No Political Activists Must Remain in Burma’s Jails: Free Zaw Zaw Aung

By Burma Campaign UK • August 6, 2012

Burma Campaign UK today repeated its call to Jeremy Browne MP, British Foreign Office Minister with responsibility for Burma, to pressure Burma’s military backed government to agree to the formation of a joint domestic and international board with the involvement of the UN, to investigate how many political prisoners remain in Burma’s jails, and secure their release.

The unconditional release of all political prisoners is an essential step towards genuine democracy and freedom in Burma. A joint domestic and international board must be formed with the involvement of the UN to investigate how many political prisoners remain in Burma’s jails.

To draw attention to the remaining political prisoners, Burma Campaign UK is highlighting the case of a different political prisoner every month. The political prisoner for this month is Zaw Zaw Aung who was sent to life imprisonment in 2008.

Zaw Zaw Aung is a 33-year-old activist who was involved in raising awareness and educating the people of Burma about human rights and freedom. He was arrested in August 2008 and charged with 4 different counts, including under the 17/1 of the Unlawful Association Act and sentenced to a life imprisonment.

“It is very disappointing to see that political activists in Burma still remain in jails regardless of all the changes,” said Wai Hnin, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “To bring a proper democratic system to Burma, President Thein Sein must allow a joint domestic and international board to be formed with the help of the UN to investigate how many activists in Burma remain in jail and secure their release as soon as possible.”

Burma Campaign UK supporters are being asked to write a letter to Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne asking him to pressure the military backed government to allow the formation of a joint domestic and international board with the involvement of the UN to investigate the numbers of political prisoners remaining in Burma’s jails and secure their releases. Solidarity letters can also be written and sent to Yamethin prison, where Zaw Zaw Aung is imprisoned.

To take action for the release of Zaw Zaw Aung, please click here.