Calling for the Release of All Political Prisoners Towards National Reconciliation in Burma

By Indian-Parliamentarians Forum for Democracy in Burma • September 6, 2011

Dear friends,

We, members of the Indian Parliamentarians’ Forum for Democracy in Burma (IPFDB), would like to remind you that even after the General Elections in November 2010 and despite hopes that the newly-formed government could tackle the issue of political prisoners, there is no amnesty for them as many as 2000 are still detained in Jails. They are held in the country’s 43 prisons and many serving sentences of several decades after trials without getting access to legal representation.

The release of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi in last November has been a welcome move. However, her release alone does not signify Burma’s transition to democracy. The release of remaining 2000 political prisoners is important and necessary for democracy and political freedom in Burma.

Since the elections last November the human rights situation in Burma has deteriorated, with the regime breaking ceasefires in Kachin, Karen and Shan States, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.

As the Special Repporteur on the situation of human rights in Burma, Tomas Ojea Quintana, noted on 25 August 2011, at the conclusion of his forth visit to the country:

“Also of concern are the ongoing tensions in ethnic border areas and armed conflict with some armed ethnic groups, which continue to engender serious human rights violations, including attack against civilian populations, extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, arbitrary arrest and detention, internal displacement, land confiscations, the recruitment of child soldiers, as well as forced labour and portering.”

Madam Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Laureate and winner of Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding, on her 66th birthday on 19th June 2011, urged to the peoples of India through a Video message- “there are now still over 2000 political prisoners in Burma living under very, very harassing conditions. We would like them to be released as soon as possible. Whether or not, Burma is really heading towards democracy can be judged on how soon these political prisoners can be released. So I would like to call on all our friends in India to work for their release”.

India and Burma have a long history of friendship and deep cultural ties, which are greatly cherished by both peoples. In the interest of maintaining these ties it is incumbent upon India, as the world’s largest democracy, to promote democracy, human rights, peace and stability in Burma.

To show our solidarity and moral support to the leader of the Burmese democracy movement ,Madam Aung San Suu Kyi and the peoples of Burma, we have launched a campaign to collect the signatures of Indian Parliamentarians to call on the Burmese government;

to immediately and unconditionally release all prisoners of conscience
to declare nation-wide cease-fire between the Tatmadaw (army) and armed ethnic groups
to resolve political conflict through dialogue and to create conditions that would enable individuals living as refugees in various countries abroad to return comfortably to Burma in total safety and security.

The letter was signed by more than 100 Indian Members of Parliament across the parties to be sent to the President U Thein Sein through the National League for Democracy (NLD) party led by Madam Aung San Suu Kyi.

It is our sincere hope that the present government in Burma genuinely strives for the promotion of essential democratic principles and engages in genuine national reconciliation and holds parley with all stake holders for a peaceful solution of political problems through meaningful dialogue.

Thank you for your attention.
Ram Jethmalani, MP
Convener, IPFDB

This post is in: Press Release

Calling for the Release of All Political Prisoners Towards National Reconciliation in Burma

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