Burma Keeping Political Prisoners Lock Up

Burma Campaign UK, a human rights advocacy group has called for the release of U Gambira, a prominent political activist arrested in January, and “all the remaining political prisoners in Burma.

U Gambira was arrested on January 19th this year while visiting Burma from his home in Thailand to obtain a new passport.

U Gambira is in Obo prison while his trial continues, and was refused bail. Burma Campaign UK stated that he suffers from “physical and mental illness, which requires him to take regular medication,” and should therefore have been granted bail.

“The charges against U Gambira are politically motivated because of his political activities in the past,” Wai Hnin, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK, said.

“He was a leader of the Saffron Revolution and he has been through several arrests and horrific torture. He should be released immediately so that he can continue his medical treatment. I hope that the NLD-led government will work to release U Gambira and the remaining political prisoners in Burma.”

He is currently being detained in Obo prison while his trial continues. He was refused bail despite the fact that he is suffering from physical and mental illness, which requires him to take regular medication.

“The charges against U Gambira are politically motivated because of his political activities in the past,” said Wai Hnin, Campaigns Officer at Burma Campaign UK. “He was a leader of the Saffron Revolution and he has been through several arrests and horrific torture,” Wai Hnin added.

U Gambira is connected with the All-Burma Monks Alliance, which was part of the 2007 Saffron Revolution – a series of public demonstrations by monks in Burma calling for democratic reform which was brutally crushed by the military.