MacShane urges freedom for political prisoners in Burma
19 May 2009
Denis MacShane MP has called for the release of all political prisoners in Burma and urged concerned citizens in Rotherham to write to the Burmese Embassy in London in support of pro-democracy campaigners in Burma. "More than 2000 political prisoners wake up in Burma’s jails. They survive in appalling conditions, many have been tortured, are kept isolated in small cells, and allowed out for just one hour a day, if at all. When they are sick, they are denied medical treatment", said MacShane.
"These prisoners are wanted these freedom and democracy. They include the monks we saw marching on the streets in September 2007, and the journalists who took the pictures we saw on TV and in newspapers. Many have been jailed for 65 years", he said
"The United Nations has already ruled that the detention of Aung San Suu Kyi and four other prisoners is illegal under international law. The United Nations Security Council has called for the release of all prisoners. But no practical action is being taken to secure their release. UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon appears happy to wait and see what happens after elections in Burma next year. But these elections will not be free and fair, and even if they were, it would not matter, because they would bring in a new constitution that keeps Burma’s generals in power.
"Not only does the military get 25% of the seats in Parliament, they also have effective veto power over decisions made by the Parliament, and the head of state must come from the military. No repressive laws will be repealed, no prisoners freed, there will be no freedom of speech", MacShane declared.
"I urge all the Rotherham citizens to write to the Burmese Embassy (Embassy of the Union of Myanmar, London 19A, Charles St, London, W1J 5DX) asking for the immediate release of Aung San Suu Kyu and all the political prisoners in Burma".