aapp acknowledging supporters and colleagues
TRANSCRIPT
-
8/2/2019 AAPP Acknowledging Supporters and Colleagues
1/2
P.O Box 93, Mae Sot, Tak Province 63110, Thailand, e.mail: [email protected], web: www.aappb.org
P.O Box 93, Mae Sot, Tak Province 63110, Thailand
e.mail: [email protected] website: www.aappb.org
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A WORD OF THANKS FOR SUPPORTING BURMAS POLITICAL PRISONERS FROM AAPP
Statement
Date: March 23, 2012
Since the founding over 12 years ago, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners
Burma (AAPP-B) has ceaselessly worked for the immediate and unconditional release of
political prisoners. A political prisoner in Burma is rarely granted their full freedom,
however, and AAPP is also involved in ongoing efforts to ensure former political prisoners
are able to enjoy the spectrum of their civil and political rights without fear of reprisal of
re-arrest.
Despite the four presidential orders that have been authorized under the U TheinSein regime since the official dissolution of military rule, resulting in the release of 654
political prisoners, there are at least959 political prisoners behind bars. Of course, AAPPwarmly welcomes the release of each and any political prisoner, but for each one that has
been released, there is at least one still remaining imprisoned. We must not forget about
those that have been left behind.
International efforts have gone a long way in securing the release of hundreds of
political prisoners in the past year, and we truly appreciate the support of international
governments, human rights organizations, civil society groups, and grass roots initiatives
around the world that have advocated for the release of political prisoners.We would particularly like to express our deepest thanks to those who have been
the most lasting and strong supporters of political prisoners, including but not limited to
US Campaign for Burma, Burma Campaign UK, United States State Department, Human
Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the Special Rapporteur on the human rightssituation in Burma. Moreover, our work would not be possible without sustained and
critical funding from institutions like the National Endowment for Democracy, OpenSociety Institute, People in Need, Prisoner of Conscience Fund, Oak Foundation, Amnesty
International Sweden, Canadian Embassy in Thailand and the governments of the
Netherlands and Norway. We would like to remind you that solidarity, from democratic
forces inside or outside Burma, or from anyone who has supported or worked with AAPP,
does translate into concrete action that benefits political prisoners.On behalf of all who have been unjustly detained or arrested for exercising their
fundamental freedoms, we would like to say thank you.
It is vital that the remaining political prisoners are not forgotten. These courageous
individuals have had their basic rights stripped for their pro-democratic activities. They
must be immediately and unconditionally released and allowed to participate in the fragile
transition process now underway in Burma.
-
8/2/2019 AAPP Acknowledging Supporters and Colleagues
2/2
P.O Box 93, Mae Sot, Tak Province 63110, Thailand, e.mail: [email protected], web: www.aappb.org
In addition, it has been increasingly apparent that the perceived decrease in political
prisoner numbers is not a reflection of a more accepting environment for oppositional
voices. Those who dare to speak out continue to be subject to military-style tactics that
deprive them of their dignity and universal freedoms. AAPP documents these incidences of
harassment in our briefing papers that are sent out on a monthly basis from our mailing
list.We encourage the international community to take advantage of the wave of recent
small-scale reforms to urge the U Thein Sein regime to deepen and sustain the reform
process. Prematurely congratulating the regime while hundreds of political prisoners arestill behind bars would remove the incentive for the government to continue with releases.
Now is the time to increase, not ease, pressure on Burma.Unfortunately, we are aware that some in the international community are keen to
brand Burma as a success story of the power of international diplomacy in transforming a
brutal military dictatorship into a budding democracy. These members would like to gloss
over the political prisoner issue and sweep the continued denial of civil and political
freedoms under the rug.
Please continue activities in your country to make sure the political prisoner issueremains one of utmost importance. We must all ensure pressure for their release is not
relaxed until an international monitor is able to verify the identities of all politicalprisoners so as to secure their freedom.
It goes without saying that political prisoners have an integral role to play in
national reconciliation and ensuring democracy takes root in Burma. Many political
prisoners released over the past year immediately resumed their previous political and
human rights activities upon their release. For example, the day after their release, famed88 Generation leaders including Min Ko Naing were busy making speeches to the public
about the role of civil society in Burma. Since their releases, they have been traveling
throughout Burma in attempts to educate the ordinary people of Burma on democracy and
their role in ensuring a peaceful and genuine transition from military rule. Similarly, Shanethnic leader U Khun Htun Oo is currently working on re-registering his political party, the
Shan National League for Democracy, and is planning to contest in future elections. Thecommendable activities of those former political prisoners have not been free from state-
sponsored harassment, however, pointing to the continued need of international support.The struggle for a brighter future for political prisoners continues. AAPP is
committed to working for as long as it takes to secure the release of all remaining political
prisoners and until that day, we will aid in the rehabilitation of the lives of former political
prisoners. Even if there is one political prisoner still behind bars, AAPP will work tirelessly
on the prisoners behalf.
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
For more information:
Tate Naing (Secretary): +66 (0) 81 287 8751
Bo Kyi (Joint-Secretary): +1 (415) 812 0409