Political prisoner

Despite the much-lauded government reforms by the international community and President U Thein Sein’s 2013 promise to release all political prisoners, Burma’s military backed government is still clamping down on voices critical of the government, including political activists and journalists. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners in Burma stated that dozens of political prisoners were currently detained in Burma, with…

Burma Campaign UK, a human rights advocacy organisation, has called for Burma’s President to release the country’s remaining political prisoners and repeal Article 18 of the controversial Peaceful Procession and Peaceful Assembly Law, claiming that the law is being used to repress political dissent. In its media statement, Burma Campaign UK cited the cases of Nay Myo Zin and Win…

A report by a political prisoner advocacy group has condemned the government’s ongoing arrest of political opponents. The Association Assisting Political Prisoners (AAPP) point out that Burma’s President, U Thein Sein has failed to deliver on his promise to the international community to release all political prisoners by the end of 2013. “Regardless of the government statements that no more…

Nelson Mandela, the inspirational figure of Africa’s struggle for freedom and the hero to millions around the world, has died at the age of 95 in the company of his family at home in Johannesburg. Nelson Mandela’s death was announced to the world by South Africa’s current president, Jacob Zuma, who said on television that Mandela had “departed” and was…

Burma courts fine Kachin peace activists 40,000 Kyat for violating a controversial protest law that critics claim is used to gag political dissent. The two activists were charged under Section 18 of Burma’s Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law. They were fined on the 26th of November. The two activists, May Sabe Phyu and Maran Jaw Gun took part in…

Burma’s President, U Thein Sein, amnesty on November 15 saw the release of 69 political prisoners, including Naw Ohn Hla. Naw Ohn Hla who was imprisoned for two years because of her involvement in leading protests against the Letpadaung Copper Mining Project, a Chinese copper mine operating in the Sagaing Region. Naw Ohn Hla spoke to Karen News. “I was…

The human rights activist, Kyaw Hla Aung, is still in prison after being arrested over three months ago. Amnesty International claim he is innocent of any charges laid by authorities and Kyaw Hla Aung is a target because of his political activism and his links to the international community. Amnesty International said, “He has been charged with multiple offences and…

In a move praised by local and international rights groups, Burma’s government, led by ex-general Thein Sein, has released 56 political prisoners. However, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) noted in a statement to the media that 133 political prisoners were still languishing in the country’s prisons. “Their release does not officially acknowledge their political status and ensures they…

The use of ‘section 18’ – also known as the Peaceful Assembly and Peaceful Procession Law – to punish and restrict activist’s highlights the lack of rule of law in Burma, with the Burma based human rights group the Assistant Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) highlighting cases of abuse of the law and urging immediate judicial reform. Karen News can…

The jailing of 10 activists by Burma’s government was slammed by regional human rights groups who accused the government of muscling out local villagers in favor of multinational development projects. The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), that represents 47 member organizations from 16 nations across Asia, has criticized Burma’s decision to throw 10 rights activists in prison.…