Burma Campaign launches petition to free Political Prisoners

This month a global signature campaign has been launched demanding the release all of Burma's political prisoners. The campaign is being led by former political prisoners from Burma and over 160 Burma exile and solidarity groups in 24 countries are taking part.

The campaign aims to collect 888,888 signatures before 24 May 2009, the legal date that Burma's democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi should be released from house arrest.

The petition calls on the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to make it his personal priority to secure the release of all political prisoners in Burma, as the essential first step towards democracy in the country.

We need your help to reach our target. Please sign the petition now:
http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/fbppn.htm

Please also ask your friends and networks to take action.

Attached is a petition form you can use to collect signatures at meetings and conferences.

The target of 888,888 signatures symbolises 8.8.88, the day the junta massacred some 3,000 people who courageously protested in Burma¹s largest democracy uprising.

There are over 2,100 political prisoners in Burma. They have committed no crime. They have been imprisoned for peacefully calling for democracy and freedom in Burma. In prison, democracy activists face horrific torture, including electric shocks, rape, iron rods rubbed on their shins until the flesh rubs off, severe beatings and solitary confinement. Many prisoners are kept in their cells 24 hours a day, given inadequate food and are in poor health. However, the regime appears to be systematically denying medical treatment to political prisoners.

Labour activists are among those targeted and imprisoned by the regime.
Activists like Zaw Htay, who was jailed for 10 years in January for helping farmers file a report to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on land seized by the army.

Prominent labour rights activist Su Su Nway was sentenced to 12 ½ years in prison for participating in the 2007 democracy uprising. We have just heard that her health is deteriorating and she has been admitted to hospital.

These brave men and women are at the forefront of the fight for freedom and democracy in Burma. They need your help.

Sign the petition now: http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/fbppn.htm