in India for more than 13 years, despite never having committed a crime.

The thirty-four were arrested 13 years ago, on 11 February 1998, on Landfall Island, by the Indian Military. They appear to have been tricked by a rogue Indian Military intelligence official, who had told them they could land there with the permission and support of the military. Although initially accused of gun-running, these charges were dropped, and last year a plea bargain was agreed in which they were told that each of them had to pay a six-thousand rupee fine, and given a three year sentence, which has already been served while waiting for, and during, the trial.

These thirty-four resistance fighters never intentionally broke any Indian law. They thought they were in India with the permission of the Indian government.

Burma Campaign UK and other organisations worldwide have been campaigning for their release. In February 2011 38 organisations in 18 countries took part in a global day of action in support of the 34.

The thirty-four come from two ethnic nationalities in Burma, they are Arakanese and Karen. Both of these ethnic groups face persecution from the dictatorship ruling Burma. As members of two banned organisations, the National United Party of Arakan, and the Karen National Union, they would face arrest, torture and imprisonment if they were forced to return to Burma.

“I am delighted that the 34 have been released at last,” said Mary Hla, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “The 34 should never have been in jail in the first place. It is vital now that they are guaranteed safety and support, with no threat of their being deported back to Burma. We hope that countries in Europe will offer them sanctuary. We are approaching European countries about this.”

Burma Campaign UK published a detailed briefing on the case, available at: http://burmacampaign.org.uk/images/uploads/8-34-Freedom-Fighters-in-India.pdf

For more information contact: Mary Hla on 44(0)7853287330

Note: 3 of the 34 are still detained on another matter and will now have to travel to the Andaman Islands for a separate case, which is not expected to take long to settle.