by Francis Khoo Thwe

The AAPP movement reports "ongoing arrests" of journalists and ordinary citizens fighting for their civil liberties. In 2014, 85 arrests were carried out for crimes of opinion. At present, 59 political prisoners are still in jail. The group appeals to the international community not to relent their pressure. Aung San Suu Kyi signs petition for constitutional reforms.

Yangon (AsiaNews) - President Thein Sein "promised to release all political activists" from Burmese prisons "by the end of 2013, a commitment he made, not only to his own country, but to the international community." However, evidence shows "that this promise was not fulfilled" because "at least 59 political prisoners" are still "detained across Burma," this according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), one of the most important groups in Myanmar to act on behalf of political prisoners and dissidents.

In a note sent to AsiaNews, the movement called for more international pressure on the Myanmar government "to keep their promise and honour their commitment to the democratic process", thus "furthering civil liberties in Burma".

The appeal launched by the AAPP is intended to draw the attention of Western powers, wrongly convinced that the problem of political prisoners, human rights and democracy in Myanmar is already solved.

It is essential that "international pressure" be maintained on the Myanmar government to keep its promises and honours his "commitments to promote civil liberties".

For activists, the arrest and imprisonment of peaceful demonstrators under laws that restrict civil liberties "continues unabated even in this 2014".

Tate Naing is AAPP's founder, soul and current secretary. A former leader in the student 1988 uprising, he was sentenced to three years in prison in 1990 for his political activities.

His association is based along the border between Thailand and Myanmar, and over the years, it has provided a detailed report on the situation in Burmese prisons.

The dangers to journalists, farmers, demonstrators, and political activists are as real as ever - a fact reflected in the number of arrests made since the start of the year.

Among the most important, there is the case of Zaw Pe, a reporter with the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB), and that of five journalists working for the Unity Weekly, guilty of "disclosing state secrets," who are still in prison without a trial.

The AAPP note ends saying that in 2014 alone 85 people have been arrested for crimes of opinion or attempts to exercise their civil rights.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission warned the leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Aung San Suu Kyi to respect the constitution and comply with the law on the registration of political parties.

The decision by the Nobel Peace Prize winner to sign a petition launched by the 88 Generation movement and NLD itself is behind the dispute.

The petition calls for amendments to the constitution, in particular with regard to Article 436, which makes constitutional reform subject to the approval of military members of Parliament.

In spite of the threats, opposition movements intend to continue their campaign, which has already seen massive protests in recent weeks in Yangon, Mandalay and Hinthada.

• myanmar
• burma
• political
• prisoners