AIPMC Calls for Release of Student Leaders Detained Ahead of July 7 Commemoration Events

By ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus • July 7, 2012

The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus (AIPMC) today called on the government of the Union of Myanmar to immediately release student leaders detained in Mandalay, Yangon and other cities and to ensure students and civil society groups are given the freedom to assemble and exercise their democratic rights.

AIPMC is in Myanmar on a fact-finding visit to assess the current reform process. The student leaders were apparently seized ahead of plans to hold events to commemorate the bombing of the Student Union building of Yangon university in 1962, in the coup of General Ne Win that launched decades of military rule and oppression in this country.

“We are extremely disappointed that this event occurred, especially so as it is during our trip to assess the often lauded reform process. This act of oppression has given us the impression that the old ways of practice are still in effect despite all the positivity for change that we have been hearing,” said Son Chhay, Vice President of AIPMC and Cambodian Member of Parliament.

“This is unacceptable. If they want to impress upon the international community that they are no longer a repressive country, then they have to act differently. If they are even going to arrest people before any crime has taken place, this shows that they continue to use fear and intimidation to repress. This is one of the many things that we have learned over the past few days we have spent in this country. We will have to report to the international community and consider ourselves to determine the best way to proceed to help the people of Burma.”

AIPMC understand that 15 young student leaders from the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), mostly in Yangon, Mandalay, Myinggyan and Lashio, have been detained by security forces. It is unclear on what charges they were detained.

AIPMC supports the 88 Generation’s calls for the immediate release of D Nyein Lin, Sithu Maung, Phyo Phyo Aung, Ye Myat Hein, and the other 11 student leaders known to have been detained.

For further information and interview requests please contact Agung Putri Astrid on +62 81514006416, or by email at [email protected].

This post is in: Press Release

AIPMC Calls for Release of Student Leaders Detained Ahead of July 7 Commemoration Events

About Burma Partnership

Spotlight

Campaigns