Khin Mi Mi Khaing, Myint Myint Aye and Thant Zin Htet Released After Hunger Strike

Burma Campaign UK today welcomes the release of Khin Mi Mi Khaing, Myint Myint Aye and Thant Zin Htet, who have been on hunger strike since December 13th. The three were released after Pegu Divisional court accepted their appeal against the charges against them.

Khin Mi Mi Khaing and Myint Myint Aye are leaders of two independent women’s networks in Burma, and Thant Zin Htet is a student activist. In June, they visited Pae Ma Khan village in Bago Division to show their support to farmers who ploughed land that had been confiscated from them […]

Brang Yung and Lahpai Gam Prison Sentences Increased

On Thursday 19th December two Kachin civilians, Brang Yung and Lahpai Gam, had their sentences increased from 2 to 7 years in jail. They were already serving 2 year prison sentences after a verdict last month. It is not yet clear why their sentences were increased. Although Thein Sein promised to release all political prisoners by the end of this year, farmers, activists and ethnic civilians are continuing to be arrested, and put on trial […]

Burmese Political Prisoners on Hunger Strike in Jail

Three human rights activists, who were arrested in June, have been on hunger strike since 13th December. Khin Mi Mi Khaing, Myint Myint Aye and Thant Zin Htet were arrested for supporting farmers protests against land confiscation.

They have been on trial for more than six months. They have been refused bail, and faced more than 20 court hearings without a proper trial and verdict. They have gone on hunger strike to protest against their treatment by Burma’s judicial system […]

1,000 Letters About Burma’s Political Prisoners Delivered To William Hague

Burma Campaign UK today delivered 1,000 letters calling on the Foreign Secretary William Hague to pressure the military-backed government in Burma to set up a permanent and independent review committee for political prisoners and secure their immediate unconditional release.

Although there have been releases of many high profile political prisoners, hundreds of activists are still being arrested under repressive laws. In Kachin State and in Rakhine state, hundreds more remain in jail or are awaiting trials […]

Sentencing of May Sabe Phyu and Maran Jaw Gun Highlights New Tactics of Intimidation

Two Kachin peace activists, May Sabe Phyu and Maran Jaw Gun, were today fined 40,000 Kyat ($40, £24), for violating Section 18 of Burma’s Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law, The case took place at San Chaung Township Court, Rangoon.

They had taken part in a peaceful protest in Rangoon on the International Day of Peace 2012, highlighting how the Burmese government broke a ceasefire in Kachin State, Burma, in 2011 […]

Political Prisoners Continue to Be Used as a PR Tool by Thein Sein

Today Burma Campaign UK welcomed the news that 69 political prisoners have been released but expressed concerns that, once again, the release of political prisoners is cynically timed with the visits of high profile international delegations.

Activists Aung Soe and Naw Ohn Hla were among the released prisoners, and their cases were highlighted in our No Political Prisoner Left Behind campaign in March and August 2013 […]

Thein Sein Urged To Release Bauk Ja

Burma Campaign UK today urged President Thein Sein to immediately release Bauk Ja and all remaining political prisoners unconditionally. Burma Campaign UK today highlighted Bauk Ja as political prisoner of the month as part of the No Political Prisoner Left Behind Campaign […]

Sexual Violence in Burma ‘Deeply Troubling’ Says UK Foreign Secretary William Hague

British Foreign Secretary William Hague has said in a letter to Burma Campaign UK that the British government; ‘continue to receive deeply troubling reports of the use of sexual violence in Burma’s conflict zones’.

The letter was in response to thousands of letters and campaign postcards calling for action to end rape and sexual violence in Burma, which were delivered to the Foreign Office on 12th September 2013 […]

2nd Anniversary of Sumlut Roi Ja Abduction Highlights Impunity in Burma

Today marks the second anniversary of Sumlut Roi Ja, an ethnic Kachin woman, being abducted by the Burmese Army. She is still missing, presumed dead.

Sumlut Roi Ja is a 28-year-old mother who was arrested by Burmese Army soldiers on October 28th 2011 while working on a family’s farm near her village Hkai Bang, close to the China border […]

UK Must Ensure UN General Assembly Burma Resolution Tackles Sexual Violence

Burma Campaign UK today called on the British government to ensure that ending rape and sexual violence in Burma is included in the UN General Assembly resolution on Burma, a draft of which is expected to be completed by the European Union this week.

Burma Campaign UK also called on the British government to raise rape and sexual violence in Burma when the United Nations Security Council discusses Women Peace and Security on 18th October […]