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All Burma Federation of Students' Unions
(Foreign Affair Committee)
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
23 March 2004
Today, March 23, 2004, is the 15th anniversary of the arrest of
Min Ko Naing, the famous student leader of Burma. He was arrested
by the SLORC/SPDC Military Intelligence and was put in prison
unjustly. He has been in the junta's prison, specifically in solitary
confinement, for 15 years. He bravely led students for democracy
and fought against the military dictatorship since before the
student demonstrations and the 8-8-88 Uprising. Moreover, he became
a democratic leader among students, monks and people who believed
in him during the uprising.
Min Ko Naing is a student leader who has been steadfast in his
strong faith in democracy and human rights despite being detained
by the junta under Article 10(A), held beyond the completion of
his sentence, and put in solitary confinement throughout his imprisonment.
In addition, he has been transferred to the remote Sittwe prison
in Arakan State, which is 600 miles from his family in Rangoon,
and he has been tortured day and night by the Military Intelligence
throughout his 15 years in prison.
The everyday situations of food and health for prisoners as well
as their physical and mental conditions in the SPDC's prisons
are of great concern. Arbitrary arrests, long term and prolonged
imprisonment after the completion of original sentences for activists
who have participated in the political movement and who have a
strong faith in democracy are all obstacles to national reconciliation
and genuine democracy in Burma. Moreover, a series of arrests
and the imprisonment of national leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi,
U Tin Oo, leaders and members of the NLD, students, monks and
ordinary people alike after the Debayin Massacre reveal that the
SPDC does not truly want national reconciliation and genuine democracy.
These actions also show that the SPDC does not have the foresight
for the future good of Burma. Therefore, we strongly condemn the
actions of the SPDC.
Now, Burma's collapses of political, economic, social and general
problems need to be solved urgently. To solve and move passed
these problems peacefully, to establish democracy, and to achieve
national reconciliation, genuine dialogue between the SPDC and
the NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, elected parliament members,
and ethnic leaders must commence. In addition, it is essential
and urgent that all political prisoners are released immediately
and unconditionally. If the SPDC stubbornly denies the peaceful
and perceptive way for the future of the country in order to maintain
power for their own profit, they will surely experience the reaction
of the people. Therefore, we strongly urge the SPDC to take the
following action without delay:
-Release national leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, U Tin Oo, Ko Min
Ko Naing (Chairperson of the All Burma Federation of Students'
Unions) and all political prisoners immediately and unconditionally
-Permit political parties, student unions and social organizations
to form, operate and organize freely and unconditionally
-Convene genuine dialogue among the SPDC, the NLD led by Daw Aung
San Suu Kyi, the elected parliament members, and ethnic leaders
All Burma Federation of Students' Unions (Foreign Affair Committee)
Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma)
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