Chief Reporter, Arakan Watch.
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) calls “a blue shirt campaign” to lobby for the release of all remaining political prisoners in Burma on 21 April.
The campaign marks the third anniversary of the death of veteran journalist and former political prisoner Win Tin as its opinion, who died on 21 April 2014 in Rangoon. Although after his releasing from jail, he continued to wear his blue prison shirt as a symbol of the country’s political repression.
According to AAPP there are about 178 persons behind bars in Burma who are classified as prisoners of conscience. Some are imprisoned just for demanding civic and human rights. Others were detained for criticizing the military or government, while others were arrested for their alleged links to outlawed armed groups.
In the period of Aung San Suu Kyi’s power many countries now believe that Burma’s prisoners no longer hold political activists now. But actually that is not the case as they believe in. AAPP said it is important to highlight the issue in this time.
AAPP joint secretary Bo Kyi requested to join with them. And mark a note in the diary to wear a blue shirt on next 21 April. He also said , “Please Tell your friends to wear blue shirts. And take a picture with you in your blue shirt and post it on Facebook and other social media.”
He also urged supporters to use the blueshirt4burma link for all campaign gestures.
On the other hand the Office of State Counselor Suu Kyi announced last week that the government was releasing 1,883 prisoners ahead of the traditional New Year water festival. Of the 1,883 persons freed last Wednesday, which included 233 women, none were considered political prisoners.
(Source: DVB)
