Canada has condemned the long prison terms given to 14 democracy activists in Burma on November 11 and is urging the Burmese military junta to release all political prisoners.
“Canada is deeply concerned to learn that 14 members of the 88 Generation Students group have each been sentenced to 65 years’ imprisonment. We call on Burmese authorities to release all political prisoners immediately,” Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said in a statement.
The activists are members of the student-led democracy uprising that took place in March 1988. They were convicted for their roles in anti-government rallies in September 2007, called the “Saffron Revolution” as a reference to the thousands of Buddhist monks in saffron-coloured robes who led the peaceful protests.
Tin Maung Htoo, executive director of Canadian Friends of Burma, says the junta has now handed down long sentences to 61 activists.
Labour activist Su Su Nway, winner of Canada’s John Humphrey Freedom Award in 2006, was sentenced to 12 years and 6 months. Meanwhile, Min Ko Naing, winner of the award in 1999, is still awaiting sentencing.
As “the most prominent and senior leader” from the ’88 generation, “we expect he will receive even more than 65 years,” said Mr. Tin Maung Htoo.
These verdicts further demonstrate that the military regime will “never relax its muscle on the repression,” he said.
Burma enjoyed more than a decade of parliamentary democracy before the military takeover in 1962.
Mr. Cannon urged the regime to engage in “genuine dialogue” with the democratic opposition and ethnic minorities to work toward restoration of democracy in Burma.
The international community must “press harder,” said Mr. Tin Maung Htoo. He urged Canada to increase diplomatic and economic measures against Burma and provide greater support to the Burmese democratic movement.
According to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), there are currently 2,120 political prisoners in Burma.
“Canada is deeply concerned to learn that 14 members of the 88 Generation Students group have each been sentenced to 65 years’ imprisonment. We call on Burmese authorities to release all political prisoners immediately,” Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said in a statement.
The activists are members of the student-led democracy uprising that took place in March 1988. They were convicted for their roles in anti-government rallies in September 2007, called the “Saffron Revolution” as a reference to the thousands of Buddhist monks in saffron-coloured robes who led the peaceful protests.
Tin Maung Htoo, executive director of Canadian Friends of Burma, says the junta has now handed down long sentences to 61 activists.
Labour activist Su Su Nway, winner of Canada’s John Humphrey Freedom Award in 2006, was sentenced to 12 years and 6 months. Meanwhile, Min Ko Naing, winner of the award in 1999, is still awaiting sentencing.
As “the most prominent and senior leader” from the ’88 generation, “we expect he will receive even more than 65 years,” said Mr. Tin Maung Htoo.
These verdicts further demonstrate that the military regime will “never relax its muscle on the repression,” he said.
Burma enjoyed more than a decade of parliamentary democracy before the military takeover in 1962.
Mr. Cannon urged the regime to engage in “genuine dialogue” with the democratic opposition and ethnic minorities to work toward restoration of democracy in Burma.
The international community must “press harder,” said Mr. Tin Maung Htoo. He urged Canada to increase diplomatic and economic measures against Burma and provide greater support to the Burmese democratic movement.
According to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), there are currently 2,120 political prisoners in Burma.
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