21 Cyclone Nargis Volunteers in Jail

21 Cyclone Nargis Volunteers in Jail

This week the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma) released a report to mark the anniversary of Cyclone Nargis, which devastated Burma a year ago. The report highlights the cases of 21 volunteers who are currently facing between 2 and 35 years in prison for their efforts to assist in the aftermath of the cyclone, including gathering and cremating the dead.

At least eight of the volunteers had been in hiding since their participation in September 2007’s Saffron Revolution, but came out of hiding to co-ordinate relief efforts after the cyclone devastated the Irrawaddy Delta. Five of the volunteers are former political prisoners, who have already spent many years in jail. AAPP Secretary Tate Naing said, “Their punishment is completely unacceptable. Their ‘crimes’ were to help people and tell the truth about the situation. We call on ASEAN and UN to press the military regime to release the Cyclone Nargis volunteers – and all political prisoners – immediately.”

The organisation renewed its calls for support for its campaign petition - Free Burma’s Political Prisoners Now! “Political prisoners – including Cyclone Nargis volunteers - must not be forgotten. Ordinary people everywhere can sign the petition,” added Tate Naing. The campaign aims to collect 888,888 petition signatures before 24 May. This is the date that the military junta claims that Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi should be released from house arrest, despite the fact that the United Nations has recently declared that this consecutive sixth year of house arrest contravenes the junta's own laws. The petition can be signed at www.fbppn.net

ENDS

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